Chapter 16: Crown of Smoke: Chapter 16

I stare at my phone, thumb hovering over Lucy’s name. Three days since she left my bed, and I can’t get her out of my head. The bruises from the fight have faded to ugly yellows and browns, but the memory of her touch, of the pleasure she brought, lingers stronger than the pain.

‘Focus,’ I mutter, tossing the phone aside. I’m wasting an inordinate amount of time thinking about her. Wondering why she left in the middle of the night. Telling myself it was best that she had because this thing between us is going to blow up in my face anyway.

I give my head a shake in yet another attempt to rid her from it. I turn my attention to my job. The wall of evidence we’ve gathered on the Keans stares back at me, photos, newspaper clippings, notes scrawled in my messy handwriting. Ten years of planning, of waiting, of carefully orchestrating our revenge.

My brothers and I swore we’d make the Keans pay for what they did to our parents. That fire took everything from us—our family, our home, our legacy. But when Lucy curls against me, laughing at my terrible jokes or furrowing her brow as she connects pieces of her investigation, the burning need for vengeance dims.

I catch myself smiling at random moments, remembering how she tastes, how she feels beneath my hands. The way she challenges me, refuses to back down even when I growl at her to stay safe. That fierce determination should annoy me. Instead, it draws me in deeper.

The mission demands cold calculation, not this warmth spreading through me. I’ve never let anyone close enough to matter. Caring about Lucy puts her at risk, puts everything we’ve worked for at risk.

But I can’t stop, don’t want to stop.

And here I am again, thinking about her instead of plotting the Kean family’s demise.

My phone buzzes, a text from Lucy about meeting tomorrow to compare notes. My heart jumps like a teenager’s, and I curse under my breath. I’m in too deep. I wonder if this is how Ash felt when he seemed head over heels over a girl. A girl who died in the fire and left him broken. If something happened to Lucy, would I be broken?

I shudder at the idea. I can now see why he’s adamant that I don’t get attached. But clearly, it’s too late. It happened without my even noticing.

Lucy, on the other hand, seems to have put the brakes on. Oh, she still wants to work together for her story, but she’s been keeping her distance. Once she figures out who I am, she’ll probably run for the hills. Worse, she’ll probably include it in her story. I can see the headline now. Ifrinn Sons Live! or Ifrinn Sons Return. Fuck. I can’t fail my brothers by letting my feelings for Lucy get in the way.

I scan my notes again. Someone let the Keans past our defenses that night. Someone who knew the layout of our home, the guard rotations, my parents’ schedule. Who would do such a thing? Yes, there’s no honor among thieves, but still. My father had always been a pretty good judge of character, hiring only the best.

I close my eyes, trying to force the memories into focus. Was there anyone unhappy with the family at that time? I try to remember everyone who worked at the house. The guards. The house staff. But no one stands out.

But maybe it wasn’t just one person. Yes, one person let them into the house, but maybe more were involved, especially considering how quickly Hampton Kean was able to seize our territory, absorb our allies, and consolidate power. They knew exactly where to strike, which suggests inside knowledge.

But who? Loyal soldiers, family friends, staff who were practically family themselves? We trusted them all. And at least one of them sold us out.

I drag myself away from the mass of documents and grab my keys. Time to face my brothers. The drive to Phoenix’s place gives me too much time to think about Lucy, about the investigation, about how everything’s getting tangled together.

By the time I arrive, I’ve done what I can to push thoughts of her into the corner of my mind. I can’t afford for them to see how fucked up I am over this woman.

‘You look like shit,’ Blaise says, eyeing my healing bruises as I enter Phoenix’s apartment.

‘Boxing will do that.’ I go to my brother’s fridge and grab a beer. ‘We need to talk about what Lucy uncovered.’

Ash’s jaw tightens from where he stands, his arms crossed, but he doesn’t say anything.

Blaise, on the other hand, can’t help himself. “You mean uncover more than your dick?” He smirks up at me from where he sits on the couch.

I roll my eyes and plop down in a stuffed chair. “Fuck you.”

“Any updates on who might have let the Keans into the house?” Phoenix asks, ignoring us both. He stands opposite Ash. They’re both stoic and continue to take their roles as parental figures seriously even though Blaise and I are only a few years younger.

‘Yeah, did she get a name?’ Blaise asks.

I shake my head. ‘Just rumors about someone who now works for the Keans. I also have been made aware of a cop in their pocket.’

“That’s not a surprise,” Ash says. “Dad had that.”

“Yes, but apparently, there’s someone who they call a pet. He could have been a part of it from the start as well, not just someone recruited to cover things up.” I take a long swig of beer.

“Seems like we’re better off focusing on the traitor. Cops are harder to infiltrate,” Ash says.

