Page 145 of Chains of Recompense
Tatsuo steps forward. “The exchange isn’t complete.”
Ryan stiffens beside me, his hand on my shoulder clenching reflexively. “We’ve given you what you want.”
“I asked for his head,” Tatsuo replies smoothly. “It’s still attached.”
My blood runs cold, and I swallow hard, my eyes sliding shut. He’s going to make them watch—Aisling and Riley. The bastard.
Tatsuo’s gaze slides to each of the Murray brothers. “One of you will do it. Prove your loyalty.”
Aisling’s head snaps back. “No. Please.” Her voice shakes, but it’s fierce. “You promised.”
“I promised Riley’s release,” Tatsuo says, “once you deliver Rafael Chiaroscuro’s head to me.”
Sensing the danger, Riley presses her face into Aisling’s shoulder, burying it beneath her mother’s beautiful crimson hair. Aisling tightens her hold on our daughter, her lips paling as she presses them into a thin line.
“Please,” Aisling says, desperation cracking her voice. “She’s just a child. She doesn’t need to see this.”
Tatsuo smiles thinly. “Then cover her eyes.”
He draws his katana, the blade singing as it leaves its sheath, and extends it toward the Murray brothers. Silence stretches, thick and suffocating. No one moves. I can feel Ryan’s indecision beside me, his sense of honor and loyalty warring with his desire to protect Aisling and Riley.
I knew it might come to this. I don’t want to die. Not now that I have something to live for. But I’m ready. It’s the easiest sacrifice I will ever have to make if it means saving my wife and daughter.
Still, the moment stretches, and my stomach sinks as I realize I’ve misjudged the Murrays.
I was certain that when push came to shove, they would see this through if that’s what it took. But it would seem I was mistaken.
Not one of them has taken the katana. I should have known better.
I should have asked Aisling to do it, made her promise that if push came to shove, she would.
She’s the only one I could trust to do what needs to be done—no matter what.
But it’s too late now.
She has her arms wrapped so tightly around our daughter, she couldn’t kill me if she wanted.
Tatsuo’s smile widens. “That’s what I thought.”
His gaze snaps back to me. “In that case, I’ll do it myself. And then I’ll kill you all.”
My heart hammers, but my mind is suddenly crystal clear. I just need to buy Aisling enough time—create a big enough distraction that her brothers can help her fight her way out the door.
“You don’t have the spine, old man,” I challenge, lifting my chin as if to invite him to do his worst. “You no longer have the strength. You’re just an empty husk, shriveled and withering away, waiting for the end.”
Aisling’s breath catches sharply. “Raf, what are you doing?”
I turn my head just enough to meet her captivating gaze.
Riley’s eyes are squeezed shut, Aisling’s hand covering them now, her tears soaking into her daughter’s hair.
And I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything more beautiful.
If these are my last few moments on earth, then I’m grateful that this is the image I’ll carry with me down to hell.
The love of my life cradling our perfect little girl in her arms.
I would give everything for her. Iwillgive everything for her, and I’ll do it gladly.
