Chapter 37
Chapter Thirty-Seven
RONAN
Finn.
Even though I knew he was part of this, it still makes my blood run cold as he exits the car and falls in step behind Declan Walsh, just like he used to do with my father.
It’s been a few years since I last saw him, and yet he still hasn’t quite grown into his height. His limbs are still gangly, and his face still has some youthfulness to it, except for his eyes. Those icy blue eyes are sharp and unreadable.
Yet, despite the coldness Finn is trying to project, there is a crack in his armor. A sense that maybe he didn’t want to be on this side of the fight after all.
But it’s too late for him to take it back now. He branded himself a traitorous bastard the moment he decided to entertain Declan Walsh’s demands.
I should be more pissed than I am, but at least having Finn here gives me the opportunity to kill two birds with one stone. If I play this right, both of their bloods will be staining my hands by the time the sun starts to rise.
I slam the car door shut, sealing Ciara inside.
My reflection stares back at me in the window, my eyes burning, before I turn and stalk forward.
I keep my steps slow and deliberate.
Brennan is out of sight, tucked behind one of the splintered pillars of the mill, waiting for the right moment to strike.
I take a few more steps forward until the headlights from Declan’s car illuminate my face.
When Declan's eyes meet mine, surprise flickers in them, quickly replaced by a feral gleam. “Well, well. If it isn’t the golden boy himself.”
He walks like he owns the ground beneath his feet. If he weren’t such a pain in my ass, I’d be impressed by his commanding presence.
To most, he’s an intimidating figure, but not to me. There has only ever been one man I was ever intimidated by, and he is now buried six feet under.
Declan Walsh has got nothing on my father.
There’s a calculated coldness to his eyes and a permanent crease between his eyebrows as he assesses me. His hair is slicked back, streaked with gray, the only sign that age is starting to leave its mark.
“It’s been a while.” I tuck my hands into my pockets.
My eyes flick to Finn, but he’s refusing to look at me.
The guilt is written all over his face, but I don’t feel sorry for him.
If he hadn’t been the one to kill Max, I could have considered forgiving him, given our history.
But ultimately, he hurt Ciara, and that’s not something I can ever forgive.
“I got to hand it to Stephen, I didn’t expect him to bring you here too,” Declan drawls.
I say nothing.
“Unless you came instead of your girl?” His amusement at my presence fades.
I jerk my chin toward the vehicle behind me. “She’s in the car.”
Declan narrows his eyes. “Prove it.”
“I’d prefer to keep her out of our business.”
“From what I’ve heard, she can handle herself pretty well, Sullivan. She almost killed one of my guys, and I think she would have if you hadn’t shown up.”
“I wouldn’t want to get on the wrong side of her if I were you.”
Declan smirks. “That sounds like a challenge.”
“More like a promise.”
“Who knew you could be so…sentimental? Not gone soft now, have we, Ronan?”
“Never.”
Declan huffs a laugh as he takes a step closer to me. “I suggest you prove she’s here, or I give my men the order to move on your house where I know at least the pretty dark-haired one is. Blood will be spilled tonight. It’s up to you whose.”
I grind my teeth.
It goes against every instinct I have to bring Ciara out to face Declan, but I also know that Declan is a man of his word. If I don’t show him Ciara, he will go after Mila, and I can’t risk that.
Ciara’s already lost one friend because of this asshole; I won’t let the tally increase to two.
I just have to trust that my brother and I will be enough to keep Ciara safe.
Ciara’s eyes widen as I open the car door. “What’s going on?”
“I need you to prove you’re here.”
“I thought you wanted me to stay in the car?”
“I do, but Declan has other ideas. Trust me, I don’t want to do this, but he’s giving me no other option.” I take her hand and help her out of the car.
When Declan’s eyes land on Ciara, that feral smile tugs at his lips once again.
Every muscle in my body tenses as I keep my hands firmly on Ciara’s shoulders, her back flush against my chest.
He tilts his head. “So strange seeing a McCarthy with a Sullivan…”
I notice Finn’s eyes narrow as he looks from me to Ciara.
Ciara lifts her chin. “I’m not a McCarthy anymore.”
Despite everything, my chest swells with pride. Even in the face of danger, Ciara doesn’t even balk.
That’s my girl.
“Get back in the car—”
Declan holds up a hand. “Not so fast, Ronan. I want to get a good look at her.”
“Declan…”
“She’s a pretty little thing.”
Ciara scoffs. “Trust me, I’m more than just a pretty face.”
I almost choke on a laugh at the look of surprise on Declan’s face.
His eyes rake down her body. “I’m sure you are…”
Without taking my eyes off Declan, I move to step in front of Ciara to shield her from view. “That’s enough. Get back in the car.”
