Page 90 of The Mafia's Bride
I reel back, mind numb. Then blazing, furious anger washes over me. “What new orders?”
The old man’s face pales, looking from me to Killian. I don’t look at the killer. I can feel his wrath hit me like a wedge of ice against my skin. “The orders you radioed us. Said this spot wasn’t safe. We metyour guys further up the mouth.” He points into the darkness. “They took care of the crates there, then we came here to appear normal.”
Took the crates to a different spot.
Someone called in and changed the orders. Someone close.
I don’t think as I do it. I take out my gun and fire two quick rounds.
The seaman falls to the deck but no one moves. I’m already stalking off the bow, Killian at my side.
He looks as angry as I feel. “You’ve got a mole.”
“I fucking know.” Because no one knew about this. I had the papers. I gave them to Tony. To Nico. To Killian.
As much as I hate the hitman, Killian is too loyal to the O’Briens. He’s fucking whipped by Maeve. He’s not the one I have to worry about.
Tony has been in the family longer than me. A cousin through Nico’s father’s side, he was raised in this world. He knows what happens to moles. He’s tasked with usually ending them.
Then Nico. No fucking way would he tell. What would be the point?
We get to the car, and I wretch it open, hinges screaming under the assault. Anger, white hot, pounds in my gut, thoughts spinning. Too many to properly think through.
A mole. Ace’s products gone. My wife’s safety in peril. The potential for a war between our families.
I roar, punching the car window. Glass scatters to the wooden dock, blowing away into the cold breeze.
The men stand behind me, silent, watching, waiting for me to make a move.
Taking deep breaths, I tug on my gloves.
I have to calm down and think. Nico instilled in me the same attributes. Think things through. Come up with a plan. Never let them see your weakness.
Like my uncle said, someone wants the alliance to fail. Going after Ace’s product was a dick move, but it was smart. It will show herthat I’m unfit to be an ally. Unfit to be in her clan. Unfit to marry her sister.
This is all about making me look bad.
To our rivals. To our allies.To my wife.
“Someone is coming after me.” I fish out a cigarette, promise to Maria gone. I need something to take the edge off or I’ll kill another man.
“Smart move,” Killian agrees. I glance back as he plays on his phone. “If they can undermine you, then everything falls. The family, the contract. Hell, even your marriage.”
Lighting the end, I inhale the thick, acidic smoke into my lungs. Thoughts settling, I rub my bottom lip, watching Killian play.
A few beats pass, my mind made up. “Someone wants to be in my position. They want what I have.”
Tony winces. “That’s a long list, boss.”
“It is. But our new friend will whittle it down for me.” I give Killian a pointed look.
He sighs as if he’s annoyed. “I will?”
I step closer. “You will. Because as long this mole lives, not only is my organization in danger, but so is Ace’s clan. And I have a feeling you give a shit about keeping the clan safe.”
Killian raises one eyebrow smugly. “I don’t give a shit about the clan, heir. I’m not in it, why would I care about what happens to it?”
“Maybe it’s not the clan you care about.” I toss my cigarette. “Maybe it’ssomeoneelse. And finding a name will keepthemsafe.”
