the meeting is over.
I glance around but there’s no one near us here. “Is Colt the only photo you got? None of the… others?”
I don’t want to say Posey or Nate’s names, just in case there is someone hiding somewhere who might hear their names.
Atticus knows exactly who I’m talking about. “There’s no indication that she’s going to focus on anyone else. I will tell you if there’s a chance she’s looking into anyone else. No matter how much I don’t like any of this, Avery, I would never put them at risk. I know better than that.”
I think I believe him.
Something seems to have changed with him, maybe something about me finding that wall has shaken him, and now he’s at least giving me information and not heavily veiled warnings.
It’s the most dangerous thing because I feel the first little rays of hope start deep in my belly where they can sprout wings and take over my life again. I try to talk myself down, he’s hurt me before and he’ll hurt me again, but those feelings don’t just disappear.
They can’t.
I understand now that my heart has the room in it for two men, and I won’t ever feel complete without them both.
Atticus hesitates for a second and then holds out his arm for me to take. I glance back at Illi who still has his phone pressed tightly to his ear but he nods at me and stalks up behind us again, cutting the call off.
I take Atticus’ arm.
The moment we get into the elevator I drop it and move back into Illi’s side, completely aware that he’s here for my protection and slinking away with Atticus just because of my traitorous heart will make that harder for him.
I also need to get my head into the game because distraction leads to missing important clues and cues, and I’m not having someone’s death on my conscience.
Or my own.
When the doors open Atticus strides away and over to his seat, nodding at his men as he passes. Luca is there waiting for him, a somber look on his face even as he tips his head in my direction. Illi holds out his arm and I take it, letting him lead me in as we both look around at everyone with a cold indifference.
The table is round and worn and takes up a large portion of the room.
This is the same room that Lips had confronted the O’Cronin’s at to get Harley free of Liam and Domhnall. She handed over a diamond to every member of the Twelve for their cooperation and I don’t think Harley will ever get over that fact. It doesn’t matter that she still has dozens left, tens of millions of dollars stashed away in her little safe, all he can see in his head are those little velvet bags being handed over for his sake.
It’s such a Mounty thing to worry about.
Aodhan’s arm is slung over the chair next to his like he’s saving it for me and Jackson is slouching in the next one down, so I’ll be wedged between family.
Illi leads me over and tucks me into the table, every move respectful and like a taunt to the others sitting with me.
Go ahead. Try and touch her, see what I’ll do to you.
Only the Butcher of the Bay could get away with that sort of thing and every time he thumbs his nose at them all, I freaking love him a little more. I understand completely why Lips would throw down for him any day of the week.
The Boar arrives last, a little blood-soaked and harried looking, but no one comments on it. Atticus just waits until we’re all seated and then he starts with the usual list of issues and teething problems we’re having in the city.
Still no updates on who is pushing the Jackal’s product. Three men have been caught dealing and all three of them swallowed a cyanide tablet to kill themselves before they could be questioned.
That kind of loyalty to their employer… it’s rare and it’s dangerous.
“No markings on any of them?” I say, frowning a little and Jackson shrugs.
“I went over the coroner's reports. Nothing. Three dead guys in cheap suits, nothing worth reporting on.”
Jesus.
I make a mental note to speak to Lips about it, because it doesn’t sound right. Well, cyanide tablets never sound right but there’s something decidedly not Mounts Bay about that.
I glance over my shoulder and the frown on Illi’s face confirms it.
We finally