"We can't stay on graveyard duty," I start.
Liam's green eyes flare hot. He sneers, "This is what you called me here for?"
"Just listen," Sean says.
Liam's gaze narrows. He crosses his arms. His jaw twitches.
I step closer and lower my voice, even though the room is safe. "We are involved in something."
"No shit," he barks.
"We can't tell you everything right now."
"Jesus Christ, you two! I'm getting sick of this dog and pony show!" he roars.
I hold up my hand. "Just shut up a minute so you can understand what's happening!"
"You'd better watch your mouth," he warns.
I take a deep breath.
Sean interjects in a calmer tone. "Liam, please sit down."
He turns his scowl on him.
Sean points to his seat. "Sit here." Then he takes the chair across the desk and taps the one next to him. "Sit, Brax."
I obey, and Liam reluctantly does too. His glare intensifies.
I start, "What we're about to tell you can't leave this room. Not now, maybe ever. Understand?"
He leans closer. "Keep talking."
Sean informs, "The world my dad created is bigger than anything you'd ever imagined, and has representation from every crime family. Governments know about it and royalty bows to it."
Liam doesn't move.
I put my elbows on the desk. "We're taking it down. All we can tell you right now is we can't be on the graveyard shift. Relieve us of all duties, and when this is over, we'll take whatever punishment you want to give us. But if we don't do this, everything is at risk, including the clan."
He breathes through his nose.
Sean adds, "You have to trust us."
He scoffs. "I'm supposed to trust you right now?"
"Yeah. We're O'Malleys. If you didn't, deep down, still know that we wouldn't be sitting here. We'd already be in our graves," I claim.
A moment passes, then he asserts, "I need to know more."
"Sorry. This is all we can say right now," Sean reiterates.
Liam grinds his molars.
Sean rises. He goes to a picture, moves it, and a safe appears. "I'm going to write down the code. Memorize it. If anything happens to us, everything you want to know will be inside."
Liam's chest lifts high. He releases it and rises. "Fine. Give me the code."
Sean goes to his desk and writes it. He hands it to him.
