Chapter 17

Handing Lev the flash drive, I attempt to control my nervousness. This is horrendous timing and I can only think the worst. Ronan knows where we are, and not only that, he was arrogant enough to send a threat to my woman.

“Allow me to see it first, please?” I close the door behind me so that it is just the two of us for now.

While I agree that secrets should not be kept between us, I also believe in being prepared. If Ronan found Nessa’s mother, this will be a much worse day than if her father is on the screen.

I breathe out a sigh of relief when none other than Donovan O’Neil’s face shows up. However, I am shocked when he reveals that Nessa’s father used his two daughters to pay off his gambling debt.

It makes my stomach churn, remembering I asked something similar of Evie’s parents before they died. I was going to force Evie to marry my son. It was meant to keep our families tied together.

Thankfully, I have learned a lot since that day and have apologized for my arrogant behavior. It makes hearing the admission that Donovan sold Nessa hurt that much more.

Everyone files into the room behind us as Lev replays the video for them. I hold Nessa close, not willing to let her fall after everything we have been through. When the camera cuts out, we stare blankly at the screen.

I can’t tell what my little fox is thinking right now, but she is still standing strong, which gives me hope.

Nessa looks at Cillian and the kid actually smiles.

“He’s dead.” They both chuckle, seeming to share some inside joke the rest of us are not privy to as we look at them like they have lost their minds.

Nessa clutches her stomach, falling into a fit of laughter. Damien looks from her to Cillian like they need to be institutionalized, which is the final straw for me. If Damien is freaking out about their odd behavior, the sky is definitely falling.

“ Lisichka , what is going on?”

She wipes tears from her eyes and turns to face me. “It’s just…” taking a deep breath, she stands tall and gains her composure. “We have wanted him dead for so long, and the man we hate the most did it for us, thinking it would be a sign of power.”

Damien begins to laugh. Damn it all to hell, what is happening right now?

“We thought we had two problems, but one of them took care of the other for us?” Alexi questions, clearly following their logic better than I am.

When Nessa nods on a snort, everyone begins to smile. Even Kai, who looks very confused, is smiling as he watches Nessa. I stare in awe as the color really starts to return to her face, making her pink cheeks even more vibrant than before.

“He’s gone,” Cillian says to her.

“Are you mad you didn’t get to do it?” Nessa asks, but he quickly shakes his head in response.

“Are you kidding? That was epic, exactly what he deserved.”

Seeing them so relieved has my shoulders relaxing, the tension seeping out with each gasp of laughter. Nessa walks over to me and places her arm around my neck, her lips brushing over mine as if we were celebrating. Maybe we are?

She kisses me like she means it and pulls back with a huge grin on her tear stained cheeks. I cannot help but mirror her expression.

“Are you happy, Lisichka ?” I ask as Cillian comes to her back, and they embrace in a kiss.

She looks at me, stopping my whole world as the gold in her eyes seems to sparkle.

“Maybe not quite happy, but I am relieved. Like a weight was lifted from my shoulders.”

Cillian and I crowd her, taking a moment to enjoy this. It is not quite a victory, but it is a step forward.

“Mmm,” Nessa hums, hugging me as Cillian kisses her neck.

“What is it, Sweetheart?” Cillian asks.

She squeezes me a little tighter. “It’s the way both of you smell when I have you close. Boris’ whisky and cigar scent mixed with your fresh flowers and sunlight. It just reminds me of home.”

“Are we your home, Lisichka ?”

Nessa leans back, looking me in my eyes. “Yes, you’re both my home, and this place is starting to feel like home too.”

“It is home,” Cillian says, breathing her in.

Nessa turns and kisses his cheek before doing the same to mine.

“I love you both. I think we deserve to celebrate this.”

“Do you want a big party?” Cillian asks. “We could blow up a bunch of balloons with your father’s name on them and make it a game to see who can pop the most.”

Nessa snorts a laugh as I shake my head. The ideas this man can craft in his mind can be quite concerning at times.

“I could go for a celebration,” Evie says.

“I call picking the games!” Damien yells before dashing out of the room.

“Want to help me make the food, Old Man?” Cillian asks.

“I will assist with that,” Alexi offers.

Laney and Arrow say they are going to get some puzzles out, and Havoc says he will run a perimeter check and touch base with the guards before we eat. Akio and Adrian volunteer to get some of the little kids involved with the decorations.

“How can I help?” Kai asks.

“I have an idea,” I offer. He looks at me skeptically when I gesture to the kitchen.“Have you ever made soda bread before? It’s their favorite.”

The way his face lights up makes my heart squeeze. “Will you show me?”

“Of course.” When I glance back at Nessa, she has a hand over her heart, and Cillian looks pleased. I guess even an old man can have some new tricks.