Page 31 of King of Ashes (Kingdom of Sinners #4)

PHOENIX

T he first time I walked into the downtown offices of my father’s business, I was four or five years old.

He stood me by the window overlooking the city and told me that as the oldest son, someday, this would all be mine.

He explained the responsibilities of being the head of the family that not only included running the business, but also taking care of my brothers.

I was thrust into the role of leader of the family at twenty-one, not quite ready but fueled by loss and anger.

I succeeded. As I look out that same window now, I hope my father is proud of me.

My brothers are happily married, one with a child and the other two with babies on the way.

I’ve taken back the business. Granted, he might not like my marrying Keira or how I’ve treated her, but I also think he’d understand.

“He really did want to inhabit Dad’s life, didn’t he?” Flint says as he enters the office. It’s the first time all of us have been back in ten years. “He built nearly the same house over ours and this place hasn’t changed a bit.”

I turn to greet him. “It’s ours now. Like it should have been.”

Blaise and Ash follow him in, and I sense the same feelings of satisfaction, of feeling Dad looking down on us approvingly, in them as I feel.

“Let’s get this show on the road,” Blaise says. As usual, he stays standing while Flint and Ash take a seat in soft leather chairs near my desk. I sit behind the desk, happy to finally be here, yet sad that my father didn’t live to see this.

"Our informants confirm Hampton's accounts are vulnerable," Flint says, sliding documents across the table. "We can start the asset transfer tomorrow."

I nod, studying the papers. "Good. We need to reclaim everything he stole from us. Every business, every property, every connection."

"What about the shipping routes?" Blaise asks. "The Keans rerouted everything through their own channels."

"We take them back," I say simply. "I've already reached out to our old contacts in the harbor. They remember the Ifrinn name. They remember who treated them fairly."

Ash scoffs. "They remember who paid better. Hampton bought the loyalty we earned."

"Then we'll remind them what happens when you choose the wrong side." I tap my fingers on the table. "We're not just taking back our operations. We're erasing Hampton's legacy entirely."

Flint leans forward. "The loyalty ceremony will help with that. Most families are eager to pledge to us now that they know we're alive."

"And the rest?" Blaise asks.

I meet each of their eyes. "The rest will fall in line when they see what happens to the Keans. When they see my marriage to Keira."

"About that," Ash starts, but I cut him off.

"It's decided. The marriage gives us legitimacy with the old guard and sends a message." I don't add that I can't seem to stay away from her, that something beyond revenge pulls me to her.

"Fine," Ash concedes. "But we need to move quickly on the businesses. Hampton's lieutenants are already trying to carve up territory."

"Let them try," I say coldly. "By the end of the week, Boston will know the Ifrinns are back. And we're taking everything."

The meeting shifts to logistics as we hash out details for the ceremony. Blaise passes a tablet around showing security plans when my phone buzzes with a text from an unknown number.

Watch your back .

I'm about to mention it when the office door bursts open.

"Get down!" I shout, reaching for my gun I’d set on my desk.

Three men in tactical gear storm in, weapons raised. I recognize Carson, Hampton's head of security, leading the charge. My gun is already in hand as I duck behind my desk.

Thank fuck, my brothers are moving as well. Ash reacts instantly, flipping a worktable for cover while Flint pulls his weapon. Blaise is already moving, tackling one gunman before he can get a clean shot.

"You're supposed to be dead, Ifrinn!" Carson shouts, firing wildly in my direction.

I squeeze off two shots, catching his shoulder. "Sorry to disappoint you?"

The office erupts in gunfire and shattering glass. A bullet grazes my arm, hot pain slicing through my skin. I ignore it, focusing on the threat.

Flint catches the second man with a clean headshot. The body drops like a stone.

Blaise is wrestling with the third attacker, their struggle violent and desperate. I can't get a clear shot with them tangled together.

"Hampton sends his regards," Carson snarls, pressing forward despite his wound.

Ash emerges from cover, firing twice. Carson staggers, red blooming across his chest, but stays upright through sheer hatred.

I rise to my feet, my weapon trained on his heart. "Hampton should have sent more men."

He raises his gun for one final attempt. I don't hesitate. My bullet catches him between the eyes.

Behind me, Blaise finally subdues his opponent with a sickening crack of bone. The man screams, arm bent at an unnatural angle.

"Secure him," I order, pressing a handkerchief to my bleeding arm. "He's our message back to whoever organized this."

