“And that means?” I lifted a brow when he peeked back at me.
“Sorry. I’m new to this sharing thing.” He gave me a small smile, then returned his focus to the water. “The League has sites set up around the world. Each top-level League fixer operates a prison. It has to be off-the-grid and unknown to anyone other than the operator and guards. Not even the leaders know the locations.”
“Why not?”
“To keep them safer. They can’t be tortured for information.” He lifted his shoulders as if this was all so normal. “Most leaders are older, and they’d prefer their fixers to handle everything for them.”
“But not you, right?” I arched a brow.
His lips crooked at the edges, and he rubbed the sides of my arms. “No, I’m not as trusting, nor have I worried about my own safety like that, but it’s probably because I started out as a fixer, unlike any other leaders.”
“I guess I still don’t quite understand all of it.” I chewed on my lip. “A bit over my head.”
“One of the reasons you need to be rich to be a leader is to have the financial means to do what’s necessary to execute justice. Top-level fixers, like Luca, are given funds by the leaders to construct their prisons as they see fit. And the fixers are in charge of hiring men to guard the sites.”
“I see why you’re different than the rest.”
Ideas of cruel and unusual punishment inside some torture chamber came to mind, and it wasn’t something I wanted to think about. “And you think Luca might be at his, um, prison hiding out?”
“If he wanted to hide somewhere not even I could find, then yes.”
“And did you manage a site when you were a fixer?” I tried to hide the distress at such an idea from my voice, but when he turned to face me with narrowed eyes and lips drawn tight, I knew I’d failed.
His eyes cut to the deck. “Yes, but it’s not what you’re thinking. They’re more like heavily guarded multi-room mansions. Much better than a prison.” He cupped the back of my head, his gaze returning to mine.
“Well, for your sake, I hope he’s not working with Anderson. You’ve been friends for so long, I can’t imagine what you must be feeling.” My hand went to his chest, and he circled my wrist, flattening my palm over his heart.
My pulse quickened beneath his grip as his eyes held mine. “Luca, and his uncle, they were the closest thing to family I had before Alessia. But he’s changed into someone I don’t recognize in the last few years.” He shook his head. “Unless he’s always been a bad person, and I just never noticed.” He let go of me and looked back at the water.
He pressed his forearms to the railing and leaned forward, resetting his attention on the navy-blue water, softly lapping against the sides of the boat.
“You know how many times I imagined making love to you here?”
A change of subject and I couldn’t blame him. I’d rather talk about making love than Luca’s possible betrayal, too.
“Mm. No, but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t like to hear it.” I circled my arms around his body from behind and pressed my cheek to his back.
“Well, when I was here last week, that’s all I could think about.”
The fresh air did nothing to combat the heat now inside me.
“One of my fantasies was to have you naked on my bed down below, hands tied above your head, legs spread—”
“Am I interrupting?”
A female voice from behind had Sebastian immediately letting go of his words, and he stiffened but didn’t yet turn.
“Not like you to let someone sneak up on you,” the woman added, and I detected a smile in her tone.
“I knew you were coming, Emilia.”
“Sure.”
I slowly turned to put a face to a voice. She was the Italian version of Angelina Jolie starring in a Lara Croft film. Even her outfit made her look like she was prepared to raid tombs for treasure—tight dark leather trousers, matching leather boots, and a fitted jacket. Plus, was that a sword, or bow staff, stowed at her back? Her long dark hair was in a braid, and her full lips quirked into a smile when she saw me.
“Well, you going to introduce me to the woman that stole your heart?” she asked.
I took a hesitant step and extended a hand. “Holly.”
“You’re stunning. I guess I should’ve expected that. But I hear you have brains, too.” She winked at Sebastian when I pulled my hand free from her strong grip. “I approve.”
I wasn’t about to offer a thank you, still not quite sure how I felt about the goddess standing before me. Jealousy wasn’t really my thing. But ever since I’d met Sebastian, I’d been all sorts of not myself, and it was only recently that I realized I liked the woman I was when I was with him. The woman I let myself finally be. Fewer chains binding me, a bit more of the type to throw caution to the wind.
