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And after tonight, I know she’s more than capable of running it.

Eamon

The penthouse isquiet when we step inside.Aoife moves like nothing’s changed.She kicks off her boots, stretches her arms over her head, and walks toward the kitchen like she didn’t just put a bullet in a man’s skull.

But I know better.

I watch her closely, waiting for the cracks to show.The hesitation.The reality of what she did finally catching up to her.

She catches me staring and lifts a brow.“What?”

“Are you alright?”

She rolls her eyes.“That’s the third time you’ve asked me that.”

Leaning against the island, I cross my arms.“Because you just killed a man.”

“He was sloppy and got caught.”She shrugs.“He got what he deserved.”

“That’s not the point.”

She turns to face me.“Did you fall apart after your first time?”

I don’t answer right away.Instead, I reach for the bottle of whiskey on the counter, twisting off the cap with deliberate ease.The amber liquid swirls as I pour, filling both glasses nearly to the brim and slide one across the island to her.Lifting mine, I take a long pull before setting it back down.

She takes a slow sip.Her gaze never leaves me as she patiently waits for my answer.

“It was my birthday.”

She blinks.“What?”

“My first kill,” I clarify.“It was my birthday present.”

Her expression hardens.“How old were you?”

“Thirteen.”I smile, but there’s no humor in it.

The glass nearly slips from her fingers as the weight of my words sinks in.“Jesus, Eamon.”

“My father said it was time for me to become a man,” I continue.“I barely understood what that meant.But, I was his son, heir to the O’Sullivan Syndicate, and in our world, you don’t question things like that.”

I don’t know why I’m telling her something so personal.Other than the men who were there that night, I’ve never told this story to anyone.

“My mother was furious when she found out,” I say, my voice rougher now.“She didn’t want this life for me.She wasn’t born into this life and didn’t understand it.”

Aoife’s brows draw together.“Then how did she end up with your father?”

I let out a breath, glancing toward the window.“Mom was a university student in London when they met.My father was there for business.She didn’t know who he was, only that he was charming.”

Aoife exhales a quiet huff of breath before lifting her glass to her lips.“Sounds familiar.”

I glance at her, my brow furrowing.“What?”

Her sparkling green eyes meet mine from over the rim of her glass.“Sounds familiar.You charmed me before I knew who you were.”

A smile tugs at the corner of my mouth.“The difference is, you knew better.”

She rolls her eyes but doesn’t argue.“Didn’t stop me, though.”