Children of Vice (Children of Vice 1)
Page 7
To appease her as best I could, I tried self-deprecating. “As if a Callahan man would listen to the opinions of others.”
She didn’t want to, but she smiled anyway. “Why have you called me here?”
“I’ve found a wife—”
“Come again?” Her eyes went wide as she stared at me.
“A wife,” I said very slowly. “I’ve found one…well, her.”
“Ethan, a woman isn’t a cat! What do you mean you found her?”
“It’s a long story. Nevertheless, she’s going to need your help. She’s not exactly Callahan material—and before you ask, I do not know her. She is a tool in a very important game, a tool I need you to secure without a doubt so she’ll be ready by my birthday.”
She stared at me shocked, confused, annoyed until she finally snapped. “Ethan! I swear to God, if you do not stop being so cryptic—”
“You are aware that someone of the Irish in Boston isn’t pleased with this family, correct?”
She grinned, rising to her feet. “Jealously must be hard.”
“I would not know,” I replied, and she merely made a face as I continued. “Nana, that is all I can say for now.”
Sighing, she stood in front of me and reached out to place her hand on my cheek, but I backed away. Unfazed, she dropped her hand and spoke again, “You do realize marriage in this family is undoable, correct? You know nothing other than she isn’t Callahan material, which is the most important thing for her to be, and yet are willing to sacrifice the rest of your life, privacy, and peace, simply so your grand plan can come together?”
“If it means protecting this family’s name and legacy, I’d set myself on fire.” I felt my whole body tensing as I spoke. “I will not be the son who inherited the kingdom only to let it crumble at my feet. That is not my fate.”
“You do know this is why your cousins are scared of you, correct?” She pouted. “They think you’d kill even me in order to win…let alone them.”
I stared at her a long time. She was testing me, wanting to hear what I’d say, and so I didn’t answer. Reaching over, I grabbed the gun and placed it in the concealed shoulder holster under my arm before grabbing my coat and offering her my arm.
“Would you like to join me for brunch, Nana?”
“Fine, you can tell me all about where to find this girl,” she replied, walking toward the double doors to exit.
“Ethan…” Her voice trailed off as she eyed me dangerously, when again I didn’t answer.
“Ricker Hill.”
“PRISON?”
“Didn’t I mention that?” I paused by my door, hand on the handle.
“NO, you fucking did not!” She cursed, and I couldn’t help but smirk.
“And here I thought you didn’t judge, Grandmamma—”
“Well, you were wrong for once.”
“Once out of a million is hardly a bad record. Shall we go?” I held the door open for her.
Her nose flared and she looked as though she wanted to smack me. However, she maintained her composure upon seeing both Toby and Greyson standing in wait.
“This isn’t over.”
How could it be? It hadn’t even begun.
TWO
“Does the walker choose the path, or the path the walker?”