21. Chapter Twenty-One

21

Chapter Twenty-One

Rowan

I 'm standing in the bathroom, towel wrapped around my hips, and trimming my beard. Today's the day that I have to meet with Nikolai. How I'm supposed to handle an unhinged psychopath is beyond me. My brothers and I have a plan though, and I have to stick to it no matter how much every ounce of me tells me to hit the breaks and back out. Three months ago, I would have gone in head first without checking up. Now I have Clara, and Rhett.

That brings pause to everything, it brings questions up it never has before. Much like how will this affect them? What if it goes wrong? How do I make sure they're protected if something were to happen to me? Finishing up in the bathroom, and steeling my nerves, my legs carry me into the closet to my side and find the suit I need for the day. Clara and Rhett are still fast asleep because it's barely six thirty.

Forgoing my tie for the day, and putting on my dress shoes, I'm ready to get to the restaurant and go over the plan one last time. Sneaking over to the bed I kiss Clara's head, I should probably head out but I need to watch her sleep just a little longer. I'll come back to them if it's the last thing I do.

Finally walking away and into Rhett's room, he's also still asleep, snuggling Safe tightly. My eyes tear up on their own accord, that's my son. Pressing a quick kiss to the top of his curly hair I don't linger too long before walking away. At the door I turn around to give him one last look and whisper, "Daddy will be back later, Little Bear. I love you.". One last deep breath and I'm leaving in search of my brothers so we can head out.

We've secured every square inch of this entire restaurant to the best of our abilities. All I can do is hope and pray that this works and I'll be home to my family in no time. Before my mind spins out too much the door to the back room where I'm waiting opens and in walks Nikolai, he's escorted by Nolan. Giving them both a nod of acknowledgment. Standing from the table I was seated at, I extend my hand, "Nikolai." He meets me at the table and takes his hand in mine giving me a firm shake.

"Rowan." Kieran strolls in the room right on time and shuts the door behind him. Nikolai's eyes dart to him, then back to me."What's this?" He asks, the nervousness apparent in his features and in his stance.

"Kieran here is just going to hang out to make sure everything's above board."

"Well, how do I know if you guys are teaming up on me or not. First security, and now your enforcer. "

While holding my hands out in a placating manner, hopefully calming him, I step forward, "Whoa, we were under the impression this was a peaceful meeting, Nikolai. Why are you being hostile? Why don't you tell us what makes you think we're anything but allies."

Nikolai scoffs and throws his hands up, "Rowan, let's not pretend you don't know." Okay, I'm actually confused now.

Losing my patience I snap, "Pretend I don't know what exactly?" His eyes bug out and a look of half amusement half shock is plastered on his face.

He lets out a loud laugh, "Holy shit, you actually have no idea? I knew you were young and naive, but I had no idea you were just this plain stupid." On instinct I serge forward and grab him by his tie.

Pulling him impossibly closer, I growl out, "Watch who the fuck you're talking to Nikolai. Do not underestimate me, I can assure you my age doesn't equate to my level of intelligence." I hear the click of a safety being switched off. Not needing to look up to know it's either Nolan or Kieran, "I'd suggest you tell me what you're talking about before one of these fine gentlemen puts a bullet between your eyes."

Nikolai's laughing turns manic, "Oh, Rowan, I'd make sure you know who's holding that gun before you make demands." Flashing my eyes behind my shoulder I see Kieran with his gun drawn, but it's not pointed at Nikolai. No, it's pointed at Nolan, who's pointing his gun at… Oh shit, I fucking knew it…. BANG!

* * *

Kieran

When I saw Nolan whip out his gun and point it at my big brother, instinct took over. My gun is pointed at the back of his head while he holds steady at Rowan's back. If he pulls that trigger he's going into his back and out through the center of his heart. If I was sure he wouldn't pull the trigger as I pulled mine he'd be dead already. Nolan's been with us forever, his old man was my Da's security detail. He died in the attack against my parents and his son naturally took over when Roe stepped up. He's been involved in every step of the planning and preparation of today. He's a fucking rat, he's THE rat we couldn't find.

