Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 85322 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 427(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 85322 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 427(@200wpm)___ 341(@250wpm)___ 284(@300wpm)
“I hope Alfie told you it’s not a vicious act of manipulation,” Shan said. “It’s more about me telling you things from my perspective. From the inside of our organization.”
I scratched my jaw. “He mentioned wanting to be honest because it’s not going to be a fair approach to win someone back.”
He inclined his head and positioned himself for his next shot. “Our priest used the same tactic when my daughter-in-law was on the fence about my son.”
I felt my eyebrows crawl higher. “An actual priest?”
He concentrated on his play before he nodded and stood straighter. Time for our putters to get some action.
“It’s quite simple, West,” he told me. “Emilia is my son’s heart, much like you are Alfie’s.”
My steps faltered on the green, and I glanced over at him.
“Without his wife around, Finn doesn’t necessarily take on bigger risks, but he does lose his ability to empathize,” he went on. “He becomes colder and less compassionate. He may be the boss of the Sons of Munster, but it’s Emilia’s warmth that makes him the man others respect. If she hadn’t been around, the members would certainly fear him—and, one day, presumably bring him down. As the story always goes with dictators.”
It’s quite simple, West.
None of that sounded simple. In theory, perhaps.
“Now,” he said, “a sane person would argue that it’s up to each individual adult to make their choices—and stand by them. What Alfie does is his choice. But the fact remains, he will likely be more compassionate and empathic with you by his side.”
That truly was an asshole tactic to put on someone’s shoulders.
I grabbed my putter and stepped onto the green, and I shook my head to myself. He was literally telling me that Alfie would be a kinder mobster if I gave us another chance. And if I stuck by my principles and made us both miserable for the rest of our lives, he was likelier to become more ruthless.
“Fucking mobsters,” I grumbled under my breath.
Maybe not quietly enough. Shan chuckled somewhere behind me. “Think of it this way, West. You can’t change our syndicate’s existence from the outside. But you can most certainly remind Alfie of his morals from the inside. And don’t get me started on the impact you’ll have on young Colby.”
New level of emotional manipulation unlocked.
My ball was too close to the hole for me to stand there and measure distance, the quality of the turf, and the angle, so I just took a deep breath, knocked the ball gently, and pocketed it.
“You start off with a birdie,” Shan noted.
“I’d like a mulligan for my life,” I muttered.
“You don’t mean that.”
No…no, I didn’t.
“For the record, I see plenty from the outside that makes me nauseated to consider getting cozy on the inside,” I had to tell him. If Alfie wanted honesty, I’d extend that courtesy to Shannon too. “When was the last time you took a stroll through Kensington?”
He didn’t miss a beat. “Are we including Fishtown these days? They have some lovely art galleries.”
“Not in this conversation.” I wanted to roll my eyes but refrained.
He offered a wry smile. “When was the last time anyone took a stroll through Kensington?” He lifted a brow. “If you’re implying that the Sons are contributing to the drug trade there, I’m happy to educate you. We saw what heroin did in Dublin in the eighties—it kills the customer. Why would we want to kill our buyers? Heroin and shit like fentanyl are a business for those at the bottom of the barrel.” He paused briefly. “I’m not denying it’s a billion-dollar industry. It’s just not ours. We’re not the only organization in this city, you know.”
I frowned.
They might not be the only organization, but they were absolutely the largest and most widespread.
“If you wish to pick up a coke habit, however, we can talk,” he finished.
He walked up to his ball next, and I felt petulant enough to mess with him. Petulant and annoyed and slightly rattled.
“Maybe I’m wearing a wire. Maybe I’ll bring you all down.”
His shoulders trembled with his silent amusement. “We didn’t start the syndicate yesterday, my friend. Mikey followed you all the way here.”
Oh, that fucking bastard.
Today’s little outing had been so spontaneous too. Surely not by accident.
Shan sank his ball and could jot down a four on his scorecard.
I jotted down three.
As we walked toward the second hole, Shan took a sip of his coffee and appeared to be building up to his next speech.
“Out with it,” I said.
I didn’t know how to feel about this anymore. I was fairly certain I should go back to my car and drive off, but that ship had sailed. Running away hadn’t been an option for quite some time now.
“Do you know how many homicides remain unsolved in this country? And in Philly?”