Page 4 of Stolen Temptation (Irish Kings #3)

Even when I’m concocting solid ideas and my productivity’s up, the weight on my shoulders staggers me. One misstep on my part could lead the Kings to disaster.

The pressure is a tight fist around my neck.

Even doing everything I can doesn’t feel like enough.

My mom’s face surfaces behind my eyes, reminding me that this is far from my first failure.

I concentrate on a map hanging on the opposite wall. Red Xs cover the page, indicating all the places where our men have been attacked in recent weeks.

We’ve lost people. Good people.

Shane doesn’t forgive or forget that kind of thing well. None of us do.

The study doors fly open, and in stalks Shane’s son and heir—and my childhood friend—Finn Gallagher.

Finn’s auburn hair hangs in a wild shag around his square, scowling face. A scar cuts diagonally down his cheek and through his lips. That scar’s a souvenir from Matteo De Luca, a visual reminder that Finn was the one who killed him.

Close on Finn’s tail is Cian Mahoney, the last member of our four-man friendship.

He’s tall and chiseled, with dark curls, green eyes, and an angel’s face.

Goes without saying that he’s the resident ladies’ man of our crew.

Well, he was until he decided to settle down with the twin of Finn’s fiancée.

Recently, we’ve all thought of Cian as a shoo-in to be the next underboss.

He sure acts the part, flanking Finn everywhere as our future leader races around, consumed by the desire to crush the De Lucas once and for all.

The fact that he barged into our meeting means he has an important update.

“I’ve got good news.” Finn marches up to his father. “I’ve been monitoring the underground networks for any chatter about the De Lucas’ next move, and the feed finally turned up something. Leo’s holding an auction two nights from now. The eighteenth.”

Shane chews on the information for a moment. “I see.”

Honestly, I have no idea what an auction has to do with anything.

The De Lucas have been broke for years. Them selling off some of their gaudy furniture isn’t really news, but Finn’s eyes glow like he’s uncovered a secret that’s going to turn everything around.

“I think we should infiltrate the auction, listen to the gossip going around, and steal whichever item goes for the highest bid.” Finn launches into his idea with such intensity, he sounds a little nuts. Too-many-sleepless-nights nuts.

Cian folds his massive arms. “Doing that will stiff Leo out of a lot of money.”

“The kind of money that could make him desperate?” Shane picks up his son’s train of thought, musing but still unconvinced.

Finn nods. “Right. It’s an opportunity to ensure that Leo’s desperate enough to entertain our demands.”

Shane continues mulling it over.

After several moments of Finn nearly vibrating, Shane sends a pointed glance my way. “Send Rory and Darren to case the auction.”

I feel like my boss just nailed me in the face with a water balloon. “ Huh ?”

“From where I sit, this auction and the mole may be related,” Shane says, drawing thoughtful looks from all of us. “Maybe a few cocktails at the venue will loosen some lips.”

Cian nods, like he finds logic in Shane’s idea. “If anyone within our network shows up there that night, mole or not, we need to know about it.”

I’m still stuck on send Rory and Darren to case the auction .

Finn starts to argue, but Shane silences all protest on the matter by holding up a hand.

“You and Cian are too conspicuous. You’re the heir to this mafia. The proof is on your face. And the De Lucas will recognize both you and Cian from our more recent interactions.” Shane nods to Darren and me. “They won’t see these two coming.”

Shane’s enthusiasm does nothing for my nerves. I’m already anxious about whether our mole hunt will be successful, and now that’s been pushed off in the wake of this ridiculous auction.

My mind is like a thread that’s been worn down to the snapping point. It wouldn’t take much at all to propel me over the edge.

Because there’s one thing I cannot tolerate…failure.

Inability to go the distance, complete a task, or be relied upon.

Also, neglecting to find a way to solve problems when they arise.

I’ve been driving myself like a damn herd of cattle. Forcing myself to push past my own limits, do whatever it takes to succeed.

Failure isn’t an option, yet I’m haunted by the great failures of my life.

Not noticing my mother’s health deteriorating until we barely had any quality time left is one of them.

Alayna is the other.

I’m desperate to prove myself capable, clearheaded, and trustworthy. But sometimes the more I try to win the race, the farther the finish line gets.

My palms are sweating again.

Now I’ve got to wear a damn tuxedo and schmooze with who knows how many people. People who may have nothing to do with the mole. I just want to get back to the real work, because this seems like a colossal waste of time.

I’m the spy master , not the spy .

“Catching a mole is like forcing a mouse out of the walls and into the house…where you’ve got a shotgun waiting.

Finn and Cian will be here with the shotgun.

” Shane walks to the door but stops before leaving to meet my and Darren’s stares.

“Go to the auction and flush out the mouse. Bring back a prize.”