Page 17 of Then We Shatter

“Two lives?” Dad yells. “Was it worth the price of two of our men?”

“I mourn those men as much as you do,” I choke out, “but when threats are made to our women and children, we step up, we don’t walk away.”

My neck muscles strain against my collar. I won’t gesture towards Lorcan. Or the photos of our mother. I don’t need to. He knows why we didn’t hesitate to help Ash yesterday. He’s just letting off steam.

“And in case you need reminding,” I continue, “we’d be fucked right now if Ash hadn’t exposed Ilya’s plans to invade our territory. We could have lost a hell of a lot more than two lives if we’d just sat back and let that happen.”

“I hope you’re not calling me a coward, son,” Dad snaps, rising to his feet and pressing his fists to his desk.

“No, I’m saying we should trust our friends,” I reply, deliberately not raising my voice to his level. I’m in no mood for a brawl. I’m too tired and just a little distracted by the engagement announcement. Is Katarina with Duke right now? He’s been single for a long while. What if he wants their relationship to appear more realistic? I rest back into my chair, giving the very false impression that I’m relaxed. “Ash knows what he’s doing, Da.”

“Maybe he does. Maybe he doesn’t.” Dad’s jaw feathers. He’s pissed off I haven’t taken the bait. “But what is glaringly obvious is that you’ve lost your fucking mind. Messing with a Barkov?”

“Have you seen her?” Tiernan offers. “I would.”

“We both would,” Ronan adds too quickly. He catches the glare I give him and shifts in his seat.

“It’s not a question of who would or wouldn’t,” Malachy says, finally speaking up. “None of us should. I can’t believe it needs pointing out. Again.”

“And your word is fucking law now?” I hit back, gripping the arms of my chair to keep me in my seat.

“Maybe it should be. We can’t follow someone whose position could be compromised because he’s too busy thinking with his dick.”

“You think yesterday would have gone better if you’d been in charge?” I scoff.

There are times when I see potential in Malachy to be a leader. Hell, there are times when I think he should have been the first born. He’s laser-focused when it comes to meeting objectives. He doesn’t get distracted and he doesn’t bring emotion to the table until the job’s done. But there are other times when I worry he’s too cold. Too calculated. Too emotionally detached.

I glance to the cut on Ronan’s cheek, inviting Malachy to follow my gaze. It’s a reminder that he has more to learn. What I don’t do is say anything out loud in front of our father. Unlike my brother, I’m not a fucking prick. And I don’t want to embarrass Lorcan. He hasn’t contributed to the discussion yet and I don’t know if it’s his usual detachment or if he’s dwelling on his latest lapse. He’d gone six months without an episode. We were all hoping he’d beaten his demons.

“Enough,” Dad says, breaking the loaded silence. “I’m the one in charge, thank fuck, not you pair of idiots, and it’s my opinion that counts. I don’t like this woman being anywhere near my family, or my so-called allies. Killian, you need to speak to Ash and get some answers.”

“He and I need a debrief anyway after last night. There are bodies we need to relocate so no one finds out what went down at the compound.”

“Does Ash know you’ve been fucking the Barkov woman?” Dad asks.

“No, and there’s no reason to tell him,” I answer. Something like regret tugs in my chest when I add, “It was one fuck. That’s all.”

Was it though? I’d warned Katarina I was coming back for more, but as she pointed out, I talk shit sometimes. She’s in Chicago. Engaged to another man. And at some point she’s going to disappear off the face of the earth.

Dad drops back into his chair and stares into space for a second or two. It’s not a good sign when he nods to himself. “It doesn’t have to be the last time.”

I’m not the only one who’s stunned. Malachy flinches at the suggestion. “Say that again?” I ask.

“Ash broke off his engagement to Katarina because she was fucking around with Duke. The lass has built a reputation for herself so it shouldn’t be too hard for you to cause enough of a stink to force Duke to break off his engagement too.”

Before I can leap to Katarina’s defense and point out that her reputation is undeserved, it slowly sinks in what Dad’s suggesting. I clamp my mouth shut. Thank fuck I didn’t tell him about the Griffins plan to help her disappear. Let him believe her relationship to Duke is genuine. I’m about to get approval to go back for a second taste of my forbidden fruit. Maybe more than that if I can persuade Katarina to hang around a little longer.

“One small problem,” Malachy says in a tone I don’t much like. Arrogant bastard. “If you fuck up whatever plans Vasili has in mind for a Moncrief alliance, we’re the ones who’ll face recriminations. And we’ve lost enough good men recently.”

I swear I catch our dad rolling his eyes as he turns back to me. “Suggestions?”

I suck air through my teeth. “With a bit of planning, I could set something up where my identity remains hidden,” I say if only because more time with Katarina is my one and only objective. “I’d have to be sneaky. We can’t let anyone know I’m in Chicago. But if I can persuade Ki– Katarina to hook up in secret,” I stutter, stopping short of using my pet name for her. I refocus on the lie I’m spinning. “All I’d have to do is leave enough of a trail to prove she was cheating. Duke might choose to ignore rumors, but the Moncriefs move in circles where reputation is everything.”

Malachy tuts. Loudly. “Their reputation will be shot simply by marrying a Barkov. I don’t see it working.”

“It’ll work as long as you don’t get involved,” I insist. “I’ll start making plans.”

“I’ll help,” says Lorcan.