Thy Kingdom Come

The lorry comes down the road, just on time.

“Ye didn’t think I could do this alone, is it? I always had someone on the inside, workin’ together and bidin’ our time. That time is now.”

“Who?” I ask, broken in ways I never thought possible.

“He’s been under yer nose this entire time. Ye brought him here. This was all possible because of you two.”

I did?

Babydoll cups her face, sobbing. All she wanted was to help her ma. Just like I did. But this sacrifice has cost us so much, and we’ll never get it back.

There are so many holes in this story, and I know I won’t get the full story until I uncover who Brody’s partner is. None of this makes any sense. All I know is that Babydoll isn’t the enemy. She wasn’t the one who organized all of this. Someone else did.

But who?

“Camilla played a part, of course. If it wasn’t for her, we wouldn’t know what we do. She told me everything.”

I suddenly realize why they thought Cian was me. “Yer the one who told them Cian was me?”

She nods. “I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t think they were going to hurt him. When Brody asked me who you were, I pointed at your friend. The photo was taken the night of the party.”

I remember the photographer taking a picture of us. We should have known better than to be so careless. This is why we’re careful. I was able to remain undetected with Liam and Aidan because they didn’t know who I was.

But Brody knew, and Babydoll failed his test. She played right into his hands. This was his way of finding out just what she was prepared to do to save me. We were all his pawns. But I still don’t know why. I don’t know how he found out I wasn’t Mike.

This isn’t just about drugs. This is personal. But then again, it always has been.

There is so much to process, but now isn’t the time because when the lorry comes to a stop, it’s time to uncover the rest of this fucked-up tale.

“Ye feeling all right, son?” Brody sarcastically asks, touching my shoulder.

“Don’tcha call me that ever again,” I warn, recoiling forcibly.

“Ach, ye may change yer mind when ye find out who’s behind all this. But don’tcha bother yerself with that. I’ll take care of them. They can’t be trusted, and just like you, Camilla, my sons, yousens played a role, but playtime is over now.

“There’s room for only one leader. They think I’m playin’ by their rules, but I’m not.”

I turn over my shoulder to look at him. I don’t know when or how, but one way or another, I’m going to kill this cunt and everyone who played a part in this show.

Ferris kills the engine and exits the lorry. I’m expecting to see Uncle Sean with him, as that was the plan. But he’s not here.

“Ferris, how’s the wains?” Brody asks like they’re old friends catching up—they probably are.

Liam looks as surprised as I am, which confirms he played no part in this new plan. Robbing us was always part of the plan, but Liam was kept in the dark with the details. His anger is reflective of mine.

“Ack, they’re always wantin’,” Ferris replies. When he sees me, his eyes widen as he obviously wasn’t expecting me here.

“Puck?”

“Bout ye?” I stare him straight in the eye.

“What’s he doing ’ere?” He nervously looks at Brody.

“Surprise, shitehawk.”

“Everythin’ inside?” Brody asks, wanting to get down to business.

Ferris nods, his apprehension evident.

“Thanks, mate. Really appreciate it.”

Before anyone has a chance to figure out what’s going on, Brody takes out his gun and shoots Ferris between the eyes. He’s dead before he hits the ground.

I stand emotionless because Ferris chose his fate. Just as we all have.

Brody steps over Ferris, gesturing Liam is to follow him. I could end this right here, right now and kill Brody where he stands. But I ca

Babydoll keeps her distance. No matter that I know her real name, she’ll always be Babydoll to me.

Just as Liam is about to open the back of the lorry, Brody turns to me. “C’mere. You can do the honors.”

I’m not thick. I know Brody is concerned that whoever his partner in crime is will double-cross him. Is that why he needed me as collateral? It’s the only thing that makes sense. I’m valuable to this person. Or so Brody thinks I am.

With nothing to lose, I walk forward, but that’s as far as I get because rustling from the dense bushland alerts us that someone is coming, and that someone is Co

“Don’tcha move, Puck,” he orders, stepping onto the gravel road. I look behind him but don’t see Uncle Sean. Where is he?

“Co

“Fuck ye,” Co

Brody shrugs while I look at Co

“We had a deal. Why would ya break it? Why now?”

“Deal? What fuckin’ deal?” I question. This is the first time I’ve ever heard this. As far as I knew, Co

A sinking feeling hits me low and I begin to fear for my uncle.

I brought Co

It makes sense. For someone to be able to penetrate without detection would mean they know the workings of our business like the back of their hand. I suddenly regret my actions. Did I welcome the enemy into this with open arms?

“That deal was made long ago,” Brody replies calmly. “Things change. People change.”

“Ye made a deal with a fucking Kelly?” Liam spits, just as in the dark as I am.

“Ach son, don’tcha be speaking about things ya have no idea about. I did what I had to for this family. I never wanted a part of Belfast.”

“And I with Dublin,” Co

What? What’s changed for them to be here now?

“Puck is my son,” Brody states, smiling when Co

Co

“Do ye know who killed my ma?” I ask, begging he tell me the truth once and for all.

He sighs, complete exhaustion overtaking him. “Aye, I do. And I’m sorry for everything. But I’m about to make it right.”

I stand utterly still when he reaches for me and cups the back of my neck, drawing me close.

“Look after the twins for me,” he whispers into my ear.

When I desperately try to break away, he holds me tight. He’s not done.

“Yer all they have now. I was hard on ya because I knew one day…y’d rule this country. And that day is now. No matter what name ye bear, y’ll always be my wain. Y’ll always be Puck Co

“Yer a leader. Lead with the compassion yer ma gave ya. And rule with the cruelty I taught ya because it’s the only way to survive in our world. I’m sorry I never told ya this…but I love ya, and I’m proud of the man y’ve become.”

Before I have a chance to ask what he means, the doors on the back of the truck are kicked open and gunfire erupts around us. Co