Every part of my brain and body tune in to hear Nikolai tell Roe to look behind him. It all happens so fast and I don't have time to process what's happening in front of me as it happens. In a flash Rowan turns locking eyes with me for just a second before he looks at Nolan. Pain, betrayal, anger, and what looks like arrogance shines on his features before Nolan pulls the trigger. Before he's even released it, I've pulled my trigger and Nolan hits the ground. Falling half on top of Rowan. I can't think about that right now, I can't allow myself to even think the words that I know are true. Taking aim right between Nikolai's eyes, and sneering, "You better start talking. I'm not my family's muscle just because I enjoy clipping off fingers and pulling out teeth. My shot is second to none."

Forcing myself into the emotionless machine that my brothers and everyone else thinks I am. While my brother lays de… no, not now. Taking a breath and plastering on a bored expression I motion my free hand to him to continue before the gun just so happens to go off.

He must know I'm not bluffing because he starts, "How do you think we knew where your parents were that day? How do you think we've been able to keep a close eye on you all this time? I know it all, how's that new nephew you've got doing? It's got to suck knowing you have to go home and explain to him why his new dad is dead. Maybe you can play hero to the grieving girlfriend though. She looks like a nice piece of ass."

Fury courses through my body, "Do not speak about him or his mother. I won't repeat myself." He waves me off, acting like he's speaking to a child. What he doesn't realize is that I can see his hand is slightly trembling and his face is at least three shades paler than it normally is.

"Nolan came to me after your father got his killed. He knew his dad was on the wrong side of things. He told me all about how the Byrne's were fucking me over and trying to take me out."

Losing my patience but needing to know I ask, "How does Preston Donovan fit into all of this? What's the purpose? Just to fuck with Rowan and his family?" His brow furrows and I can tell I've caught him off guard.

"Who the fuck is Preston?"

Shit, we have this all wrong. "I don't have a Preston working for me. Maybe I should though, seems to have you all wound up. Come on Kieran, let me go, we both know you can't just kill the Pakhan. You'll have my whole organization raining bullets down on you."

It's honestly not worth explaining to him that his organization has already turned on him. Taking him out is a sign of good faith on our part, to keep the alliance between our organizations. Wasting no more time I pull the trigger and Nikolai drops, one between the eyes. Told him I'm a damn good shot. Yelling out to my brothers as I drop beside my big brother. My arms move on their own accord, shoving Nolan's body off Rowan. I can hear them rush into the room, and feel them all drop down around Rowan's body. Knowing they just watched all that go down on surveillance, and the only reason they didn't barge in is because I was in here makes my stomach turn. Rowan is covered in blood, his body limp and his face is completely relaxed.

Mac, who landed beside me, calls out "Bear" and Rowan's eyes pop open. What the fuck is going on? Mac helps him into a sitting position.

"Look, I know this thing saved my life, but that shit still hurts. Clara's going to kick my ass for the bruise it's sure to leave behind." Looking to my other brothers in various stages of confusion and distress it's obvious none of us know what's going on.

Declan speaks first, "Anyone want to tell me why the fuck we didn't know Rowan had a kevlar vest on? I'm glad, by the way. But why were we left out of the loop?"

Rowan takes his shirt off and starts taking the vest off as he explains, "I had a feeling our rat was Nolan. The only person I could get alone, was Mac. Obviously I couldn't say anything or let on in front of him. Nolan's always been predictable, and he always goes for the chest shot. I also knew Kie always goes for the head shot, and that Kie would demand answers before ending Nik. Finally I knew you guys wouldn't barge in and take the chance of Kie being in danger until every threat was eliminated."

I've always known my brothers are insanely smart. That particular gene skipped me, but it stuck to all of them. What I didn't know was how far that intelligence goes. Rowan stands and reaches for his phone. He's right Clara's going to murder him, the bruise just forming on his back is nasty, to put it nicely. He hits a few buttons and puts the phone to his ear, "Hey, get Clara and Rhett out of there. I want them taken to the safe house." Listening for a few beats he nods, "Yeah, exactly like the plan we discussed. Thanks Killian." He kills the call and looks to us, "Let's go figure out how Preston got inside knowledge into our house so we can dispose of that rat too and my woman and kid can come home." He lives and breathes for those two. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad, that's now my sister and nephew. At the same time that can never be me. I'll never give another person that kind of power over me. Not with what I've been through and what lives in my fucked up head.