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“Listen to me. I’m not leaving you. I trust that the people you kill are the worst of the worst and this world is better off without them. All I know is what I see, Carson, and you’re nothing but loving and protective with me and Charlie. There isn’t anything you wouldn’t do for us.”

I tip my forehead to hers. “I don’t fucking deserve you.”

“Stop saying that.” Her hands come up and circle my wrists. “Yes, you do. Now, answer the question.”

“I’ll try to be back within two days, depending on what the job is.”

She smiles, and it makes my heart catch.

“Oh no,” she deadpans. “How ever will I survive. Please don’t leave.”

“You’re a smartass.”

She snorts and moves in to hug me. “I know. But you like it.”

“I need to make the arrangements, get the jet ready, call the men and give them orders.”

“Okay.” She pulls away and walks over to sit in a visitors’ chair. “Go ahead. I love it when you put on your scary-boss voice. It’s hot as fuck.”

I grin and stride over, kiss the top of her head, and then walk around to sit in my chair and get to work.

The sooner I get out of here, the faster I’ll get home to my family.

Twenty-Five

CARSON

Cillian himself opens the door of his stupidly big New Orleans mansion, and I smirk at him. His guards flank the door, waiting for his orders.

“No weapons in my house.”

“Then I guess I’m not welcome because I don’t need a gun to end someone.”

Cillian rolls his eyes and steps back. “Come on. We’re having shepherd’s pie for dinner.”

I wasn’t really expecting to be fed, but I’ll fucking take it.

He leads me through to a dining room, where the table is set for four, and three of the seats are already taken.

“Declan,” I say with a nod, and shake the other man’s hand. Declan is Cillian’s younger brother by a few minutes and his number two.

The other man is their younger brother, Finn. He’s across the table and narrows his green gaze on me.

He has a scar from the corner of his left eye to his neck, and I’m the one who put it there.

“Healed up fine, I see. Pity I didn’t take your eye.”

Finn smiles, but it’s not a happy smile. It’s full of malice and revenge.

I hope he tries it.

The only reason I didn’t kill him is because he’s Cillian’s brother, and the Irish are our allies.

I take a seat and shake my head when Cillian offers me wine.

“I don’t drink on the job.”

“How noble of you,” Finn says with a sneer.