Shay is with Eva and Hannah. Alek’s finest men are guarding them.
Exhaling, I just want this to be over with. But I know things have just begun.
Cian turns on the radio, needing to fill in the silence as much as me, it seems. We drive to the meeting point, barely speaking two words. But that doesn’t mean we’re not on the lookout. Every car that loiters a little too closely sets Cian and me into attack mode.
But we arrive at the petrol station unscathed.
Ron’s van is parked up ahead, and I sigh in relief when we pull up beside it. Babydoll is inside. Her relief is also clear when she sees me. I don’t want her anywhere near my father, so I nod at Cian.
“I’ll see ya there.”
Grabbing my backpack, I get out of the van and wait for one of our men to take my place. I won’t leave Cian alone with Sean.
“You know what to do,” I say as it’s been discussed. At any sign of danger, they’re to protect themselves, even if that means killing Sean.
I make my way to Ron’s van, and the moment I approach the back door, Babydoll slides it open and throws herself into my arms. “Thank God you’re okay.”
I hug her back, inhaling her scent. “I made you a promise.”
“Yes, you did.”
I wish we could stay like this forever, but time is ticking, so I break our embrace, and we get into the back of Ron’s white van. He doesn’t waste a moment, and we head back onto the road. Cian is following close behind.
Babydoll huddles into my side, holding my hand. Seeing my ring on her finger is a powerful thing. I can’t explain it, but I like it. It has me fighting harder for the future. Our future.
“Are you sure we can trust Alek?” she asks for the tenth time, and I reply the same way I have each and every time.
“I hope so.”
We had a deal, and I know he’s a man of his word. I also know he didn’t get to the position he’s in by passing opportunities by. If someone else offers him a better deal, I know he’ll take it. That’s business.
I haven’t told Cami this as it’ll only worry her.
We ride the rest of the trip in silence, but it speaks volumes as we all know the next few hours will change our lives forever.
When we arrive at the port, I push everything aside and focus on what’s important. I can’t be blindsided. I need to be wary of everything and everyone. Ron parks the van, and it does give me a sense of relief to see so many of our men here.
Alek’s men flank us as he promised he would intervene if needed. But he didn’t want to be involved in a war that wasn’t his. I understand his reasoning—I wouldn’t waste good men either.
Babydoll exhales heavily, wiping her palms onto her jeans. I want her to stay here, but I know that’s out of the question, so I reach into my backpack and give her a gun.
“Shoot at anythin’ that shoots at you.”
She nods, holding the gun tightly. “I hope nothing shoots at me, but okay.”
I hope that too.
We exit the van, and instinctively, I protect Cami with my body. I quickly examine our surroundings but don’t see anyone yet. But that doesn’t mean they’re not watching.
Keeping her close, we casually walk toward the dock where the shipment should be arriving shortly. We’ve decided it’s best to remain hidden to surprise the person or people meeting Sean. We are walking into this with complete blind faith.
It’s busy, which was expected. That’s why I need Sean alive. Any one of these people could be the enemy. So far, none of them look familiar. Police patrol the area as it’s a breeding ground for illegal dealings.
Which has me thinking. I wonder why the peelers haven’t announced Shane Moore’s murder. No doubt, it will be swept under the rug. They don’t want anyone knowing he was dirty. This world is full of corrupt arseholes.
None more corrupt than my father, however.
He and Cian catch up to us, but leave enough space between us that it doesn’t rouse any suspicion. No one can know we’re here together.
Each step we take puts me on higher alert. I continue studying our surroundings, desperate to see a familiar face in the crowd. The clock chimes on the hour, which is when the shipment should be arriving. There are a few boats and ships docked, but I don’t see anything.
“This feels weird,” Babydoll whispers into my ear, and I agree.
We’re all geared up for a fight, but where’s the enemy?
Have they been tipped off? Or has Sean been lying? Both are probable.
I make eye contact with Cian, who shakes his head. He too smells a rat. We’ve studied the dock and know the layout. There is no secret entry to speak of. All vessels port here so that means who we’re looking for is here somewhere.
We just don’t know where.
Sean does, though.
Just as I’m about to demand he tell us what the fuck is going on, a flash of something catches my eye. Turning quickly, I do a double take because the flash is someone I know.
“Oh my God,” Cami gasps, hand covering her mouth. “That was Shay.”
Without thought, she takes off into a sprint after him.
I gesture to Cian that he’s not to take his eyes off Sean before chasing after Babydoll.
My heart is in my throat because this is a trap. I know it is. But it wasn’t set by Sean. Alek’s men were supposed to be watching Shay. Something is wrong.
Babydoll turns the corner, dodging shipping containers and running on pure adrenaline as she calls out to Shay. Her panic is clear.
My head is telling me to grab her and turn back, but my heart can’t. I do that, and I know my son will pay the price. I won’t allow him to be a victim of my vengeance. However, it’s too late because both Cami and I stop dead in our tracks when we see Shay.
“Let him go,” I order the woman who I do not know. She holds Shay tightly. He doesn’t struggle.
Cami pales, hinting she knows who has my son. “It’s you?” she gasps, shaking her head. “I can’t believe I didn’t guess it was you.”
“Who are you?” I ask the woman who looks at me with nothing but pure hatred.
“We’ve not met, Puck Kelly, but I know you. Yer all I know.”
Reaching for my gun, I train it on her, suggesting she stop with the theatrics and tell me who the fuck she is.
“My name is Annette.”
“It’s awful good of ye to tell me yer name, but if you don’t tell me why yer holdin’ my son, I’ll shoot first and ask more questions later.”
Shay doesn’t miss my admission that I’m his father. I want to console him. But first, I need to save his life.
Cami shakes her head, tears welling. This is bad. Very bad. “She is Annette Doyle. She’s Brody’s wife.”
“Widow,” Annette corrects angrily. “I was also a mum, but you took that away from me when you killed my three kids.”
And just like that, this comes full circle.
Liam was prepared to lay his life on the line for his mum because she was his ace up his sleeve—no one saw her coming. He knew she could blindside me and get revenge for the death of their family when he could not. I didn’t even factor her into the equation, which is the most dangerous kind of enemy. None of us anticipated this, but she’s a Doyle, someone her supplier trusts.