It’s the last place anyone would expect me to visit, which is exactly why I asked my brothers to meet me here. I don’t like to be predictable in my movements because you never know who’s watching.
The interior of the pub is dim and narrow, and I have to duck my head as I enter. The low hum of conversation fills the air, as well as the clink of pint glasses. The walls are lined with old bookcases, some of which cover up passageways into the abandoned deli next door, as well as a basement room below.
I stalk past the bar toward the row of booths at the back of the pub, where I find my brothers waiting, all of them wearing identical grim expressions.
Fucking great.
Brennan raises a hand as I approach the table.
“About time.” He forces a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes.
I signal to the bartender to bring me a drink before sliding into the booth beside Kieran.
“I had to take care of something.”
Kieran smirks as he runs a calloused finger around the rim of his rocks glass. “Let me guess, trouble at home?”
“Something like that.”
They don’t press, so I force the conversation ontobusiness, needing to distract myself from thoughts of my father as well as my wife. Kieran fills me in on our new shipment routes as a result of some shit that went down at the docks.
“People have been sniffing around. Thought it best to switch things up, just in case.”
I nod before taking a sip of my own drink.
“Any idea who it is?” Brennan asks.
“Nothing concrete, but I have a feeling it’s the McKennons.” He scoffs. “Fucking snakes, sniffing around our territory.”
I let my brothers do most of the talking, adding suggestions only when my silence is starting to draw attention.
I should tell them about the encrypted payments, but my gut is telling me to keep them to myself until I know for sure what I’m dealing with. But that doesn’t mean that the weight of the secrets I’m keeping isn’t starting to take its toll.
My silence hasn’t gone unnoticed as I suddenly blink, not even realizing I’ve been staring at my glass, to find all of my brothers’ eyes on me.
“How are things with Ciara?” Brennan glances at me over his pint of Guinness.
I tense, thinking of the way she flinched when I insulted her father to her face,again.
“It’s not Ciara that’s the issue.” I run a hand over my jaw. “It’s her brother.”
“You’re only realizing this now?” Kieran snickers.
“He thinks he’s entitled to more.”
Brennan scoffs. “You better be joking.”
“He keeps asking what our plan is to restore his family name.”
“I’d be more than happy to show him our plan.” Kieran smirks as he taps his jacket pocket where I know his gun is hidden.
“Easy.” I hold up a hand.
Cormac frowns. “Do you think Callum is planning something?”
He’s been quieter than usual during this meeting, but I’m not surprised. After all, he’s been away from the business for years, and a lot of things have changed in that time. But if we have any chance of holding on to our empire, he needs to start familiarizing himself with our affairs as soon as possible.
I nod. “I’d bet money on it. I’m half-expecting him to make a move.”
