Page 163 of Ruined Wrath
“Lorcan’s always been patient. That’s what makes him dangerous. He waits until people get comfortable, until they start believing the silence means safety, and that’s exactly what he’s doing now. He’s letting you think he’s disappeared long enough for you to lower your guard.”
“We haven’t.”
Freddy lifts a brow. “You willingly brought Fiona into a high-security prison.”
The words land harder than I expect.
I yank against the cuffs again, the metal biting into my wrists. “Watch your fucking mouth.”
“I’m not judging. I’m stating facts. Lorcan studies patterns, and he knows you protect what you love. He knows exactly how far you’ll go for her.”
My blood runs cold.
“What are you saying?”
“I’m saying he’s building pressure. He wants you reacting, not thinking.”
I growl. “You think I’m fucking reacting?”
“I think you’re holding it together by sheer force of will,” he says evenly. “And Lorcan is betting on how long that lasts.”
I lean back in the chair, the metal cold against my spine. “So what? This was your way of warning me? Start a riot, nearly get Fiona trampled, and pass along a message?”
“I needed your attention. And I needed you alone.”
“You could have sent word.”
“And risk Lorcan intercepting it?” He shakes his head. “No. He has eyes everywhere. This was the only place I knew he couldn’t listen in real time.”
“You assume a lot.”
“I survive by doing exactly that.”
There’s a beat of silence, broken only by distant shouting in the corridors.
“Lorcan is planning on targeting Brennan’s international network,” Freddy explains. “He plans on destroying it. And if he's successful, Brennan’s operations will collapse, leaving every one of his contacts vulnerable. Your entire family will also be vulnerable to their enemies and will likely be killed by them. Something Lorcan has no doubt already considered.”
“Fuck.”
“He wants to tear down the entire structure your father built.”
My gaze snaps back to him.
“What do you know about my father?”
“I know enough. Lorcan believes your father betrayed him, cut him out, and left him exposed. Everything Lorcan’s done since has been about correcting that imbalance.”
“And killing him was part of that?”
“Yes, but it wasn’t the end goal. It was the opening move.”
My hands curl into fists despite the restraints. “You think he wants to replace my father?”
“I think he wants to erase him,” Freddy replies. “And everything tied to him. Including you.”
The words settle heavy in my chest.
I frown. “You’re still not answering the important question. Why bother helping us?”
