Page 44 of Honorable Sins

"You'll make a grand lieutenant," Brice says with conviction. "Congratulations."

"Deadly," Rory says enthusiastically. He's more apt to use Irish slang than American now.

Shows he's been keeping good company.

More American than Irish in their ways though, Kara and Fiona clap their hands yelling, "Here, here!"

Wraith just sits there, for once his expression as easy to read as a child's primer. He's gobsmacked. My wife loves that word, and it fits Wraith's slack-jawed expression of shock.

"I don't…" He clears his throat. "This is unexpected."

Brice slaps Wraith's back with his big paw. "Not to me, it isn't. You're fair play at leading."

My top lieutenant came to me a month ago and told me he thought Wraith was ready for a bigger leadership role. We discussed whether to increase his crew size and responsibilities in his current captaincy or to create an additional lieutenancy on my crew.

But this is better.

If Kenneth is as big of a muppet in his business as he is in his delusions of grandeur, everything under his purview is going to be in a right heap. Wraith and his team are capable of putting it all under the close scrutiny required and rebuilding from the ground up if necessary.

"And we'll need more good leaders in the months to come," Kara says with conviction.

Wraith's shoulders, never really relaxed, straighten even more. "I'll do my best to protect and expand the interests of the mob."

It's a vow and I take it as such and nod, pushing back from the table to stand. "That’s the plan, then. Brogan retires next month. The transition starts now."

Rory rubs his hands in satisfaction. "Kenneth and his cronies got no idea what's coming."

Truer words. I look at each of my council in turn. "Destroying Kenneth's manky plans is just the beginning. We’re not only weeding out the traitorous gobshites; we're tightening all the ranks and shifting leadership to those with ability and drive."

"Not just the right connections," my wife adds in a disgusted undertone.

Never let it be said that when she disagrees with the way her father does business, Kara stays silent on the matter. Not anymore. And we both know that Kenneth Shaughnessy would never have been made a lieutenant if he wasn't Brogan's second cousin.

She stands and moves to face the rest of the council beside me, taking my hand. "We’re not getting rid of what makes the Shaughnessy Mob what it is. We're building on it to make something better."

"And stronger," Fiona surprises me by adding.

Kara smiles at her sister. "Exactly. A strong and organized leadership means a strong mob."

I nod my agreement. One day, Fitz will inherit a syndicate second to none in power, strength and influence.

Chapter twelve

A Boss by Any Other Name is Still the Boss

MICK

Following the plan I made with Kara, Wraith and I meet with the fathers of the boys that attacked Sadie: Kenneth Shaughnessy, Bill O'Grady, Paul Duffy and Graham Casey in Brogan's office.

I sit behind my father-in-law's desk and have the men take seats opposite.

Once Wraith arrives, the fun starts. Because I've got no problem letting my new lieutenant burn off some of his anger on the gobshites trying to undermine my position in the mob by using their kids and ours to do it.

Giving Wraith free rein reveals two things. Kenneth Shaughnessy is a bleedin' muppet. Not a revelation maybe, but the man can't help flashing his dirty drawers in public.

He and two of the other men claim Sadie led their sons on and then cried wolf. Wraith doesn't take kindly to the allegation and spills enough blood that we're going to need cleaners in here to see to the carpet after we're done.

"That's not what Fitz says," I inform men stupid enough to call my son's account of the events into question. "Are you calling my son a liar?"