Page 104 of The Lies We Tell

We order Chinese food and plan to eat in front of the television again under the promise that it won’t be another rom-com. I get the plates while Saint pops two bottles of beer from the fridge.

The intercom buzzes, and I answer it. “Hello.”

“Got your Chinese delivery.”

“Apartment forty-eight, fourth floor.” I buzz him up while Saint gets utensils.

When there’s a knock at the door, I open it and am met with the barrel of a gun.

I can’t think or breathe beyond it. I force myself to look up. Spark, four other men in leather, and Cillian stare back at me. A man with a scar down his face is holding the gun, and he has a finger over his lips.

My whole body begins to shake. “Don’t do this,” I say softly, my eyes on Spark.

I back up into the room and see Saint ready to move for his weapon. It’s suicide.

“Touch it and I’ll drop her,” the man with the gun says.

“Niro. Don’t hurt her and I’ll come with you,” Saint says. He raises his hands.

“Y’all have got no fucking class.” The soft Irish lilt seems at odds with Cillian’s suit, but after what Saint told me, I remain on guard. “You’re scaring the girl.” He comes over to me and ducks slightly to look in my eyes. “Beidh sé go breá, beagaidín. Coinneoimid slán é.”

It’s going to be alright, little one. We’ll keep him safe.

“I don’t believe you,” I say, my throat raw and dry. I glance at Saint, whose eyes are fixed on Niro. I love him, and I’m not certain if I’ve told him enough so that he knows it to his very bones.

Cillian touches my cheek, and I shirk away. “I know.”

“Clutch. I’ll make this right,” Saint says, looking at a tall man whose patch readsvice president. “Don’t bring Briar into this. What happened to Gwen is nothing compared to what Briar has gone through.”

“Let’s take Saint and go,” Spark says. “Niro, lower the gun.”

Niro shakes his head. “King said the girl comes with us.”

I see the look that passes between Spark and Cillian. “He wants Saint.” A man I don’t know says this. His patch saysBates.

“He also wants insurance, and he knew none of you would have the balls to take her,” Niro says. “Bates, take the girl.”

The man named Bates has the audacity to place the Chinese food on the counter before gripping my arm.

Spark walks to Saint and puts his hands on his biceps. “Jeremiah 29:11.”

“What the fuck is that?” Niro asks. “The man isn’t even a preacher.”

But when I look to Saint, his shoulders have relaxed, and he nods.

The only sign that tells me I should go with these men.

37

SAINT

Niro grips my arm as I climb into the van. “Don’t give me a reason to kill you or your girl, preacher man. I don’t want your death on my conscience. We’re armed; you’re not. There are five of us and only two of you. Now, do I need to tie you up for you to behave?”

“No. We’re good.”

I help Briar inside, then climb in after, pulling her close to me as we sit. She’s shaking uncontrollably, and I need to remain strong enough for both of us.

Spark climbs into the driver’s seat but winks in the rearview mirror as he adjusts it. Clutch joins him in the front. Niro sits behind us. The others climb on their bikes. I don’t know where Cillian went. I don’t know what he said to Briar. As people get settled, I kiss the top of Briar’s head. “There’s hope,” I whisper.