Ash kicks away the fallen weapons while Flint checks the hallway for more.

“That took some guts,” Blaise says, pushing the moaning man into a chair until we can tie him. "Hampton's reach is longer than we thought.”

"Or someone else wants us gone," Flint adds, returning with zip ties he tosses to Blaise to use on the surviving attacker.

My thoughts immediately turn to Keira. Is she involved? Did she know this was coming?

“Who gave your orders? Hampton? Or is someone else trying to take over?” I bark at the man.

“Fuck you.”

Ash puts his gun to the man’s head. “That’s fuck you, Mr. Ifrinn.”

The man sneers up at him.

“Let’s see if he enjoys the accommodations with Hampton.” I grab my coat and put it on. “Let’s get these other gentlemen out of here as well.” I glance at the door. “Any concerns out there?”

“They killed two men on the way in,” Flint says. “The secretary was under the desk. She looks terrified.”

So she probably wasn’t a part of the plan to let them in. “Let’s go.”

We drag the bodies back to the SUV, the one living attacker still struggling despite his broken arm. Blaise shoves him into the trunk with little ceremony, ignoring his muffled curses.

"He'll talk," Ash says, pressing a makeshift bandage to my arm. "They always do."

I nod, scanning the street for witnesses or additional threats. "Let's move. I want him secured before anyone realizes what happened."

The drive back to the estate is tense, everyone on high alert. My mind races through possibilities.

One is that someone inside the house is secretly conferring with and sending out orders from Hampton. One of the men we think are loyal to us? Keira?

The other option is that someone, either a man of Hampton’s or another family, sees an opportunity.

"You think Keira knew?" I ask out loud without meaning to.

“Oh, geez, not this again.” Blaise rolls his eyes.

“What?”

“You act like she’s a witch with magic powers or something. You have her locked in the house surrounded by guards. How could she arrange this?”

He’s right, but I play devil’s advocate. “One of the guards could be helping her.”

“Has she visited Hampton in the basement?” Ash asks from the passenger seat next to me.

“No. But that doesn’t mean she’s not a part of this.”

Flint laughs.

I glance at him through the rearview mirror. “What’s so funny?”

“You are. You’re grasping for reasons to hate her. Why? You afraid you might love her again?”

“Two little love birds…” Blaise sings.

“Shut up, Blaise.” As I drive through the gates of the estate, uncertainty gnaws at me. Just when I'd started to doubt my suspicions about Keira, this happens.

The estate gates close behind us with a reassuring clang of metal. Our security team meets us at the entrance, faces grim as they take in our disheveled suits, the blood on my sleeve.

"Get him to the basement," I order as Flint and Blaise haul our captive from the trunk. "No one speaks to him but me."

The man spits blood at my feet. "You're all dead men walking. Hampton has friends you don't even know about."

I grab him by the throat, squeezing just enough to make his eyes bulge. "Hampton has nothing but time to think about his mistakes. Soon, you'll have plenty of that too."

We drag him through the service entrance, avoiding the main areas where household members might see, especially Keira. The last thing I need is her getting involved or warning whoever sent these men.

Hampton and Lana are being held in more comfortable conditions than what awaits this man.

"Secure him," I tell Blaise. "I want to know who sent him, who else is involved, and what they know about our operations."

Blaise nods, already preparing the necessary tools.

Ash crosses his arms as he watches Blaise toss our new prisoner in a room. "And if Keira is involved?"

"Then she'll learn exactly what happens to people who betray me. Twice." I turn to leave. “I’m getting my arm bandaged and changing my suit. I’ll be back to talk to him. I want to talk to Hampton first, though.”

Fifteen minutes later, I return to the basement. I flex my bandaged arm, the wound a reminder of how close we came to losing everything today. Again.

"They're ready for you," Blaise says, appearing at my side like a shadow.

I nod, steeling myself for what comes next. The heavy door creaks open to reveal Hampton and Lana Kean huddled together on a cot in their cell. They've been given basic comforts, clean clothes, decent food, even books, more than they deserve after what they did to my family.

"You look terrible," Hampton says, a ghost of his usual arrogance in his voice.

"Your men failed," I reply coldly. "Just like you."

Lana shrinks back, but Hampton maintains his defiance. "I don't know what you're talking about."

I smile without warmth. "Then you won't mind watching what happens to them."