Thy Kingdom Come

Aidan bends down to pick up Hugh, but he slaps his hands away, not wanting any help. He’s feeling wick I beat him. He comes to a shaky stand on his own, looking shook. He clearly didn’t think I could fight.

In response, I press two fingers over my bake and blow him a smug kiss.

With a growl, he advances forward, but Aidan grips his forearm, stopping him. I wonder who Aidan is to the Doyles.

Liam digs into his pocket and asks for my number as he produces his mobile phone. I give him the number to my prepaid phone that can’t be traced back to me.

“All right, bucko, I’ll be in touch.”

And just like that…I’m one step closer to avenging my ma.

Cian and Rory don’t help as I turn and limp my way down the entry. They allow me to gloat in victory.

A part of me believes this is too good to be true—that just by kicking Hugh Doyle’s arse, I was able to fleece the Doyles and earn their trust. But when no one comes after me, it’s evident this spur-of-the-moment plan worked far better than I thought it ever could.

I take the corner and almost bump into Erin, who is having a feg. “Feck me, ya surprised me, Mike from America.”

Did she witness me belting her brother? If so, she doesn’t look awful upset he got his arse kicked.

“Well, thanks, I think.”

She laughs, turning a few heads with the sound. Erin Doyle, just like her brothers, has a magnetism surrounding her. But I’ll never be fooled by what she represents.

“I’ll be seeing ya then,” she casually says, but we both know there is nothing casual about this. A pact with the devil has just been signed. But the Doyles are unaware that devil is me.

“Later.”

My laidback farewell has her smiling.

With nothing further left to say, I continue my hobble toward the car with Cian and Rory following close by. When we’re out of earshot, Cian clucks his tongue.

“What the fuck is goin’ on with that? Y’ve just started a war, Puck Kelly.”

With a smile on my bake, I tip my face toward the heavens and inhale. A shooting star ignites the night sky, a sign of things to come.

“Keep her lit, lads, ats us nai.”