Page 81

Story: Duncan

“Maddie’s the easy one. How the fuck do we tell Caity?”

Sal’s head shot up, and he turned to me. “Caity doesn’t know?”

“Ronan doesn’t think so.”

“Jesus Christ. How much more? How many more fuckin’ secrets?”

“This changes things regarding Henry,” I said carefully.

“It doesn’t change a goddamn thing. Maddie made her choice.”

“Ci—”

“Fuck Ci. It’s not his decision.”

“He’s the boy’s grandfather.”

Sal picked up his whiskey glass and threw it against the wall. Whiskey dripped over the paint, catching drops in the indents from where the glass shattered.

“We are not going to war with the fuckin’ Bratva.”

“You gonna tell him about Kelley?”

“Fuck no. If he’s not related to Maddie or Henry, then no one needs to know.”

“It’ll get out, eventually. And then Maxim...”

“I don’t know what’s fuckin’ worse, thinking that a man gave up his son-in-law knowing he would die. Or knowing he wasn’t his son-in-law and just wanted to hurt the girl he raised as a daughter.”

“It’s not about worse or better. Kelley was a selfish prick who made decisions that benefitted Kelley and only Kelley.”

“Tell everyone to pack up. It’s time to get out of this fuckin’ city.”

“I need another day.”

Sal was a smug bastard, and the grin on his face told me he had shit to give me.

“The woman, huh?”

“Yea, the woman,” I sighed.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Freyja

The door slammed behind me as I stomped my way into the cottage. I threw my small bag on the sofa, clenched my hands, and screamed.

“Freyja?”

Athena rushed from her room, her face flushed and her breathing erratic. She clasped her robe around her, and I narrowed my eyes.

“Do you have someone in your room?” I smiled.

“Of course not.” She dismissed the notion with a wave of her hand. However, I didn’t believe her and rushed past her without a word. My disappointment fueled my anger when the room was empty.

“Why not?”

Athena rolled her eyes at me. Ignoring my question, she asked, “What are you doing home? I assumed you would be with Duncan?”