I think of my father, wondering what he’d do in this situation. I remember watching him work, how he commanded respect just by entering a room. People feared him, yes, but they also trusted him to keep order. He wouldn’t be having this conversation because O’Donnell would be kissing his ring.
"The other families…" O'Donnell gestures vaguely. "They see four brothers out for revenge. Skilled, dangerous, but not leaders. Not empire builders."
"We're more than that."
"Prove it." He stands, and while I like that he’s showing backbone, I’d prefer that he showed it to Hampton Kean. “The crews remember your father's strength. Show them the Ifrinns can do more than kill from the shadows. Show them you can lead, like your father did.”
I rise to my full height, taller than him, refusing to let him look down on me. “It’s not like you to be afraid. The Keans are powerful because everyone's too scared to stand against them. But together? We can match their strength. It's now or never, John."
“Why aren’t you talking to them? Why are you still hiding?”
"Let me remind you of something." I lean over his desk, voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "Who paid your debt to Kean when he came calling?"
O'Donnell's face flashes irritation. "I haven't forgotten?—”
"Good, then you know that debt didn't disappear just because we paid it. It transferred. To us. And if you think betraying us will end better than crossing Kean, you're making a fatal mistake." I straighten, adjusting my cuffs. "We're taking back what's ours, John. Every property, every connection, every scrapof respect the Keans stole from us. You can either help us do it and prosper, or…"
The threat hangs in the air between us. O'Donnell's hands shake slightly as he reaches for his drink. I can’t be sure whether it’s fear or anger. Maybe both.
"Your choice. But you can’t just be a pussy and calculate which side you think will win. You have to take a side. Just remember, if you take Keans’ side and we win, well… that debt will become a problem for you.”
I wait for him to argue that we could lose, but he knows, as I do, that this is all speculation. Anything could happen.
When I leave O’Donnell’s,I head straight to Phoenix’s apartment, our headquarters for revenge as well as running our own little empire that has funded this vendetta. The online world has been very helpful for us to make a fortune while hiding in the shadows.
I storm into Phoenix's place, finding my brothers already gathered there.
"O’Donnell is wavering," I announce. "Claims the other families need proof we're more than just four brothers with a grudge."
Blaise curses under his breath. "After everything we've done?"
“He argues that no one knows what we’ve done. We’ve been too subtle. He says people think Ronan killed Marshall?—”
“That fucker?” Flint’s tone is incensed, clearly not liking Ronan taking credit for his kill.
“And people don’t believe Blaise killed Ronan because Hampton hasn't acknowledged it."
"Of course he hasn't," Blaise scoffs. "He's trying to save face."
"Doesn't matter." Phoenix's calm voice cuts through our frustration. "If O'Donnell's right about the other families' doubts, we need to change tactics."
I brace my hands on the back of a chair at the table where papers and electronic devices hold all our secrets. "He'll still give us his men, but they won't be enough. Not without broader support. He needs to know the other families will be on our side when the shit hits the fan."
"He got some balls to waver when we’ve got Hannah,” Blaise says. "If her father's getting cold feet…"
"She stays out of this." The words come out sharp, and I notice Blaise glancing at Flint. I take in a calming breath. "O'Donnell knows it’s in his best interests to help us. I made that clear."
Phoenix studies me carefully. "Did you threaten him?"
"Reminded him of his obligations." I meet his gaze steadily. "The debt he owed Kean is ours now. And so is his daughter."
"Speaking of Hannah…" Flint starts.
"Don't." I cut him off. She’s already having to endure so much by being married to me. The least I can do is keep her out of this, not make her more of a pawn than she already is. "This isn't about her. We need to figure out how to prove ourselves to these other families.”
"Maybe it's time we stopped hiding," Phoenix muses. "Made some noise, let people know the Ifrinns are back in business."
We've operated in shadows for so long, the thought of stepping into the light feels foreign. Dangerous. And yet, I think he’s right. Especially since O’Donnell was correct in saying that our father built his empire in plain sight. Maybe it's time his sons did the same.
