Page 101 of Destroy (Deadly Hearts 2)

ChapterForty-Five

Ramsey

“It’s nothing you need to worry about,” David says, entering the sitting room looking like he has seen a ghost. “Just some work shit, that’s all.”

“Work shit is something I need to worry about,” Ruby remarks, following him, dressed in a white fluffy robe.

“Not this. Forget it,” David snaps, getting unusually pissed off and ruffled. I don’t think I have ever seen him so anxious before.

“Whatever that is, it can wait,” I interrupt before the shit hits the fan. “We need to talk about Connor.”

“There’s nothing to talk about,” Ruby says. “I spoke to The Banker, he’s at Widows. He’s not causing any trouble so far, but that won’t last. He went there to take my club at closing time and that is approaching rapidly while we fuck about over here, discussing this like a bunch of pussys.”

“Ruby,” Declan says, exasperated. “You are being irrational about this. We can’t storm into the casino and wipe him and his four men off the face of the earth and not expect anyone to notice it was us.”

“Fact,” I point out. “If we are doing this tonight, we need the level-headed approach.”

“And what is that?” Ruby snaps. “Because waiting to take him out long distance isn’t going to cut it.”

“I’m not suggesting that,” I say calmly.

“Then what are you suggesting?” David asks, taking me seriously.

“A simple hemming in. If Connor is there with four guys, we outnumber them already. They don’t have access to the upstairs, only the back-alley door. That means two of us can be sure to surprise them once shit goes down by coming down the stairs.

“Wait,” David says, holding his hand up. “I’m not a fighter. Techy stuff is more my thing.”

“I get that, but to outnumber them, we need you there,” I say steadily. I don’t want to put him in the line of fire, but we have no choice but to have all hands on deck. It is an enclosed space and things will get ugly, fast.

“No,” Ruby says, shaking her head. “David isn’t going anywhere near this. No offense, sweetie, but you will be a liability.”

“None taken,” he says, “I know I will be. I will do whatever I can from an Overwatch point of view.”

Ruby nods, so that is that then.

“That means we are five against five.”

“We have Aidan,” she says, looking at Declan. He nods his confirmation. “So back to them being outnumbered.”

“Cillian, any idea what weapons they will have on them?” I ask.

He shakes his head.

“Makes no difference,” Layton says. “We go in heavy. I’m not risking Ruby’s life for anything less than complete destruction.”

“Both you and Declan are trained snipers,” I say. “You are better strategically placed.”

“Top of the stairs and in the far-right corner by the bar,” Ruby says in agreement.

“I am trained to get down and dirty and I’m not afraid to get bloody…”

“Hmm, down and dirrrrt-ay,” Ruby purrs, making me laugh. Only she would get aroused by the thought of such savage violence.

“There is something you should know first,” Cillian says, exchanging a look with Declan who nods grimly.

“Connor is our uncle,” Declan says. “Our dad’s brother. It is not common knowledge; we have distanced ourselves from that side on a personal level and he knows and accepts it. When we took our mam’s maiden name, he renounced us as we did him. He will have no hesitation in using this information to his advantage, but nor will he hesitate to kill us if we let him. Don’t let him sideswipe you, Ruby. I mean it. Anything he says, just let it go and we will talk about it later.”

Madly curious, all of us, we nod and move on, but I can see that Ruby’s eyes are full of concern. Neither twin is looking at her, so I clear my throat to get her attention. “I will take over the door, you, Aidan and Cillian will be the ones they go after first. Are you good with that?”

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