Page 68 of Dirty Legacy

“Can’t blame them.” I make sure Deck stands down. “If you’re here in good faith, you won’t have trouble from me.” I turn to my lieutenant so he knows I mean it.

Deck grunts sheepishly and crosses his big arms over his chest.

“Here’s the thing, Connor.” Lorcan stops a few feet away from me, rubbing the back of his head. “I hate fighting. All the shooting? The running around? I get all sweaty and have you ever tried to clean blood from real Italian leather loafers? Huge pain in the ass.”

I’m not sure how to take that. I’ve only met Lorcan in passing over the years and don’t know the man well, but he’s got a decent reputation. Ruthless, definitely, but clever and a good businessman. Most of the families like him and work with him.

“I’ll make sure not to bleed on your shoes then.”

Lorcan laughs loudly. “Thanks! I’d appreciate that!” He brushes his jacket and gestures around. “Here’s the thing. We have a mutual problem. You got another woman pregnant and left my sister at the altar, and now I have to swear some oath to murder you and everyone you ever loved. It’s exhausting and there’s zero profit in the end. We’ll probably win, but you’ll bleed us dry in the process. It’s a lose-lose proposition, and I hate that kind. I much prefer the kind where everyone gets something.”

I nod at him and start to walk. Lorcan falls in step. I leave my men behind and he does the same. “It was never my intention to start this.”

“Don’t play around. You knew what would happen when you married that girl. But I’m not here to litigate the past. I’m here about the future.” He stops and leans a hand against a black sedan, its roof crushed, missing all its doors and half the bumper. “We can cut a deal.”

“Does your father know you’re here?”

He waves a hand at that. “You have things we want. This yard, for example. I hear it’s very profitable. I looked into your Washington business and it’s legitimate, isn’t it?”

“WashCo isn’t on the table.”

“Oh, I love that name!” He snaps a finger in the air. “What a great ring. WashCo! Shit, I can already see the commercials. But seriously, let’s make something happen. We both know your marriage isn’t legit. Set the girl aside, have the union annulled or whatever you have to do, and marry my sister the way you’re supposed to. Pay off my father with a big chunk of WashCo. Make everyone happy.”

I study Lorcan, trying to figure out if he’s being serious, but he seems sincere.

Only there’s no way that’ll work.

“Sinead wouldn’t marry me, even if I did divorce Angie, and your brothers and your father would never stand for it.”

“Let me worry about them. Come on, Connor. Let’s profit together.”

I shake my head. “You don’t get it. I started a war for this girl. I turned my life inside out for her. You think I’m going to send her away because you show up?”

Lorcan’s smile dips. “I hoped you would.”

“I don’t know what you’re doing, but hear me right now. I’m not leaving Angelina. She’s my wife and she’ll always be mine. I’m sorry for Sinead, but that’s not happening. You want a deal, we can make a deal, but that’s non-negotiable.”

“I’m really disappointed to hear that. I hate it when people aren’t reasonable.”

I turn and walk back to my men. “Then we’re finished here. You can leave. Nobody’s got to die today.”

“Are you sure?” Lorcan calls after me. “Your marriage isn’t real, Connor! Whatever priest you strong-armed into filling out the paperwork, it’s simply not legitimate! Give up the girl and make the right choice.”

I don’t bother to answer. I return to Deck’s side. My lieutenant scowls at Lorcan, eyes screwed up like he’s thinking. I have to grab his arm and turn him. “We’re leaving,” I order.

Deck grunts in answer. “Right, understood. We’ll keep you covered.”

“I’m sorry it went like this,” Lorcan shouts as I make my way back through the yard. “Just so you know, it’s not personal, and it’s not what I wanted!”

“What the hell does he mean?” Deck asks, sounding unnerved. “We checked the place. There’s no ambush.”

“Keep moving.” But an ugly feeling sinks into my toes, and by the time we reach the G-Wagons, my phone starts to buzz urgently.

It’s Marcus. He sounds breathless. “Connor, there was a bomb.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I got the call a second ago. A bomb went off at Dockside Boxing Club.”