“I’m not upset that we got Noa, since she’s part of the Cartel, but this opens up more issues.” Sloan reached over and grabbed the back of Conall’s neck, massaging. Conall’s lashes fluttered and he hummed in delight. He was already right next to the boss, but he still shuffled the chair to get closer. “Cillian, Aspen, Jamie, and Corbin, I want you to go back to Miami. Now. Handle this situation. Kill Joaquin if it’s the last thing you do.”
The four guys looked at each other and nodded in answer. Each said their own version of “yes, sir” and “aye, Boss.”
“The plane is waiting. Go.” Sloan waved his hand, and they got up, leaving the table immediately. I wasn’t sure if I would see them when I got home because while they would need to go back to the house and pack again, I doubted it would take them long. So, I smiled at Aspen before he left the room, and he nodded in response. I was sure they would say goodbye to Vail and Fallon, though, and that was something.
I glanced around at Fionn, Daire, and Ardan. They kept their attention on Sloan. The silence in the room was deafening, but regardless of the tension, I didn’t miss the way Fionn’s hand slid toward Daire’s, and Daire’s pinky tickled Fionn’s wrist. I smiled, unable to help myself. Love was a beautiful thing, and it was never something that should be hidden. But I also understood the new feeling. Fallon and I were like two fumbling teenagers, and while I should hate the uncertainty, I enjoyed every second. It was fresh and exciting, and taking it slow meant I could get to know him in a way that would reward us in the future. He deserved all the romance in the world.
“While they deal with the shitfest in Miami, we have to handle New York.” Sloan released his hold on Conall’s neck and leaned backward, stroking his chin. “Noa’s death won’t be without consequences. Reyes will come for us again.” He shot Conall a quick look and his mouth went tight. “He’ll come for our loved ones. But that isn’t the only thing we need to worry about.”
Ardan cleared his throat. “Noa was the sister of Santiago Garcia. Some of you might know him as Fenrir. He rides with the Norse Lords. He loves his sisters.”
“Your ex?” I remembered Ardan talking about Santiago more than once. They were somewhat friends, too, with Ardan using Santiago’s help a few times. Having allies on the other coast came in handy.
He winced. “Yes.”
“This isn’t good for us or our relationship with the Lords. If Fenrir decides he wants revenge, the president of the club will no doubt support him.” Sloan rubbed his temple and sighed. “The only positive we have from this is that he will be angry at Thiago.”
“Santi never wanted his sister to be part of the Cartel. He begged her not to help their cousin,” Ardan said. “He will put half the blame on Reyes as well.”
Daire made a sound of interest. “Whether he’ll go after us or Thiago for revenge remains to be seen.”
Ardan shook his head, letting out a strangled laugh that reminded me of a hurt bird. It was also out of character for him because he was usually reserved and quiet. “He’ll come for us. When, we won’t know. Santi’s more calculating than Thiago. He waits for the opportune moment. He’s a hitman and good at it, too.”
“Right now, we need to focus on Thiago and his plans. He’s more likely to react out of anger.” Sloan’s jaw tightened. “Which is why I propose we send the ones we love away for a while.”
“Bullshit,” Conall snapped, shooting to his feet. He slammed his hand on the table before pointing at Sloan. “No. I know what you’re doing, and you can kiss my pale arse because I’m not fucking going anywhere. You hear me?”
“Sit down, pet.” Sloan’s eyes sparked with rage as he looked at Conall.
“No. I’m not doing it, Sloan. I’m not going anywhere.”
“This is different, pet.”
“It’s no different from anything else we’ve been through. I’m part of the Company andyour pet. I’m not going anywhere. My spot is at your side. Always.”
Something deep and meaningful passed between them. It was wordless and the softening of Sloan’s gaze made my own stomach warm as I thought about Vail and Fallon in another room. As much as I wanted to send them to safety, it wasn’t an option. Like Conall, they would fight the orders. I also didn’t know how I would cope in the house alone, which was selfish but true. They made coming home a fantastic experience. Theywerehome.
Sloan stood and cupped Conall’s face, dragging him into an intense kiss, and Conall moaned into his mouth. It was short, but a combination of sweet and sexy, and when Sloan was done, he seemed a little happier than moments ago.
Sloan nodded at Conall’s chair, and wordlessly, Conall did as he was directed and sat back down. Sloan stayed standing, though, staring around at the five of us who remained, before laying his hands on the table. “Gentlemen, Reyes will attack in retaliation, and he will not only go after our businesses, but our family. We must be ready. All of us. Round up the men and let them know. Our protection of product and people must always be at one hundred percent. We need to hunker down, put more guns in the hands of Company men, and add more security to our cash houses and businesses. I want more men at the whorehouses and on the streets patrolling our territory. Is that understood?”
We all nodded in answer.
He straightened again and unbuttoned his suit jacket. “Good. A lot of things are happening, and we need to keep on top of all of them. Ardan, Fionn is close to finally catching the rat.”
Ardan’s eyebrows rose high on his forehead, and he glanced at Fionn. I didn’t know if he was more shocked because it was Fionn making a big play, or because they’d finally gotten there after years of dead ends. The deceased detective, who’d had information on the Company through a rat, had been clever in hiding her informants. If there was one thing we could say about Detective Diaz, it was that she had been dedicated.
Fionn puffed out his chest, and I smiled at him.Good for you, lad.“We have a video of Diaz and the rat meeting together. It wasn’t easy to get. This was five years or more ago and not many people keep security footage for that long, but they were stupid and met across from an investment bank with a manager who’s notorious for keeping up to ten years of recordings. Now we’ve got an IT guy cleaning up the visuals so we can see who it is. We should have a name within an hour or two.”
“And when he does, I want you to be ready, Ardan.” Sloan pointed at him.
Fionn straightened. “Uncle, I deserve to finish the job.”
“Do you?” Sloan rested against his chair and propped his elbow on the table. He studied Fionn carefully, and all I could do was watch as the tension rose from the staring match between uncle and nephew.
I shifted uncomfortably and, finally, cleared my throat. “Boss, do ye need me here? Because if ye don’t—”
Sloan shot me a glance and waved his hand. “I need you to go to the city tonight, Rowen. I want the men mobilizednow. We don’t have time to wait around.”
