Brody’s eyes sharpen. “And what’s that?”
I reveal my ace. “Acceptance with the Irish Kings.”
Chapter 25
Brody
My mind swims as I attempt to process Trinity’s offer.
I’d certainly add value to the Irish Kings. My knowledge of the family, coupled with my western connections, would serve as a major asset to the New York operation. No question.
“You’d have to denounce the Port Kings and swear fealty to Finn, of course.” Trinity tacks on the fine print. “But if Declan wants you dead for botching this job, I’d say that’s a moot point.”
Pressing my fingers to my throbbing temples, I wait for my head to explode.
I don’t like the vulnerable position I’m in, physically or metaphysically. My body’s as messed up as my position with my father.
Trinity’s managed to sniff out all of my weaknesses and figure out how to use them to her advantage. And since I’m not in the best shape at the moment, I can only come out on top by outsmarting her.
Her offer pisses me off…mostly because it’s a damn good deal.
Could I turn my back on my family, though?
Loyalty is everything.That’s the phrase Declan and the men in his orbit have shoved down my throat since birth.
In reality, I’ve been nothing but loyal to my father, and I have little to show for it.
Whether I like it or not, Trinity’s right. If I don’t deliver her to Declan, more than just my credibility as an enforcer will be on the line. My father will finally have a perfectly good reason to put a bullet between my eyes, and I’m not super keen on that.
No matter how I envision myself sharing the news with Declan that things got out of hand, it always ends the same. With him cutting me loose, either from his circle or from life altogether. As desperately as I crave my father’s approval, I can’t deny that Trinity’s proposal tempts me. Or admit that the idea of betraying the man who treats me like a dog fills me with secret satisfaction.
Call me an anarchist, but a hidden appetite deep within my soul begs me to burn everything down and run. Create a new family, find a job that suits me, disappear from this world I was born into, and start completely over somewhere else.
Joining the Irish Kings doesn’t exactly fulfill that fantasy, but the idea does scratch the chaotic itch inside me.
Truthfully, I’ve never considered betraying Declan before, but not because I’m a good son. As I’m starting to realize, I just never had the opportunity.
Becoming a traitor has never before had any potential upsides.
Until now.
A few months ago, I would have spit on an offer like this and considered it a trap. But now? Maeve, deliriously in love with Kellin, pops into my mind. She’s basically part of the NYC clan, and she’s never been happier in her life.
It doesn’t seem impossible that I could earn a spot too. With Maeve and Trinity to advocate for me, I shouldn’t have a problem?—
My brain abruptly switches tracks, flipping all my thoughts upside down.
I’m so stupid. Why didn’t I see it before?
Instead of joining the other team, this is the perfect opportunity to earn Declan’s approval.
If I pretend to ally myself with Trinity—make herthinkI’m changing sides—she’ll lower her guard around me, maybe even trust me. I desperately need that. I need her to stay with me of her own volition since I can’t guarantee I’ll be able to run her ass down if she bolts.
Not for a good day or two, at least. This leg hurts like a bitch.
Once I recover enough, I’ll have to drag her to wherever Declan has in mind. If I’mreallygood, I can ride my ship-jumping act to an easy shot at Finn Gallagher himself, and if I kill Finn, Declan will have toacknowledge me. He’ll have no choice.
A little voice in the back of my mind says that killing Finn is a bad idea on so many levels. I’d start a war between the Irish Kings and the Port Kings. And Trinity? If she doesn’t hate me now, she certainly would if I murdered her brother.
