Page 26 of Revenge
“Do you need me to do anything?”
“I need you to set up a meeting with my lieutenants.”
“That wasn’t what I was asking.”
“But that is what I’m ordering. I need to get back to work.” His cue to leave. I need to get my shit together. Fiona needs to stop dodging the paternity test. I’ll need to take her myself if I have to.
I turn my chair and face the city. It’s a beautiful day, the kind of day I used to take Ava for a stroll on. I’ve missed her feistiness and smart mouth. The house is empty without her. Ava made it a home. It doesn’t feel like home anymore, and I dread being there, so I’ve been staying in the city lately. I’ve claimed I’m working, which isn’t entirely a lie. Fiona sees right through me. She knows I just want to be away from her. But I don’t care. There is nowhere I can go where to find peace like the peace and solace I found in Ava.
My reverie is interrupted as my cell beeps.
Oliver: Meeting set at Eros @7
Viktor: Copy
To occupy my time, I look through my emails. I’m not sure why I opened Manarch Industries. I’ve been stressed by running both businesses. My father reminds me daily how I’m failing the clan. Manarch Industries is the future. We can’t continue to run around like thugs. We can be much more than criminals. I won’t ever abandon our ways. All I’ve ever known is the clan. I would die for my brothers without hesitation. I’m simply building an empire. A place that shields our regular business. But he will never get it. He wants the power that comes with fear.
“Speak o’ the devil!” Angus says.
“You must be hanging around your grandma too long. Your Scot is leaking,” Ray responds, making everyone laugh.
“Thanks for coming, boys,” I say.
“Anytime. You called, and we’re here,” Angus replies.
“Aye,” Beiste adds.
I find comfort in sitting with my top three and Oliver. We’ve all been friends for a long time.
“Down to business. As you know, things aren’t getting any better. Bobby and my father’s capos aren’t getting involved in the brawls that seem to happen more frequently with the Irish and spill over into fights between our brothers. They’re loyal to my father, so they won’t move a finger unless my father gives the green light.” Bobby is my father’s consigliere. “Which means we have to step it up,” I add.
“The men are tired. They’re turning on each other,” Oliver chimes in.
“We have to find a way to find peace with our brothers while we fix our McIntyre problem. Cillian has inserted himself in my father’s ear. From a distance, people can perceive him as his right hand.”
“Aye,” Beiste says.
“What were you thinking, Boss?” Ray asks.
“I called this meeting because I refuse to run the clan like my father. I have the last word, but I want you to feel heard.” As I speak, Oliver is at my side. I know he’ll follow me to the death, but I want to make sure the men in front of me make the choice for themselves. “What I propose won’t be easy and can get us all killed. I want you to be willing to follow. I won’t demand it.”
Oliver nods, declaring as I expected, “I’m with you, Viktor.”
“Whit’s fur ye’ll no go by ye! I’ll follow you to deid,” Angus says. I don’t expect anything less from him.
The ancient Scots phrase means what is meant to happen will happen. And he said he will follow me to the death.
“Aye,” Both Beiste and Ray add.
“Thank you. Your loyalty is priceless. The first item of business is that we need to figure out a way to stop the men from fighting. At the rate we’re going, people will die and we can’t have that. The last thing we need is the cops at our doorstep. Someone has to be instigating these brawls. We need to find out who’s behind them and stop it.” I turn to my second after Oliver, Angus, “Have there been any more issues with paychecks?”
“Naw. I’ve stayed on top of it. It’s helped with morale,” Angus answers.
“Good. Let me know if anything changes. Beiste, I need you at the docks. If anything is out of the norm, I need to know. You have to be my eyes and ears.”
“Aye.” Beiste is the oldest of all of us. He was raised in Scotland and came to the US as a teenager. He’s more reserved, but the man will follow orders without question.
“Ray, I need you to audit the businesses. My father clearly has given Cillian free rein with who knows what.”
