I’m close enough to hear snippets from the asshole’s conversation, including a “yes, dear,” which makes me wonder just who the fuck is he talking to? Clenching my teeth, I decide it’s best to just walk forward and get past the damn coffee shop. After this, I’m going to vote we buy it and tear it down. I don’t give a fuck what Lio and Hollis would think about putting a coffee shop out of business.
Cautiously, I still keep a close eye on the asshole, and when he hangs up, for a moment, I think I’ll be in the clear, because he has to either get in the damn limo or go join Cecily. At least, that’s my thought until he turns right toward me.
“Ah, sir?”
Pretending to not recognize him, I respond with, “Yes? Can I help you?”
“Actually, you can.” He smiles widely at me, opening his suit jacket as he slides his phone inside his pocket. So smoothly, it almost takes me by surprise, I’m suddenly facing down a gun that he pulled with his other hand. “You can get in the limo with me, Antonio. I believe we should have a discussion.”
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.And double fuck. Yeah, there are not enough fucks for this. I carefully raise my hands and shake my head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. You’ve already pissed off the Council. Let’s not go crazy with things.”
“Get over here.” He gestures for me to come closer with the gun, but I shake my head. “Look, it’s already been a long fucking day, and I haven’t even had my coffee yet. Get over here or I'll shoot you. I’d rather not have to deal with the paperwork, but Cecily will make it go smoothly.”
I take a step backward, but end up with another gun at my back. Fucking guards. I didn’t even hear whoever is behind me get out of their car. Shit. Marcus is going to kill me. Jude…fuck. Shaking my head, I step forward, muttering, “Your funeral.”
“Stash him in the SUV. I don’t need to listen to Cecily screech at him,” he commands the man behind me, and I’m roughly grabbed and brought around to the cargo area of the SUV.
They give me a very rough and sloppy pat down, grabbing my gun, and then quickly zip tie my legs and hands before tossing me into the back. I’m actually somewhat impressed they managed it in the open parking lot, but hell, people just aren’t observant nowadays.
The man with the gun slides in beside me, so I can’t make any movements. I open my mouth to say something, but the man narrows his eyes at me, and I figure it’s not worth it to push him. Really, if they want to play this game, they’re fucking idiots. I still have the trackers on me. If anything, this works far better than putting them on the cars, which I’m sure Marcus has realized. Even if sacrificing your best friend seems a bit cruel.
Still, I’ll let them pull everything together and get me, Roman, and Lio out. Until then, I’ll deal with whatever these fuckers have planned. Their fatal error means we’ll have our Bosses back soon, too. Unless…shit. They wouldn’t hold me somewhere else, would they?
I don’t have time to panic, because the SUV starts up and we’re reversing out of the parking spot. Fuck. I should have at least grabbed breakfast before seeing Leandro. Damn if I’m doing that kid a favor again. I yawn and get as comfortable as possible. There isn’t shit I can do about it right now. Lesson learned though, maybe hesitating isn’t the worst thing I could do…
What did I do to get such useless children?Pacing behind my desk, I fight the urge to not order Cecily into my office so I can put a bullet in her. Unfortunately, if I want to keep my legacy going, this is the only way. At least, that is going well.
Lachlan has taken up the mantle as if he was born to lead, and I am impressed. Already we are seeing record profits, and getting footholds in territories my father and grandfather only dreamed about. This is the legacy those before me should have strived for. Instead, they grew weak and complacent, allowing others to push them to the side until they were all but forgotten in the city’s bloody history.
First, it was allowing the O’Connel Family to become the premier Irish Organization. Then the fucking Italians decided to claim their stake, followed by the Russians… At least, theMartellis were good forsomething. Eliminating the O’Connels was the only good thing that Family did during their reign.
Now? I will crush what is left of the Martelli, De Luca, and Amato farce. A Council? Unheard of, and a slap in the face to the men who bled and died for them all to have the positions they falsely claim.
Too bad Kieran had to be taken care of. The kid was at least good for something…I could have used his intellect to get out of this mess right now. Sadly, he made too many mistakes. That, and he would never have agreed to marry—even for appearances. Despite what Allesandro Martelli and Cristian Amato tried to portray, men of their persuasion cannot hold positions of power. Look at what happened to them, ousted by the very people they trusted. And Roman Amato is a bigger disgrace than his father ever was. Despicable.
“Sir?”Cecily’s voice is hesitant over the line.
“I am trying to understand how I raised not one but two fuck-ups,” I respond cooly. “Because surely you didn’t get so complacent that you became predictable to our enemies… What if they brought in their forces to kidnap or take you out?”
She scoffs.“They want their precious Council members back too much for that. Lachlan saw an opportunity and he took it. Do I agree? Perhaps not, but you can’t deny it is a boon. We have their Ghost. Think of the secrets I can get from him.”
“You’re not taking him to where you’re keeping the other two, are you?”
“I’m not a novice, Father. I’m a little insulted you would ask. Of course, I’m not. I have a place I can work him over.”
“Very well. You have two days to extract information from him. If you don’t come up with something useful in that time…I will seriously consider your usefulness. In the meantime, I think I will go visit our other guests.”
Cecily laughs.“Oh, I wish I could be there, it’s been a while since I’ve seen you work.”
I hum but otherwise don’t respond. I don’t have time for such silly games. “Very well. Forty-eight hours, Cecily.”
“It’ll be done, sir.”
Walking into the sitting room—where apparently we’re having family meetings from now on—with Nicolo and Nario, I make a beeline for Hollis and Tennant. Hol takes one look at the cane in my hand and stands, setting his tablet aside.
Holding him in my arms, feeling the strength in his slimmer frame, a rush of what feels like relief washes over me. Finding him panicking and bleeding in his office, holding him as he broke apart, then as Doc drugged him… Those images will never leave my head. Hollis is the strong one, the one who holds us all together. To see him fall apart… It’s a horror I never want to face again.
“You okay?” he asks.
