Wasn’t that the truth.
“Whoever is supporting Elias behind the curtain and assisted in stealing your shipments is behind it all.” It makes me wonder if it is the mysterious person who also put it in Christian’s head to murder his own father. After Matthias took the port, Elias’s donor would have been furious and looking for the next best thing.
“You think the same person is backing Christian?” Matthias doesn’t sound convinced. “Why? What is the motivation?”
“You.”
Crickets.
More crickets.
Maybe I short circuited his wiring.
“Whoever is pulling Christian strings is connected.” I don’t wait for him to respond, plus, the silence is making make me uncomfortable. “And has enough money to fund the operation without any of the Ward assets.”
“You sure it isn’t Dante?”
Fair question, but Matthias doesn’t know about the tension between the uncle and his nephew.
“Definitely not,” I assure him, leaning forward on my elbows and rubbing the bridge of my nose. The conversation is giving me a headache. Too much remembering. “At the funeral, Dante was ready to pull support from Christian. The only reason he hasn’t is because he thinks someone under your command is the one who killed Libby.”
“And you didn’t think to tell him otherwise while you were at the funeral?”
I smile. So, he did check in on me.
“I hinted that it was someone in his own organization.” I grun smugly. “But without solid evidence, he isn’t going to my word that his own nephew had his brother and niece killed.”
Matthias huffs out a frustrated breath.
“So, what do you need from me?” he asks. “I assume that’s the reason why Kavanaugh had you call. Thought you’d relay his plan better?”
Anger bubbles in my veins. It isn’t my biological father’s plan. It is mine.
My findings.
My plans.
My idea to bring this stupid asshole in on it.
“No,” I grit my teeth. “He wanted me to call because it ismyplan, and it unfortunately needs you.”
“Oh really?”
Smug bastard is smiling. I just know it.
“Yep,” I smack the ‘p’. “So, feel free to come on down to McDonough’s tomorrow night and have a chat with us. Might even get some free drinks while you’re at it. Might throw in some free food, too.”
Matthias chuckles. Actually chuckles. Not a fake one or one void of humor.
My heart aches to hear it again.
“You think I am dumb enough to walk into an Irish bar unarmed?”
“Did I say anything about weapons?” I ask him as I stand from my stool and walk around the opposite side of the bar. A drink is definitely needed after this conversation. “If you’re really that scared, bring a hoard of weapons for all I care. Just be here at seven. And Matthias…” I pause for a moment, letting the silence hang between us. “I’d deflate that ego of yours just a tad bit before you come. Doorway is a little narrow so you might not fit if you don’t.”
Then I hang up.
A small, triumphant smile graces my lips before my thoughts turn sour, causing it slip. Sighing, I take a sip of my beer and wonder if he’ll actually show.
