Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 136731 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 684(@200wpm)___ 547(@250wpm)___ 456(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 136731 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 684(@200wpm)___ 547(@250wpm)___ 456(@300wpm)
The buzzer goes off a second time, longer than the first.
I see the exact moment she loses her fury. It slowly oozes out of her, being replaced by a sheepishness that would have made me laugh were the situation different. “I see,” is all Aileen responds with.
My patience is worn thin. “Unless you want your son to die this night, by all means, ignore the nurse who waits outside.”
Braden looks to Shane, who shakes his head. Shane is smart, he knows his place, and unless their mother gives the go-ahead, they would do nothing.
Aileen’s eyes narrow at me in suspicion, searching my face for any sign of distrust. She finds none, and with a discreet nod to Braden, he sets off down the hall to let Aida in. We sit in silence, watching each other, waiting for the assistance I’ve promised. Footsteps sounds down the hall, and when Braden returns with the short, round woman holding a black duffle, I smile at Aida’s irritated expression. “What, you didn’t hear me buzz?”
I don’t bother standing, and I know Aida will understand why. I’m not turning my back on any of these Irish bastards. No way, no how. I rest my stare on Aileen, letting Aida know where the blame lies. “We heard you.”
Aida waddles farther into the room with a sigh, resting her duffle on the desk, opening it and removing medical items. She completely ignores the Kellys and asks, “What did shit-for-brains over here do to get himself shot?”
Alejandra answers coolly, “He tried to kill me.”
That’s when Aida turns, recognizing Ana with a surprised smile. “Well, lookie here.” She lets out an unimpressed snort. “You’re all clean and not at all dead.” She rolls her eyes at Alejandra. “I couldn’t at all have predicted this turn of events. Oh, wait.” She pauses a moment, raising her brows in mock surprise. “Yep, I did too.”
Alejandra doesn’t smile, but her eyes crinkle in the corners.
Aileen can’t take her eyes off Alejandra. She blinks thoughtfully. “I know you. You’re the one everyone’s talking about. Gambino’s girl.” A cruel smile stretches her lips. “You killed your husband.”
“No, I didn’t.” Ana responds too quickly, her cheeks flaming.
“Technically,” I cut in, “Ling killed him.”
Aileen shakes her head, eyeing Alejandra hard. “Your husband died but a heartbeat ago, and you’ve already taken vows to this one here?” She inclines her head to me. “Have you no shame, child?”
Aida straightens at that. “Taken vows?” Wide-eyed, she looks at me in shock. “Married?” She snorts in amusement. “That was fast, Mr. Carter, even for you.”
Alejandra pushes off from her place, leaning against the desk, and starts for Aileen, when I reach out to clutch her wrist and pull her back to me, wrapping an arm around her shoulders, across her chest, holding her to me.
My anger spikes, but the warmth of my wife’s body has a calming effect on me. “I don’t believe that’s anyone’s business.” I pin Aileen with a stare. “Especially not yours.” Without turning to face her, I state, “Aida, don’t you treat him. Not yet.” I spare a glance at Braden. “I came here for help. A deal was struck, and Braden offered his services in return for a favor of his choice. As far as I’m concerned, Connor’s life became forfeit when he pulled a gun on my wife. Now the choice is yours, Aileen.” I pause for a moment. “Lose another son by my hand, or surrender Braden’s favor in return for Connor’s life.”
Braden lets out a loud, forced groan. “Fucking hell.” He throws out a hand to where his injured brother sits, looking more than exasperated. “Kill him then. I don’t even like him that much!”
“Fuck off, you stupid git,” bellows Connor from the floor.
Aileen barks out, “Shut your bloody mouth, Brae.” She points to Connor. “That’s your blood there. You’ll not speak about your brother that way, understand? Family is everything.”
Shane closes his eyes tightly and moves to cover his mouth, but nobody misses the way the way his shoulders shake in soundless mirth.
Aileen sighs, reaching up to pinch the bridge of her nose in annoyance. “Why’d you do it, Con?” She drops her hand, glaring at her son. “I never thought you’d do something so stupid.”
Connor grimaces as he shuffles to sit tall. “I didn’t know they was married, Mam.” He turns his dark gaze on Alejandra. “She’s got a bounty on her, this one. I thought to collect.”
A bounty.
Fuck.
People did ballsy things for money. This was one other thing I did not need on my plate right now. “How’d you get wind of this bounty?”
Connor grins, but it wobbles. “A Gambino fella, the brother of the one she had murdered. He’s been making the rounds, leaving photos of her about, hoping someone will be desperate to cash in.”
“Are you?” I ask evenly. “Desperate to cash in, I mean.”