Brody: The Callaghan Mafia #2

by Rylan, Savannah

  Unless it didn’t fail on purpose.

  I drew in a deep breath. If Abby was faking this shit again, this looked good. Because even I couldn't talk myself down from the worry bubbling in my gut. I stood up from my desk. I paced the penthouse, trying to reason with myself. Trying to rationalize and keep myself from falling into another one of her traps.

  “She’s doing this to you on purpose.”

  “You found the money.”

  “Fucking hell, you found the damn bag!”

  And yet, no matter how much sense I tried to talk into myself, worry still filled the marrow of my bones.

  A commotion outside caught my ear. I rushed to the double doors just before they burst open. I watched Gael and Declan storm into the penthouse, their eyes hooked on me.

  “Where is she?” Declan asked.

  “What do you know?” Gael asked.

  “We know you’ve already been to the club. They said you have the footage?” Declan asked.

  I furrowed my brow. “What are you talking about?”

  “Abby was kidnapped at the club. We assumed you were two steps ahead of us,” Gael said.

  I blinked. “I’m not so sure she was kidnapped.”

  Declan took out his phone. “No, really. She’s been kidnapped. Look at this.”

  I narrowed my eyes at him before I swiped his phone. There was a video on his screen, and I almost didn’t want to play it.

  “You know she could’ve fabricated this,” I said.

  “Just play it,” Gael said flatly.

  So, I did as they asked.

  “It really is genius, isn’t it?”

  James Daly’s voice filled my ears and my entire back stiffened.

  “I mean, she deceives you. I use that deception against you. I swear, the Callaghan Family is much too easy a target,” Daly said.

  “Where did you get this?” I glowered.

  “Thirty minutes ago. It was sent to me. Keep watching,” Declan said.

  “You know, Declan really shouldn’t have shot me. He needs to understand his place. He needs to know that no one will ever view him as the head of the Callaghan Family. Not until Richard’s good name has been cleared. Oh, you should hear what the families are saying about him. And about his incapable bastard sons, who can’t even solve his death right,” Daly said.

  “Brody!” Abby wailed.

  My teeth ground together as she kept yelling for my name. This wasn’t the Maguires. And that wasn’t the sound of a woman trying to fake anything. I knew that sound all too well. I’d heard it from those whose lives I had taken. Whose lives had been ruined by this family. I knew the wails of a woman begging for her life.

  Abby was begging for her life.

  “Brody, please!”

  “She really is a sight, don’t you think?” Daly asked.

  The video panned around and my heart fell to my toes. There she was, bound at her wrists. Bruised on her legs. In nothing but a slip, with mascara running down her face. She had snot pouring from her nose. As if she had been crying for hours.

  “Her dress wasn’t easy to get off, you know,” Daly said.

  “I’m going to kill you!” I roared.

  “Welcome to the family, I suppose. Maybe next time you decide not to invite the father of the bride, you’ll think twice before making such a bold, brash move,” Daly said.

  Then, the video stopped.

  “Where is she? What do you know?” I asked.

  Declan swiped his phone back. “We’ve already cased the distillery. They aren’t there. But I do have a theory as to where they’re holding her.”

  “Then, you better spit it the fuck out so we can go get her,” I said.

  “Have you been getting ransoms at all today? Or is this the only thing that happened?” Gael asked.

  I swallowed hard. “I’ve gotten a few of them today.”

  “But you didn’t believe them? Why?” Declan asked.

  “It’s—a long story. One I’m still not sure I’ve pieced together myself,” I said.

  “Care to indulge us?” Gael asked.

  “Right now, I’d like to figure out how we’re going to get our hands on two million dollars,” I said.

  “Two million?” Declan asked.

  I nodded. “Yep. Two million. That was the first random text I got from the unknown number.”

  “Let me see your phone,” Gael said.

  I tossed it to him. “The second ransom message gave me a three-hour time span to get the money somewhere.”

  “Did you get an address next?” Declan asked.

  “Not sure. I stopped ignoring my phone at that point,” I said.