“I’ve been racking my brain, but I can’t think of anyone who’d betray us like that,” I say.

There’s a long silence, and I imagine my brothers are trying to suss out who could have worked with the Keans to kill our parents.

“They didn’t just kill our parents, but…” Blaise glances at Ash. “Others in the house.”

Ash turns away. I wonder if he’ll ever get over the loss of his first love.

“So, who survived?” Phoenix asks.

“Who survived who knew the house and now works for Kean? That’s who we need to find,” I say.

“Your little journalist doesn’t have any names?” Blaise asks.

I ignore his calling Lucy my little journalist. “No. Not yet, anyway.”

“Well what is she doing? I thought she was digging⁠—”

“She is, but you know as well as I do that it could get her killed,” I snap at Blaise.

‘The girl’s getting under your skin.” Ash words are accusatory.

‘I can handle it.” Although I’m not sure I can. Can I really balance this growing thing with Lucy against the mission I’ve committed my life to?

My brothers exchange looks. They know me too well, know how single-minded I’ve been about destroying the Keans. Now Lucy’s shifted something fundamental inside me, and I’m not sure if that makes me stronger or more vulnerable. It feels vulnerable.

“Maybe she’s no longer useful,” Phoenix muses. “And as much as I want to make the Keans pay, I don’t want a lot of collateral damage.”

Everything inside me goes cold thinking about Lucy as collateral damage. Phoenix’s comment highlights what’s different between the Ifrinns and the Keans. The Keans wouldn’t care who got caught up in their destruction. Collateral damage is a part of doing business in their minds.

‘You’ve got that look again,’ Blaise says, his lips curling into a knowing smirk. ‘The one you get whenever you think about your little journalist being in trouble.’

‘I don’t have a look. And she’s not mine.’ God, I sound defensive.

‘No?’ Blaise raises an eyebrow. ‘Could’ve fooled me with how you nearly broke that guy’s arm at the boxing match for touching her.’

It takes me a minute, but then I realize Blaise knows about the man I threatened for touching Lucy. “Are you following me?”

“Just for backup,” Phoenix says with a chastising glance at Blaise.

‘You should see him when she’s around,’ Blaise continues, clearly enjoying himself. ‘All growly and possessive. ‘Don’t touch her, don’t look at her.’ It’s adorable, really.’

I stare at each of my brothers in turn, anger and pain growing in my gut. “You don’t trust me⁠—”

“It’s not that,” Phoenix says.

“What else could it be? You have Blaise following me as backup but don’t bother to tell me?” Fucking hell. Does he know what I did with Lucy in the bathroom just before I threatened the man harassing her?

“We just wanted extra protection for you at the fights,” Ash says in a tone my mother used to use when she was exasperated by us.

I stand up and thrust my beer at Phoenix. “Fuck you. Fuck you all.” I start toward his door. I don’t need to put up with this shit. I can do my job without them.

“Flint.” Phoenix isn’t moved or bothered by my words. “All we wanted was to protect you. You’re the one putting his neck out there more than we are.”

I don’t buy it. Not completely, anyway. “How long? How long has Blaise been following me?”

“Since you decided to make mincemeat out of Kean’s men at the pub,” Blaise says, not at all concerned by how betrayed I feel. So much for twin connections.

“Right. That seems to shoot your reasoning out of the water,” I say to Phoenix. “Because I was going to the fights long before that.”

“That woman is making you vulnerable,” Ash says, sounding not at all apologetic for sending Blaise to spy on me.

I glare at him. ‘I’m protecting an asset.”

Blaise snorts. ‘Is that what we’re calling it now?’

“Blaise, shut the fuck up,” Phoenix snaps at him. Then he turns to me. “Ash is right. All this started when you decided to play hero by saving the woman⁠—”

“Right. I should have let Kean’s men rape and kill her. I’ll remember that next time. Except… wait… didn’t you just say something about avoiding collateral damage?”

His jaw tightens. “What they wanted to do had nothing to do with us.”

I want to punch Phoenix. Did he just suggest I should have let O’Brian and his men attack Lucy?

“Actually, it did. She’s poking around to find out how the Keans rose to power. And for your information, this didn’t start with her. It started when someone let the Keans into the house and killed our parents.”

‘When’s the wedding?’ Blaise teases. ‘I call best man.’

“I’m done with this shit.” I make another attempt to leave.

‘Seriously, bro,’ Blaise says, his tone softening. ‘I haven’t seen you like this since… well, ever.’

“It’s none of your fucking business⁠—”

“It is if it gets in the way of our goal here,” Phoenix says.

“And how has that happened? Where have I failed this mission?” I feign thinking. “Nope, can’t think of anything⁠—”

“You nearly outed yourself by taking on Kean’s men.”

