Page 13 of Inferno

“What’s our plan?” I ask as I roll up my sleeves and lean back.

He shakes his head.

“Son, it’s about time you oversaw this. I’m getting too old, and the likelihood is we’re about to have a war on our doorstep. I need you and your brothers out of the way. I don’t want an American empire for myself, I want it for my sons. And only you can do that for me.”

I swallow the lump in my throat. He’s trained me my entire life for this role.

Everything has been calculated. I am the strategist. The leader. Conan, the muscle, fearless and loyal, and Finn. He’s our superpower. Unimaginably clever and devious. A trainee surgeon by day, and lord knows what he gets up to at night.

Nothing gets past him. No one crosses him. It’s like he sees the future. He knows what will go down before it does.

“You know I’ve got this, Dad. But how?”

He shrugs, pouring himself another glass.

“I’ve set you a meeting with Enzo. He has, let’s say, opportunities for you boys. It’s a whole new world over there.And once you’re set up, we can merge the Irish branch with the American branch. The Quinns will be unstoppable.”

Scratching my stubble, I let the ideas swirl around in my brain. There’s always a fucking cost.

“At what price?”

He throws his hands up in the air.

“I don’t know. Enzo isn’t a man of many words. But he has connections, he has power. If we are aligned with him, you boys will be safe.”

“You want me to sell my soul?” I chuckle, but he doesn’t join me.

He frowns, running a hand through his white hair.

“Maybe part of it. Being a boss is a ruthless game. There is no time for weakness, boy. I know you have it in you. Let the world believe the Quinn brothers are true embodiments of evil. The villains of this game. It will give you respect. You want them to fear you. That’s the only way you can play to win. But just never lose that golden heart your mother gave you. Keep her alive through her boys for me.”

Fuck.

I rub at my chest as the pain radiates. I miss her so damn much.

She was the light in our dark lives. There was nothing a hug from her couldn’t solve.

There was even comfort to be found when she slapped us on the back of the head.

She was our safe space. And now she’s gone. All four of us are lost.

Maybe this new start is what we need. Build a new empire.

“I understand.”

“Good. I’m confident you’ll do well. Just keep an eye on Conan. His temper is your only weakness that I see.”

“He wasn’t ready to fight again, Dad. I told you.”

A sadness washes over his face. I can sense his disappointment.

“I know, son. I know. I just thought maybe going back to the one thing he found joy in would be the answer.”

I can’t help but laugh.

“You let a killing machine in a cage and expected no blood?”

That gets a smile out of him.

---