  “Yep. Got an address,” Gael said.

  Declan glared at me. “You’re an idiot. This is Richard’s flesh and blood. If anything happens to her—”

  I held up my hand. “Where’s the address?”

  Gael grinned. “Exactly where Declan and I figured they would’ve taken her.”

  “Care to indulge me, then?” I asked.

  Declan sighed. “Another one of our warehouses.”

  “Looks like the families are playing off one another,” Gael said.

  I snatched my phone back. “This is a shitshow, and it’s making us look like idiots.”

  “You’re one to talk,” Gael said.

  “We need two million dollars, and we need to go get her. Now,” I said.

  “I’ve got the emergency bag of cash already in the car. Gael can sort out two million as we’re driving over to the warehouse,” Declan said.

  “Then, come on. I was given a three-hour time span two hours ago,” I said.

  “I owe you an apology as well,” Declan said.

  His words stopped me in my tracks. “What?”

  “We all kind of do,” Gael said.

  I furrowed my brow. “What’s the catch?”

  Declan chuckled. “No catch. We should’ve been on your side from the beginning in terms of protecting Abigail. She’s Richard’s flesh and blood. And I should’ve sought her out to fill her in on what was happening here at home before we ever found the man’s body.”

  “It probably made her feel isolated from us,” Gael said.

  “Like she wasn't one of us,” I said.

  “When really, she’s the biggest part of us. Our father’s flesh and blood,” Declan said.

  “Unlike us,” Gael said.

  “We’re all family. And we should’ve been behind you from the start. We should’ve checked up on you when you went out looking for Abby and then didn’t say anything else about it. That’s on me,” Declan said.

  “So, from now on? We have Abby’s back. And Ciara’s. And anyone else that comes into this family and ends up being part of it,” Gael said.

  “Deal?” Declan asked.

  I was still mad as hell at Abby. And I knew they would be, too, if they knew what she had pulled. But this wasn’t the time nor the place to tell them what really happened. What she orchestrated with Liam. It was obvious Gael hadn’t told Declan. Otherwise, I knew this conversation would’ve had a different tone to it.

  So, I nodded at Gael and watched him draw in a deep breath.

  “Deal,” I said.

  “Good. Now, let’s go get our Abigail back,” Declan said.

  So I can punish her how I see fit for her betrayal to this family.

  15

  Abby

  Something touched my back, jerking me awake. I shot up, trying my best to scoot away from whoever was trying to access me. My breathing shallowed out. I tried prying myself out of my bonds. And when something touched my lips, I yanked my head back.

  “Stop it. Stop touching me,” I commanded.

  I didn’t feel anymore hands on me, though. Nothing pressed against my lips and nothing seemed frantic, or angry. Nothing hurt. Had Liam not taken me again? I could’ve sworn it was him. Him, and those Maguires.

  “Hello?” I asked softly.

  If I ever got out of here, I’d never betray Brody a
gain. Hell, I’d never betray anyone in the family again! Tears rushed my eyes. My lower lip trembled. And as shoes clicked across the floor, I heard the rustling of fabric. Something rolled across the floor. Whispers in the darkness evaded my ears, but none of it sent shivers down my spine.

  As if my body knew who was already there.

  “Hello? Anyone?” I asked, a bit stronger this time.

  Something danced upon my lips again and I parted them. Only to find a straw, delivering to me the coldest water I’d ever drank. I guzzled it down. I sucked as hard as I could, hollowing out my cheeks and opening my throat. I’d never been so thirsty in my life. I’d never been so relieved to drink. And while I expected to pass out from some kind of drug, I instead grew stronger. Not weaker.

  “Get the zip ties off her wrists.”

  I furrowed my brow. “Declan?”

  “Here. Drink more.”

  I paused. “Gael?”

  “Hold still,” Brody commanded.

  His voice was a great deal harsher than his brother’s, though.

  “Brody?” I whispered.

  “Hold still. These are tight,” he murmured.

