“I need proof.”
“Then I need something too.” I pulled my phone out and brought up Seven’s contact, showing it to him. “I’ll get you proof that she’s dead when you agree to my terms.”
“Which are?”
“How many Irish did you bring with you?” I relaxed my eyebrows so that he knew I wasn’t stupid. He’s not working alone. Jonas’s files told me as much. “Don’t try to play coy with me. McKinley’s boys are circling the blood in the water. So…how many?”
“I have the nephews. Promised them your brother’s head.”
“Oh, that’s not gonna happen, sweetie pea. I’ll put a bullet in your skull right now and suffer the consequences. It’ll be every man for himself. Or…wecould be business partners. A lot cleaner that way, don’t ya think?”
He sighed, shaking his head and grinning at me with one eye narrowed. “And what does Queen propose?”
“I give you the money. Slut up your whorehouse…andyoukill the nephews for me. I also buy out your‘stock’and train the girls myself. Everybody wins.”
“Buy them?”
I slipped down from the back of the pew and stretched casually, stepping into the aisle. “Yes. They’re mine. I pay you for what I need and help you make this business a success…you leave my family alone. Deal?”
He stewed for a minute and stared at my hand when I offered it. “I’ll do you one better.” He turned his chin over his shoulder, saying something in Russian to someone I couldn’t see past the doorway, and a minute later, the McKinley brothers stood next to him with several Russian grunts standing guard. “This is the girl.”
I’ve never had the pleasure of formal introductions with Zach McKinley. He was one of the possible prospects for me to be married off to, but obviously…never happened. Not my type anyway. He’s way too prissy. Not like Jonas…much worse. Prissy with a rich, college-kid attitude that reeks of frat house and club life. That’s where Zach fucked up. Club life isn’t the same as mob life. Not even close. You don’t even notice the trap door you’re standing on because you’re too worried about getting your shoes dirty. He looked at me with disgust. His brother Angus is younger. He’s a brat. I can tell. Takes one to know one. I jutted a hip out and put the girls on display.
“She’s definitely Malek’s sister. A shittier version of the little traitor.”
I guess that was all Mikhail needed to hear.
He gave an order I assumed meant to kill them off, and the two henchmen standing guard pulled their guns out and shot them both execution style. Blood and brain matter sprayed my face, and I nonchalantly wiped my eye, cocking my head at the big boss.
“Really?”
He shrugged. “Confirm the money. I don’t care about the old woman.”
Old woman…oh, I’m gonna have such a fantastic time killing you, fucker.
I dialed Seven and it rang four times.
“Bridge? What the hell is going on up there?”
“Hey…I need you to listen very carefully.” I kept eyes on the three men watching me way too closely. “No matter what happens…you have to do what I tell you. Understand?”
“Last time you told me that, you left me in a cell to go be a savior. I didn’t like it then and I like it even less right now.”
“Sev…Malek was telling the truth. This isn’t about him. I did this. I need you to get pissed at me. Get mad. Hate my guts. Whatever keeps you from blaming him for it. That generous donation was me. I’m the reason your mom is bleeding out on a table.”
“…what?”
My chest ached and I swallowed. “I’m not a hero, Sev. I’m a villain. I told you…I do bad things. Even when Itryto do good things, okay? This is my fault. Tell Vernon to give you the account number for the money. Send it to me. And tell Declan…fifteen grand.”
“This is why you’ve been on edge. It’s never been about him, has it?”
“It has. Maybe one day I can explain it to you…if you can ever forgive me.”
I heard her sniffle on the other end and I held my breath, begging my body not to betray me and bleed every emotion I’ve got.“Fifteen grand.”
“He’ll know what it means. Get the account number. Don’t look for me. Tell them I’m sorry…I never meant for any of this to happen.”
“Don’t you dare say the word goodbye. I’ll fuckin’ hate you for it.”
