New York City
“Are you sure?”
I take a deep breath, trying to marshal my powers of patience. “That’s the tenth fucking time you’ve asked me that question,” I reply, letting the irritation seep in just a fraction.
“It’s a bold plan,” Cillian says in the tone he uses when he’s trying not to say something that Saoirse’s clearly told him not to.
“That’s exactly why it’ll work.”
“Did I say bold?” Cillian asks. “I meant stupid.”
“Cillian!” His wife Saoirse’s voice breaks through.
He grumbles, “Should’ve known that you were on the line, too.”
“I worry about you,” she says defensively.
“Both of you need to calm the fuck down,” I tell them. “Channel all that parental energy towards your actual child. How is my niece, by the way?”
“Don’t try and change the fucking subject,” Cillian snaps.
I roll my eyes.
“And stop rolling your eyes,” he adds.
“I… How did you know?”
Saoirse laughs. “Because he would react the exact same way if he were the one in your shoes.”
“Whose side are you on, woman?” Cillian growls.
“I’m on the clan’s side. Last I checked, we were all Clan,” she replies shrewdly.
“Jesus. You’d do well in politics, Saoirse,” I tell her.
“Hey, there’s no need to be insulting.”
Cillian laughs, but he squelches it pretty fast. I can sense that he’s worried, and that’s irritating me more than I’m willing to admit.
“Kian, all I’m saying is that an attack on this level… at this time…”
“I know the risks,” I cut him off. “I’m doing it anyway.”
“Yes, but—”
“Did you or did you not put me in charge of this mission?” I demand.
There’s a second of silence.
“Well?” I press. “It wasn’t a trick fucking question.”
“I did,” Cillian admits grudgingly.
“Right. You did. And that means I’m the one making the decisions and calling the shots,” I remind him. “This isn’t a spontaneous decision. I didn’t pull this plan out of my ass. I’ve been in New York for almost six fucking months, monitoring the situation.”
“Exactly! And six months isn’t enough time to—”
“The time for monitoring is done,” I interrupt. “I need to act. And what better time to act than when their defenses are down and they don’t suspect a thing?”