Page 75 of Vicious Hearts

Neve’s face goes white. “Cillian—”

“She was being strong-armed, if that’s any consolation. There’s someone above her, someone she doesn’t know. But Una has…” I frown. “Had…A twin brother. The person pulling her strings was holding the threat of killing him over her head. Except, the brother’s been dead for a year and a half. She didn’t know that.”

Pain and something that might be anger or hate flickers over Neve’s face. She’s quiet, saying nothing as she sips her drink.

“You know full well about the cracks in our empire,” I continue. “Coming from the leaked story about your father’s deal with the FBI in exchange for O’Conor. This stops those cracks from getting any wider, exactly as the old ways of marrying to end blood feuds have always been meant to do.”

Neve is still silent, her head turned away, gazing out the windows of the penthouse looking out over the Hudson River. Slowly, she turns back to me.

“So, once again, a Kildare is marrying a sworn blood enemy to stop everyone from killing each other.”

Just like her and Ares.

I sigh. “It appears so.”

A slight smile twists her lips as she takes another sip. Then her brow furrows slightly. “Do you trust her?”

No. I don’t know. Maybe.

“I have to,” I mutter. “Or there’s going to be a civil war.”

“That doesn’t sound like a very good answer.”

“Did you trust Ares?”

She arches a brow. “I trustedyouto not have made the worst decision possible for me in marrying me off to him.”

I smile wryly. “And what did I do to deserve that?”

“You saved my life,” she shrugs. “That comes with perks, you know.”

We both drink in silence for a moment.

“Who doyoutrust, Cillian?”

My monster. My darkness.

Except it’s so hung up on tasting Una anddevouringher that I’m not actually sure if Icantrust it anymore.

“I’m not looking for your blessing here, Neve. Just your understanding.”

Her lips curl as she shakes her head, looking away again.

“That, you have. I’m just not sure about the first one.”

“And you never have to be, and that’s okay.” I frown. “Ares…”

She sighs. “I’ll deal with Ares. You’re going to have to allow him his anger, though.” Her jaw clenches. “After everything that happened. After what this girl’s father did. To me, to him…”

She shudders, and one of her hands crosses to the other, automatically rubbing the thin, pink scar there on her wrist that’s gradually healing.

Seamus’ mark.

“I’m sorry. I realize this must bring it all back.”

“It’s…fine.”

“It’s really not.”

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