Page 86 of Guilty as Sin

“Your family resemblance is uncanny,” Liam tells him after another one of the kid’s weak swings.

“He means you look like a girl,” Finn says. “You golf like one too.”

“Did you guys bring me here just to talk shit?” Connor retreats to his spot on the couch, with Finn tracking his every move.

“We brought you here because my brother’s pussy blind.” Finn flashes me a shit-eating grin as he walks by.

So I five-star him between the shoulder blades.

“Ow, fuck!”

“Enough,” Liam cuts in. He turns to Connor and takes a deep breath. “We brought you here because we want you in on our next deal.”

Connor’s pale eyes go wide. They’re fearful in a way Cora’s never are.

Over the kid’s head, Finn waggles his eyebrows. But Liam and I keep our faces stern. Now is not the time to break character.

We need Connor to believe every false word we say.

“It’s risky,” Liam tells him. “So we need all the men we can get.”

“It’s too risky.” Finn stabs a finger in the air. His acting’s a bit much, but Connor doesn’t seem to catch it.

“It’ll work,” I say confidently. “The drop’s low-visibility and easy to guard. It’s behind a Baptist church, for Christ’s sake. It’s a safe zone.”

“It’s in Wicker Park,” Finn overstresses. “That’s Seven’s territory.”

Connor looks ready to shit his pants. If he does, it’d be a good excuse to scrap that tacky white couch.

Liam sets aside his golf club and assumes his most fatherly voice.

“We need every man we can get for the drop. It’s at midnight tonight. But we’re not going to force you to go. As you can tell, there’s some disagreement about the level of risk. So if you choose not to make yourself a part of that risk, we won’t hold it against you.”

“We’ll loop you in on something else,” I add. “Something more standard.” If the kid thinks this is his only opportunity, he might actually leap at it.

He doesn’t.

He glances between me and Liam several times, then shakes his head no. When Liam grimaces with understanding, the kid drops his gaze to his lap.

“It’s alright,” I tell him. “Next time.” My reassurance feels like the falsest part of my script.

With his eyes still downcast, Connor gives me a half shrug. Like he’s disappointed in himself.

He’s nothing like Cora. She’d already be on the move by now, headed to the drop in the daylight hours to scout for weak points ahead of time. My determined, tactical wife. She’s as resolute in her new role as she is at protecting her brother.

And now, we’ll get to see if her brother’s still a traitor.

Chapter 40

Cora

Brady surprises me after dinner again by telling me we’re going on a stakeout. I don’t hide my giddiness as I change into my all-blacks.

My excitement rides high for the first half of our drive. We’re in a different inconspicuous sedan tonight, headed north through the city this time. Directly north. The farther we drive, the more difficult it is for me to remain excited. My anticipation turns anxious, then sinks into dread.

We’re crossing into the North Side.

“Where does Seven’s territory begin?” I ask, but if I’ve studied the maps correctly, I already know the answer.