Page 124 of Pretty Vengeance

“He was supposed to be at Thanksgiving dinner here in Coynston. Bailed at the last minute. You both had to know there would be questions.”

“War goes off without a word plenty. As you know, he’s not big on social gatherings. Changed his mind about Thanksgiving, I guess.”

“What was his share in the Brad Allendale murder?”

Shaking my head, I shrug. “No share. Everything that was done, I did.”

“But not alone. You’re not telling me you went to Palm Beach by yourself?”

Blowing out a breath, I rub the bridge of my nose. I’d sacrifice the bones in my hand, sure, which is what I think he was threatening when he said I’d never row again. But Sawyer’s life?

After grinding my teeth together, I suck in a breath. “Listen, this vendetta dates back to when I was a boy. It’s got nothing to do with anyone I’ve gotten close to in the past year.” The thing my mind can’t stop wondering about is whether War has gotten Sawyer out of Trick’s house and away. If I knew she was gone, I would lie until the fucking end and to hell with life.

“Did you not fucking hear me say I already know War was with you? I want to hear what part he had in the execution of Brad Allendale.”

Swallowing, I shake my head. “Brad Allendale died because my brother Jude died.”

C’s eyes narrow and bore into me. “It had nothing to do with you guys wanting Allendale dead because he got rowdy and grabbed Ash by the throat at the rave?”

“No.” Leaning on my elbows, I stare him straight in the eyes. “I won’t say I wouldn’t have taken the chance to beat him down if the opportunity had arisen sometime in an alley outside a GU bar. I would have happily beaten him bloody. But killing him? No. If I’d wanted to murder him as retaliation for what he’d done to Sawyer and Ash, I’d have come to you and Trick to see if I could get cleared to do it.”

“And War gave no indication he wanted to kill Allendale?”

“Christ, no. None.” I tap my fingertip against the tabletop. “Killing Brad Allendale was a choice I made alone. Everything from taking the gun to pulling the trigger, it was a hundred percent me and no one else.”

C picks up his glass and leans back. Sucking down whiskey, he watches me the way a hawk watches a rat. “It’s time you fuck off back to Ireland. Out of my Crue and out of my sight for good. Don’t show up on this side of the Atlantic for shit. You’re not welcome.”

“Hang on.” I rest my elbows on the table. “Trick said I would stay in the Crue longer. As payback.”

“I don’t need you. Never did. Trick’s already covered the cost of the Connecticut cleanup and for training you. You can work out a way to pay him back if that’s what he wants. And since it’s too soon for you to marry the girl, you’ll break things off with her. We’ll keep an eye on her to make sure she stays silent.”

I’m not going to break up with Sawyer and be banned from the States while she’s still here.

What the fuck is this?

55

SAWYER

War lures me out of the house by telling me Jamie needs us to meet him. Then, he drives to a toy store on the outskirts of town where he says he has to make a stop. It’s full dark and practically closing time when we arrive.

His stride is so long I have to hurry to keep up.

Inside, he grabs a giant box containing a water slide and carries it to the front. When he pays with hundred-dollar bills, the young guy at the register appears confused by having to handle actual money. Looking at the crisp bills suspiciously, he hesitates. War glares at him, and the guy finally deposits them in the register.

War carries the large box outside and shoves it in the back of the SUV. He walks around the truck and stops next to me at the passenger door.

“Phone.”

I stare at his massive outstretched hand. “Why?”

“Hand it over.”

“Or what?”

He jerks my purse from my arm and then opens the door. “Get in.”

“What’s going on?”