Page 59 of Deliver Us From Evil

Ihate meetings—I especially hate meetings with men I’ve never met before. But to get what I want, I need to put my faith in a stranger.

If Austin is lying to me and this is another trap, I’ve come prepared.

“All right,” I say to Ron as I conceal my gun into the small of my back. “Ya stay out here unless ye hear trouble. And in that case, you come in, and shoot first, ask questions later.”

Ron nods firmly.

He has the pub, Lucky Leaf, where Austin organized for us to meet, surrounded. But we’ve come to learn that no matter how prepared we are, things can change in the blink of an eye…which is why Cami is here.

Bad things happen when we’re apart, and as much as I don’t want to put her in harm’s way, being by my side is the safest place to be. Besides, this is as much her fight as it is mine.

Cian isn’t here. I sent him a text with the details, but when I didn’t get a reply, I figured he’d finally had enough. I know he sees this as surrendering, as me shitting on the memories of our fathers, but it’s because of them that I’ve chosen to do this.

I won’t end up in a hole in the ground beside them because that’s where I’m headed if I don’t give this life away. But a small part of me, one that hasn’t kept quiet since I agreed to meet with Austin and Aleksei, has continued to nag me—canI give this life up?

Taking Cami’s hand and walking toward Lucky Leaf, I will soon find out.

Cami and I are quiet, unsure what we’re walking into. But knowing she’s with me, that she’s safe, I can handle anything.

The place is jammers, which is why Austin chose it, no doubt. He wants things to appear casual, but experience has proven that witnesses or not, it makes no difference to me. If someone pisses me off or does wrong by my girl or me, I will kill them all.

The owners have changed since the last time I was here. Ron said they’re on our side. We will see.

Drunken eejits shout at their mates, not aware of how loud they are, thanks to the many pints they’ve had—how nice it must be to live a simple life. The atmosphere is light, which puts me at ease. But I don’t let my guard down, and neither does Babydoll as she nestles closer into me.

The last time she was in a pub, she was almost blown to smithereens. The thought has me clenching my jaw. Sean’s death can’t come soon enough.

I make eye contact with Austin, who raises his pint in greeting. The man he’s sitting with has his back turned, but he instantly looks out of place as he is wearing a crisp white shirt. His dark hair is groomed neatly, and I am immediately hit with the air of authority surrounding him.

We walk toward the booth, and when I lock eyes with the man sitting at the table, I subtly draw Cami closer to my side. He is a handsome devil, even for an aul’ fella. He reeks of power and control. He is someone you do not want to fuck with.

He is someone you want on your side.

Cami enters the booth first while I slide in after her, never taking my eyes off Aleksei Popov. However, he surprises me when he bursts into a husky chuckle.

“I like you already,???????. You need not worry; she is safe with me. I have my own?????????at home.”

I conceal the fact that I’m impressed he could read the most discreet of movements so well.

Cami sits tall, not cowering in the presence of this man who has the ability to change our lives forever.

“Hello, Aleksei. I’m Puck Kelly.”

Aleksei leans back in his seat with a smile. “Please, call me Alek. Aleksei is so…formal. And I know who you are, Puck Kelly. Your temper is just as notorious as mine.”

I’m about to show him what my temper can do by ruining his spotless white shirt with the pint Austin holds. But refrain when he adds, “As is your honor, something I admire and respect in a man. I want you to know that.”

“You seem to know a lot about me, but I hardly know a thing about you.”

“Ask away,” Alek says, gesturing the floor is mine.

Our eyes have never strayed, which shows a mutual respect between us. But before I agree to anything, I need to know just who I’m selling my soul to.

“How do I know my enemies didn’t send ya? How do I know yer goin’ to work with me, not against me?”

Alek nods, appearing to weigh over my questions carefully. “Your father, Sean Kelly, is not a man I would ever work with,” he states with conviction. “He is a coward, and from what I understand, he kidnapped your girl, blackmailing you into doing his dirty work on the proviso he would return her to you once you did what he wanted?”

I nod slowly.

---