This isn’t over yet.
I can understand, and maybe even forgive Brendan for trying to kill me, but he put my wife and child in danger. That’s unforgivable. I’ll rip this city apart until I find him and end him.
CHAPTER 61
Cian
Half eaten lunch dishes litter the table before us, even though it’s far past afternoon. Through the windows, dark storm clouds spit on the city streets as the sun sets with an eerie glow. For the past few hours we’ve been sorting through what information we have available to us.
Early today, Brendan spread word far and wide about how he killed me. He may as well have placed an announcement on the front page of the paper. Everyone knows of my supposed demise. We’re dead. We plan to stay that way for as long as possible.
The Manor staff have been very accommodating of our special circumstances and requirements. They’ve delivered us clothing and other essentials. Most importantly, they’ve remained tight-lipped about the fact that we’re under their roof. Hidden away.
Blake scrolls on his phone, reading the text. “My little birdies—” his informants “—say your gang is divided. Some followed Brendan, while others have fled the compound. Ah, it seems your man Wolfe is gathering them to him as we speak.”
“And where’s that?” I ask the man who seems to know everyone’s business in this city.
“Two sources sent word that they’re on Monahan turf.”
I scowl in thought. “Do we think the Monahans will get their hands dirty and help us overthrow Brendan, or are they only providing a safe house for Wolfe and the rest of the men?”
Dimitri speaks up, “Do you need the Monahans? I thought the reason for you two marrying,” he glances at Ravenna, then back to me, “was to unite the Pontrelli family and your Gaelic Devils. If you need men, isn’t Maximo Pontrelli supposed to have your back?”
“He’s supposed to,” I confirm.
“I’ve just heard back from him.” Roman scowls. “He says because you’re dead, his consigliere and underboss advise against involving them in an Irish turf war. But, he’s offered to help with the aftermath. He’ll smooth things over with the authorities once this is over.”
“I suppose that’s better than nothing.” Though it’s far less backing than I expected.
“Fuck them,” Dimitri spits out. “You don’t need them. The Kozlov Bratva will be at your side and we’ll get this over with tonight.” He squeezes Arianna’s hand as she gazes worriedly at him.
I’m disappointed, to say the least, that since Maximo Pontrelli thinks I’m dead, he’s unwilling to stand by the treaty’s terms agreed on by his predecessor. I’m also not about to tell him I’m alive and well. The more people who know that, the sooner the rumor will start spreading.
Wolfe may have already sought help from Maximo, and when turned away he went to the Monahans.
In my mind, this reconfigures who I’m aligning myself with and who I don’t give a fuck about. Maximo better never come crawling to me for help. I’ll return the favor by lining some politicians pockets and call it good. The Monahans, however, have just gained another ounce of my respect. I’ll owe them big for this—assuming we all survive.
“I need to contact Wolfe. We need to coordinate with him, the Monahans, and Dimitri’s brotherhood. Most of the traitors will be at the compound, including Brendan. We should have enough men to surround it and take it by force.”
“If that’s the plan, then I have toys I’d like to play with,” Blake says. “You don’t mind a little structural damage to the place, do you?”
“Not if it’s necessary. Just don’t hit the garage.”
“Deal,” he drawls.
“I’m going to call Wolfe. It’s time.” I march over to the landline phone and dial his number. The first time I call, it goes to voicemail. He probably thinks it’s spam. So I call again, and again. Normally, I’d leave a message, but in case his phone isn’t with him, I don’t need anyone else hearing what I have to say. Or discovering I’m alive.
On the fourth try, he finally picks up with a snarled, “What?”
“Good to hear your voice, too.”
A long pause crackles through the line. “I knew you weren’t fucking dead.” Wolfe laughs.
“Thanks to Ravenna, but that’s another story.”
“Is she still alive too?”
“Yes. We’re both fine. Listen, is it true you’re with the Monahans?”
