19. Liam
The burn of the whiskey going down my throat does absolutely nothing to tame the rage that courses through me. Seeing Emily in Ryan’s arms, seeing his lips on hers, instantly boiled my blood.
I wanted to stalk over to him and rip him limb from limb.
She’s mine.
Only, she’s not. And after tonight, there will never be a chance for that to change.
A hand grips my shoulder and I turn to see Rhys taking a seat on the stool next to me.
“You going to be a sulking bitch all night?” he holds a finger up, gesturing to the bartender.
“Piss off, Rhys.” I shrug him off.
“Don’t be pissed off at me for your own stupidity. I’m not the one who got involved with someone I shouldn’t have.” The bartender sets his glass of whiskey down and Rhys nods in thanks.
“I’m fine,” I respond through gritted teeth. I toss the rest of my whiskey back and slam the glass onto the bar top.
“Obviously,” Rhys snorts.
“What the fuck do you want me to say, Rhys? I let her go and now I have to accept it for what it is. She’s not mine.” I run my fingers through my hair.
Rhys leans forward and I turn to meet his gaze.
“Then quit sitting over here feeling sorry for yourself.” he jabs a finger into my chest. “You were warned to stay away, and you didn’t listen. You pursued her, knowing it wasn’t going to go anywhere.”
“I –.”
“No.” he cuts me off. “You knew Conor wouldn’t accept the two of you and you still went for it. You were selfish and Emily got hurt in the process.”
Anger laces his tone, and he jabs me again.
“You’re damn lucky Conor didn’t kill you and Declan still doesn’t know about any of it. But get your shit together, Liam. Emily isn’t a game.”
“I know she’s not.” I seethe.
“Then cut the shit. If you let her see you like this, then she’s going to hold on to something that can’t happen. Let. Her. Go.”
“I did let her go,” I growl.
He glances to his left and then sits up straighter. He clears his throat and then flares his eyes slightly. I straighten my spine and peer over my shoulder.
Declan is sauntering toward us with Jackie on his arm. She’s clutching onto him like he’s going to disappear if she doesn’t.
“Sup, Dec,” Rhys says with a lift of his chin. “Jackie.” He offers her a tight smile.
“Hello, Rhys.” She smiles at him seductively. Her eyes flick to me and travel down my body, searching for a spot to sink her talons in.
“And you are?” she purrs.
I glance at Rhys who subtly rolls his eyes.
“Liam,” I answer.
“I love your accent, it’s very sexy.”
“Uh…” I look to Declan who appears completely unfazed at her obvious flirting. “Thanks.” I grimace.
Rhys chuckles and then stands. He tips his whiskey back and then sets the glass down.
“Come on, kid. Let’s go sit down.” He slaps me on my back and then walks through the crowd.
It’s physically painful to avoid looking in Emily’s direction. She sits at the table adjacent to mine and I’m excruciatingly aware of every movement she makes. I know she’s more than aware of me because every time I shift, she stiffens.
I try my damned hardest to pay attention to the conversation at my own table, but I keep being distracted by every caress Ryan makes to Emily’s skin. Every time he leans over and whispers in her ear. Each time she grasps onto his bicep and chuckles.
It’s tearing me apart from the inside.
Caetlin has glanced in my direction a few times throughout dinner, but her expression is unreadable. I wish I knew what was running through her mind, especially since she is the one who had a hand in my and Emily’s being together.
Conor makes sure to meet my eyes every so often and when he does, he’ll glance at Emily and then smirk.
The bastard is a cruel motherfucker and I hate him for it. I hate that I can’t have the one thing that I truly need in this life like I need air.
Conor and Caetlin stand and make their way to the front of the tables. Conor is handed a microphone. The feedback grates through my ears and the crowd quiets.
“Thank you all for coming tonight. I’m sure you’re all wondering why Caetlin, and I requested your presence.” He gestures toward Ryan who stands and reaches his hand out to Emily.
