Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 83994 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83994 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 420(@200wpm)___ 336(@250wpm)___ 280(@300wpm)
“That’s right. The future. That’s a good way of putting it.” I smile at him. I do my best to mask the rage in my heart. I don’t want to hate this man or anyone in his family because they’ve all been like kin to me for a long while. I remember Lorcan at events and functions, like my own christening and dozens of parties. But they brought this on themselves.
“Donnell’s been visiting here. You know he and I are close.”
“He’s close with a lot of people.”
“Some more than others. He’s just got concerns, that’s all.”
“And why didn’t he mention these concerns sooner? Why didn’t you come to me or my father before now? Seems interesting how you waited until my father got sick and died before having these concerns.”
Lorcan’s face hardens. “I don’t like the implication you’re making.”
“Then tell me I’m wrong and make me believe it.” I lean forward before he can speak. “You and Donnell were itching for my father to get buried, weren’t you? I bet Donnell didn’t wait until he was cold before he started talking about mutiny.”
Lorcan works his jaw. “That’s just lies and disrespectful.”
“Then you’re happy with the way things have been in the Whelan family lately?”
“I didn’t say that. We’ve got problems, same as anyone.”
“Tell me what bullshit Donnell’s been spewing and maybe we can discuss a few compromises.”
He shakes his head and slams his glass back down on the coffee table. “I’m coming out straight here. Donnell said you’d try this, and here you are. He said we’ve got to stand firm together.”
“Who’s ‘we’ exactly?”
“Me and some other families like ours. You’ll hear from them soon enough. But listen to me now, Declan. If you want to be boss, you’ve got to learn how to make everyone get along. Your father was good at it, but Donnell’s not so sure you have what it takes. I’m just being as straight as I can be out of respect.”
I nod slowly and put my glass down. It makes a soft click sound. The son flinches slightly and stares down at the floor like he’s afraid. I wonder what he thinks of all this, and an idea comes to me. It’s not my usual style of leadership, but maybe I’m not in normal times anymore, and the usual style won’t be enough.
“I appreciate your honesty, Lorcan.” I get to my feet. “I want you to reconsider your alliance with Donnell. Your father was a loyal Whelan man. You can be too.”
“Old Crag’s dead and gone. The Maguire clan’s mine to lead. Sorry, Declan, I really am, but we’re with Donnell Lynch for now. You and he need to work this out.”
I nod and look away. The things we do for our family. This stupid bastard thinks he’s making a good play, but that’s not how I see it.
I reach into my jacket, grip my pistol, and draw.
Lorcan’s got enough time to open his mouth in surprise before I shoot him in the skull.
Blood and brains splatter the wall behind him. His son screams in terror, his face drenched in gore. Lorcan’s corpse slumps sideways, steaming and mangled.
“Tell whoever’s waiting to stay out.” I train the gun on Rory. The young man seems frozen. “Do it right the fuck now.”
“Connor! Don’t come in!” Rory’s voice is shaking as he looks wildly over my shoulder toward the door. “Stay out for right now.”
“Tell them we’re talking it out.”
“We’re talking!” Rory’s eyes flip to his father’s body and back to me again. “We got this! Just don’t you come in!”
I wait, gun still aimed at the young man. Nobody moves. There’s dead quiet in the house. If there really is a Connor waiting, he’s got some good restraint.
"That’s good.” I move so I can see the door and Rory at the same time. I don’t lower the gun. “Your father’s dead. That makes you the leader of the Maguire clan now.”
“Sure. I’m the leader.” His face is pale, and he swallows hard like he’s trying to get himself under control. He looks at me, pointedly turning his back to his father’s corpse. “I didn’t agree with him.”
“That’s easy to say with a dead body at your elbow.”
“I mean it. I told him to cut it out. This shit with Donnell. It’s no good.”
I think back to earlier. The way the young man looked uncomfortable. How he was practically squirming this whole time and could barely meet my gaze.
“I believe you.”
He seems relieved. “You’re not going to kill me too?”
“That’d be a waste. You don’t seem as stupid as your father.”
“I loved my dad, but he wouldn’t see reason. I told him this was going to happen. I warned him.” His voice chokes and tears fill his eyes. I lower the gun slightly. If he hadn’t reacted like this, I doubt I would trust him. But he’s emotional, and he should be.