Page 120 of Ruthless Dream

The airstrip looms in front of us.

“Walsh doesn’t give a damn about our operation. He’s had plenty of time to tell us if he had. This is Boris thinking he can get rid of me.”

Out of sight. Out of mind.

“I’m going to fucking kill him.”

My head smacks into the window. I blink harshly, dazed at the realization that my father just knocked my head in.

“You’re not thinking straight,” he tells me, his voice a low growl. “I can’t answer if you’re worthy of Adeline, because I am not Adeline. I am, however, a man who’s done business with Boris Akatov. You damn well knew what you were getting into when you started seeing her. Of course he wants your balls. But don’t underestimate how the Russians do business. They aren’t friendly with Wallen. They don’t want to give up their territory, and they sure as shit won’t hesitate to put a bullet in your head for so much as thinking that you can take one of them out.”

His anger freezes me, my mind stalling.

Da drives through a gate, heading toward the plane.

“It was Lev who called,” Da clarifies. “Said we had an issue. Walsh is a fair man. If he’d wanted to, he’d have left you at the mercy of the Russians. Instead, he’s very kindly allowed you this opportunity to go back home to Dublin.”

“I’m not going back to Dublin.”

Da puts the car in park. His hazel eyes meet mine. “Yes, you are, son.”

I grit my teeth, ready to bash his brains in.

“Lick your wounds,” Da says. “You might not get the dockyards like you want, but you’ve done well for yourself. It’s enough to make a statement back in Dublin.”

“I’m not fucking lea⁠—”

The door opens, and someone grabs me from behind, forcing me out of the car.

“Fuck you!”

My voice is drowned out by the whirl of the plane’s engines. Cars are lined down the airstrip, and I lose my voice when I spot Dermot and Seamus.

Blood drips down Dermot’s temple, and he’s holding his brother up.

“What—”

Dermot shakes his head, not needing me to finish the question. “They showed up at the docks. Dimitre Zimin had an AK-47 with him.”

I turn to my father, who merely lifts his brows. So much for Walsh doing us a favor.

“Bruce got taken out,” Dermot adds.

“What?” That’s Cormac’s best friend and business partner. I look at Seamus. “Is he?”

My cousin rouses himself up. “I’m fine.”

“Go on,” Da tells them, nodding to the plane. My cousins glance at me, waiting for my lead.

I nod at the plane, angry at myself for agreeing with him. The docks are gone. We’ve pissed off the Russians thanks to Wallen.

“Ciaran!” Cormac yells, racing over. The sleeve of his suit jacket is torn and smoke darkens his face. He’s got blood running down his temple, too.

I clasp his shoulders. “Are you all right?”

Fire lights his eyes as he stares over my shoulder. At my father.

“Are you all right?” I ask again, shaking him.