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Lorcan can be a light sleeper, so when I slip away from under his arm the next morning, I’m not sure I’ll make it out of the room before he wakes up. The longer I stay curled up with him in bed, the less likely I am to do what needs to be done. If I can’t prove Finn had something to do with Eamon Donaghey’s murder, Lorcan won’t be safe. According to Finn and Antonio, the only ways out of the business are death or jail. Antonio has already proven one of those true. It won’t be Lorcan who proves the other.
Before leaving, I head to my old room and clean up the mess of papers strewn around. I’m still surprised he let himself in yesterday, and if he’s capable of doing it, then I know for a fact Finn wouldn’t hesitate. I put both boxes in the closet and change the code on the door to one number off Lorcan’s birthday. Let’s see him figure that out.
I slip out of the house through a side door to avoid anyone seeing me leave. I’m through the front gates and headed to the Volkovs’ when my phone pierces the silence in the car. I glance at the display.Lorcan. There’s a pang of unease in my chest. If I answer, he’ll realize something is wrong. If I don’t answer, he’ll think there’s something wrong anyway.
My hand hovers over the green button on the display, but I never press it. My phone pings with a voicemail message. Almost immediately, it rings again.
With a sigh, I answer.
“Kim, where are you?” Lorcan’s voice is laced with a hint of anger.
“I’m okay. There are a lot of arrangements to make for my mom. Funeral, burial, and so forth.” Flexing my hands on the steering wheel, I hope my mother, wherever she is, doesn’t get angry at me for using her death as an excuse. She told me, in her letter, to make it right. This is the only way I know how to do that.
Silence hangs in the vehicle, and I picture Lorcan weighing my words, trying to decide. “I want to be done with the lies.”
My hands tighten on the leather wheel. If I tell him where I’m going, he’ll follow me. I’ll never get the information. It’s a particular version of Kim who is needed today, and I can’t be her with him around.
“Christ. I want to order you to come back. Fall in fucking line and don’t do whatever you’re off doing.” Silence stretches across the phone line again. “It doesn’t work that way anymore. I know. So I’m going to decide to trust you. I don’t know if you’re telling me the truth. If you were here, I might be able to figure it out. The fact you snuck out…” There’s another tense silence.
I keep quiet, willing him to continue so I don’t have to lie.
His voice is rough when he says, “You’remy a chroi. My heart, Kim. Whatever you’re doing, make sure you come back to me.”
“Always.” I barely get the word out. “It’s nothing. It’s mom stuff.”
“You need me, call, text, whatever. I’ll be there. I’ll come. You understand me? Don’t be a lone wolf.”
Three words are on the tip of my tongue, and they almost topple out. I can’t say them on speakerphone while I’m lying. I can’t.
“I’ll see you back at the house in a bit.” Each word leaves a bitter taste as it exits my mouth.
“Be safe.” His voice is rough again.
After he disconnects, I stare out the windshield, a weight settling across my chest. Lying will be worth it if I can nail Finn’s involvement, give Lorcan his proof.
When I get to the gates, a guard is posted there the same as the other day. “Name?”
I hesitate, and then I take a chance. “Vivian Lee.”
He speaks into his walkie-talkie. Turning from me, he talks a bit longer and then comes to my window. His phone is directed at me, either taking a picture or giving whoever is on the other end a video.
He touches a button on his belt, and the gates ease open. “Someone will meet you at the door.”
My heart beats against my breastbone, but I give the guard a brief smile. “Excellent. Thanks.”
As I drive the car up to the circle driveway near the door, Semyon appears flanked by two guards. He grins at me as I put the vehicle in park.
Sliding out of the car, I stand by my door for a minute, debating the wisdom of coming here. It’s too late now. I’m loaded to the gills with weapons, and no one has searched me this time. Semyon’s opinion of women is they can’t be dangerous. At least I have that going for me.
“Vivian Lee,” he crows as I come around the car. “I knew I recognized something about you the other day.” His focus rakes over me. “How do you know Vivian?”
“A distant relative.” A small smile touches my lips. “She passed away yesterday.”
His smile fades. “That’s too bad. She was an exceptional woman.” He waves his hand around his men. “Come in, come in. Lorcan and Finn don’t realize you’re here.”
It’s not a question, but I’m still tempted to lie. Having him think I have no backup is extremely dangerous.
“On the contrary,” I say over my shoulder. “I told Lorcan I wanted to hear your offer in more detail.”