Savage Hearts (Queens & Monsters #3)(30)

The door opens, revealing the space inside. The walls are raw brick. The floor is unpolished cement. A single bare bulb hangs from the ceiling.

The entire first floor of the building is empty.

We pull inside and stop in the middle of the space. Kieran puts the truck into Park. The metal door we entered through rolls back down, slamming against the concrete with a boom that echoes off the walls. Nothing else happens.

When I look over at Spider, he says, “Wait.”

I’m about to ask For what? when the ground moves beneath us. With a jolt, the SUV starts to sink. Within seconds, the entire vehicle has sunk below floor level. We’re surrounded on all sides by cement block walls.

We’re on a hydraulic lift, descending underground.

“Whoa,” I say, deeply impressed. “This is some Batman shit right here.”

“The living areas are all underground,” says Spider.

“What’s on the top floors?”

Kieran chuckles. “Lots and lots of ammo.”

I exhale and press my fingertips against my closed eyelids.

In a low voice, Spider says, “You don’t have to worry. Nothing and no one can get inside this building unless they’re invited in.”

I bet that’s what he thought about the castle on Bermuda, too. “Are Declan and Sloane here?”

“No. They’re in New York. They think it’s safest if you’re not together for the moment.”

I drop my hands from my face and look at him. “Safest for me or them?”

“You, lass. Declan’s the one with the target on his back.”

Then I hope wherever they’re staying in New York is as secure as Fort Knox. From what Spider told me about Malek, Declan won’t be safe anywhere else.

Watching me think, Spider says gently, “Sloane feels awful.”

“That she didn’t believe me about a man being in the bathroom at the restaurant, you mean.”

“Aye. Declan says she’s inconsolable. Blames herself for not taking you at your word, how she spoke to you in front of the lads, everything.” He pauses. “I’m probably not supposed to tell you that.”

I mutter darkly, “Don’t worry. I won’t ever be speaking to my sister again, so I couldn’t repeat it, anyway.”

He smiles at me, shaking his head.

“What?”

“The two of you are so much alike.”

“Say that again, and I’ll make sure you’ll never be able to have children.”

Kieran snorts. “Yer just provin’ his point, lass.”

“Oh, no. Don’t tell me you’re as much of a pain in the ass as he is.”

Spider pretends to be hurt. “Oy! I’m sitting right here!”

“Calm down. I called you that already. To your face.”

“Aye, but you were joking before.”

I say acidly, “Was I?”

Trying not to laugh, Spider pulls his lips between his teeth.

Our descent ends with another jolt. Kieran drives off the pneumatic lift and parks the SUV against a wall, then hops out of the driver’s seat. Spider exits, too, coming around my side to open my door. When I step out of the car, I see that we’re in a small garage area, with parking for maybe a dozen vehicles.

Ours is the only one here.

“This way,” says Kieran, holding open a door.

The three of us enter a short, lighted passageway. At the end of it is another door. Kieran enters a code into the keypad on the wall, and the door unlocks.

“Ladies first,” says Kieran, gesturing for Spider to proceed ahead of us.

“A pox on your mother, you spanner.”

“Shut up about my ma, ya feckin’ gobshite, or I’ll burst ya.”

Their friendly, incomprehensible insults end when I push past both of them through the door. They protest loudly, like I’ve broken some ancient, ironclad, macho rule.

“We have to clear the place, lass!” says Kieran, all in a huff. “Ye can’t just waltz in like the bloody queen!”

“Wait, what? You have to clear a safe house?”

“Aye!”

“Then by definition, it’s not safe!”

Spider is doing that lip-biting thing again. I know he’s thinking that’s exactly something my sister would say and send him a look that conveys in no uncertain terms that the wee rabid badger is about to give him a smack.

He holds up his hands in surrender. “I didn’t say a word.”

“Smart man.”

“Wait here a moment, lass. We’ll be right back.”

“Can you bring me a sandwich when you come back? I’m dying of hunger. I haven’t had a proper meal since we met. I’ve been living on the candy I brought with me.”

Kieran is scandalized by that nugget of information. He turns to Spider, aghast. “Are ye tryin’ to starve the poor cailín?”

“Yeah, Spider. Are you trying to starve me?”

He ignores us both and heads inside, shaking his head.

Kieran watches him go, tutting. “Don’t worry, lass. I’ll get ye fixed up as soon as we’re done sweepin’ the place.”

“Thank you, Kieran. I knew I liked you from the get-go.”

He puffs out his big chest and proudly lifts his chin. “I’ve been told I’m very likeable.”