Page 62 of Dearly Betrayed

She laughs, struggling to get away. “No, not again, don’t start this. I know where this is going and I am not indulging your needs.”

I reluctantly release her as she skips across the room. I don’t chase, even if I desperately want to. Instead, I nod toward her phone where it sits on the dresser.

“We need to call your brother.”

She’s surprised by that and calms down quickly as she sits on the edge of the bed. “Why? I thought Adler was handling that stuff.”

“I want to talk to him together. I want to see if he’ll tell us something he wouldn’t tell my brother.”

“I’m not sure that’s a good idea.” She tugs at a loose strand of her hair and adjusts her sweatshirt. “I’m worried about what you’re going to say.”

“I can control myself.”

“You sure about that?”

“Make the call, Fallon.”

She rolls her eyes and a bit of that fire comes back. “Go ahead and do it yourself if you’re so damn keen.”

I can’t hide my smile as I grab her phone and pull up her brother’s number. I like it when she’s mouthy with me—gives me a good reason to punish her later.

Rian’s cell rings a few times before he picks up. He sounds tired and harried, and I’m guessing it’s late over there in Dublin.

“Hello?” he asks. “Fallon?”

“Hello, Rian.” I stare down at my wife, and she doesn’t look happy. “I’m here with your sister.”

He clears his throat. “Jayson. Hey. How’s she doing?”

“I’m alright,” Fallon says. “Holding in there despite our family’s best efforts.”

“I’m sorry.” To his credit, he sounds like he means it, though I’m not completely convinced he’s innocent yet. But I keep those doubts to myself. “I didn’t know they’d try to move that fast. Hell, I didn’t know they’d go to such extremes at all.”

“You did warn me there could be trouble.”

“Yes, but I didn’t think that trouble would come to murder.”

“I’m fine. Really, I’m okay. Jayson saved me.”

He’s silent for a moment. “Thank you for that, Jayson. I owe you a debt.”

“How about I cash in right now and you answer some questions,” I say, trying to keep my tone as neutral as I can, even if I despise this man right now. How could anyone put their own sister in this position?

“I already told your brother what I know.”

“Not good enough. This is the no-bullshit conversation. Not that political crap you had with Adler.”

Rian doesn’t sound happy. “What do you want to know?”

“Start with the factions. Who are they and what do they want?”

“I don’t have specific names. We’re rooting them out now, the men who are loyal to the clan and I, but from what I understand it’s what’s left of the pro-war faction. Men who do not, under any circumstances, want to see a ceasefire between our two organizations.”

I glance at Fallon, and though she doesn’t seem happy, she doesn’t contradict him. “What else?”

“There are others in the States. Some of our people, loyal to me. They’re supposed to be watching out for my sister, but if someone got that close?—”

“Your loyal soldiers may not be so loyal.” I rub my face with a hand. “How many did you leave behind?”

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