Kevin pulled his upper lip under the bottom to lick the foam off. Wee hairs bristled with moisture.
Fecking pubes on his face. Other men could pull off a mustache, just not him.
“I think he’s going to try to kill you, cuz,” Kevin whispered. “There’s that business with killing his brother, but now he’s pissed you just assumed the crown.”
We’ll see if that’s true.
But this was poker. And I was playing the man.
“And what—” I lowered my voice to match his “—should I do about that?”
Delight gleamed in Kevin’s eyes. “Stop the problem while you can.”
Translation: Kill my rival.
Was Kevin baiting Johny with the same tactics? That would leave only one relative for an assassin to take out. That was cheaper for Kevin. I stroked my thumb thoughtfully against the edge of the yellow-gold envelope. Was this really it? My mathlete cousin was doctoring the books, while trying to take out the strongest of our organization. Since I suspected the nefarious plan, I didn’t need to immediately act. I would bide my time, watch my back, and be damn sure when I pulled the trigger that Kevin was the actual threat.
“Good plan, cousin.” I rose suddenly, clapped my hand around his neck, and brought our foreheads together. “What would I do without you?”
The flash of fear in his watery blue eyes faded to triumph. “I’m here for you, Liam. Seriously. Anything you need!”
“Thank you,” I rasped and let him go.
Kevin pushed out of the booth, sauntered across the empty pub, and disappeared out the front door. The tension in the space ebbed. I trailed my gaze across the rustic furniture. This establishment was designed to be filled with craic, while the drinks were full and spirits were high. Doing business at the Galway Arms after hours was like holding court in a crypt. Memories of the good times stained the floor, and regret over bad choices perfumed the air.
I shook myself. I didn’t belong to the world of parties, and the word fun was no longer in my vocabulary. I was the king. A boss made appearances to boost morale, but my place wasn’tdrinking alongside the lads. We needed a healthy distance to discern rank.
A creak in the bones of the building made me jump.
My gaze swiveled to the side.
The layout here was different. Our pub that was bombed had a curve around the edge. Still, anxiety flooded my veins as the memory of the explosion took root in my chest. The right side of my body pulsed with ghostly pain.
The fire’s hot tongues.
The air filled with smoke.
I fisted my hands and tried to breathe.I have to get out of here!
The swinging door to the kitchen opened. “Well, that was the biggest crock of shite I’ve ever heard.”
Connor.
Connor was here. On purpose. I’d asked him to be backup tonight.
I can’t let him see me panicking.
I fought through the memories, forced myself not to relive the explosion. It was bad enough the lads saw me naked at the crowning ceremony. They would never want to be friends with such a monster again. Maybe it was for the best I was their boss, so I didn’t feel like I needed to socialize with them.
Connor stopped behind the bar and pulled out a bottle of whiskey. He poured a wee shot, tipped it back, and sighed.
“What are we going to do about him?” my friend asked with a cheeky grin.
I hmphed. “Watch him and wait.”
Tapping the envelope on the table, I shifted out of the booth. My plan was to give the documents to Betty. She had an eye for the unseen. Whatever Kevin was hiding, she’d find it. There was no way we were still running strong after a monumental loss and the subsequent change in leadership. These financial reportsmight be fakes. If they weren’t, it took a clever brain to hide the numbers while making others look too good to be true.
“What do you want me to do about the dissent in the ranks?” Connor stretched his arms above his head as he spoke. “There are a fair lot who think Johny-boy should be boss.”