  He sawed at the shit around my wrists. Another straw fell against my teeth and I closed my lips around it. I sucked it down until I slurped at the very bottom. I wanted more of it. All of it. My stomach growled and my legs felt weak as someone slipped the blindfold from my eyes. I had to squint in order to adjust to the light. Though, there wasn’t much in the first place. How long had I been here? How long had I been blindfolded?

  “Relax, you’ve only been here a few hours,” Brody said.

  “Maybe address her with a bit more ease,” Gael said.

  “That’s rich, coming from you,” Brody murmured.

  “Wh-wh-what—what does that mean?” I asked.

  “Come on. Let’s get you in the car,” Declan said.

  I looked up at him and watched his hands come down against my arms. With a strong grip and a smooth gesture, he helped me to my feet. My knees buckled, though. It was cold. I was cold. And as Gael wrapped his arm around my waist, I was hoisted up between them both.

  With Brody staring at me from beneath his angry, hooded brow.

  “Brody,” I breathed.

  He snickered and shook his head. Like I was some sort of disgusting piece of trash he wanted to discard. And I knew, then and there, that he knew. He knew about Liam. About the plan. My heart sank to my toes. Declan and Gael walked me out of the warehouse. At least, it looked like a warehouse. All the way out to a car that had the heat blasting.

  With a coat waiting on the leather seats for me.

  “Thank you. Thank you so much,” I said.

  “Hush,” Brody commanded.

  “Hey, let’s tone it down for a second,” Declan said.

  “At the very least, give her some room to breathe,” Gael said.

  I peeked over at the man sitting next to me. Gael. Spindly, and the spitting image of Fiona. He side-eyed me, and it gave me the impression that he knew, too. But when I looked over at Declan—who looked back at me—he smiled. Easily. Without an ounce of deception in his eyes.

  “Would you like some more water?” he asked.

  Does he not know? “Um, I’d like that. If you have some.”

  He handed me an ice cold bottle. “Want a straw?”

  “No, no. I’ve got it. You’ve been through enough trouble. Thank you.”

  “Damn right, we have been,” Brody murmured.

  “Hush,” Gael said harshly.

  Brody was cold. Distant. Every time he looked back at me in the rearview mirror, disgust filled the back of his eyes. It made me sick to my stomach. I pulled the coat tighter around me, trying to cover up my nakedness. Well, not completely naked. But I might as well have been. I felt on display. And all I wanted to do was melt into the ground and never come up for air.

  “Something wrong with the water?” Declan asked.

  I paused. “Huh?”

  “You haven’t had much. Is something wrong with it?”

  I slowly looked over at Gael and he sighed.

  “Just give her some time. I’m sure she’ll tell us whatever’s going on once she’s ready.”

  Fuck, he does know.

  “Yeah. Right,” Brody spat.

  “Is there something I should know about?” Declan asked.

  “Not at all,” Gael said.

  “Just need some sleep,” Brody said.

  “Abigail, do you know who took you?” Gael asked.

  I focused on him. “You can call me ‘Abby,’ if you’d like.”

  Brody snickered, but didn’t say anything.

  “And no, I don’t know who took me,” I said.

  “Well, it was James Daly and his crew. He stashed you in one of our Callaghan warehouses. How he got access, we’re still figuring that out. But we have some leads,” he said.

  I blinked. “James Daly? Like, the Daly Clan?”

  He nodded. “That’s the one. We had to pay a cool two million to have them disarm the system they had you behind.”

  “Wh-wh-what—what system?”

  “It doesn’t matter. All that matters is that you’re safe, and we want you to know that Daly will pay for what he’s done. This isn’t the first time he’s attempted to assault this family after trying to make a mockery of us. He’ll be dealt with in a manner befitting of his own crimes.”

  I swallowed hard. “You mean, you’re going to kill him.”

  “Killing him would be too kind,” Declan said.

  “I don’t want you to worry yourself over it. Just know we have it under control now, and there will be retribution for what he’s done to you,” Gael said.

  “Are you hurt at all? Other than the zip ties that dug into your wrists?” Declan asked.

