“Get a grip.” Now is not the time to let irrational thoughts distract me.
I manage to get through two double espressos by the time all my brothers arrive.
Brennan reeks of booze.
“We don’t have time for distractions. I need your head in the game, Brennan.”
“I was networking.”
Kieran sinks onto the couch and throws his arm over the back of it. “Is that what the kids call it these days?”
“Can you just get to the point?” Brennan mutters as he takes one of the armchairs and starts rubbing his temples, looking seconds away from emptying his stomach on the carpet. “What’s this intel you have, Kieran?”
The air in the room shifts, and any amusement on Kieran’s face vanishes as he looks over at me.
“I’ve got it on good authority that there’s a hit being planned tonight. Declan is going after our arms shipment—the one we’ve already sold and taken payment for.”
Fuck.
Brennan almost seems to sober up. “If they intercept that, it’s over. We’ll lose more than money; we’ll lose face.”
I run a hand through my hair. “I’m aware of that.”
I didn’t think this could get any worse, and yet here we are. If Kieran is right, I will not only lose millions of dollars but also important business associates who have worked with my family for generations.
A few sources of mine are wondering if you’re in over your head.
Lorcan’s words echo in my mind as I stalk to the desk and sink into my chair, trying to keep my anger in check when all I want to do is tear my office apart.
Cormac perches on the desk and folds his arms over his chest. “What’s our next move?”
I turn to Kieran. “I need every available man on this.”
Brennan looks between me and Kieran. “Declan’s army is massive.”
I grind my teeth so hard my jaw starts to ache. “Are you done stating the obvious? I know what I’m up against.”
“What I mean is, there’s a chance he has other allies, other families, who likely want a piece of our downfall.”
Kieran shakes his head. “Really helping there, Brennan.”
Cormac ignores my brothers. “So, we send in every man we have?”
My mind races through every possible scenario. “We can’t leave ourselves exposed elsewhere.”
“Fuck, you’re right. It’s probably what Declan is hoping for.”
I nod. “We need to be smart about this.”
Kieran cracks his knuckles. “We could deploy early. Set traps and hit them before they hit us.”
Brennan shakes his head. “And risk blowing our position too soon? What if they’re waiting for us to do exactly that?”
Cormac looks between us. “What if we have no choice? We’re cornered.”
Hell, no. “We’re not cornered yet. We’re going to protect that shipment with everything we’ve got. Kieran, mobilize every available man. I want our guys in place early to secure the location and set up diversions. Ideally, I want to ambush Declan’s men if we can.”
Kieran pulls his phone out of his pocket and starts furiously tapping the screen. “If we can get intel about their movements, we might have a shot at turning this around.”
