Finn throws up his hands. “By all means, Connor, enlighten me.”
At least he didn’t use my face as his personal speed bag yet.
“I screwed up big time with the diamond. I get that. But I didn’t kill Eduardo Ricci. Someone inside his organization did. And they want to pin it on me, and by default, us.”
“So, we’re in agreement. You went off book on some fucking diamond heist, and now the murder of a boss is being pinned on the Gallagher family.” Finn huffs and walks over to Brody. “Is this what goes on in LA? Your brother just makes it up as he goes along?”
“No, not normally.” Brody rakes his hands through his hair. “This has Declan written all over it.” Brody stays calm, so I guess I’m not totally dead.
“But we have no beef with Declan.” Finn scowls. Pretty sure that’s a permanent expression at this point. “We had just negotiated an alliance with the Riccis to strengthen the families on both coasts.”
Brody skirts around Finn. “You’re right. My brother has no business doing jobs for Declan that have nothing to do with the alliance.” He approaches me. “Con, you know you screwed this up.”
Jesus, do they have to keep repeating this? I’m not a child.
“I admit that, okay? But no one’s listening to me.” I rise and thrust my hand through the air. “Fuck Declan and fuck the diamond, which I don’t even have, by the way.” I glance from man to man, willing them to clue in to what really matters. “Nino Ricci’s set fire to our potential partnership. He did this.And he’s also planning an attack with Belinski’s guys. We need to get ready.”
Finn stalks toward me until we stand chest to chest. “He’s coordinating an attack because you tried to steal a family heirloom.”
I so want to shove this bastard away, but he’s Brody’s boss now. Shit, he’smyboss on the East Coast, if I’m being technical. If I piss him off enough, I might start another war. I may never recover my reputation here in New York.
I force my voice to stay at a semi-normal level. “All due respect, buddy?—”
“I’m not your buddy, you bastard?—”
“Listen!” The snap is involuntary, but at least Finn shuts the hell up. “This started back before the diamond. They ambushed me at the laundromat with Sal Padovesi?—”
“No shit? And here I thought you never returned to finish the deal because you booked a last-minute Bahama cruise.”
Okay, Mr. Sarcasm.With effort, I swallow a snark reply. “Nino lied about that to his enforcers and the Bratva. Then things were good after we killed that snitch, Domenico Verone?—”
“Which was also off book.”
I try not to roll my eyes. “Sure, fine, but it got us back in with the Riccis after their initial reluctance. And it saved Eduardo’s life. As of the gala, he was going to boot the Russians. You were there. You saw him. We were getting access to the Blue Hook Port again. Mission fucking accomplished.” I punch my chest with my own fist like a damn caveman. “I did that.”
“And then you undid it.” Finn strides over to the window and watches the snowfall as he pulls a butterfly knife from his pocket and twirls the blade.
I eye Brody, a little concerned by the other man’s actions.
Brody shakes his head and mimes a calming motion with his hand. Guess Finn isn’t plotting my immediate murder.
Must be a nervous tic. Most people bite their nails.
Okay, this is good. We all need to take a beat.
I sit back down, resting my arms on my knees. “I’m telling you, someone within the Ricci family killed Eduardo. We are pawns in a much bigger game. One that no family in America is going to win if the Russians team up with the Riccis.”
Several long moments of silence follow.
Then Finn spins, his face granite. “You’re out.” His words are final, with no room for negotiation.
Brody hangs his head.
That’s when I know for certain Finn doesn’t mean,I’m out of the doghouse.
I try to lock eyes with my brother to get a clearer read on things. That’s a no-go, so I look at Finn one last time, just to be sure.
He stands stock-still, his eyes clouded with fury. His fiery auburn hair and scarlet skin aside, the man is a rock. Immovable stone.
