Page 20 of Vows of Blood

“No such luck,” Nico laments. “But he's going to find out soon. Better he hears it from you."

Spotting the nurse reappearing with two guards at her back, I leave Nico to deal with that mess while I move to a window at the far end of the recovery unit. The glass is cold against my shoulder as I scan the parking lot three floors down, cursing at the sight of a news crew parked near the entrance.

Searching my contacts, I select Finn O'Sullivan’s name, head of the Irish families, notorious hothead, and my future brother-in-law. With a muttered curse, I press call. Finn very reluctantly agreed to this union because it benefits us both, not because he likes me. He’s made it very clear in our previous interactions that he doesn’t.

Finn picks up on the second ring. "Calvano." His accent is thick, his attitude already hostile. "I’m back in Ireland and it’s the middle of the fucking night. This better be important."

No point beating around the bush. I get right to it. "There was a shooting tonight. At the engagement party."

The one he refused to attend. And with Finn’s hatred for my father, his hair-trigger temper and fuck it attitude, Kate agreed that for everyone’s sake, he should be allowed to stay away.

"Kate?"

It’s the only reason I’d call, and she’s the only person there he’d care about getting hurt.

"Yes. She’s alive but just out of surgery. She lost a lot of blood." He knows exactly what that means. She’s in real trouble.

There’s silence down the line for a moment, only punctuated by the sound of his heavy breathing, and when he speaks again, his lilting Irish voice is like ice. "Who did it?"

"We’re working on it. We caught one, but he was just a hired distraction. Had no idea who he was working for or whose party he was interrupting."

Another prolonged silence.

"You're working on it," Finn repeats darkly, then laughs, not even the tiniest trace of humor in it. "My sister's been fucking shot, and you're working on it."

Closing my eyes, I squash the urge to remind him who he’s talking to. Now is not the time for egos.

"Finn—"

He interrupts me and a flicker of rage lights up inside me.

"This alliance was your idea, Calvano. You came to me with promises my sister would be safe." The more agitated he gets, the stronger his Irish accent becomes, and the more vicious his words. "If she dies, I will hold you personally responsible. Do you understand?"

He’s angry and justifiably so, but he’s taking it out on the wrong person.

"Yes.” I pause, regaining my composure, and speaking quietly into the phone. “But Finn, don’t ever fucking threaten me again. In this instance, I’ll let it pass because you’ve just received bad news, but don’t push me.”

That’s his warning. The only one he’ll get.

"Find who did this and pray my sister survives, because I want blood, and if it has to be yours, then so fucking be it."

The line goes dead.

"That went well," Nico comments dryly when I turn around, but he knows anything less than an all-out declaration of war is a win.

"About as expected." I can’t be mad. He’s acting exactly as I would if the tables were turned.

Finn will wait for us to find the hitman, but not for long.

I nod toward the end of the hallway where the nurse and two guards are huddled, one guard with a radio to his ear.

“They’re calling the cops,” Nico explains. “I tried to convince them we’re back here because we’re concerned about her life still being in danger, but they’re not having it. Said we need to stay in the waiting room like everyone else.”

My phone buzzes again. Bruno this time. I stay by the window, watching as yet another news van rolls to a stop outside. "Talk to me."

"She's home. If that's what you'd call it. The place should be condemned." Bruno’s disdain is clear, but that’s not what I’m really interested in. “I’m outside. Tony’s on his way.”

The heavy weight that was sitting on my chest lifts a little.