Reclaiming Control

CATARINA

I was still shaking with rage when I pulled through the gates of the Connelly compound.

The entire drive back, I'd replayed the conversation with my father over and over in my mind, each repetition making me angrier.

When you've earned that right.

Like I hadn't already earned it a thousand times over.

Like every scar on my body, every life I'd taken, every mission I'd completed wasn't proof enough.

Continue to read this book for free

Scan code to download App

Previous Chapter Next Chapter

Locked Chapter

Latest chapter

• Forged In Fire   The War Room

  JAMESONThe war room at the Connelly estate was exactly what it sounded like—a converted library on the second floor with tactical maps covering the walls, intel boards tracking every known threat, and a massive conference table that had seen more strategic planning than most military operations.I stood at the head of that table, my top lieutenants gathered around me.Declan Murphy, my head of security. Liam O'Brien, my intelligence officer. Connor Walsh, who ran our operations on the south side. And Patrick Reilly, who handled our financial interests and money laundering operations.These were the men I trusted with my life. The men who'd helped me consolidate power after Grandfather's official transfer of leadership.And right now, they were all staring at the tactical map spread across the table, trying to figure out how to keep me alive."The Russians are getting bolder," Declan said, pointin

• Forged In Fire   The Charity Gala

  JAMESONI'd been to a hundred of these galas over the years.High society charity events where Chicago's elite—both legitimate and criminal—gathered to write checks, make deals, and show off their wealth and power.I hated every single one of them.The fake smiles. The shallow conversations. The women who threw themselves at me with dollar signs in their eyes.But tonight was different.Tonight, I had Cat.The car pulled up to the entrance of the Drake Hotel, and I could already see the crowd of photographers and guests milling around the red carpet entrance.I glanced over at Cat in the seat beside me.And nearly forgot how to breathe.The dress she'd chosen was nothing like the pastel nightmares her mother had tried to force on her.This was sleek. Daring. Dangerous.Black silk that hugged every curve of her body, with a nec

• Forged In Fire   Reclaiming Control

  CATARINAI was still shaking with rage when I pulled through the gates of the Connelly compound.The entire drive back, I'd replayed the conversation with my father over and over in my mind, each repetition making me angrier.When you've earned that right.Like I hadn't already earned it a thousand times over.Like every scar on my body, every life I'd taken, every mission I'd completed wasn't proof enough.I parked the car with more force than necessary and stalked toward the house, my jaw clenched so tight it ached.Staff members scattered as I passed, their eyes wide with alarm.Good.Let them stare.I was done pretending to be the perfect, demure mafia wife who smiled politely and kept her head down.I reached my wing and slammed the door behind me hard enough to rattle the frame.The pink curtains mocked me from across the r

• Forged In Fire   Control & Chaos

  CATARINAMy phone was vibrating before I even opened my eyes.I groaned, reaching for it on the nightstand and squinting at the screen through the early morning light filtering through those ridiculous pink curtains.Seven missed calls from my father.Twelve texts from Marco.All variations of the same message: Call me. Now.I sat up, rubbing my eyes and scrolling through Marco's increasingly frantic messages.Your father wants to talk.Cat, seriously. Call him.He knows about yesterday.He's pissed.CATARINA. ANSWER YOUR PHONE.I sighed, tossing the phone onto the bed beside me.Of course he was pissed. I'd blown my cover spectacularly—killed three men in front of Jameson, revealed my training, my weapons, everything. The carefully constructed facade of the perfect pr

• Forged In Fire   Comfort & Connection

  JAMESONThe food arrived exactly thirty-two minutes later.I'd spent most of that time sitting in the chair across from Cat's bed, trying not to stare at her while she scrolled through her phone, occasionally making sarcastic comments about the wedding photos that were already circulating on social media."Look at this one," she said, turning her phone toward me. "I look like I'm being held hostage."I leaned forward to look. She wasn't wrong—her smile was tight, her eyes slightly panicked."You kind of were," I pointed out."Fair." She scrolled further. "Oh God, this one's worse. I look like I'm about to stab someone.""Were you?""Mentally? Yes. That woman in the pink hat kept asking me invasive questions about our 'wedding night plans.'"I grimaced. "Mrs. O'Malley. She's been asking me invasive questions since I was sixteen.""She asked if we were pla

• Forged In Fire   Nightmares & Comfort Food

  JAMESONThe dining room felt too quiet.I sat at the head of the table, staring at the empty chair across from me where Cat should have been sitting. The staff had already set out dinner—roasted chicken, vegetables, fresh bread—but I hadn't touched any of it.Grandfather settled into his usual seat with a satisfied grunt, reaching for the wine."Where's your wife?" he asked, pouring himself a generous glass."Good question."I glanced toward the doorway, half-expecting her to appear at any moment. But the hallway remained empty.One of the servants—Lisette, I think her name was—hovered near the sideboard, looking uncertain."Did someone tell Mrs. Connelly that dinner was ready?" I asked.Lisette nodded quickly. "Yes, sir. I knocked on her door about ten minutes ago.""And?""There was no answer, sir."I frowned. "Y

More Chapters