“Proof. That the president’s in bed with both the Favaros and the Albanians, Aidan. There’s blackmail material, too, if you choose to make use of it.”
O’Donnelly started pacing.
“We, as a family, understand your future plans and wanted to advise you of the situation. But this runs deeper. The eldest Favaro son?—”
“Cosimo?”
“That’s right. Cosimo went to school with Devere. But, as I said, we’re dealing with them.”
“Complete eradication?’
“Of course. They’re not a problem but… the Albanians are. Killing off the Favaros is work for one faction, but the Albanians require more heavy lifting.
“They used to be a two-bit bunch of cowboys that caused havoc, not only with their substandard product but, let’s face it, they have the decency of hyenas.
“Their crews were small. Separate. Different leaders. No unification. So whyandhow are they acting as a unit now? That bombing in Mexico, the front we tore down in Nolita, mass numbers of foot soldiers invadingourturfs…”
“Fuck.”
“That means he knows Luc has a point,” I mused.
“Of course he does. Luc isn’t telling him anything he doesn’t know. He’s recalibrating his plans and shifting priorities just like I had to.”
“You think a bunch of rich dicks are using the Albanians as a front?”
“I don’t think. I know. The Favaros were management. The Albanians are feet on the groundandtheir ties to EasternEurope…”Luc shook his head. “Their trafficking links are extensive.
“These rich assholes are using their product. They came to power under our watch. They’re a problem we need to solve, Aidan.”When the other man turned his back on Luciu, my brother cleared his throat and changed tacks.“Did you know Graham Brackton’s dead?”
“Yes. Star informed me he was a Dead To Me target,”O’Donnelly prevaricated.
“You’ve heard of the ledger, I presume?”
For some reason, that had Aurora shuffling on her seat.
“Of course, I have. It’s Tinder for assassins and their clientele.”
“Hunter runs the ledger. Brackton’s name was on it.”
Aurora shifted again. I turned to her with a frown, but she wafted a hand at me. “This baby is destroying my spine.”
“‘The Don of theCamorra’Hunter?”
“One and the same.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
“Because the kill order came from inside the US.”Luciu released a heavy sigh. “Despite his lauded principles, Graham Brackton was an asshole with a penchant for screwing high-class hookers.”When O’Donnelly’s brows lifted, Luc steamrolled ahead. “He used our stable.”
“Why?”
“Because he trusted us and had since the early days.”
“How foolish of him.”
“Or smart. We never gave away his secret.”
“Only in death.”
