AllFreeNovel
Share Us
By the time we stepped out of the back room, my chest was lighter but the weight on my shoulders hadn’t let up. I didn’t suspect it would.
Zion was seated at the bar beside Aiden. “Give me a few minutes. I’m just going to walk Sean and Aine out.” Aiden made to move. “Stay with Zion. I’ll be right back.”
“Sir.”
“I said stay.” I tried to sound stern. It wasn’t something I was good at, but it appeared that after tonight I would be on my own in a lot of ways.
Aiden glared at me, clearly not loving my order but knowing he had to obey. Zion nodded curtly and I stepped outside with Sean and Aine.
“I’m parked up a ways.” Sean gestured.
“Okay, I’ll walk with you both.”
Aine giggled. She’d had a few at dinner, and I loved her laugh. “You got the spark, Fred.”
“Spark?”
She gripped my shoulders, her glimmering green eyes full of adventure. “Be the boss. Fake it till you make it. Do not ever, and I mean ever, show weakness. And above all else…” Her smile dimmed, the light dimmed. “Be ruthless.”
That wasn’t who I was, but I understood. “For you, Cousin, I will build a fortress.”
She kissed my cheek and stepped over to the car, and her presence was replaced by my uncle.
“I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon.” Sean jerked his chin to something over my shoulder. I glanced and Aiden was by the front entrance to the pub. “Don’t give him such a hard time. He’s got your best interests at?—”
At heart. That was what I’d assumed Sean was going to say, but I’d never know.
The sound of screeching tires forced Sean and me to part. Aine jolted back at the same moment a large SUV rounded the corner.
“Fred!” Aiden shouted. I could see him in my periphery, but I was frozen. The windows in the rear and passenger side rolled down…Why couldn’t I move?
Sean’s face blocked my view for a second before gunfire rang out.
“Dad!”
Aine…I turned in time to see her body flail as she was riddled with bullets. When I reached for her, Sean slammed into me and I was falling.
“No!” My back crashed against pavement, my head whacked the sidewalk, and black dots invaded my vision.
“Fred!” Aiden’s blood-curdling screams and the weight of my uncle’s body on mine were all I could register.
What’s happening?
“Fred.” Sean’s voice was a whisper, and his eyes met mine. He was still on top of me.
“Uncle Sean…what…”
“Shh.” He smiled, but it wasn’t right; he was shaking. Sweat beaded on his forehead. “Listen to me.”
I nodded as best as I could.
“Trust no one. No one.” He patted my chest. “Your gut, your heart. Trust that.” A stream of blood slipped from Sean’s mouth. “I’m sorry, Fred.” Why was he crying?
“Uncle Sean?”
He leaned down and kissed my forehead. “I love you like a…son.” The last word was garbled, and then he slumped over, his weight suffocating me.
“Sean!” I gasped.
