Callous King (The O'Dea Crime Family Book 1)
Page 16
“I know-w.” I whisper hoarsely, and Jack pulls the long switchblade out of my side, his lips parting as the blade slips through my flesh. Slumping against Cian, I wheeze harshly before he hoists me into his arms. Through my bleary vision, Jack tosses the knife into the room, but Bella’s horrific shrieking can’t break through the intense drumming in my ears. Pain explodes along my side and engulfs my ribs under Cian’s touch, and I bury my face in his shirt.
“Finish tracking the fire and then get out as soon as you can, Jack,” Cian orders. I choke on a groan and smoke as he carries me towards the stairs. “It’s okay, sweetheart. Once we’re outside, I’ll call 9-1-1.”
His tone is harsh, but comforting. I take solace in his promise as he takes the stairs hurriedly. He’s careful not to jostle me, but his hands slip with my blood. My side throbs fiercely, and I gasp for breath while we reach the ground floor. Sweat slicks down my neck, and Cian throws open the door to rush outside into the crystal clear, evening air.
“Here. Let me look at this,” Cian mutters, setting me on the grass to pull up my shirt. Peeling the fabric from my skin with stable hands, he purses his lips under tightly knit brows. “It’s superficial. Jack knows what he’s doing, just wish he didn’t do it that way.”
“It’s f-fine,” I mumble thickly, and he grunts in acknowledgment before a sharp hiss escapes me. Pressing his palm against my wound, he fishes his cell phone out of his pocket with his free hand. “D-don’t forget to p-panic . . . a little.”
“I am panicking, Sorcha. You were stabbed, my house is on fire, and my fiancée is dying inside it. And you said it yourself, this plan doesn’t even have a high chance of success, just higher than the rest of your ideas,” Cian grumbles unhappily, and I lay back on the grass to throw my arm over my eyes gingerly. Sniffling hard through the smoke that coats my nose and throat, I moan in pain when he presses down on my side. “This is why I love you, though. You scare me, and not much scares me.”
“O-oh . . . c- call them.” I say through my dry mouth, and I lick my lips heavily. Wincing as a harsh coughing bout rattles my lungs, I can’t open my eyes again. Energy seeps from my body into the grass, my mind growing dull with pain. The stench of the house on fire, the sweet smell of freshly cut grass, blends together confusedly.
But I won’t die from this stab wound. I can’t. Bella’s just the beginning, and I will see it through. I’ll wake up in a few hours in the hospital, with Cian by my side, and then . . .
Then, we’ll get to work on Marrin. When Siobhan failed, I will take my chance.
“And th-then . . . it’s Byrne’s t-turn.” I mutter faintly, weakly, and I manage a shallow breath before Cian presses his free hand against my cheek.
“Don’t speak, Sorcha. The ambulance is on its way, sweetheart,” Cian comforts me tenderly, stroking my cheek and down my neck. “The wound’s not bad, and you’ll be better in no time. Just rest now. You deserve it after the past months.”
“Okay, yeah,” My mumble barely rolls down my tongue under the immense weight of Cian’s concern. “One m-more time.”
“I love you, sweetheart, no matter how much you scare the absolute shit out of me,” Cian says, and I smile faintly as happiness eases the agony of my battered body. His smile beams down on me through the abyss behind my lids. “Rest. I can hear the sirens already. There are things I have to do, now, like convince my father and everyone else of the story we’re going with. Leave the rest to me, Sorcha.”
The end . . . for now.
Dear Readers,
Cian and Sorcha’s love story might be over, but their plan isn’t. It’s been an absolute blast for us both to start this series together and we can’t wait to take you down this deep, dark path with us. If you’re fans of dark mafia romance, we can promise we won’t be holding back with this series.
We do plan on writing a novella every once and a while, so don’t fret. You’ll see more of Cian and Sorcha very soon, but until then, we’re pleased to announce the next installment in the O’Dea Crime Family will be Bitter King. Our heroine, or rather anti-heroine? Well, she’s none other than Siobhan O’Dea.
Enjoy the ride. We’re thrilled you’re on it with us,
Elizabeth & Emily
Pre-Order Bitter King: