Page 68 of Deceived Wrath

“I’m no worse than Kieran.”

Kieran throws his arm over the back of the couch. “I’m a fucking delight.”

Ronan scoffs. “If anything, Kieran is better because at least he’s learned how to delegate. You, on the other hand, are a control freak.”

“That’s not entirely true.”

Kieran raises an eyebrow. “Isn’t it?”

They just don’t get it.

I might be a control freak, but it’s only out of necessity. Because the moment I lose control, my son becomes vulnerable, and that’s just not something I’m willing to risk.

“What did you need to talk to us about, Ronan?” I need to change the subject to anything other than Scout. Or worse,Fiona.

“Brennan tells me you went and met with Sal Romano.”

“Fun,” Kieran mutters.

I bypass the spot on the couch beside Kieran and take a seat in one of the leather armchairs. “I got a tip that Lorcan stopped by and wanted to go and check it out. But he didn’t have any information of use.”

Brennan nods. “We’ve been compiling a list of other potential allies that Lorcan could call in a favor from.

“I figured if we can get in there first, he’s going to eventually run out of people he can trust to cover his tracks.”

“And then he’ll slip up,” Ronan muses.

“That’s the plan.”

Kieran looks at me and Brennan. “Can I see this list?”

Brennan pulls out his phone and loads up the spreadsheet.

While the three of them look over it, my phone starts ringing in my pocket, so I quickly get to my feet and walk out of earshot. When I see it’s Ray, my stomach bottoms out.

Henevercalls me this late, not unless something is very, very wrong.

“Talk to me, Ray.”

“Cormac, you’ve got to get out here, man.”

I don’t think a single sentence has ever made me feel such gut-wrenching dread in my life.

“Is Scout okay?” My voice shakes.

“He is now.”

“What do you meannow?”

“Kid snuck out?—”

“He didwhat?”

Ronan is on his feet and at my side in an instant, but I turn my back to him as I try to focus on what Ray is saying.

“He came back, but not until after nine when he decided to climb through his bedroom window. Little hellion thought I wouldn’t notice. Almost jumped out of his skin when he saw me sitting on his bed.”

“You should have called me the second you found him missing!”