Page 50 of Redemption

“So what’s going on?” I ask.

“The Holmes family closed off our access to their offshore account we were funneling money through.”

“I told you we never should have brought them in.”

He tosses ice into his glass. “It was a rookie mistake.”

“I’m surprised my father even approved of that acquisition.”

Roland pours vodka over the ice. “It was one of my first. I think he was teaching me a lesson.”

“Did you talk to your father about it?”

He snorts. “What do you think he said? He told me I needed to learn my lesson somehow.”

“Have you been in contact with them?”

“They won’t answer my calls.”

“Have you used any of our mercenaries to encourage them with a little force?” I ask as I lean my elbows onto my knees.

“Before I did that, I was hoping to ask you about that account you had in Boston. The senator.”

I shake my head. “They were already involved in illegal shit. I just found someone weak enough to believe my lies about being related to the family. I gave her the information to expose them and she did. The company folded. And I got the money out and anything tying us to them wiped before the feds even looked into it.” I drink a sip of my drink. “Holmes didn’t do anything. Just needed help with their failing business. That’s why I never bring those men in. They are weak. And they have nothing we can hold against them.”

“So you suggest I have someone killed?” he asks.

I lean back in the booth. “Or kidnap someone.” I shrug with indifference. “Someone weak like that will shit their pants out of fear and pay out.”

“You were always good at this game,” Roland says to me with a look of sincerity in his eyes.

“It’s business, not a game.” My response is sullen. This is the reason Roland isn’t ready to take a seat at the table. His father didn’t groom him like mine did. He is too careless, too reckless at times.

His gaze moves to the dance floor, either watching the crowd or watching his employees. I’m surprised when he speaks. “I never understood why you did what you did for the Montfords.”

I feel my chest tighten but I act like his words don’t affect me. “Bastian and I go way back.”

“Not as far as you and I.”

“But we were born into this. He wasn’t.”

He turns to look at me and his eyes narrow. “But I thought this was business.”

I tilt my head at him, my gaze condemning. “It is.”

“Why do you seem like you don’t want that seat?”

I shrug. “Maybe because I’m not a bastard like you.”

He leans back in his chair, a sinister smile on his face. “Thanks for the compliment.”

“It’s the truth.” I pause and sip my whiskey. “You want this more than anyone.”

“I never understood why you don’t.” His voice is curious.

I run my fingers along the top of my glass. “I used to. But maybe after twenty years of being the villain and acting like the saint, I’m finally over it. I’m tired.”

“You don’t have much of a choice, Kilian.”

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