Page 96 of Vicious Betrayal

"One that keeps you, Declan, Lachlan, and everyone else out of a federal prison," Rian says calmly. "I told them I was the one running the illegal operations. That I used the legitimate businesses as cover, sent documents to you using Declan's email to make it look like he was involved, and kept everyone else in the dark. I'm taking the fall, Cormac. All of it."

"That's bullshit," I snarl, my voice rising. "That's complete fucking bullshit, and you know it. The feds will know it too⁠—"

"Of course they know it's bullshit," Rian interrupts, his tone still maddeningly calm. "But they also know, despite their threats and posturing, that they're not getting confessions out of Declan or Lachlan or any of the other men. We'll lawyer up and stonewall them, and they'll spend years trying to build a case that might not even stick. This way, they get a major arrest. One of the top three guys in the organization, willing to plead guilty. It's a win for them."

"And what do they think you're going to do?" I demand. "Sit in a cell for a decade and wait for parole? They're going to pressure you to turn informant, Rian. They'll offer you witness protection, early release, anything to get you to give up Declan and the rest of us."

Rian's smile is faint and bitter. "I know. And I'm not going to do it."

"You're going to spend years in a federal prison," I say, my voice cracking. "Years, Rian. You're thirty years old. If you get out, what's left of your youth will be gone. Any chance at a different life…"

"I know what I'm doing," he says quietly. "And I'm doing it because you're my brother, Cormac. Not by blood, but by choice. I'm not going to let you lose your wife and your child because of this fucking mess."

I can't speak. My throat is too tight, my chest full of grief and rage and guilt all tangled together. "You can't do this," I finally manage. "Rian, you can't⁠—"

"It's already done," he says. "I signed the papers twenty minutes ago. My lawyer's filing them right now."

The door opens behind me, and I twist in my chair to see Brennan standing in the doorway. There's a satisfied look on his face. "Time's up, Murphy," he says. "Let's go."

"No." I lunge to my feet, the chains jerking me back, and I turn to Rian. "No, you're not doing this. Tell them you lied. Tell them you made it up⁠—"

"Cormac." Rian stands. "It's done. Let it be done."

"Rian—"

"Take care of her," he says, his voice dropping low. "Take care of Oksana and that baby. Be happy, brother. That's all I want."

Brennan grabs my arm, pulling me toward the door, and I fight him, twisting against the chains, trying to get back to Rian. "You don't have to do this! Rian, please⁠—"

"Move, Murphy," Brennan snaps, and two more agents appear in the doorway, grabbing me by the shoulders and dragging me out into the corridor.

I'm still shouting Rian's name as they pull me down the hall.

—

They don't take me back to the interrogation room. They don't take me to a holding cell, either. Instead, they shove me into a small, windowless room with a bench bolted to the wall. I pace the length of it, my hands clenched into fists, the chains rattling with every step.

Rian made a deal. He's taking the fall. He's going to fucking prison for us.

The words loop through my mind, over and over, until I feel like I'm going to lose my fucking mind. I want to punch something. I want to scream. I want to tear this entire building apart with my bare hands. But I can't do any of that. I can only pace and wait while I try to process the fact that my best friend just sacrificed his life to save mine.

I don't know how long I'm in that room. Finally, the door opens. Brennan steps inside, his expression neutral. "You're being released, Murphy."

I stop pacing, staring at him. "What?"

"Rian Callahan's confession clears you of direct involvement in the organization's illegal operations," Brennan says, his tone flat. "We're releasing you pending further investigation, but you're not being charged at this time."

"And Oksana?"

"Mrs. Murphy is also being released," he says. "The agreement is void. She's free to go."

Relief crashes over me so hard I nearly stagger. "Where is she?"

"Waiting for you downstairs." Brennan steps aside, gesturing toward the open door. "You're free to leave, Murphy. Don't make us regret it."

I don't wait for him to change his mind. I push past him, out into the corridor, and I don't stop moving until I reach the elevator.

—