Page 31 of Deliver Us From Evil

I’ve never had a choice, and when I shake Sean’s hand, I realize this is the last deal we’re to make because I just may lose this fight.

“Grand,” he says, inhaling victory. “I’ll let Shane know. Oh, Punky. As a sign of good faith, I want to give ye the castle. This was always more your home than it was mine. Cara would have wanted that.”

I don’t argue or thank him. I simply nod.

“I’ll have Darcy draw up the paperwork.”

This gesture is because Sean won’t live in the house his brother ruled. The ghosts won’t allow him to rest. He’s going to start afresh. This is a new era—one no one has ever seen before.

My father is going to change history, and I’m going to help him.

“I need ye to take care of somethin’ for me.” He digs into his pocket and offers me a piece of paper with an address on it.

With a sigh, I nod. “Consider it done.”

Sean doesn’t stick around because his message has been received loud and clear.

Once he’s gone, I tip my face to the ceiling and take three much-needed breaths. I’m one step closer to finding Babydoll. I wish it was different, that I could find her on my own and dispose of Sean, but I won’t risk it.

I’ve tried to do this on my own, relying on good men for help, but I refuse to allow history to repeat itself.

I will kill Liam and take great pleasure in doing so. I will steal his drugs, and by doing so, I will make my father the most powerful man since Connor. I don’t have a plan past that because truth be told, I don’t know if I’ll survive once I give Sean what he wants.

I’m not naïve. I don’t trust him. But I do believe he will give me Babydoll because her exchange gives him everything he’s ever wanted.

I don’t know what our reunion will be like; I haven’t thought that far ahead. I don’t know how she’s going to react to the news that Rory is dead, dead because I killed him. And I don’t know how she’s going to respond to Shay.

Even if he isn’t my son, I can imagine she’ll be hurt I had sex with Aoife when I didn’t reply to her numerous attempts to see me.

This is beyond fucked up.

Everything I need is in my new truck, the one I bought with the last of my money, so I make my way toward the address Sean gave me. Memories of when I was last sent on an errand come to mind, and I sigh, thinking of Orla.

When I pull up a couple of blocks away from the abandoned house, I can’t help but think it’s just another house in another neighborhood. This life has taken so much from me. I hope it’ll stop because I don’t know how much more I can take.

Shouldering my bag of supplies, I don’t bother concealing my presence when I walk to the unlocked front door and enter. The house is a squatter’s den. There are no doors on the rooms, so I peer into each one cautiously. When I look into the last bedroom and see a man with his back turned to me, staring out the window, I reach for the gun in the small of my back.

“Ya won’t be needing that.”

He turns slowly and smiles.

I have no idea who he is or why he isn’t bound. I thought this was someone who owed Sean money. But it seems I was wrong.

“Nice to meet ya, Puck. I’m Austin Bailey. I’m a friend, so ya can put yer gun away.”

I’m impressed he knew I was reaching for my gun.

Ron Brady came through. I don’t know what Austin wants, but I’m here to listen.

“Why are ye here?” I ask, taking my hand off my gun—for now. “Sean Kelly sent me, so if yer a friend, start talkin’.”

He chuckles, not at all bothered by my tone.

“Yer dad is an eejit. I can’t believe he’s in the position he’s in. But that’s not because of his doing, is it? It’s because of you.

“I heard what ya did to Brody—good for you, lad. I never liked that ballbag. But the thing is, he was easy to control.”

“So yer boss, this Aleksei, he was dealin’ with the Doyles then?”

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