Illicit Temptation (Astoria Royals #3)

CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO

Shea

I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. Alone. After our fight, I sent Trace away. I wish I had my Ambien, but Trace showed me a security video of me sleepwalking and how dangerous that can be, given who I am. I never took another pill. But I need to sleep.

There’s so much I need to block out. Mostly how Lachlan called Kieran and got the immediate order to kill our father.

But why? Because he wanted to give me to someone else? Was that enough reason to kill our father when they too planned to marry me off? I feel like a commodity to be sold and traded, and I don’t know who to trust.

I suspect Lachlan will be up all night, but he’s got too much on his mind. I will myself to sleep so I’m sharp in a few hours. Then I’ll tell Lachlan to drive me to Faolan Malone’s estate. Lachlan has to realize this is the only option, especially if it saves everyone’s life.

Lachlan will relish the chance to threaten a man like Malone and warn him not to touch me until we’re married. I doubt that man wants to pick a fight with the whole of the Irish Mob and their Bratva allies. Not to mention with Balor and his drones that can carry out lethal airstrikes.

If it’s true that there’s no way out unless I go to him, we have to play by his rules. I can do this. I’m strong enough. Plus, Cormac is at the most risk. I can’t sit idly by while my brother suffers.

Once I’m in place, Lachlan can fly home, be with his wife, and mobilize an army to come rescue me and Cormac.

Dying of thirst, I grab the carafe and practically down the whole bottle. I’m sure Trace brought so much because he thought he’d be spending the night and would need it from fucking me.

God, I’m so mad at him. I thought I could trust him, I thought I could...

All thoughts leave my head as I drift off to sleep.