Chapter 29
Mirella
“Cillian.” I’m not going to call him my brother, even if he wants me to. “You look like you got dragged through the dirt.”
“I had a bit of a hike and a climb. But don’t worry, I’m fine. Our father says he had a visit with you.”
“He cooked stew.”
“Yes, he does that.” Cillian laughs, head cocked. “I suppose you are my sister now if you’ve had Dad’s stew.”
“If that’s all it takes to be a part of your family then I’d rather not bother at all.”
“I should be insulted, but I’m not.” He turns his back to me, the door still open. “That was our opening offer. I hoped you’d make this easy, but I’m not surprised you’re not. Come along, little sister, we have some more talking to do.”
I hesitate. Is this a trick? But he only walks into the other room and disappears into the kitchen. I can see a guard staring at me from the couch, his legs crossed, a big automatic rifle in his lap. I jump to my feet and creep out after Cillian.
I’m sweaty and gross. I desperately need a shower. I think I can smell myself. But I almost revel in it. If I have to suffer, then maybe Cillian should suffer when he’s around me too. At least from my current state of cleanliness.
I turn the corner and step into the kitchen. Cillian’s near the sink, leaning against the counter. Ronan’s there, sitting at the table.
And next to him is my mom.
I stare, mouth open, and a million things grind through my brain. I wonder if they hurt her, or if she’s here on her own free will, or if she’s getting back together with Ronan, or if she’s here to tell me to run away. She smiles at me sadly, and she’s sitting with her hands in her lap and her back straight, so I don’t think she’s exactly a willing participant, but her wrists aren’t bound and they’re not holding a gun to her head.
Things are complicated.
“Hello, sweetie,” Mom says. “How are you? Are you okay?”
“I’m okay. I need a shower, but I’m fine.”
“She’s well fed, don’t worry,” Ronan says with a wink.
My stomach turns. That fucking bastard. He seems so kind and charming, like everyone’s favorite science teacher, but I know the truth. There’s a snake under his skin driving him like a puppet.
“Why did you bring my mother into this?” I glare at Cillian.
He only shrugs. “We’re working all angles.”
“You think this is going to convince me to join your family?”
“I’m not sure about that yet.” His smile is gentle and sly. “What do you think, Arlene?”
Mom takes a slow, deep breath, and levels her gaze on me. “Honey, sweetie, I love you so much. You know that, right?”
“Mom, what did they do?”
“They made me an offer. Well, they made us an offer. It’s a good offer and I think you should take it.”
“Mom.” I take a step back toward the living room but I stop myself. I remember the man on the couch with the gun. I have the absurd feeling that he’s pointing it at the back of my head, and if I cross the threshold between here and there, he’ll pull the trigger.
“Hear me out. I know none of this is ideal, but the Bruno family, they’re a bunch of gangsters. You know how your father was back when you were young and they’re no different now. He ran out on us, sweetie, and now your real dad’s back, and he says they can finally make our lives better.”
I groan and rub my face with both hands. My skin is greasy and slick. I want to wash it so badly it itches. I want to scream. Mom doesn’t know what Fynn offered me, so whatever Ronan’s saying must sound like a lot.
Not that it matters. I know where this is going. Mom’s going to ask to me to betray the Bruno family in favor of Cillian and his father. She’s going to say I should return to work, let the boys make some kind of prisoner exchange, but report back on everything I see and hear for the duration of my contract.
Except I can’t do it.
“Mom,” I say. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.” It kills me, saying those words.
She shakes her head. “I know this is a lot. It’s a lot for me too. But Ronan says the O’Shea clan has money. They can pay off your loans and get you set up with a real job. They can put you a good position and give you the head start you need. All you have to do is finish up with Fynn Bruno and tell them whatever you hear. It won’t be dangerous, sweetie.” She’s staring at me, and I feel a pulse run down my spine.