Page 80 of Vengeful Devotion
“I’m so sorry to hear about your brother, Declan. I came as soon as I heard. Though I didn’t expect your mother to not know.”
It’s the smile that accompanies his words that bothers me. The smile of a snake. Something is off here. I squeeze his hand harder than I should, making him hiss in pain.
“What happened to your hand?”
“I was teaching some new kids to shoot and had an accident.”
I look at Balor and Dean, both staring at the wounded hand. Having the same thought I am. What are the chances Cormac was the man I shot the night of the ambush? But why would he be there? Unless he was the one to fuck with our intel.
“Thank you for your condolences, Cormac,” I reply, sitting in my chair.
“Absolutely. I heard your brother was responsible for the fire at your warehouse, too. It’s a shame that he fell in with the wrong crowd.”
“A shame it is. Can I ask how you found out about my brother’s death? I’ve been working hard at keeping that private.”
“I can imagine. Must be hard for you, huh?”
“What’s that?”
“Being the boss. You and your family have such big targets on your heads.”
His slimy voice is taunting. Like he knows something I don’t. As the king, I can’t tolerate that.
“If that’s all, you can leave now.”
His dark eyes turn hard, filling with rage. “I’m not leaving until I get what I want.”
“And what’s that?”
“Your throne.”
I can’t help but laugh. Who the fuck does this guy think he is? “What makes you think I’ll just hand it over?”
“You won’t have a choice, Declan. You murdered your brother. For nothing, I might add. Killing your own flesh and blood over a rumor? If that’s how you plan to rule this world, your approach could use some work. Now that your family knows the truth, they’ll happily hand the throne over. Just to be free of you.”
Balor and Dean raise their eyebrows, looking towards me. Shocked that they had no idea I killed Warren. But I can’t focus on them right now.
“What do you mean a rumor?”
“A leader who kills so blatantly should be challenged. Don’t you think?” Cormac asks, ignoring my question.
“You want to challenge Declan McBride?” Dean interrupts. “For avenging his father?”
Cormac leans over the desk. “What proof did you have that your brother killed your father? Just a video of Warren scampering away, huh?”
At that moment, it becomes crystal clear. Warren was never my enemy. He was just the fall guy. Cormac’s fall guy.
“It was you.”
The air in the room changes. Balor and Dean draw their guns. Cormac was an idiot to think he’d be walking out of here alive, let alone with my throne.
“I’m not sure what you mean by that, Declan. What benefit would I have in killing your father?”
“You tell me, asshole.”
Standing, I draw my gun on him. The black metal in my hands is itching to kill. Before Cormac can answer, the door busts open. My mother stands there, her chest heaving like she ran here.
“He’s not an O’Brien,” she spits. “Are you?”
