Page 92 of Arranged Addiction
“My boy was always too kind for his own good.”
“You don’t have to worry about anything. We’ll take care of it all, you know that. I’m sorry again. I wish I could do more.”
“I know, Mr. Whelan. I know. But there’s nothing to be done.” She gives me another tight smile, and the receiving line moves along. Casey murmurs her respects, and soon we find ourselves on the other end of the crowd.
Men and women approach me. Most pay quiet respects. They speak kindly about my father and the family.
Right now, nothing feels right.
Casey holds my hand the whole time. If that’s unseemly or if it looks weak, I don’t give a damn. She’s shaken by how close Senesi got to her aunt, and she needs comfort right now. The dead are dead. She’s my priority.
“Terrible thing when we lose a young one.” Donnell appears in a quiet lull before the service begins in earnest. “Never did like seeing them that way.”
“Part of the job. Boy saved a life.”
“Shame he had to pay with his own.” Donnell’s smile is dark and empty. “Come this way, Declan. Let’s have a chat for a moment.” He leads me toward the vestibule in the back as most of the other people begin filling in the pews. Casey follows, and if Donnell minds, he doesn’t say so, but she does stand off to the side and gives us some space to speak.
Donnell turns, and that plastered-on smirk vanishes into dust.
“Finbar’s making more demands,” he says softly, coming in close. I can smell his cologne. It’s an ugly scent and too sharp.
“Tell him to fuck off then. We had an agreement.” I keep myself steady. Even if nobody’s in earshot and this church is as friendly to my family as they get, I’m still aware that someone might see me and get the wrong impression. I have to be composed at all times. That’s what it means to be a leader.
“I’m afraid it’s not that simple.” Donnell almost sounds apologetic. “He wants more territory and better clients. And youknow, I’ve been thinking that maybe I can help him with that. It’s a lucrative idea.”
I let that sink in and say nothing. Donnell’s watching me carefully. We both know what he’s doing and a sick twist fills my guts.
How long was he planning this? Since that first meeting? Since my father was on his deathbed?
“You’re already getting the southern expansion.”
He only shrugs. “Can’t have too much, is what I say.”
“You have enough.”
“Come on now, Declan. No need to feel defensive. This isn’t what you think.”
I lean in close, lowering my voice. “I think it’s a slimy fuck trying to shake me down at a goddamn funeral. Tell me I’m wrong.”
“It’s business.” He spreads his hands. “That’s all.”
“All right, it’s business. And here’s my answer—” I grab him by the belt and yank him close. He stumbles as I ram my forehead straight into his cheek, but pull up just short of truly bashing him hard. “Fuck off.”
I let him go. He steps back, rattled, touching his face, his eyes wide. I bet the bastard hasn’t been hit in years. I shouldn’t have held back, but making the old shit bleed would be counterproductive.
“Not smart,” he mutters, putting more space between us. “Your father never treated me with so much disrespect. You think you can put hands on me, you little shit?”
“I think you don’t know the meaning of that wordrespect. I think you’ll do whatever you can to come out of this transition with as much territory and muscle as you can, and to hell with everyone else. You got concessions already. Finbar got the deal he needs. Either bend the fucking knee or taste glass.”
This isn’t the smartest play. I’m aware of that. I know Casey’s probably staring at me in horror right now wondering why I’m ruining this so badly.
I’m sick of fucking politics. I’m exhausted and done with kissing ass. I tried to play the game and Donnell is still trying to stab me in the back anyway. He’s using Finbar as an excuse to pry more power away from me. If I give him that territory, he’ll never stop making his demands.
It ends here. I need a line, and this is it.
“You know your life is going to be miserable if I decide you’re not such a great boss after all.” His lips curl into a snarl. “You fucking need me.”
“You’re useful until you’re not. And right now, you’re right on that line. Which way do you want to tip, Donnell? You want to be a Whelan man? Shut your mouth and do what you’re told. You want to start a war? Walk out of here and start causing trouble. See how long you last.”
