Chapter 41

They stared at each other for a moment, hurt and confusion—along with a strong undercurrent of anger—in Tiernan’s eyes. “How could you do all this, Aidan?”

Aidan shrugged. “I’ve already explained all that to Madison. Perhaps she can enlighten you, if you both survive.”

Madison bit her fist as the men surged together, trading punches and kicks. They grunted in their exertion, and she honestly couldn’t tell who was winning for several minutes. It wasn’t until Tiernan managed to shove Aidan’s head up, his arm against his throat, that she saw a chance to help. Without hesitation, she grasped the pitcher on the dresser and slammed the pottery down on Aidan’s head. He slumped atop Tiernan a second later.

Tiernan pushed him off, wincing as he got to his feet. He cradled his middle. “I think he broke a rib.”

“Are you okay?”

He nodded, though grimaced. “I’m glad you didn’t call out.”

She frowned. “I didn’t? I just stood there frozen?” Shaking her head, Madison let some of her self-disgust show. “How useless.”

He hobbled toward her. “No, not at all. You acted when you had the chance, and you kept people from running to investigate.”

Madison frowned. “You plan to hide this?”

“No.” Tiernan stood up straight with a hiss of air through his teeth. “I just don’t know who I can trust at the moment. The wrong soldiers could have given Aidan the advantage by turning on us.”

“Oh.” Reaction set in, and she slumped against him, though mindful of his bruised or broken ribs. “Why are you here? Aidan said you’d be gone for a while.”

“I would have, but the car broke down. We caught a ride back on a wagon, since it was closer to Seattle-Archer than the distribution center, and our driver was headed this way. When I came in, I couldn’t find you anywhere, and I knew it wasn’t a clinic day. Aidan had stayed behind, ostensibly to investigate Joan’s murder. I was looking for either one of you when I found a skittish little maid in one of the offices.”

“Stacy.” She was thankful the girl had crumbled under pressure. “She let me in here.”

Tiernan nodded, scowling with disapproval. “Against all protocol.”

“My fault,” she insisted. “I promised she wouldn’t lose her job.”

“She won’t. I’m just glad she knew where you were. As soon as I heard you were snooping around Aidan’s room, I figured out you had some reason to think he might be my twin.” He looked down at his brother, still passed out on the floor. “I’d expected to find you and get you the hell out of here before anyone found you, not discover this situation.”

“He wasn’t planning to make his next move just yet.” As he stirred a bit, she backed away. “Let’s tie him up or something.”

Tiernan nodded, gesturing to the curtain ties. “Get those please.”

She hurried over to grab the beige cotton strips as Tiernan rolled his brother onto his stomach and secured his hands behind his back. He tied them tightly together with the cloth she gave him, tugging on the cloth to check its strength.

When he stood up, he clutched his side and groaned again. “Dammit. I’d rather have just about any injury than a broken rib.”

She went to him to pull up his jacket and shirt. There was a red spot that would probably become a large bruise on his left ribcage. “My poor darling.”

“I’ll survive,” he said drily. His expression changed when he stared at Aidan again, as the other man groaned and twitched. “Wake up,” he commanded harshly.

“What will you do with him?” asked Madison as Aidan slowly rolled to his side before hitching himself into a kneeling position. It looked like a difficult task with his hands bound behind him.

Tiernan hesitated for a long second before his mouth firmed. “What can I do with him, Madison? He committed treason by trying to kill you.”

“Not just me,” she said softly. “He’s responsible for instigating rebel activity.”

Aidan spat blood on the floor, leaving behind a molar. “Damn, Tiernan. You have a hell of a punch.”

“As do you.” Tiernan rubbed his side in a way that suggested it was subconscious.

“I also set the bomb that killed Cleo.” Aidan reported it in a neutral tone, as though it was practically irrelevant.

Tiernan stiffened. “I really have no choice, Madison. The law is clear.”

“Catherine’s law.” She touched his shoulder. “She’s the one who caused all this, Tiernan.”

Her lover looked at her, shaking his head. “No, it’s not that simple, and you know it. She caused the division between us, but Aidan is responsible for his own actions.”

Aidan nodded. “He’s right, Madison. There’s no other option. He has to have me executed.”

She shook her head. “You’re both mad. Tiernan, just exile him.”

