Having Trish by my side while I buried my father meant the world to me. She infused me with strength and no words can express what it meant to me. But I’m not oblivious to the looks and judgment being sent our way.
The last thing I want is a confrontation in front of my mother after she just said goodbye to her husband. Besides, she doesn’t know who Trish is exactly yet. Same with Rylan.
They deserve a proper introduction and I plan to do that back at the house.
After the funeral, we’re walking over to our cars when Sean moves up beside me and, in a low voice says, “The men are not happy.”
“I don’t care,” I growl.
“They want a meeting and they want Roberto to be there, too.”
I immediately stop walking. “Trish, go over with Roberto, okay?”
I can see she is about to argue with me, so I press a kiss to the back of her hand, lock eyes with her and add, “Please, cara mio.”
Trish nods and heads over to my brother as I face off with Sean.
“Roberto isn’t interested in running the organization and after what I’ve seen and done, I wouldn’t let him.”
“I understand that, Connor, but the men are requesting a new leader. They aren’t happy with the way you’re running things.”
“Roberto wouldn’t be the ruthless leader they want. Just because he fights doesn’t make him a killer.”
Sean’s gaze moves over to Trish and he frowns. “You shouldn’t have brought her here. It’s like pouring salt into their wounds.”
“This isn’t about them, Sean. Jesus. My dad was just buried and I wanted no, I needed – her by my side.”
“How does your family feel about you sleeping with the enemy?”
“Don’t call her that,” I hiss.
“Sorry, Connor, but this just isn’t a good look right now,” he says, motioning in Trish’s direction. “I suggest you come with me to the warehouse and talk to the men. Otherwise you’re going to have a coup on your hands.”
“Dammit, I didn’t ask for any of this!”
“Just the same, the empire is now officially yours and you have very pissed-off subjects.”
Gritting my jaw until it feels tense enough to snap, I give a sharp nod and then march over to Trish and Roberto. My mother, Finley and Rylan already got in their car, so they won’t know what’s going on. And that’s a good thing.
I have to go to the warehouse.
“The men are unhappy.” My gaze locks with Roberto’s. “They want you to take over because they don’t like Trish being here and they think I’m being too easy.”
What a fucking joke. Just a couple of days ago, I killed a man and now they think I’m being too lenient?
At this point, I want to kill them all.
Or just turn them loose. The tempting thought fills my head.
“I’ll go with you,” Roberto offers.
“Me, too,” Trish says.
“Absolutely not,” I tell Trish. “These men are brutal and angry. There’s no telling what they might do if you’re there.”
“Maybe bringing her might help diffuse the situation. Once they realize she’s not a threat,” Roberto states.
But I shake my head. “I don’t trust them. They push and challenge and made me – ” My voice abruptly breaks.
“Made you what?” Roberto asks.
“I don’t want to talk about it. And I don’t want Trish there. Rob, if you want to come, you can, but it isn’t going to be pleasant.”
“I’m coming,” he assures me.
We both look at Trish. “I’m going to have Sully drive you back to my place, okay? I’ll be back soon,” I promise and press a kiss to her forehead. Sully is the only one I trust, and I can tell he’s taken a liking to Trish despite her surname.
Trish reaches out and grabs my hand, her dark eyes fierce. “Be careful.”
I give her a nod then hand her off to Sully. Then Roberto and I get in my Mercedes and head over to the warehouse. On the way, Roberto repeats his earlier question.
“What did they make you do, Con?”
“I told them not to touch the Volkanov family and gave them the chance to walk away. Some did, but most didn’t. Then Mitch Donaugh called me out and insulted me. Said I was a poor leader and anyone would be better running things you, Ry or Fin. I was handling his insults just fine until he brought up Trish.”
My fingers clench around the steering wheel until my knuckles are white and Roberto waits for me to continue.
“He said he wasn’t the one to take a shot at her, but he would. No matter what I said, he promised that he would put a bullet right between her eyes if the situation presented itself. I can’t have that, Rob.” My voice, thick with emotion, turns ragged. “I can’t.”
Roberto reaches over and lays a hand on my arm, studying me closely. He seems to be thinking over what I said, and I think my admission took him by surprise.
Finally, he pulls his hand back and says, “You love her.”
It isn’t a question, and no one knows me better than my twin. Hell, sometimes I think he knows me better than I know myself.
Raking a hand through my hair, I let out a resigned sound. “Yeah, I think I do.”
“Does she know?”
I shake my head. “No.”
“I think you should tell her.”
“Yeah, I think you’re right. How do you think Mom and Ry will react?”
“They’re going to be shocked at first, but they’ll support you. It’s what we do.”
“Fuck. Dad is probably turning over in his grave.”
“This isn’t about Dad, Con. It’s your life, your heart, your future. For once, stop thinking about everyone else and the ton of responsibilities Dad dumped in your lap. Did it ever occur to you that maybe Dad’s way wasn’t the only way? That maybe it’s time to change shit up? This isn’t the fucking 1930s anymore.”
Truthfully, it hadn’t occurred to me. I believed it was my job to keep my father’s legacy alive and assume the responsibility of maintaining what he established and his father before him. “You’re right,” I murmur. “Maybe it is time to switch things up.
“It definitely is. So, stop getting hung up on tradition and all that past bullshit. Maybe your job is to help squash the rivalry and bring our families together. Not continue to keep them apart and hating each other.”
Our conversation makes me feel better but the moment we pull up to the warehouse, the darkness and doubts return, swirling through me. After Roberto gets out, I reach over, open the glove box and remove my gun.
I pray I won’t have to use it again.