He turns, straight faced, one brow raised, and I know what he’s implying. “The third time was in broad fucking daylight. I happened to have put a flag on flights from New York to Boston with Italian names and caught one. He went straight to Griffin’s and attempted to shoot him cold blank in the back of his head. That was a mess to clean up.”
“Bloody hell!” Callum runs a hand through his auburn hair. “You didn’t fucking think to tell me, lad? How in the fuck did you clean that up without getting coppers on your arse?”
Sean smirks. “I have my ways, Callie boy. Now. Here’s all your evidence.” He pulls out his laptop from the bag he’s been carrying.
Callum doesn’t take it from him, his gaze on me, a look of rage plastered on his face. “I promised you the woman would live. But I will not extend that promise to her father. And if I find out that she pulled you away knowing his plans, I will execute her myself.”
“Cal–”
“–No!” he shouts, cutting me off. He takes two large steps toward me, squaring off. “You listen to me, Patrick. Griffin is our family. Before we knew what he meant to you, we’d never allow this. Giovanni came after family. He’s fucking done. And you better get that cunt in line.”
He huffs, trying not to raise his voice any further. “She is not to harm anyone that so much looks Irish. Irish first name, Irish last name, I don’t care if they aren’t a Southie. I will gut her and let her blood drain from her body while she screams. Mother of your child or not. She will not harm our family.”
My throat tightens. I know he’s right. I know that everything he’s saying is right. That I should hate her, and want nothing to do with her. I know that despite the blood we share, she’s nothing but a menace. She’s a rapist, for fuck’s sake. She took something from me, whether I remember the details or not. It doesn’t make it any better.
And if she can’t realize that I’ve been trying to protect her despite all of that, then maybe she doesn’t deserve my mercy. Maybe I should let her go with her father. Rid the world of two less monsters.
My chest tightens. I haven’t even met my son yet. And already he’s making my heart break. I can't imagine not having a mother. My ma was my best friend growing up. She showed us compassion and love in this cruel world that Da was raising us in.
I have to at least give her a chance to redeem herself for his sake.
Clearing my throat, I say, “We kill him and we let her live. That’s final. Until she proves a threat to us, she lives.” Tension fills me, my shoulders tight and aching.
“Fine,” Callum says, turning to Declan. “We have a trip to make.”
Declan nods. “How do you want to do this?”
“We show up unannounced and demand to speak to the other four families for the Italians. We present our case and ask permission.”
“And if they say no?” Sean asks.
Callum turns to him, a solemn look on his face. “Then we take New York.”
My mouth drops open. “Take New York?” I ask.
He nods. “Rohan is willing to fight. You think he came to that dinner just to discuss the contract I created for Giovanni? No. He came to discuss an expansion. And I agreed to it well before we knew what was happening. Sorrentino built his grave. Let’s go put him in it.”
Savage. My brother is an absolute savage, and I fucking love it. A smile tugs at my lips. “No one fucks with the Southies,” I say.
My brothers huddle around me, all of us gripping each other’s shoulders. “No one,” the three of them say in unison.
“Willyoustoppacing?”Michael asks, a soft laugh escaping him. “You’re stressing me out.”
“I hate this,” I say, throwing my hands in the air. I keep up the pacing, walking back and forth in the kitchen while he makes dinner.
“They know what they’re doing.”
“War. This is war. Callum is constantly trying to smooth out disagreements to prevent it and he’s about to start one if he doesn’t get his way. I’m freaking out, let me.” I shoot him a dirty look, my fists clenched at my sides.
Callum and Declan landed in New York three hours ago. And I still haven’t heard from them. They could be dead, for all we know. Except I guess we do know, because Sean is a freak and is actively listening to their phones. Even though he won’t tell me what’s being said.
He’s sitting in the living room, noise canceling over the ear headphones over his head. I glare at him, as if I’m willing him to take them off and speak. I need something. Anything.
“It’s not war,” Griffin says. “Sorrentino placed three unsanctioned hits on a member of the Irish Mob. The other families will agree with Cal. Stop worrying and just breathe.”
He stirs the pot of pasta sauce he’s made, then pulls the wooden spoon out with some on the end. After blowing to cool it, he turns and offers me a taste.
I wrap my hand around his waist, opening my mouth. “More garlic.”
