Page 148 of Unrequited

Kyla stands by the front door. Her face is pale, stricken, her mouth open in disbelief. “Seamus, what did you do? What have youdone?”

My mother is behind her, one hand pressed to her mouth like she’s seen a monster. Fuck me. She looks at me as if I’ve drowned a fucking basket of puppies. “Seamus,” she whispers, her eyes wide.

“I don’t want to hear it,” I say, my jaw clenched. “I had to prove my loyalty. You know that.”

I turn and face them both fully. “I did it for you. To protect you. All of this, it's always been for you.”

“I never asked you to,” my mother whispers. Her voice breaks on the words. “Is she…?”

“She’s gone,” I say, turning away again. It's the only answer I can give.

Branson walks victorious. Triumphant. Smug.

My father’s waiting in his office. When we walk in, he looks up, surprised.

“What happened?”

“He didit,” Branson says, clapping me on the shoulder like I’m a boy who just lost his virginity. “Pushed her right off the goddamn cliff. Leave it to Seamus to kill and still make it a show, eh?”

My father blinks, then stares at me.

“You pushed Zoya off the cliff, son? You killed your wife?”

“Youfucking told me to do what Branson ordered,” I snarl. Rage flares in my chest. I will never forgive him for this. Not ever.

I turn away and drop into the nearest chair.

“Did you have confirmation of it?” my father asks flatly, his voice hollow, his eyes wide.

Does he regret the order?

Branson nods. “Ash looked at the body himself. Said there was no pulse. She’s gone.”

“Who else witnessed it?” he presses.

“Me. Ashland,” Branson says. “Caitlin and Kyla saw from the window too.”

“Jesus,” my dad mutters. He runs a hand down his face. He’s not thinking about Zoya, not really. He’s thinking about my mother. About the emotional fallout. She’s seen him do terrible, wicked things, and she’s always forgiven him.

But this?

Will she forgive this?

I hate it. My whole fucking life, I’ve been trying to make him proud. To make him happy. And he’s been a good father, in his own cold, brutal way. Loyal. Strong. Brave.

But now…

“Now we prepare for the blowback from the Kopolovs,” he says. “They’re already here.”

I sit up straighter. “I’ve been tracking them. They’re already in the city?”

My father nods. “Assemble everyone. You know what to do.”

Yeah, I know exactly what to do.

But it’s got nothing to do with what my father has planned.

Chapter 28