Even Aiden was nodding. “Father, if we let this stand, where will it end?”
Seamus sank behind his desk, looking every one of his fifty-five years for the first time Teague could remember. He carefully rested his hands on the polished wood. “Then we take them back.”
Thank Christ. Teague took a step back. “In that case…” He opened the door and moved out of the way to allow Colm Sheridan to enter the room. Everyone froze—though his father looked half a second from going for the gun he kept in his top drawer—so Teague kept talking, “He has a stake in this, same as we do. Or was all that talk of alliances bullshit?”
“By all means.” His father motioned the other man to the chair across from him. “Shall we get our girls home safely?”
“Yes.” Colm sank into the indicated spot. Teague noticed bags under the older man’s eyes that hadn’t been there last time. But Sheridan was here, and they were planning like allies instead of enemies. That was better than he dared hope when he’d invited Callie’s father to this meeting.
Callie.
God, he wanted to reach across the distance and shake her until some sense popped into that gorgeous head of hers. She’d been so determined to protect him and martyr herself, she hadn’t once stopped to ask him what he thought of the whole thing. No, she’d apologized like she expected him to turn on her like a junkyard dog.
She’d said she loved him.
He rubbed a hand over his mouth and turned to face the window. Out of everything that had come out of her mouth during the phone call, that was the thing that burrowed into his mind and wouldn’t let go. She was doing this for him—so that he wouldn’t see any more people he cared about hurt. Totally missing the point that she was numbered among those people.
If something happens to her…
He fought down panic at the thought. The Hallorans had barely had her three hours. Even if James couldn’t convince his father to spare her—and Teague was starting to doubt his former friend remained an ally—she shouldn’t be hurt yet. If there was one thing Victor Halloran loved, it was a spectacle. Since it was becoming increasingly clear that he hadn’t released Carrigan as promised, it was only logical to assume he was going to do something dramatic.
But that shit took planning.
Which meant they had a small amount of time to act.
He turned back to the room to hear his father say, “Then it’s settled. We’ll attack at nightfall.”
“No.” The word was out before he could think better of it. Teague crossed his arms over his chest. “They’re already planning on killing both women. If we attack, what do you think is the first thing they’ll do?”
“If you have a better plan, now’s the time to speak up.” Aiden sounded like he actually hoped Teague had a better plan.
“I’ll go in first. Then you attack, and while the Hallorans are rushing around, trying to figure out where the bullets are coming from, I’ll get them out.”
Colm frowned. “How do you plan to get in there without being caught?”
“I’ve done it before.” Not in a very long time, and he’d been sneaking out then, but he doubted much had changed since. He ignored the glare his father sent him and focused on Colm. “James Halloran and I used to be friends.”
“Hmm.” He finally nodded. “Then it’s a plan.”
Father looked like he wanted to argue, but he finally nodded as well. “You have an hour. After that, we go in with guns blazing.”
Chapter Twenty
No, not like that. Twist it the other way.”
Callie glared at the other woman. “Forgive me if I’m not as adept at picking my way out of handcuffs as you are.”
“You would be if you were better at taking directions.” Carrigan glared right back. “Twist it the other way.”
With a sigh, Callie obeyed, twisting the bobby pin she’d bent out of shape to the other side. A little jiggle later and she was rewarded with a click. The cuff opened and Carrigan’s wrist slipped free. “Fucking finally.” She snatched the makeshift pick out of Callie’s hands and went to work on the other side.
In the two hours she’d been fighting with the cuffs, she’d managed to keep the fear at bay, but now that her hands were idle, it came rushing back—with interest. Getting Carrigan’s hands free was only the first—and easiest—of the hurdles they had to clear. She glanced at the sky, the beauty of the setting sun completely lost on her. It wasn’t a gorgeous sunset. It was a mark of too much time passing.
“Don’t freak out.” Carrigan stepped out of the bathroom, where she’d retreated after she was freed. “We can’t get out of here until it’s dark anyhow.”