“Where’s Moreau?” Sebastian stepped alongside me, claiming me as his, his hand swooping around to pull me against his side.
There was no jealousy in her eyes, more so admiration, and that made me feel a little better.
“We’re going to meet at my home instead. I came to get you.” Her eyes lingered on my jacket before dipping to my jeans and checkered-pattern rain boots. “It won’t rain. You’ll be fine.”
“Your English is perfect.” My thoughts jumped free, but when she’d spoken, I couldn’t even make out an Italian accent.
“I studied at Oxford for a few years. And spent another two living in the devil’s playground.”
“The what?”
“Vegas,” Sebastian explained. “We should get going.”
Emilia didn’t move, though. “I didn’t expect you to take me up on my suggestion quite so soon to go against The Alliance.”
Sebastian released his arm from my back. “Things have changed.”
“So it would seem,” she answered, a hint of curiosity returning to her eyes, and I felt as though I was some mysterious creature being studied under a lens as she observed me.
“Come on.” Sebastian patted my back, urging me to walk when all I wanted to do was go back to hearing him describe the sinful but sweet things he wanted to do to me on his boat.
“How far do we have to go?” I hopped into the back of her black Range Rover, which felt too big for the winding, narrow roads there.
“Just a few kilometers. The home is on a mountain overlooking the coast.”
Sebastian probably should’ve sat up front with her, but he’d opted to sit with me. To hold my hand as the vehicle climbed a steep hill. “How, um, high up on this mountain?” I swallowed as we continued to go up and freaking up.
Emilia caught my eyes in the rearview mirror. “Very.”
“Great view of Mount Etna, too,” Sebastian added and squeezed my hand, and the warmth of his touch relaxed me.
A few minutes later, we reached the gated entrance to the mansion. At the center, a pair of ancient-looking doors parted. Fit for a kingdom, they looked to be made of steel with crisscrossing iron rods. A few other cars were parked in the driveway that curved around a beautiful fountain in front of the home. Well, more like a castle. Touches of Roman history embedded in the stone features of the design, from turrets down to the pillars alongside the double doors at the front.
Sebastian helped me out of the back. “You’ll be okay.” His voice was soft. As calming as the sounds of the water lapping against his boat.
His words should have made me feel better, but I was about to meet not only Luca’s uncle but a man who helped create an organization that condoned murder in the name of justice, a man who’d brought Sebastian into the life.
He stopped outside the front door and pushed his sunglasses to the top of his head. “You okay?” he mouthed, sensing I was still uneasy.
I gulped, knowing my eyes were wide, but I managed a nod.
“Let’s go.” Emilia strode through the front door, which had been opened by someone on her staff. “Moreau’s in Papa’s study.”
“I’m s
o sorry about your father.” I’d meant to offer my condolences in the car, but I’d been tongue-tied upon meeting her.
She slowed her brisk pace and caught my eyes, walking alongside me. “He lived a full and happy life. Thank you.”
I nodded, not sure what else to say.
When we entered the study, the room reminded me a bit of Ma’s library. All four walls were covered in books. Not a single window in the room, and maybe you didn’t need one. Books were supposed to be like windows to another world, right? Maybe someday Samuel would write a novel, and it’d end up here alongside other great works of literature.
I pulled my focus to the man on the other side of the room in a red leather armchair. Hints of vanilla-flavored cigars met my nose even though I didn’t see one lit. Most likely, Emilia’s late father had been a smoker.
“Sebastian.” The man set his drink on the table next to him and rose. If Luca had been a cross between Johnny Depp and James Dean, well, now I knew why. His uncle was the James Dean side of the equation. He smoothed his hands over the lapels of his navy jacket, his eyes catching mine in the process. “Holly McGregor.”
The way he said my name was as if he knew me on a personal level. It was all so strange.