Ciara does as I ask, and I slam the door shut as I glare at Declan.
He smirks. “I will say I’m impressed with Stephen. I didn’t think he had it in him to deliver.”
“Stephen’s dead.”
Declan’s smile falters. “Is he now?”
“I put a bullet between his eyes.”
“That’s… surprising. I thought you were friends.”
“He lost that privilege the second he decided to betray my family.” My eyes flick to Finn, who still refuses to look me in the eye.
Coward.
Declan lets out a hearty laugh that echoes across the empty yard. “You always were dramatic.”
He peels back his jacket, flashing the glint of a gun tucked beneath.
Finn mirrors the motion, lifting his own gun until it’s aimed directly at my chest.
I shift my gaze to him, and this time he finally meets it.
“So, this was the plan all along, huh? Infiltrate the family, earn our trust, then run off to suck Declan Walsh’s cock?”
Finn’s eyes harden as he glares at me. “I don’t owe you anything.”
“No. But you owed my father, and you owed my uncle for keeping your sorry ass alive when you were nothing but a liability.”
His grip on the gun tightens. “You want a reason? Here’s one. I got sick of taking orders from a bloodline built on lies.”
“Careful. You’re not going to like how this ends.”
Declan chuckles again. “You think you’re in control here, Sullivan?”
“I’m always the one in control.”
The crack of Brennan’s gun slices through the silence like a whip.
Declan jerks as the bullet hits his shoulder, spinning him sideways. He roars in pain as he fumbles for his gun, but Brennan is quicker, landing a second shot in his kneecap, shattering it with a sickening crunch.
Declan hits the ground, his face contorted as he clutches his mangled leg.
Finn spins toward the gunfire, momentarily distracted by Brennan’s sudden appearance, leaving him wide open.
Perfect.
I surge forward and drive my boot straight into his groin.
He doubles over with a grunt, his gun falling from his hand.
I snatch it midair and shove him to the ground, pressing a knee into his back.
He struggles to squirm free. “Fuck you.”
“Still just as weak as I remember.” I pocket his gun and reach for his wrists, pulling them backward.
I’m tempted to dislocate both of his shoulders, but before I get the chance, Brennan is at my side, pulling two zip ties out of his pocket.
He moves to restrain Finn. “I’ve got him. You take care of Declan.”
“You did a pretty good job of that already, little brother.” I slap him on the shoulder.
Brennan grins, and pride surges through me.
I turn to Declan, who’s writhing on the gravel like a wounded animal, clutching his shattered leg as he groans. I walk over, slow and deliberate, enjoying every groan as he tries to crawl away.
I crouch beside him. “Going somewhere?”
He spits blood at my boot. “You won’t get away with this.”
I can’t help but laugh. “I think I already did.”
“You can take me out, Ronan, but your reputation is fucked.”
“It will take a lot more than you to take down the Sullivan empire, Walsh. Besides, I can always rebuild a reputation. You, on the other hand, can’t come back from the dead, which is exactly what you’re going to be in precisely thirty seconds.”
“No one will trust you.”
“I guess we’ll see.”
His eyes briefly flick to where Brennan is restraining Finn. “I don’t think he agrees.”
“I don’t give a fuck what you think.” I pull back my leg and land a swift kick to Declan’s abdomen.
He groans, doubling over, but the sight brings little satisfaction.
“You’ve been a fucking pain in my ass for years, Declan. Taking shots at my family, manipulating my men, and now trying to kidnap my wife. You have no idea how long I’ve waited to look you in the eye while you bled.”
Declan glares at me through gritted teeth. “You think killing me will fix anything?”
“No, but it will feel real fucking good.” I reach for my gun and click off the safety, aiming it right between his eyes. “Any last words?”
“Fuck you.”
I don’t hesitate as I pull the trigger.
The bullet punches through his forehead with a clean, dry snap.
His body jerks once before he goes still, and the silence that follows is thick and final but brings little relief.
I look down into his cold, dead eyes. “That’s for fucking with my family.”
Behind me, Finn is cursing as he struggles against Brennan’s hold. “You’re insane, Ronan! Do you really think this ends with him? He had a bigger plan.”
I turn around, breathing hard as I stalk back over to where Finn lies in the dirt. “You’re damn right I’m insane. And you’re going to tell me everything about that plan, or I’ll make sure the time you have left on this land is as painful as can be.”
Finn laughs, but it’s bitter and full of loathing. “You’ve already lost, Ronan. You just don’t know it yet.”
“I’ve heard that before. But so far, the only thing I’ve lost tonight is patience.”
Brennan glares down at him, his gun still aimed at Finn’s chest. “You could have saved everyone a lot of trouble if you’d just stayed dead.”
“I’ll die before I help you.”
I shrug. “Trust me, that can easily be arranged.”