Shoving my door open, I see Roberto watching me put the gun in the back of my pants, letting my jacket fall back down to cover it.
“Let’s not use that, okay?” he says under his breath as we walk to the large door.
I don’t say anything and hope I won’t need to, but there’s no way I was going to leave it back in the car. Not when I’m about to face an unpredictable pack of wolves.
Pulling in a deep breath, we walk into the large warehouse and there are only ten men and Sean Flannigan present. Looks like we lost a couple more. Good.
“Shall we sit?” Sean asks and points to the large table where the others are already seated and waiting.
Roberto and I walk over and I sit down at the head of the table while Rob sits in the empty chair on my right.
Folding my hands on the scarred tabletop, I look at the men and say, “What seems to be the problem now?”
Beside me, I hear Roberto let out a little sigh. For someone who likes to fight so much, he hates verbal confrontation.
Sean immediately starts speaking, acting as their mediator, and I don’t like it. “The men think -”
“Can we just let the men talk for themselves?” I interrupt in an annoyed voice.
Sean shuts up and crosses his arms, clearly aggravated. I’m really sick of him, too. I’m tired of them all. I think Roberto is right and it’s time to switch things up.
I wait expectantly for someone to speak up. Finally, Tim O’Connell stops glaring and opens his mouth.
“We don’t like the way you’re running things and we think maybe Roberto could do a better job.”
The men murmur their agreement.
I glance over at Roberto and I can tell he hates this as much as I do.
“I’m not interested in taking over,” Roberto states. “And, if I did, the first thing I’d do is tell you all to leave and that I wouldn’t be needing your services any longer.”
“Have you two lost your mind?” Tim asks. “Who’s going to protect you from Volkanov’s men?”
“One of them just put your father in his grave,” another man adds. “You have to realize that you’re next.”
“We can hire security. Proper bodyguards, not gangsters itching for a fight all the time,” I inform them.
“You know what the problem is? You’re soft.”
“Yeah, they ain’t fit to run the family organization and will never be able to fill Nolan Mennetti shoes.”
“And bringing that Volkanov woman into your home it’s like spitting on your father’s grave!”
At the mention of Trish, I immediately tense up.
“Chill,” Roberto murmurs beside me, sensing my building anger.
“You need to make a choice, Connor,” Tim challenges me.
“Choose her or choose your family. Because you can’t have both.”
“He doesn’t have to make a choice,” Roberto interjects.
“He won’t even pick his own flesh and blood. You’re a traitor, Connor!” another man yells.
The crescendo of insults and shouting builds and the darkness overwhelms. I pull out the gun and point it down the table.
“Today is not the day to fuck with me,” I warn them, my finger sliding over the trigger.
“What’re you gonna do?” a man demands, standing up and shoving his chair back. “Shoot us all?”
He’s tempting me to do just that, but Roberto lays a hand on my arm. “Don’t,” he hisses. “They’re not worth it.”
My brother is right. Last time, I let my rage take over and get the better of me. I killed a man in cold blood and I’m going to have to live with the guilt from that decision for the rest of my life.
But I can’t be goaded into doing it again.
“I’m done,” I announce. “With all of you.”
“What the hell’s that supposed to mean?” Tim demands angrily and stands up.
“It means that the Mennetti family will not be needing your services any longer. Is that clear?”
“Fucking traitor!” he snarls. “You pick that bitch over us? Over your own blood?”
“You’re goddamn right. I choose her. Every single time,” I grit out. Setting the gun down, I stand up and look each man in the eye. “Trisha Volkanov is under my protection and if anyone touches one hair on her head, their fate will be death. Is that clear?”
Grumbling and low curses fill the air.
“You’re all relieved of duty. This warehouse is going to be padlocked and there will be no more paychecks coming in for any of you.”
“You sonofabitch,” Tim grinds out. “We stood by your family for years.”
“No, you caused havoc and chaos as you fought with our rival. But it’s over. Get your shit and get the hell out of here.”
Beside me, Roberto nods his approval, and we stay put, waiting while the angry men grab their personal belongings then head toward the front door, cursing us to hell and back as they leave. But I don’t care. A sense of relief fills me and the pressure on my chest begins to lighten.
After the last man walks out, Roberto stands up and slaps my back. “Good job, bro,” he says.
Nearby, Sean Flannigan stares at us with disgust in his eyes. “Oh, excellent job,” he says sarcastically. “Now all those men are going to go work for the Volkanovs and will be targeting you. Targeting us.”
“Why are you still here?” I ask. “You were included when I told everyone to leave.”
“What?” he sputters.
“That’s right. The Mennetti family will not be needing your services any longer.”
“But I worked for your father for years.”
The panic in his voice is clear.
“Sorry, no more ridiculously large checks will be deposited into your bank account each week.”
“This is preposterous! You need a lawyer and – ”
“Yes, we do. But it won’t be you.”
Sean lets out a huff. “You’re going to regret this decision. Roberto, talk some sense into your brother.”
“No need,” Roberto says easily. “Because I agree with every single decision he’s made since we walked in here.”
Sean’s eyes narrow into icy slits and I know the man is shrewd. A definite liability.
“I know every one of your family’s secrets. Keep that in mind before you make a permanent decision.”
He’s right, but I don’t care. I’ve been wanting to do this for months. “You’re fired, Mr. Flannigan,” I say coolly.
“Fools!” he exclaims and throws his hands up. You’re going to destroy everything your father and his father built! And I’m going to watch it implode and fall down all around you.”
“Bye, Sean,” Roberto says easily.
“Don’t let the door hit your ass on the way out.”
Mumbling threats under his breath, Sean stalks out. I look over at my brother. “Whelp, that may have just started World War III.”
“You did the right thing,” he assures me. “There’s gonna be some fallout, but it’s time to end the rivalry and let go of all the shady bullshit. If Matthias Volkanov wants to run the underground
stuff then let him. We’ll focus on our legit businesses and continue building those.”
I nod. “Thanks, Rob. I’m going to need all of your help.”
“I got you, bro,” he assures me. “We all do.”
Picking up the gun, I look down at it and thank God that my brother kept me from going off the deep end again. I can’t afford to lose myself to the darkness. I need Trish in my arms. Now.
“C’mon,” he says. “Let’s go home.”
I nod and start counting down the minutes until I can pull Trish against my chest and hold her tightly. At some point, she became my sanity, my heart and my soul.
And I’m never letting her go.