Tiernan shook his head. “No, he has to face justice.”

Fighting back the urge to tear out her hair, she said, “Everyone believes the rebels set the bomb.”

“Except the rebels,” pointed out Aidan in a helpful manner. “If Tiernan ever wants to end the war with them, he’s going to have to give them a compelling reason and proof that he hasn’t been stealing rations and terrorizing the people.”

“What is wrong with you?” Madison hissed at him. “Shut up, Aidan.”

“He’s right,” said Tiernan. “You can debate it all you want, Madison, but it changes nothing. My brother has to be executed.”

She sighed, trying to think of some way to dissuade him. It wasn’t so much that she cared about Aidan’s fate. Rather, she worried how the knowledge that he had allowed his brother to be executed would weigh on Tiernan. It was a heavy burden that he shouldn’t have to carry. “You can’t do this, Tiernan. Not for him, but for you. It will destroy you to have his death on your conscience.”

Her lover straightened his spine. “It doesn’t matter. I have no other option.”

“He really doesn’t. I can’t stop. If you let me go, I’ll be back.” Aidan looked ashamed as he made the confession. “I don’t know how to end this. I want everything Tiernan has.”

“And that’s more important to you than your brother? Than having a relationship with Tiernan?” she asked with exasperation.

Aidan tilted his head, as though deeply considering her question before finally nodding. “It is. Leading the Federation is the most important thing in my life.”

Sadness and acceptance filled her. “I pity you, Aidan. Your mother didn’t raise you, but you appear to be just like her. Being in power is more important than family.”

Tiernan wore a stoic expression as he walked over to the nightstand to pick up the crossbow. Madison couldn’t help interceding as he turned to face them, stepping in front of Aidan. “You can’t do it, Tiernan. It will be hard enough for you to bear the guilt of turning him over to the tribunal.” As he secured a bolt, she put up her hands. “It goes against everything your mother believed in if you just arbitrarily mete out justice. You have to let the tribunal do it.”

He nodded. “Yes, I know.” Turning the crossbow so the bolt faced him, he held it out to her, pointing to the bottom. “This is the trigger mechanism. I’m going to go get some troops I know I can trust. If he moves an inch, I want you to shoot him.” Tiernan scowled at Aidan. “Preferably in a nonlethal way, but do what you have to.”

“Oh.” She took the crossbow from Tiernan, keeping the deadly side pointed at the man who could have been the uncle of her children and the brother Tiernan hadn’t known was missing for thirty-two years, if not for his own actions.

With the solid weight of the crossbow in her hand, she stared down at Aidan, disconcerted by the look he gave her. It was one of pleading…encouragement, even. She took a step forward as Tiernan walked toward the door, glancing back several times to check on her.

“Do it,” said Aidan as Tiernan put his hand on the knob. “You can’t let him bear the responsibility, Madison, or it will destroy him. Just like you said.”

Tiernan turned back, frowning. “Don’t speak, Aidan.” He pinned Madison with a steely gaze. “Promise me you won’t shoot him unless you have to, Madison.”

“Do this for him, Madison. Let me do this. I can’t give him anything else, except my death not on his conscience.” Aidan’s eyes gleamed with unshed tears. “Help me.”

She hesitated for only a second as she aimed the crossbow at Aidan’s heart, pressing the trigger before she could talk herself out of it. “I have to, my love.”

Aidan smiled as the bolt hit him, giving her a saucy wink. “I always thought you’d be good for him, Madison.” He turned his head to a horrified Tiernan, blood running from his mouth. “Don’t let her get away, brother.” He choked, spraying more blood. “And don’t hold this against her. She did you a kindness. Me too. I’m free of this obsession.” Those were his last words as he toppled to the floor.

Madison dropped the crossbow and ran to Tiernan, fearing how he would greet her. Would he turn away from her in disgust? She couldn’t regret what she’d done, knowing it had been the best way to protect Tiernan from having to make a horrible choice, but she prayed it wouldn’t cost them their future together.

After a second, he wrapped her in his arms, hugging her tightly. “You did it.” He spoke with obvious disbelief, but relief tinged his words, and then he cried softly while she cradled him against her.

“I would do anything to protect you,” she whispered, uttering the same words he’d once spoken to her and fully comprehending how much he’d meant them for the first time. She would do absolutely anything required to protect her family.