Page 121 of Heir

We didn’t do human trafficking, especially of women or children—something that had been a source of contention between us and the nearby gangs because we controlled the port system. We determined what got in and out of the country from the West.

Most of our products were drugs and guns. And I wasn’t fucking stupid. I knew that shit had consequences, and perhaps I was reaching, thinking that by trying to put a stop to all the shit from our competitors, we were doing something good.

I shook my head and scrolled down to where they had announced the winner.

I pointed out the name to Dad. He didn’t show any reaction, but I knew him well enough to see he was putting the pieces together.

Now, to try to put together how the King’s Men fell into this.

Were they trying to take us out to get control of the West?

I didn’t know.

“Good old Grigoriy Savkin participated in the auction,” Dad commented mildly.

“Not only did he participate, he won. Here’s the connection between the Savkin Bratva and Frank Gallagher we’ve been looking for. The old Savkin bastard wanted a gift, and Frank Gallagher offered his niece, like a lamb to be slaughtered.”

I tightened my grip on the couch cushion before I forced myself to relax.

“But why would Frank deal with someone responsible for his brother’s death?” Dad asked.

“How do we know Frank didn’t put the hit out on William himself?”

Dad turned to me, shaking his head. “People’s lack of loyalty sickens me.”

I nodded. “But that took care of one of our problems.”

And had William not already died at the Savkin Bratva’s hands, I would have fucking sneaked into his prison cell and killed the bastard myself for what he had done to Gemma.

Dad let out a sigh. “All right. At least we’re further along than we were. This doesn’t look good for us, but now we can stay one step ahead of the game. Do you know if they’re transporting the other girls?”

“No, but I can find out.”

He nodded. “All right. But be careful, son. There are some ugly shits in this place. You can’t unsee anything if you decide to go exploring.”

I nodded. “I know. I’ll be careful.”

He turned to me, hesitating. “Tell me if you don’t want to answer this. I’ll understand. But is Gemma…”

I closed out of the site and shut my laptop.

“No, she’s not a virgin anymore.”

He nodded, smiling a little. “That’s good. You took away the one thing Grigoriy Savkin was bidding for. If this doesn’t turn him against Frank, then I don’t know what will.”

“Can you stay here with her? I won’t be longer than a few hours.”

He clutched my shoulder. I knew a part of him never wanted me to pledge. He had wanted to keep my innocence for as long as possible, but that had been fucking burned to the ground that night in the alleyway.

This club was where I belonged, where I was always meant to be, and getting my hands dirty for the club had never bothered me. Not as much as it bothered Dad to see me get my hands dirty, though he never showed it.

If I had let him, he would have put me behind a computer indefinitely, but I was Dominic Madden’s son.

He knew that would never be enough for me.

“Come back home to me and the girl in one piece.”

He meant my state of mind.

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