Chapter 5 - The Trap is Set
The rain hit the windows of the Beacon Hill study like a barrage of small stones. Maeve sat in a leather chair, her hands trembling as she watched Rafe and his captains map out the city’s shipping districts on a massive digital screen.
"We can't attack the rehab center directly," Dominic explained, pointing to a blueprint. "The O'Leary crew has snipers positioned on the adjacent roofs. If we move in with force, they’ll execute the threat before we cross the perimeter."
"Then I’ll go," Maeve said, standing up.
The entire room went dead silent. Rafe turned his head slowly, his gray eyes locking onto her with a coldness that made the air freeze. "What did you just say?"
"Liam wants me because he thinks I’m your weakness now," Maeve said, her voice growing stronger despite the terror clawing at her throat. "He thinks I’m just a helpless waitress you picked up off the floor. Let me be the bait. If I go to the designated meeting spot at the docks, his men will focus on me, drawing their snipers away from Finn's hospital."
"Absolutely not," Rafe growled, walking over and grabbing her by the waist, pulling her flush against his chest. His grip was iron, his breath hot against her face. "You think I brought you into my house just to let some low-life Irish thug touch you? You stay here. Under lock and key."
"And what about my brother?!" Maeve shouted back, tears blurring her vision as she clutched his shirt. "He’s nine years old, Rafe! He survived a heart transplant yesterday! I took a hit for your sister, and now you have to let me protect my brother!"
Rafe stared down at her, his jaw clenching so hard a small scar near his temple turned white. For the first time since she had met him, Maeve saw a flicker of conflict in his cold gray eyes. He wasn't just angry; he was terrified of losing her.
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He looked up at Dominic. "Prepare the armored convoy. We use the girl’s plan."
He looked back down at Maeve, his hand moving up to cup her nape, his fingers tangling in her hair. "But if a single scratch falls on you tonight, Maeve... I will turn this city into a graveyard."
