Page 41 of Explosive Union
Meaning that any number of people could kill them.
“Excellent,” I breathe, unable to contain my excitement.
“They’ve both booked a hotel for the night. Guess they’re hoping to get lucky.”
“Well, gentleman, this is their motherfucking lucky day. Or mine. Either way, we leave in ten. Make sure you leave your cells here. We do not need anyone tracing us. Leon has burners for us all.”
I turn my back on them and walk into my room, inhaling deeply once the bedroom door is closed behind me. Everything I wanted is in tatters. I never wanted my family to know about the abuse I suffered, and I certainly didn’t want my men to know.
My pulse races at the thought of my life spiraling. I’ve always been a take-charge type of person, always hating the unknown, and I despise not being able to control everything. Inside, my control was taken from me. I had hoped that once I was out, I could regain that control, and today has shown me just how wrong I was.
I close my eyes and press against the door.
Deep breaths, I tell myself.Take a deep breath and let it out. Nothing can hurt you; nothing can get to you here. You’re safe.
Taking deep breaths is the only way I’ve been able to survive what’s happened to me. It’s the only way I can stop the onslaught of memories hitting me.
Once my heartrate is back to normal, I turn my attention to tonight's events. I can take two of those bastards out tonight.
The thought alone eases the anxiety that was close to bubbling to the surface.
Tonight, I can finally get a little closer to ending it all.
* * *
I’m sitting in a booth at the back of this dive bar. The poker tournament that’s going on is pathetic, and I understand now why there’s no sharks playing. The field is filled with drunken assholes who will only put up a hundred dollars to play. No one needs that hassle to play cards.
The moment I walked in, I spotted both Barker and Jones. Hell, the entire bar knows who they are. They’re the drunkest, most obnoxious assholes here. They’re cursing everyone out when they lose, they’re groping the servers, and they’re talking smack about the other players. Including some older bikers. Christ, these men really have no brain cells between them.
I sip on the Tequila Sunrise that Caolán purchased when we arrived. The men are either drinking beer like Caolán, or whiskey like my da. Their gazes are firmly on the two assholes that are bringing way too much attention to themselves. Although, it’s a good thing, as everyone will remember them rather than us.
Barker’s chip stack has dwindled in the last thirty minutes. He’s one bet away from losing. Jones, on the other hand, has won three pots in that length of time, but anyone with a brain will know that a man like Jones is just one bet away from losing it all. The sooner that happens, the better.
“How is this going to play out?” Sullivan asks as he sits back in his chair and watches the card game in front of him.
“Once I've finished this drink, I’m going to the hotel. Ros, you and Sullivan will wait here and call when they’re leaving. The two of you won’t stand out as you’re newer members of the Clann and will blend in with the men that are here. You’ll then follow them to the hotel.”
The men nod in agreement. The smiles on their faces tell me that they’re happy to be a part of this. But it’s the worry on Da’s that has my stomach doing somersaults. Does he not trust me to do this? Does he not believe that I’m capable of doing what needs to be done?
I finish my drink just as Barker loses his last remaining chips. The fucker is shouting loudly about how unfair it is and that the dealer has cheated. I get to my feet, the men following behind me, and make a hasty exit. It’ll not be long before both men are out of the tournament and heading for their hotel room.
“You okay, mo chailín milis?” Da questions as we walk toward the van Caolán stole for us.
“Grand,” I reply instantly. “Just want this over and done with.”
He frowns. “Talk to me, Jade. What’s wrong?”
“I want this over so you and Mam will stop looking at me like I’m a fragile child that’s broken. I want this over, so I never have to see the guilt in your eyes. And I want this over so I can finally move on with my life,” I whisper so that only he can hear. There’s no mistaking the anger that’s laced in my voice. No matter what I’ve done or said, both Mam and Da still treat me with kid gloves, as though I’m about to break at any minute. “Why the hell do you think I don’t come to the house anymore.”
I can’t deal with the constant stares, and the whispers. I’m done with the crap. I deserve better than being made to feel as though I’m not strong. I fucking am. I don’t need them for validation. I have my own and that’s all that counts.
“Mo chailín milis—”
I shake my head. “Not now, Da, I have shit to do. You can come along and watch, or you can head on home.” I don’t wait for his answer as I climb into the back of the van.
Caolán drives us to the hotel, keeping out of sight of the cameras that Leon pointed out to us. He parks in the shade, where the blind spot is. I also have the code to get into the employee entrance. Again, something that isn’t covered by security cameras.
Da stayed, and he’s currently sitting beside me and watching me carefully. I ignore him, not willing to get into this right now. If he has something to say, he can say it later on, while I’m not surrounded by my men and waiting for these assholes to return.