  My eyes fluttered over to Brody, but he kept his eyes on the road. Like he didn’t give a shit at all what was being talked about.

  “Um, no. I’m—I’m fine, thank you. And I’m sorry,” I said.

  “For what?” Gael asked.

  My gaze slowly panned to his and I sighed.

  “Everything,” I breathed.

  He stared at me for a long time before he finally nodded.

  “Where am I sleeping for—”

  “The penthouse,” Brody said curtly.

  “When will I go back—”

  “When we see fit,” he said harshly.

  “Are you going to—”

  Brody flashed me a glare in the rearview mirror, silencing my words. I leaned back in the seat and sipped on the water, wondering where my life might go from here. Because I knew the second Declan was filled in, I’d be done. Erased from the family’s history and cast out, like a piece of nothingness in this world. I’d have no way to get back to Switzerland. No way to get back to the only place I ever called home. I’d have no family. No friends. No contacts. No way to protect myself.

  “We’re here,” Brody said flatly.

  I gazed over at Gael and he patted my knee. Almost reassuringly. Yeah, he knew. I wasn’t sure how he knew and Declan didn’t. But he knew.

  “Get some rest. There’s lots to come,” Gael said.

  I licked my lips. “I’m sure.”

  “Come on. Out of the car,” Brody said.

  “If you want to come back with us, you can,” Declan said.

  He turned around in his seat and studied me with his eyes.

  “If that would make you more comfortable, of course.”

  I looked up at Brody and he shook his head no. And I knew better than to piss him off even further.

  “While the offer is kind, I think I’d like somewhere familiar to me. Thank you, though,” I said.

  Declan nodded. “You’re welcome. And you’re welcome at the brownstone anytime. I know you wanted to talk. Maybe we can get that meeting on the books for sooner rather than later.”

  I snickered. “Sure. Whenever you’ve got some free—”

  “Out. Now,” Brody said.


  I sighed. “Thank you for everything, Declan. Gael. You too, Brody.”

  And when I looked back up at him, I could’ve sworn I saw his eye twitch.

  “It’s late,” Brody said.

  I slipped out of the car. “Who do I need to give this coat to?”

  Gael waved his hand around. “It’s fine. Brody can get it to us tomorrow. Cover yourself until you’re inside.”

  I nodded. “Thank you.”

  Brody slammed the door closed and gripped my arm. He practically dragged me away from the car, and it took all I had not to yelp. Or squeal. Or give off how much his grip hurt. I didn’t want to anger him any longer. Because I knew my death was imminent. It was simply a matter of how, whom, and when.

  He stormed up to the penthouse hotel room with me. He pulled me through the double doors. The bodyguard practically breathed down our necks, wanting an update. Wanting to figure out what the hell had happened.

  But with a flick of his wrist, the bodyguard was dismissed. Leaving us in silence as his gaze rolled over my dirty body.

  “Get a shower and put some clothes on,” he ordered.

  “Brody, can I please—”

  “Now.”

  “I just want to—”

  “If you don’t want to listen, you leave. It’s as simple as that. We’ll talk over food,” he said.

  And that was enough for me.

  I nodded before backtracking into the bedroom we shared together. It smelled like us. Like him, really. With a twinge of me. I slipped the coat off and took the longest, hottest shower of my life. Scrubbing away the dirt and grime and dust that had caked itself onto my skin. Burrowed into the tendrils of my hair. I dried myself off and put on a nightgown. One that covered me and didn’t give off an air of trying to distract him in any way. I really wanted to talk with him. To explain my side of things. To tell him how I felt about him and how much he had impacted me.

  “Brody?” I called out.

  I tightened the bow of the robe around my waist as I gathered my thoughts.

  “Brody? Is the food here?” I asked.

  I heard the squeaky wheels of the silver tray off in the distance. I walked over to the doorway and saw Brody rolling it across the living room. There was a carafe of something to drink along with one glass. One set of silverware. And one silver dome, covering a plate of food.