Ro: Don’t forget about Friday.Did you get reservations?
Me: How can I forget when you remind me daily?Yes, reservations have been made.Hayes took care of it.What’s so special about this year?When have I ever dropped the ball on this tradition?
Ro: Sorry.I heard there’s a new principal dancer, and I can’t wait to see her perform.Plus, this is the first year you’ve gotten us opening-night tickets with dancer meet and greets.
Me: I like to spoil you.
She sends back a string of heart emojis, and I chuckle as I turn away from the view overlooking both clubs that are closed for the night.We aren’t open on Sundays and Mondays.
“Hello, Paddy.”My uncle’s thick Irish brogue breaks through my thoughts.I look up and smile at him.
“Hello, Broderick.How is AintínEireen doing?”I hate that whenever I ask about her, his body tightens up like he’s embarrassed by her.I’m not.Some people struggle with their mental health, and she’s safe now.
“Her nurses said she is doing well.She has started painting.”
“That’s good.I’ve heard art can be soothing and even healing for some conditions.I remember she used to like going to the ballet too.”
Every year, I try to convince him to let me take her to the ballet, but he won’t let her out.Supposedly, she won’t see any of us and has tried to kill herself numerous times.
I think it’s time I go see her myself.As the head of the family, her care is something I should be involved in, and after hearing rumors that Broderick has taken a mistress, I need to be even more attentive.She was my dad’s baby sister.
“What is this meeting about?”Broderick asks, taking the seat to my left.When JJ and Jordon walk in, they each greet him.As Jordon sits to my right in the second seat next to JJ, Broderick turns to me.“Have there been organizational changes I’m not aware of?”
“Broderick, Jordon moving into my enforcer position was going to happen eventually, so I made the decision recently.”
He huffs and pulls out his phone, tapping away while we wait.By the time everyone files into the room, I’m ready to get out of here.I don’t like being questioned.Broderick knows that.In the fifteen years he’s been my advisor, I’ve made it clear not to question me.Especially not in front of people.It’s the first sign of distrust, and I won’t tolerate it.
Once everyone is seated, I stand up.Hayes walks in and closes the doors.He and I pace around the room.I know it’s making the others nervous, but I don’t care.
“Thank you for taking time out of your shortened week, with the Thanksgiving holiday coming up.I appreciate it.Once you hear what I have to say, you’ll agree this meeting was necessary.”I move back to the head of the table.“As you all know, several months ago a couple members of my family tried to start a war with the other families.”I slam my hand on the table and look each of them in the eye, watching for the ones who shift.“I won’t stand for treason in this organization.If I find out you partook in any conversations against the family, there won’t be a second chance.”
“Why would you think it extended past Jimmy and Johnny?”Broderick asks.
I turn to him.“Johnny confessed to Jordon that he had supporters.He told Jordon there’s a safety deposit box.”I give him the information we agreed to share in order to lay the trap.“We just found the location.Jordon will be going to get the information.”
I return my focus to the dozen men around the table.“Now is your chance to confess, and I’ll let you walk out of here with your life.If I find out later, the repercussions will be worse.”
“Paddy, are you sure—” Broderick starts.
“That includes everyone at this table,” I snap.“You are responsible for your own soldiers.Clean house.Now, leave.”I turn my back on them, but I watch their reflections in the glass.Hayes, JJ, and Jordon won’t let anyone take advantage of my back being turned.
No one comes forward, but Broderick lingers.I turn around and cross my arms over my chest.My sleeves are rolled, and the muscles in my arms flex.
“I’m only going to say this one more time, Broderick.Don’t question me in front of my men again.”
“Young man, you will lose their respect if you doubt them like this.Besides, we all know Jimmy was seeking a higher position in the family.”
A chair scrapes across the floor, and JJ stands to his full height.His arms strain against his shirt as he holds in his anger.“We don’t talk ill of the dead, Broderick.My father wasn’t a good man.We all know that.But he’s dead now, and we’re cleaning up the mess left behind.Paddy doesn’t have to explain to anyone why he does what he does, least of all you.You either stand with this family or against it.”
Jordon moves to his brother’s side, and I have to admit I’m glad for the decisions I’ve been making lately.Since I stopped seeking counsel only from Broderick, we’ve made more money and built better relationships with the other organizations.
“You are excused, Broderick.”
“Are you demoting me?Cutting me off?”He shoots to his feet, his chair sliding backward.
“No.You are still family.But until I get confirmation from that list in the security box, I don’t trust anyone.Just a couple of weeks ago, we found several bugs in my home office.”
“Well… um…” he stutters, making me doubt him for the first time.