“Thank you for flying here on such short notice.” Sebastian walked me closer, inviting me to shake the man’s hand.
Moreau kissed both my cheeks then held on to my arms. “I see why he cares so much for you.”
“It’s more than looks.” Sebastian’s words caught me by surprise, and I made a note to thank him for his comment later.
“Well, let’s talk, shall we?” Moreau motioned for us to sit on the couch across from the armchair, and Emilia remained standing. “Emilia has filled me in.”
Jacket now off, hands on my legs, I scooted closer to Sebastian on the couch, trying to calm my nerves. He covered my hand with his, and Moreau’s eyes lingered for a moment on our linked palms.
“You really believe my nephew to be working with Anderson?” he asked when Sebastian had yet to speak up.
“It’s hard for me to believe such betrayal, but if he’s jealous or wants power, then maybe.” Emotions layered heavy and thick in Sebastian’s voice, no doubt making the words harder to get out. “When Alessia came into my life, and Luca discovered the truth about her being my family, he didn’t take it so well. He thought she was dangerous, a weakness to be used against me.” He paused for a breath. “After she died, Luca helped me get my vengeance. Things were normal between us for a while, but this year, he started acting differently again. I-I don’t know.” Uncertainty gripped his tone.
Moreau’s gaze cut to the floor, his face aging ten years before my eyes. “I promised Luca’s mother I’d always look out for him before she and my brother got onto that plane. They never made it to their destination, but I’ve always tried to keep that promise.” He stood. “He was seven at the time his parents died. Did I fail him?”
He was accepting Sebastian’s words as fact. As the gospel truth. And if he could so easily believe Luca’s culpability, it had to mean Luca was, in fact, working with The Alliance.
“Luca has always been, well, Luca.” Sebastian cupped his jaw, his eyes moving to Emilia and back to me. A forlorn look crossed his face before he set his attention on Moreau. “And if he’s working with the enemy, well, that’s on him. Not you.”
“What we do know is that Anderson wants Ireland without League leadership to make it more vulnerable,” Emilia said, talking for the first time.
“If I don’t follow through with the deal I made with Anderson, he’ll come after Holly.” Every muscle in Sebastian’s body visibly grew rigid. I knew I wasn’t responsible for his pain, but it was hard not to feel that way when Anderson had preyed upon a perceived weakness of his to get to him—me.
“There’s a chance Anderson didn’t inform the rest of The Alliance about this deal. He’s done it before. Either way, we’ll propose a new deal.” Moreau kept his voice calm and steady. His experience was evident in the way he spoke, in his confidence.
“And that means?” I asked, feeling totally out of my element.
“War, if they don’t agree to new terms,” Emilia responded.
“I don’t want anyone dying because of me. Or for me.” At my words, Sebastian tightened his hold of my hand.
“I’ll give The Alliance a choice: Anderson or the pact,” Moreau said.
“And what of Luca?” Emilia asked.
“He’s my nephew. If he’s involved, please let me handle his punishment.”
In one of the very prisons Luca operated, maybe?
“The Alliance needs to be taken down,” Emilia noted with grit to her voice. “Maybe not now, but eventually.”
“I agree.” Sebastian released my hand and stood, and I followed suit and moved to my feet to stand at his side.
“This new deal is just to buy us time until we are strong enough to strike,” Emilia added.
“I guess it’s time for the new generation to make the decisions.” Moreau extended his hand to Sebastian. “I have your back. Always.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
Holly
“Emilia’s here,” Sebastian announced, his eyes on his mobile. We were at Sean’s flat, and it was the night of Anderson’s deadline for Sebastian to give up his position in The League.
When we returned from Italy, Sebastian opened up and explained everything to my brothers and Cole. It was mutually decided it’d be best for Adam to take Anna out of town, and for our parents to leave Dublin as well. Cole and Sean chose to stay to try and help. Sebastian had said no, at first, but us McGregors, well, we could be a stubborn bunch.
