26 Two weeks later , Saoirse was leaving her doctor's appointment when they struck . Three men , professionals . They knew her route , knew her security patterns . Delphine had been thorough . But they didn't know about the Brennan training . Even five months pregnant with twins , Saoirse was lethal . She killed two before the third got his knife in her shoulder . Her security finished him , but the damage was done . I found her at our private clinic , pale but furious . " The babies ? " I asked , terror in my voice . " Fine . I'm fine . But Delphine won't be ." " We can't prove it was her- " " I don't need proof . " She tried to sit up , winced . " That bitch tried to kill our children . " " Saoirse- " " No ! " Her eyes blazed . " She declared war . In our world , that has consequences . " Vincent arrived within the hour , took one look at his daughter , and nodded . " Handle it however you need to . You have Brennan backing . " But Delphine had disappeared . Fled to the Italians , we discovered . Taking information about our operations with her . " She planned this , " Declan reported . " Been copying files , documenting shipments . If she gives that to our enemies ... " " She already has , " I said grimly . " Russo's been moving on our territories all week . " " Then we go to war , " Saoirse said from her bed . " All of them . Russo , the Italians , anyone who shelters that snake . " " You're in no condition- " She grabbed my shirt , pulled me close . " That bitch tried to murder our babies . I'll burn this whole city down before I let that stand . " The war was brutal but short . The Brennan - O'Sullivan alliance was too strong , our rage too focused . Russo fell first , found in pieces in his own restaurant . The Italians , seeing the writing on the wall , gave up Delphine's location . We found her in a safe house by the docks , bags packed for Europe . " Going somewhere ? " Saoirse asked . Despite my protests , she'd insisted on coming . Seven months pregnant and she still moved like a predator . Delphine's hand went to her own swollen belly . " You wouldn't . Not when I'm pregnant . " " You tried to kill my children , " Saoirse said simply . " Did you think pregnancy would protect you ? " " Cillian , please- " " You made your choice , " I said . " You could have had everything . Protection , comfort , family . Instead you chose war . " " Your father would be disgusted . Letting your whore murder his grandchild- " The shot was clean , precise . Delphine crumpled . Saoirse lowered her gun . " My children will sleep safe now . " I looked at the woman I loved - fierce , protective , uncompromising . " No regrets ? " " None . You ? " " She chose her path . " " Yes . She did . " We left together , stepping over the cooling body . In our world , you protected your own . Everything else was just details .