Page 51 of Retribution

“They gotta find me first.”

“My bullets in them. We’re in a residential area. Someone’s called the cops. Let’s go. Get back to the house. Secure an alibi.”

He stares in the direction of the crashed bike, and his face flashes with indecision. He slips the safety off his gun and disappears behind us. There are two consecutivepops, then he climbs into the car, holstering his gun.

We cruise at a leisurely pace down the four-lane road. Drawing more attention to us or our vehicle is a bad idea. But the pace makes my heart pound. Sirens wail in the distance.

“You scared the shit outta me back there.” Antonio glances at me. “But you did good. You shoulda hit ’em both in the head. We’re not dead or in jail. So I’ll call it a win.”

My gun is tucked away, and I push my hands under my thighs. “Careful, Antonio. You might give me a big head.” Earning his respect will make turning him against Finn and Lorcan easier. It’s as much luck as skill. I could have gotten him killed.

“You don’t seem like the big-head type. Maybe the bullshit type.”

I laugh, but it sounds like tin. Gazing out the window, I wonder if those two people had families, if people will mourn them forever like I do my brother. “We’ve all got a bit of bullshit in us, don’t we?”

“True dat.”

When I glance at him, he’s smiling.

After I go to the bathroom and photograph the contract, I head for Lorcan instead of Finn. I’m almost at Lorcan’s office when I realize Finn is coming toward me from my wing of the house.

“What are you doing?” He cocks his head. “Why didn’t you come see me?”

“I wanted to talk to Lorcan.”Because I think you’re trying to kill me.

Holding out his hand, he stops in front of me. “How’d the meeting go?”

“Great.” I pass him the unsealed envelope.

He chuckles as he fingers the seal. “This woulda pissed him right off.”

“No doubt why he sent a crew to teach me and Antonio a lesson.”

A smile plays at the edge of Finn’s lips before he looks up under his lashes. “Oh, he did?”

The urge to punch him is almost too strong to control. He knew. He freaking knew what Shen would do.

“You’re an asshole.” I try to step around him. He steps with me.

“What are you going to tell Lorcan?”

“Nothing.”

Finn frowns. “Why not?”

I roll my eyes and let out an exasperated breath. “Maybe because I’m tired of playing this stupid game. I’m not some pinball you two can fire back and forth.” I lean toward him, crossing my arms. “You want to send a message to your brother, fine. Leave me out of it.”

“Come on, Kimmy. You said you were game.”

“Yeah, to talk to the Zhangs. Not to get shot at.”

He gives an almost imperceptible shrug. “Part of the business.”

“Yeah? When was the last time someone shot at you?”

His smile starts at the corner of his mouth and spreads. “It’s been a while.”

I sigh and rock back on my heels, arms still crossed. “You want me to tell Lorcan I was shot at today?”