“I nearly out myself every time I walk into a fight. You know that. It’s one of the issues we discussed when we started this whole thing. At any time, they could recognize me.” I shake my head. “Nah, this is something else. Are you jealous?” I turn to Blaise. “That’s it, isn’t it? I’m sure Blaise is still a virgin, so he must be⁠—”

“Fuck you, Flint.” Blaise’s usual annoying, jovial attitude darkens.

“Alright, that’s enough. This has gotten⁠—”

“And you can stop acting like you’re our father,” I snap at Phoenix. “You’re only three years older than me.”

‘She’s a distraction we can’t afford right now. Ten years, Flint. Ten years we’ve waited to make the Keans pay,” Ash says, not giving a fuck how I feel.

‘You think I’ve forgotten? I was there too. I remember the smoke, the screaming⁠—”

‘Then act like it,’ Phoenix cuts in. ‘This journalist, she’s making you sloppy. Breaking cover to protect her, bringing her into our investigation⁠—”

“No, that was your idea to bring her in. Not mine.”

Blaise shifts uncomfortably as if he realizes just how off the rails this is getting.

I look at them all. “I think you all need to get laid. You spend way too much time thinking about my dick.’ But I know a part of what they’re saying, what they’re worried about, is true. Our parents’ killers are still out there, living their lives while we plot in the shadows. And here I am, dreaming about a future with a woman who doesn’t even know my real name. Who’ll be repulsed by me when she learns the truth.

The guilt grows as I consider how much we’ve all sacrificed for this mission of revenge. What right do I have to seek happiness while our parents’ murderers walk free?

‘I know what needs to be done,’ I say, more to convince myself than my brothers.

“You should cut her loose, not just for your sake but hers too,” Ash says.

I shake my head. “She’s already neck-deep in this investigation. With or without me, she’ll keep digging until she finds answers.’

‘Or until the Keans find her,’ Phoenix points out.

‘Exactly.’ I meet each of my brothers’ eyes in turn. ‘At least with me watching her back, she has a chance.’ I turn to Phoenix. “Mitigate collateral damage.”

Blaise sighs. ‘You’re not wrong. But mixing revenge with…’ He gestures vaguely. ‘Whatever is going on with you and her⁠—”

‘I know what I’m doing.’ I have no fucking idea what I’m doing. ‘We find the traitor, we take down the Keans, we get justice for our parents. That’s my focus. Maybe you should focus on that too instead of worrying about my dick.’

Of course, this is partly a lie too. Because beyond the mission, I now have a new job. I have someone to protect. Someone who makes me want more than just revenge. The realization should terrify me, but instead it feels like I’m moving toward solid ground after years of drifting.

‘I’ll keep her safe,’ I promise my brothers. ‘And we’ll use what she discovers. Two birds, one stone.’

“He’s going to do whatever he wants,” Blaise says. Before I can tell him he’s an asshole, he continues. “So far, he’s managed to get close to Kean’s men and learn useful information.”

I want to point out it’s more than any of them have done, but since Blaise seems to be on my side at the moment, I keep that quip to myself.

“Just be careful, Flint.” Phoenix puts his hand on my shoulder. “We’re a team.”

For a moment, I wonder what will happen if we succeed in taking the Keans down and restoring the Ifrinn family to power. Aside from sweet revenge, what will we gain? Once the goal is achieved, what is left in life?

Lucy.

“I’ve got to get back to it,” I say, finally opening the door to leave. My brothers’ concerns echo in my head as I return home. They’re right. Lucy complicates everything. But it’s crystal clear to me that walking away isn’t an option anymore. At least not on my end. Lucy, on the other hand, seems to be able to keep her distance. As difficult as it is for me, I need to respect that. Let her go. It will get my brothers off my back and allow me to laser focus on my job. And I’ll avoid the inevitable heartbreak when she learns who I am and decides I’m not good enough.

Even as I think about keeping my distance, I know it won’t work. She’s going to keep digging, too damn stubborn, fearless, and determined for her own good. She’s going to get herself killed if I don’t protect her.

Unfortunately for her, I’m stubborn too. I don’t want distance. I want her. Instead of going the smart route of letting her go, I decide I can have it all. I’ll find the answers we need to exact our revenge, keep Lucy safe, and find a way to deserve her trust so that when she learns the truth, she’ll be as in deep with me as I am with her.

I’m playing a dangerous game, trying to balance my family’s vendetta with these growing feelings for Lucy. One wrong move and I could lose everything—the chance for revenge, my brothers’ trust, Lucy’s safety. Her life.

But I can’t walk away from either path now. Two worlds, two missions, and I’m caught between them. The wrong move will destroy everything.