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“It’s ok. Brothers can be a pain in the ass.” I turned to my own brother and stuck out my tongue. He shook his head and sighed.

“Should we order some food? I’m starving,” my mother asked, trying to break the tension.

“That’s a great idea, but I don’t know what’s around.”

“Leave that to me,” Mac said quickly, making an exit.

“Coward,” Caity hissed at his back.

Two hours later, we’d all had our fill. I learned a little about both Caity and Maddie, and I liked them both. Maddie wasn’t much younger than I was, and I could see us being friends. No one could replace my sisters, but it was time I made a life for myself.

And Boston would now be my home. It was important to forge relationships with the people in Duncan’s life.

“What is going on out there?” Mom asked when we heard shouting.

King opened the door and stepped out. We didn’t know who he was talking to until the door opened and Maxim Federov stepped in.

Vladmir, Nikandr, and Rurik were with him.

Duncan’s office was getting awfully crowded.

“Where is O’Malley?” Maxim looked around the room and his eyes settled on Maddie. “Miss Kelley.” He nodded.

“Mr. Federov.”

I stood from my seat and stepped in front of Maddie. “Why are you here, Maxim?”

Maxim looked over at Caity. “Mrs. Kelley, would you happen to know where your husband is?”

“Your guess is as good as mine. The son of a bitch ran off. I don’t expect him back.” I admired Caity Kelley. She held Maxim’s gaze and didn’t back down. Maddie, however, sat on the couch by my parents.

My mother was a master at reading a room. She moved closer to Maddie and put an arm around her shoulders. Then again, Maddie was from New York. Maybe my mother knew exactly what was going on.

“I recently acquired some information about my brother-in-law’s death. Would you know anything about that, Mrs. Kelley?”

Caity crossed her arms and stared up at Maxim. She reminded me of my mother. Irish women didn’t scare easily.

“Maxim, now is not the time,” King said.

“When is the time, King? My wife’s brother was handed over to a madman by someone he thought he could trust. I have to wonder who stood to benefit from that.”

“Salvatore never trusted my father,” Maddie said quietly. “He went willingly because his sister was in danger.”

“Maddie, you don’t owe him anything,” Caity said.

“I do. I owe him everything.” Maddie stood and moved in front of Maxim. “I can’t change what my father did. God, I wish I could. He took more from me than you will ever know.”

Maxim’s eyes softened at Maddie’s words. The door slammed open, and Duncan rushed in.

“What the fuck is going on here?” He pushed Maddie behind him, and I gathered her in my arms. Cian and Sal stormed in after him.

“Maxim, you come into my city without a word. No cursory heads-up or request for a meeting, just storm into my offices. You trying to start something?” Sal said as he leaned against the wall, looking deceptively at ease.

“I want Kelley. He is the reason my wife’s brother is dead.”

“Petrovich is the reason your wife’s brother is dead. That’s on you. It has nothing to do with my sister or my niece.”

Emotions were high in this office. The room was getting smaller with all the testosterone that was overtaking the air. With a dozen alpha males crammed in this room, the atmosphere crackled with tension.