Total pages in book: 78
Estimated words: 75585 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75585 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 378(@200wpm)___ 302(@250wpm)___ 252(@300wpm)
Liam’s eyes widened. “Are you saying that if my father was alive now and his allies were back in power, he would use my sister like that?”
I knew I needed to tread carefully. “I don’t know. I didn’t know your father.”
“I can’t imagine him doing that. I mean…This whole thing is crazy. Did my mother know all of this?”
“I think we have to assume so. They got together long before the O’Keefes lost power.”
“Would you…Can you find out?”
“I’ll see what I can learn, but are you sure you want to know?”
He drew in a deep breath, then nodded. “Yes. I also want to know more about what happened to John, my dad’s boss—or his pretend boss or whatever?”
“He’s in prison. He made a stupid mistake and got caught running a money laundering scam. But I can find out more about him. I want to know why he never tried to help you and your sister.” The doorbell rang, and Liam jumped. “It’s okay. That’s my associate, Tony. He’s going to hang out here with you while Vito and I go meet with my father.”
Liam grabbed my arm before I could get the door. “Be careful I…I don’t want to lose you.”
I gave his forehead a gentle kiss. “I will, baby. I promise.”
I took a deep breath, then stepped into my father’s office. Vito followed close behind me.
As usual, the lights were off, and my father was as hidden as he could be behind his desk. I knew bright light bothered his eyes and often triggered migraines, but he also liked the dark because he was self-conscious about his scars. I didn’t understand why. They only made him more intimidating, but that topic wasn’t open for discussion, nothing about his near-death experience was. From what I knew of his earlier self, he’d already been closed off before the injuries he suffered. Now, he rarely spoke except when ordering someone around.
“What warrants a visit from both my sons?”
“We’ve got a serious situation,” I said.
“I should hope so since you’re disturbing me with it.”
A shiver ran over me. His voice was so cold, so emotionless. What the fuck was I going to do if I couldn’t convince him to help me?
“You remember Liam O’Shaughnessy, the man who is working at Pound to repay his debt to us?”
“When have I ever forgotten one of our debtors?” His words were like ice.
I inclined my head. “Never.”
“Then assume I have not forgotten Mr. O’Shaughnessy.”
He was really going to make this hard, wasn’t he? I wanted to look over at Vito to see how he was reacting, but I knew it was best to keep my eyes on my father. I also knew I had to state my case in a straightforward manner. If I tried to lie or hide something, things would go worse for me.
“I’ve been seeing Liam, personally, and I placed him under my protection. We’ve just discovered he has connections to the Irish. His father was Sharps O’Malley.”
My father’s expression didn’t change. He also didn’t say anything, so I kept going.
“People from the McConnell family are trying to finish their vendetta against Sharps by coming after Liam. I will not allow it.”
I waited. There was still no response. This time I did glance at my brother. His eyes were down, and he’d clasped his hands in front of him. I could see the tension in his shoulders. I was sure mine looked the same.
“Are you finished?” My father finally asked.
“Yes, sir.” I wasn’t sure what else to say. I clasped my hands like Vito had, fearing they would start shaking.
“Do you actually think you’ve been hiding all of this from me?”
Oh fuck. My head flew up, and my eyes met my father’s.
“Do you honestly think I’m so unaware of what is going on with my sons or with the businesses we oversee? Do you believe I wouldn’t notice the attention you’ve been paying this young man, the way you protected him from anyone else at the club, asserting he is your property?”
“It’s my job to keep our people safe.”
My father waved that off. “He is our property until he retires his debt, but that doesn’t require you to meet him in a private room and fuck him until he can barely walk.”
I swallowed hard. There was no way I could deny what I’d done. I’ve been a fool. I should have known better than to think I could hide anything from Dom.
“Do you think that when my team begins an investigation into the background of one of our debtors, they don’t report their findings to me?”
I was going to have to have a talk with Crandall, not to mention one with Vito, who swore this was all private.
“Do you think I wasn’t curious when I saw that our people made a connection between Mr. O’Shaughnessy, his father, and the O’Keefes?”