I wait for them to process what I just shared because the easier option would be what Cian suggested. But that’s not the smartest plan of attack. A smart predator waits for the perfect time to strike because a missed opportunity can mean the difference between life and death.
I look at Ethan and no longer see a boy. He is a man who has the right to choose what path he decides to take because rightfully, Belfast is his too. It was his father who ruled, not mine. I can’t make that choice for him.
I wanted to protect him, but I can’t do that anymore. This is as much his fight as it is mine. Sean took Connor away from Ethan, used Ethan for his own gain, then disposed of him when he was done. So I understand Ethan wants his revenge too.
“Let’s make that fucker pay for everythin’ he’s done. In the name of our father.” Ethan’s acknowledgment that Connor was our father has my heart swelling. “I know I’m in no position to fill Connor’s shoes, but I think I would like to learn.”
Nodding, I grant him the choice because it’s his life and he has the right to choose which path he wants to take. I can’t protect them all, but I can teach them how to protect themselves. “Then I will teach ye. Connor would be proud of the man y’ve become. And so am I.”
Ethan’s eyes, eyes so much like Connor’s, fill with tears, but he quickly brushes them away. “When ye organize the meetin’ with Alek and Austin, I want to be there. I want them to know who I am and that I want in.”
“If that’s what ye want, then of course.”
Truth be told, it warms me knowing that Belfast will still be in the hands of a Kelly. Hannah won’t be pleased with Ethan’s choice, but they’re both grown. I can’t shelter them forever.
“Whatever ye need, I pledge my loyalty to ye, Puck,” Ron says, bowing his head.
“Me too,” Ollie agrees, as do the rest of the men.
And just like that, a plan, a solid plan is hatched, and I think we will win.
“Grand,” I state firmly. “It’s business as usual, yeah? We can’t let anyone know what we’ve got planned. For this to work, Sean, Liam, and their men need to think they’re still in control. Sean wants me to intercept a shipment of drugs and kill Liam very publicly like I did with his father.
“This is to send a message to anyone who wants to fuck with Sean Kelly. He also knows the impact a public execution has. I do that for him, and he realizes no one will dare fuck with him ever again. But what he doesn’t know is that I intend to kill him too.
“The deal was I do that for him, and he returns Cami to me. So he cannot know she’s free.”
“And ye trust this Aoife?” Ethan asks, eyes narrowed. He saw firsthand what she did to Babydoll.
“Naw, I do not. But I need her, Ethan. Let this be the first lesson I teach ye when it comes to takin’ down yer enemy. Sometimes, ye have to do things ye don’t want to get what ye want.”
He nods, understanding that sleeping with the enemy is sometimes for the greater good.
“She has the ability to ruin this for us, and I won’t allow it. Not this close to victory. I will be in touch once I speak to Austin. Until then, remember, it’s business as usual. Whatever Sean and Liam want, we submit.”
I know it’s asking a lot, but it’s not for long.
We shake hands, a new lease on life bouncing between us because we’re finally at an advantage. The men leave, and it saddens me that it doesn’t include Cian. I can only hope he sees reason as I understand his stance. This does feel like giving up, but I can’t do this anymore.
I never wanted to live this life. It was forced on me because of the Kelly name. I now have a choice, something I’ve never had.
A knock sounds on the door. She’s right on time.
Running a hand through my hair, I slip on my invisible mask, a reflection of the one I paint whenever I need strength, and open the door.
“Hi, Puck.”
“Hey.” I open the door so Aoife can enter my home.
It takes all my willpower not to throttle her.
She examines my house, smiling. “I always wondered about yer home. About who ye were before ye were thrown into prison. I like both.”
“Thank you,” I reply, her compliment making me uncomfortable. “Can I get ye a drink?”
“Thanks.”
Walking past her, I enter the kitchen and pour us some whiskey. It’s clear by the way she watches me that she doesn’t fully trust me. Good, because she shouldn’t.
Offering her a glass, I use the kitchen counter as a barricade between us. I need to put space between us because even though I’m forced to play nice with her, I can’t guarantee my temper won’t snap.
“We need to talk,” I start, running my finger along the rim of my glass.
Aoife nods, sipping her drink.
“I need ye to tell me if Sean ever called on ye to visit Cami.”
A trickle of whiskey spills down her chin which she quickly wipes away with the back of her hand. “No,” she replies. “He would usually ask how she was. He trusted me to tell him the truth. I have no reason to lie to him.”
Her loyalty and faith in Sean concern me.
“We now have a problem,” I calmly state. “Cami is no longer there. So I need to know what yer goin’ to say to Sean if he asks about her.”
“I promise ye, Puck, I thought she was hurtin’ ye. That’s the only reason I did what Sean asked. He said he was doin’ it to protect ye. I mean, she was engaged to yer best friend. I would never betray ye like that.”
I rein in my temper. “It’s okay, Aoife. I’m not mad at ye. But now, by playin’ along, this is what will really protect me. I need ye to pretend that all is well. That Cami is still with ya.”
She swallows, the glass in her hand trembling. “I can do that. But what if he comes by?”
“Then ye need to stall him. He cannot know that Cami is free. If he does, it puts all our lives in danger. Cami took Shay because the son of the man I killed was at yer house. He was lookin’ for her, which means ye need to be careful.”
“What?” she gasps, paling. “I didn’t know that. I thought she took him—”
“Ye don’t know the half of it,” I interrupt. “Which is why I’m offerin’ ye protection. I’d offer ye a place to stay, but we can’t do that. We can’t do anythin’ that will alert anyone that somethin’ is different. It’s only for a wee while because this will be over soon.”
“What does that mean?”
“The less ye know, the better it is,” I reply, meaning every word.
“I’m scared, Puck.”
“I know.”
“I’m not scared for me.” She opens her bag and produces a piece of paper. Sliding it across the counter, she offers it to me. “But I’m scared for our son.”
The floor almost folds out from under me as I reach for the paper and read over the paternity results.
“Shay is your son.”
The results are clear as day, but deep down, I didn’t need a test to recognize my kin. I knew he was my son. And I will do everything to protect him.
“Say somethin’,” Aoife whispers, watching me closely for any clues to how I’m feeling.