I’ve tried to do this on my own, relying on good men for help, but I refuse to allow history to repeat itself.
I will kill Liam and take great pleasure in doing so. I will steal his drugs, and by doing so, I will make my father the most powerful man since Connor. I don’t have a plan past that because truth be told, I don’t know if I’ll survive once I give Sean what he wants.
I’m not naïve. I don’t trust him. But I do believe he will give me Babydoll because her exchange gives him everything he’s ever wanted.
I don’t know what our reunion will be like; I haven’t thought that far ahead. I don’t know how she’s going to react to the news that Rory is dead, dead because I killed him. And I don’t know how she’s going to respond to Shay.
Even if he isn’t my son, I can imagine she’ll be hurt I had sex with Aoife when I didn’t reply to her numerous attempts to see me.
This is beyond fucked up.
Everything I need is in my new truck, the one I bought with the last of my money, so I make my way toward the address Sean gave me. Memories of when I was last sent on an errand come to mind, and I sigh, thinking of Orla.
When I pull up a couple of blocks away from the abandoned house, I can’t help but think it’s just another house in another neighborhood. This life has taken so much from me. I hope it’ll stop because I don’t know how much more I can take.
Shouldering my bag of supplies, I don’t bother concealing my presence when I walk to the unlocked front door and enter. The house is a squatter’s den. There are no doors on the rooms, so I peer into each one cautiously. When I look into the last bedroom and see a man with his back turned to me, staring out the window, I reach for the gun in the small of my back.
“Ya won’t be needing that.”
He turns slowly and smiles.
I have no idea who he is or why he isn’t bound. I thought this was someone who owed Sean money. But it seems I was wrong.
“Nice to meet ya, Puck. I’m Austin Bailey. I’m a friend, so ya can put yer gun away.”
I’m impressed he knew I was reaching for my gun.
Ron Brady came through. I don’t know what Austin wants, but I’m here to listen.
“Why are ye here?” I ask, taking my hand off my gun—for now. “Sean Kelly sent me, so if yer a friend, start talkin’.”
He chuckles, not at all bothered by my tone.
“Yer dad is an eejit. I can’t believe he’s in the position he’s in. But that’s not because of his doing, is it? It’s because of you.
“I heard what ya did to Brody—good for you, lad. I never liked that ballbag. But the thing is, he was easy to control.”
“So yer boss, this Aleksei, he was dealin’ with the Doyles then?”
I wonder if maybe I was too quick to give him the benefit of the doubt.
Austin smirks, casually placing his hands into his pockets. “Aleksei Popov doesn’t deal with anyone,” he states proudly. “They deal with him. I handle his Irish affairs, and Brody Doyle was just an arsehole who did what he was told.
“But yer different, are ya not, Puck Kelly?”
“What d’you mean?”
“Yer not all bad,” he states, watching me closely. “I think ya fight for honor. I think ya have morals, and I think yer the rightful leader, not yer dad. I’ve spoken to Alek about yer situation. Ron told me Sean is blackmailing ye. He has yer girl?”
I nod once.
“Alek doesn’t appreciate men who have no balls, and from the sounds of it, Sean has none. Alek also doesn’t take too kindly to men manhandling women. It’s personal.”
He doesn’t elaborate.
“This is why he has a proposal for ya. He wants to deal with ye, only you, and in return, he’ll help ya find yer girl.”
Well, this changes everything.
“If you agree, y’ll not only get back yer girl, but y’ll also be a very wealthy and powerful man.”
Clucking my tongue, I shake my head with a smirk. “I suppose I am different because I have no interest in that. Find Camilla, and Alek can have it all. But I do have one condition.”
Austin waits for me to continue.
“I want Sean dead, and I want to be the one who kills him. I want him to suffer in ways unimaginable. I also want Liam Doyle dead.”
Austin breaks into a loud burst of laughter. “No, lad, yer not that different after all. I’m sure Alek will be accommodating to yer terms.”
I decide not to tell Austin about the haul I’m supposed to intercept. I need to have at least one ace up my sleeve in case Austin is dirty, even though Ron vouches for him. I’ve learned that the hard way.
“Let me discuss everything with Alek, and I’ll get back to ye. Are ye sure ya want to give this up? It’ll be different with Alek and me. I didn’t know Connor Kelly, but he sounded like a good man. He sounds like ye.
“You went to prison to save the people ye love. Alek and I respect that. We could do with a man like you on our side. And Northern Ireland is rightfully yers.”
“I appreciate that, but the only thing that matters to me is findin’ my girl.”
Austin nods, his respect for my honesty clear. “All right. I’ll call on ye soon.”
He reaches into his pocket and produces a wad of money. “You can’t go back empty-handed.”
I don’t know how Austin managed to fool Sean and his goons, but I’m impressed.
I catch the money, bound with a gold money clip, and place it into my pocket. I go to turn, but Austin stops me.
“We want the same thing, Puck. For the good guys to win.”
With a snicker, I reply, “Is there such a thing? Because the line becomes blurrier every single day.”
Austin nods. “Alek is a good guy where it matters, as I’m guessin’ you are too.”
His comment resonates with me because I understand it completely.
With nothing further to say, I leave Austin with a new sense of hope. If he can find Cami, then Sean’s days are numbered.
My phone rings. It’s Aoife.
“Hello, can I call ya—”
But she doesn’t let me finish.
“She has him!” she shrieks, her panic palpable.
“Has who?”
“Shay!”
“Who has Shay?” I ask calmly, as panicking won’t solve a thing.
But what she says next changes everything.
“I’m sorry. I lied to ye. I thought I was doin’ the right thing.”
“Who has him?” I repeat, commencing a jog to my truck. “Aoife!”
She begins to sob, but through her tears, I hear the only thing which matters. “Camilla. I’m so-sorry.”
My tires leave skid marks as I tear down the street, heart in my throat as I speed toward the unknown.
Three Hours Earlier
My wrists are rubbed raw, but I persevere because I can feel the cuffs slipping free.
I am done being a prisoner, especially when I have no idea who holds me captive. Aoife is merely a puppet. Liam was the one who brought me here, but why?
What purpose do I serve?
No demands have been made. Not to me, anyway. But I am certain they have been to Punky. I’m being held as collateral, but for what? And for whom?