Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 89032 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 445(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89032 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 445(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
“Let’s get to business,” Dad says, leaning forward over the table. “Declan, you start it.”
Declan clears his throat, glaring at Seamus. “There has been street chatter lately. The Morozov Bratva is gearing up for something. We have a feeling they’re arming for a direct confrontation.”
“War’s in the air,” Seamus agrees.
“There hasn’t been an outright street fight between crime families in New York in a long time.” Declan’s usually dour face somehow gets even more annoyed. “We’ve learned from bitter experience that slaughtering each other isn’t good for anyone’s bottom line. Too much police involvement and media attention. And if the politicians get involved? Life couldn’t get worse. Better to have small, targeted attacks, killings that don’t float above minor local interest.”
“But that’s not what’s happening with the Morozovs,” Seamus says, rapping a knuckle on the table. “Fuckers got guns. I’m talking serious firepower.”
“And we all know why. They’re terrified.” Dad leans forward, staring at me. “For good reason too.”
I feel their attention. I cross my arms, unwilling to wilt beneath it. “They shouldn’t have tried to kill my wife. They brought this on themselves.”
Dad’s voice is soft and dangerous. “You brought it on by fucking up the very first kill. That wasn’t like you, Cormac.”
I meet his gaze. My jaw works, but I have nothing to say in my defense. Because he’s right. I was distracted by Bianca and trying to rush what should’ve been a much more careful, meticulously planned strike. I was sloppy and stupid.
“Our Ghostman here has been perfect for a long time,” Seamus says suddenly, banging a glass down to get everyone’s attention. “Are we really going to hang him for one mistake? After thousands of successful missions?”
I blink in surprise. I didn’t expect anyone to take my side in this, much less Seamus. But it almost makes sense. Of everyone here, he spends the most time on the ground. He knows how difficult my job can be.
But still, Seamus has a lot to lose. He can’t outright cross my father. If he does, he could lose his position, and that would be very bad for him personally.
“He’s exceptionally skilled, nobody’s questioning that,” Declan says, almost grudgingly, but still. Was that a compliment from my stodgy older brother? It’s hard to believe what I’m hearing. “We’ve benefited greatly from his good work for a very long time.”
“Totally agree with you both,” Finn adds with a shrug. “For what that’s worth.”
Dad grunts and we lock eyes. I want to be angry that I’m being singled out like this, but it’s strangely touching the way my brothers came to my defense. While they’re not outright saying Dad’s wrong to blame me, they’re getting just about close enough. And it’s more than I ever expected.
With some hesitation, Dad finishes his drink, pours himself another, and lets out a long breath. “Cormac, you’ve been perfect. And I suppose that made me expect perfection from you, while I don’t hold anyone else to that kind of standard. Perhaps I’ve been too hard.”
I swear, I must finally be losing my mind.
I knew this was going to happen one day. I mean, I’ve always been fucking crazy. But I really thought I had it under control. My marriage to Bianca’s been really good for my mental health.
Apparently not. I’m undergoing a mental crisis.
“We’ve had issues with the Morozovs for years,” Declan points out. “There’s a reason you wanted Yuri dead to begin with. Yes, Cormac getting caught complicated things, but still. The tension was already there. He only heightened the stakes.”
“Once again, my sons prove smarter and more levelheaded than me.” Dad leans back, slowly rocking his glass side to side. Ice tinkles against glass. “Which still leaves us with a problem. The Russians are getting more and more aggressive. We have to be prepared for war.”
Everyone goes quiet. The prospect of straight-out vicious turf killings doesn’t sit well with anyone.
But if that’s what it takes, I’ll slaughter each and every one of the Morozov bastards, so long as it means Bianca stays safe and in my arms.
“I assume we can’t count on the Marinos for support,” Declan muses softly to himself. “We wouldn’t go down to Philadelphia to fight one of their wars either, to be fair to them.”
“Don Marino will provide what he can, but we won’t factor them into our plans.” Dad grimly leans forward on his elbows. “If anyone’s got a problem with moving forward to a war posture, speak now.”
I stare at my brothers. Declan’s staying quiet, though he looks thoughtful. Finn seems almost eager.
Seamus has the most to lose. He’s the ground-level general. If this really does come to outright fighting, it’s his men on the front lines. He’ll see the most death, do the most murdering, and carry the most risk.
“Always wanted to fight a war,” he says with a smirk and a shrug. “Sounds like fun.”