“I’m working on it. I’m not proud of how I acted, but I’m trying to do better. Besides, if you come back, I’ll make sure you get a raise too. A big one at that.”
That earns me a laugh. “Sure that’s not just the guilt talking?”
“Maybe. But it doesn’t make the money any less real.”
Stephen exhales.
“All right, I’ll come back. But if you throw another punch at me again, my wife will be pressing charges.”
Now it’s my turn to laugh. “That’s fair. See you later today.”
After I end the call, I toss the phone onto the desk and sit back, dragging both hands through my hair.
I might have cleaned up one disaster, but I feel little relief because I sense the next one brewing.
Sure enough, my phone starts buzzing again barely a minute after I hang up on Stephen, but this time it’s a call from Angus O’Malley.
I frown. I haven’t heard anything from Angus since our meeting in Vegas, so I can’t help but wonder the meaning behind this call.
I put the call on speaker. “Angus, what can I do for you?”
“Just checkin’ in. Wanted to see ifye’re still breathing.”
I huff a laugh. “Barely. Shit is hitting the fan left, right, and center.”
“I hope foryersake it’s metaphorical shit.”
“At this point, I wish it wasn’t. It would be a hell of a lot easier to clean up than what I’m having to deal with.”
“Yebetter start talkin’, Sullivan.”
So, I do.
I lay it all out for Angus, filling him in not just on Declan’s betrayal and the ambush at the wharf, but the fact that there’s a possibility of a mole among my own ranks.
When I finish, Angus whistles low under his breath. “Jesus.Ye’ve gotyerhands full.”
“No kidding.”
“Yereally think someone on the inside tipped him off?”
“I don’t just think, I know. Walsh has been a step ahead too many times, and after what happened at the docks with my shipment… I dread to think what he’s going to learn next.”
“Fuck.”
“Exactly.”
There’s a long silence on the other end of the line.
“I need someone outside of my circle on this. Someone who can dig without raising suspicion. My brothers and I can’t investigate my own people without them noticing, and I can’t afford for any more whispers to circulate.”
“Anymore?”
“Let’s just say a lot of people are watching me right now.”
“Well, that was always going to happen.Yehave very big shoes to fill, Ronan.”
“I’m aware. So, what do you think?”
