“You know what happens to traitors in this family.”
He was a big guy, able to take the abuse. He wasn’t gloating, the look in his eyes unreadable. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know I was a traitor.”
“Who did you tell about the cargo shipment and the dinner I had?” The list could go on and on.
“Nobody who would say anything. I swear to God.” His expression was one of fear, but there was something off about it.
“Who did you tell?”
“I…”
He was worried for the person he’d told. “Tell me, Tommy. Was this a mistake?”
When I pulled out my weapon, he pleaded with me with his eyes. “Please.”
“Then talk to me. Who was it? If you didn’t betray us, the person you told did.”
“She wouldn’t do that.”
“She?” Now he had my attention.
“My sister.”
“Your sister,” Montgomery said as he flanked my side. “Should that mean something to us?”
“Yes. Because she works for the family.”
“What?” I pushed, able to see he wasn’t lying.
As he spat off word for word what had been said and who his sister worked for, all four brothers of the Prince family looked at each other.
The Brotherhood.
“Why in the hell were you so cryptic on the phone?” Greg asked as he slipped across from me in the booth.
We’d come to the hole in the wall bar a few times years before. We’d chatted about business, old times, and women. Now I had to wonder if everything we’d discussed starting from the day we’d met had been all about gathering information.
Thankfully, I’d learned from an early age never to supply direct information about our family’s operation. Just general terms. Maybe that’s why our friendship had ultimately gone south.
“I took the liberty of ordering a whiskey for you.” On cue, the drink was slammed down in front of him. I didn’t take my eyes off him. I tried to remember the last time I’d seen Greg in anything but a collared shirt and tie.
As if it mattered.
“Oh, this must be serious,” he said after taking a gulp. “What did you do, have them finally stock the good shit?”
“Something like that.” When I didn’t respond to his smile, it faded.
“What is this about, Sin? Are you going to try and strong-arm me into pushing the Johnsons into accepting your offer? You know I can’t do that legally. I’d lose my license to practice law.”
I took my time answering. “Where is it, Greg?”
“Where is what?”
The whiskey was tasting good. I allowed him to sweat while I took another swallow. “The emblem of your servitude.” Swirling the glass, I glanced down at what I was doing.
“I don’t understand.”
“To the Brotherhood.” I slowly lifted my gaze, watching the color drain from his face.
