Page 149 of Brutal Heir

They stare at me like they’re seeing me for the first time. Not the polished heir to the Gemini empire. Not the man in the glossy pages of the magazine who fell in love with their sister. But the monster she tamed.

Too bad for them, the leash is off today. And I’m in no mood to be merciful.

“Now, get the fuck out of here before I change my mind.”

Old man O’Shea glares up at me for a long moment before he mutters something under his breath to his sons. The boys give me one more look before they follow him out, heads bowed.

Smart choice.

The moment the doors glide closed behind them, Matty dips his head in my direction then returns to his spot by the entrance.

“Thanks for looking out,” I murmur before turning for the elevator.

“I’ve got nowhere else to be, cuz.”

Without turning back, I can see the smile on Matteo’s face. When all of this shit is over and we get back to Manhattan, I have to remember to give my cousins a proper thank you.

I never could have done any of this without them.

The instant I’m back in the room with Rory, I release the breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. I leave the fury behind as I reenter her room, where the only battle that matters is the one she’s fighting to stay alive.

Isabella must notice the turmoil because she tosses me a reassuring smile. “You didn’t miss anything. She’s still sleeping peacefully.”

Both of my cousins look dead on their feet.

“Thanks,” I murmur as I drop into the chair beside her bed, then rifle through my pocket for my wallet. “Why don’t you girls go find a hotel room and get some rest?” I hold out my credit card.

“We will when you do,” Serena replies, waving away my offering.

“It could be a while. The doctor said she may not wake up until tomorrow.” If at all. I keep that depressing thought tucked behind my teeth, refusing to acknowledge the possibility.

“Then we’ll just go get more coffee.” Serena shrugs and turns for the door and Isabella follows behind her. “Anything else we can get you?” she calls with one foot already out the door.

“Not hungry.”

“I’ll get you something anyway.”

Before I can object, they’re gone. And despite the ache in my chest, a faint smile pulls at the corner of my lip. I can’t imagine growing up in a family like the O’Shea’s. The Rossis and Valentinos may be fucked up, but when it comes down to it, we’d kill for each other.

Drawing in a breath, I take Rory’s hand and scoot the chair up to the bed, until my knees hit the mattress. Bending my forehead to hers, I close my eyes and just breathe her in.

I brush my knuckles gently over her cheek. “You once told me I looked like hell. Right now, I think I’ve got my old record beat, Red.” My voice hitches. “But I’d trade every breath I have left just to hear you insult me one more time.”

Her fingers twitch in mine. Barely. But I feel it.

My heart stops. “Rory?”

Nothing.

I lean in closer. “You don’t get to abandon me, do you hear me? I’ve survived gunfire, explosions, and the goddamn Quinlans, but I’m not surviving this.” I press a kiss to her temple.“I need you. More than I need my next breath. I love you, Rory Delaney.”

A shudder escapes me. I dig into my jacket pocket with shaking fingers and pull out the ring, an emerald the color of her eyes with the platinum band in Celtic knotwork. I grabbed it before we went to that damned coffee shop. Back when I’d come up with the grand plan of taking her out on a real date to propose. I grip it tight.

“I want to marry you. I want to wake up next to your crazy Irish fire every day for the rest of my life. I want to argue over toothpaste caps and you taking over my closet. I want it all, Red.”

A weak cough rattles the air.

Then a rasp. “You better not be lying about that proposal just to get me to wake up.”