Sebastian brought Emilia into the flat a minute later and made the introductions. Emilia grasped my brother’s hand, and Sean stood frozen, a gobsmacked look on his face. Yeah, she had that effect on people.
“Is it a go?” Cole asked her as she unzipped her leather jacket, showing the tight fit of a black tank top that hugged her curves.
“The Alliance has agreed to sacrifice Anderson to keep the truce intact.”
“Sacrifice? Does that mean kill?” I stood, my legs shaky, and Sebastian came up beside me and secured a hand around my waist, holding me against him.
“He’ll be punished for violating the pact and nearly causing a war.” Emilia’s answer was vague.
“In a League prison, right? You wouldn’t trust The Alliance to keep him locked up, would you?” I asked her, and Emilia shot a surprised look Sebastian’s way.
I caught him nod out of my peripheral view as if saying She knows.
“Yes,” Emilia finally answered. “Anderson is in transit now.”
“But how will we really know he’s there if you don’t even know the location?” I had to be sure this guy wouldn’t be a threat to my family.
“My people will confirm upon arrival with photographic evidence. I’ll also get monthly reports on his condition.” Her lips teased into a smile. “We are the good guys, remember? We’re not animals like them.”
“I have no bloody idea what you’re talking about,” Sean said while holding up his palms, “but hey, if it means this arsehole is gone, I’m good with that.”
“Unfortunately, The Alliance only agreed to continue the truce if Sebastian stepped down.” Her words were like one of Adam’s infamous left hooks. A hard blow to the cheek. A dizzy effect after.
Sebastian let go of me at her words and strode to the window. His back muscles pinched tight, drawing the material of his shirt together as he palmed the glass. “Why am I not surprised?”
“A life for a life, so to speak,” she added as if ensuring us outsiders understood.
“So, Anderson has been prevented from taking over Dublin, but whoever replaces him surely will.” The base of Cole’s throat grew red from anger.
“We can’t agree to that, right?” I asked, frantically looking around at everyone in the room.
“It’s already been done. Moreau had no choice. It was
that or war. But”—Emilia looked back and forth between where Cole and Sean stood—“we came up with a solution.”
“You can’t be serious.” Sebastian whirled around in one fast move to face the room.
“What am I missing?” I gripped my chest, my heart moving too hard, and the fluttering sensation in my stomach had me growing ill.
“We do have two eligible men who could adopt the role of leader to make certain Dublin remains safe from The Alliance.” She held her palms open toward my brother and cousin.
“No,” Sebastian and I both said in unison.
Sean brought his palm over his mouth.
Cole, though, he stood firm. Unrelenting in his pursuit of justice toward a group not even responsible for taking a woman he once cared for. “I’ll do it. I’ll stay in Dublin until The Alliance has been taken down.” He shifted to the side to catch Sebastian’s eyes. “You said it would require someone on the inside to take them down, then use me. Let me do this.” There was a hardness to his words, a darkness taking over. “I can earn their trust. Build a bridge before we burn it.”
“You’re confident. I like that.” Emilia cocked her head, casting an approving nod. “We can train you. Prepare you. And then as leader, you can replace Sebastian, and your family will remain under League protection. As long as they are in Ireland, no one will be able to come after them without severe consequences.”
“Wait, what?” My world was spinning now. Sebastian and I would finally be free to be together, but that put Cole in the line of fire . . . I didn’t know what to think. “Is this true?”
Sebastian crossed the room to get to me. He held on to my biceps while staring into my eyes. He was as scared and confused as me, wasn’t he? “Yes, we’d be safe,” he practically breathed out. “But I can’t ask you to do this, Cole.” He let go of me to look at my cousin. “It’s too dangerous. And the man you’d have to be, I don’t think you have it in you.”
“No more killing,” I sputtered. “It doesn’t have to be that way. The League can use those prisons, right? Or, let the Garda handle things.”
The Real Deal: A Dublin Nights Novel Page 24