She peers over at me from the corner of her eye, and I avert my gaze. From my peripheral, I see her place her hand in his and stand. He places his hand on the small of her back and they walk toward her parents.
“Tonight, we’re here to announce the union of The Moore and Monroe Families.” He smiles widely and everyone around me claps.
I bite down on my tongue until the tangy taste of blood fills my mouth.
Emily looks uncomfortable standing next to Ryan, and I resist the urge to throw her over my shoulder and run out of here. Every cell in my body is screaming to tell Conor to fuck off and take her away.
You’re replaceable. Nothing.
The gun tucked in my shoulder holster burns into my ribs. Calling for me to shoot Conor, Ryan, and even Declan. To show them that Emily is mine.
Ryan holds out his hand and Conor hands him the microphone. Holding Emily’s hand in his, he faces the guests.
“The marriage between Emily and I will not only greatly benefit both our families, but also create new opportunities for all of those who work with us. Our union is a step into a new age for the underworld.” He looks over to Emily who is watching him with a smile.
I know that smile. It’s the fake one she plasters on her face to hide her emotions inside. The one she uses when she’s about to burst into tears.
Feck.
I shift in my seat as the need to go up there grows.
Rhys kicks my foot and I whip my head in his direction. He flares his eyes in warning and then glances over at Declan who is watching his family.
“To Ryan and Emily.” Conor’s voice booms through the microphone once again. The crowd raises their glasses and repeats “To Ryan and Emily.”
A loud gunshot echoes through the room, and I watch in horror as Conor’s head is thrown backward. Blood splatters across Caetlin’s face.
Bang!
Another shot sends Ryan to the ground like a damned tree.
Everything moves in slow motion. People scatter, tables are overturned, blood sprays, and shots continue to fly through the air.
Emily. I need to get to Emily.
I pull both of my guns from their holsters and shove my way through the chaos.
“Emily!” I shout over all the noise around me.
The room is a blur of colored gowns, tablecloths, and blood. So much fucking blood. Bodies drop like dominos but there is still no sign of Emily. Terror fills my veins with each second that I don’t hear her reply.
I shoot a man in the chest who is climbing through a broken window and continue trudging through.
“Liam!” I hear her shriek and I feel her panic in my bones.
A massive guy comes at me like a freight train, but I quickly raise my weapon and shoot him between the eyes. His body crashes into the table directly in front of him, sending everything flying.
Declan is racing out of the room with his ma in his arms. Her frantic eyes scan the carnage. When they meet mine, they widen, and she points somewhere over my shoulder.
I spin around and spot Emily’s red hair in the crowd. My mind can’t navigate the panic and relief I feel from seeing her. I don’t glance back to Caetlin or Declan before I take off in her direction.
“Emily!” I shout again, hoping she can make her way toward me. My body is jostled left and right by people colliding with me.
“Argh!” someone growls just before pain erupts on my cheek. I’m thrown to the ground from the sudden hit. One of my guns is kicked from my grip by a woman running.
I blink rapidly to clear my blurred vision and then look up. Another man with a buzzcut and a scar that cuts diagonally across his nose grabs onto the collar of my suit and hauls me up. He rears back and punches me on the other side of my face.
I grin at him and bring the gun I didn’t lose to his abdomen. He pauses his next hit and looks down. Before he gets a chance to return his eyes to mine, I pull the trigger. I stumble slightly when his grip loosens but raise my gun and shoot the next bullet through his face.
His body doesn’t meet the ground before I push toward Emily.
She comes into view and untamed rage coats every cell in my body. Her head whips to the left from the massive man slapping her face. She cries out in pain and falls to the ground.
“Hey!” I shout. My gun is already pointed at him and the moment his eyes meet mine, I shoot. The bullet flies through the air and lodges itself into his skull. His head is tossed back and his body collapses onto the ground with a loud thud .
I re-holster my gun and run to Emily. Crouching down, I slide one arm under her leg – the other under her arms – and lift her to my body.
“I’ve got you, Féileacán.” She clings to me, nails digging into my skin, and I run out of the building.