Page 71 of The Apprentice

He reached into his jacket and pulled out his gun before aiming it at my forehead.

I tensed, heart racing and chest aching, and let out a shaky breath. I stilled and swallowed around the anguish in my throat. I’d been ready for death for a long time, but I didn’t expect it to come from my boss. I thought about Fionn and how angry he would be at Sloan. I hated the idea of the disconnection it would cause between uncle and nephew. He’d never forgive Sloan.

While I’d been ready for death, I didn’t want it to happen, either. I was ready to treat Fionn the way he deserved. To take him out on dates and show him off to the world like he’d begged me to. Now, it was over before it had begun.

“Uncle, no!”

Before I knew what was going on, Fionn was there, shoving his way between me and the gun.

Fear struck me violently in the chest, and the overwhelming need to protect Fionn rose and lodged itself as a lump in my throat. Would Sloan hurt Fionn? Part of me wanted to believehe wouldn’t, but I had no fucking idea. The terror of what Sloan would do to him had me rooted on the spot.

Sloan glared. “Move, Fionn.”

“No.” Fionn stood tall, but his height wasn’t enough to hide my bulk. “What the hell is going on?”

Sloan’s jaw tightened. “Move. Now.”

“What is this about?” he snapped.

“Aodhan.” I sighed. Laying my hands on Fionn’s shoulders, I tried to shift him out of the way, but he planted his feet and refused to move.

“If you want to shoot Daire for that, then you need to shoot me, too.” Fionn raised his chin. Disobedient boy. I would have to teach him a lesson about that later—if I got the chance. Regardless, my heart throbbed at the thought of Fionn protecting me. He loved me enough to risk his own life. I was the luckiest fucking man who ever existed. His loyalty never wavered. “I knew about Aodhan being here, too.”

Sloan stared, gun hand lowering. The anger stayed in his gaze, but some of the danger slipped away. “You don’t know him.”

“I do.” Fionn stepped forward and the tension in his shoulders bled away. “Sloan, Daire’s always been your most faithful soldier. Fuck, he’s your best friend, but Aodhan is Daire’s brother. Imagine if it was Dad. You’d defend him, too.”

“Don’t tell me what I would or wouldn’t do,” Sloan growled out.

“It’s true, though.” Fionn crossed his arms. “Has Aodhan crossed you or the Company, Uncle? Are your feelings getting in the way of business? He could be useful.”

Sloan snorted. “You don’t know Aodhan or what he’s done. He’s a wild card who can’t be controlled.”

“Maybe.” Fionn exhaled loudly. “Please, don’t hurt Daire. You know if there was any risk to our business, he would’ve told you.”

Except I didn’t know why Aodhan was here, which was a huge fucking problem.

Sloan had a stare off with Fionn and time passed as slow as molasses—my breath caught in my throat as I waited—before Sloan slipped the gun back into his holster under his suit jacket. He grunted and glanced at me over Fionn’s shoulder. “You are a lucky bastard to have my nephew on your side.”

I bowed my head in respect because it was true. I’d never expected Fionn to defend me—especially against Sloan.

“Fine.” Sloan’s gaze continued to burn. “You will tell Aodhan he has two choices. If he wants to stay, he needs to pay me a visit tomorrow, and only tomorrow. Otherwise, he has until the weekend to leave alive. Am I clear?”

“Sloan—”

“Am. I. Clear?” He stepped in closer again, and Fionn shifted so he made sure he was between us. “There are no more chances. I’m done with traitors and men who think they can beat me at my own game.”

I inclined my head. “Yes, sir.”

“Get out of my office.”

I didn’t need to be told twice. I grabbed Fionn by the elbow and led him outside.

Once we were farther away from Sloan, I spun on him. “What the hell were you thinking, getting between me and that gun, boy?”

He shrugged, a small grin tugging on his lips. “I just got you, Daddy Daire. I’m not letting you go anytime soon.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose. Concern ate at me, kneading my gut and making it churn. I couldn’t stand the thought of losing Fionn. He was playing a dangerous game. “Never do thatagain. I mean it. What happens between me and Sloan is just that. Between us. I don’t want Sloan to think you’re choosing me over him.”