“I told you. The Army is shifting its focus again. The old crew is righting wrongs.”
“Is that really what you think?” she scoffed.
“After what happened you don’t? Right now Johnny is meeting the same fate.”
“And that brings my father back how?”
“It makes sure he didn’t die—”
“In vain? Yes he did. The whole cause is a load of rubbish. People dying, and us killing for something that’s probably never going to happen? Why the hell can’t we just live in harmony? At the end of the day, how much does it matter if someone wants to be a Protestant or a Catholic?”
Keir gasped.
“We take these precious little bairns and teach them to hate, and murder. It’s not right. You’re too blinded by the shit piled up around your ears, boyo.”
“You’ve turned you back on where you’re from.” His voice lacked conviction.
“Have I then? That’s why I saw the tear in your eyes when you told me about how life traps you?”
“You don’t know—”
“No, I don’t, Keir. You made that clear, haven’t you? I don’t trust you as far as I could throw you. I think your story is bullshit. There’s something off about the entire thing. You wanted to revenge my father, but to do it you had to damn near burn the Clover to the ground?” She shook her head. Spots of pink appeared on her cheek.
“You know the nature of these things. It’s not an exact science,” he said.
“You crawl right back under the rock you came out from under and stay away from me and my mum.”
“The Army wants—”
“I don’t give a fuck what you or your Army want. You forgot about us for years. Go do the same.”
Her drawl was thick, and her face was pale.
“You’re done. Now it’s my turn to have a talk with you,” Enzo said, pleased when the boy’s eyes dilated. That’s right, you’re on my turf now, little bitch.
“I KNOW YOU WANT AT him, but then I’d have IRA problems, and I don’t think either of us really wants that,” Snake said as he eye-balled who sat in a chair while Big Mike negotiated
“So he gets a nice vacation, work visa, and a slap on the wrist?” Enzo asked.
“Not sure what’s going to go down. They fucked up not letting us know what was going on in our city. Mike won’t let them forget that. He might ask for them to pay with blood. Their ways aren’t our own.”
“I understand the politics. But my woman’s laid up in the hospital, and the gallery is fucked until we can get it patched up. I can’t stand by and do nothing.”
“Let’s see what he does. Think about the little one you have.”
Snake’s word penetrated the red haze. His mistakes affected more than just him now.
“You’re right,” he said.
Snake patted his shoulder. “Good, man.”
The door to church opened, and Mike stepped out. Silence came among them.
“They’ll be paying to repair the gallery, and once it’s finished, Colleen and Aibhlinn have immunity. They won’t be pulled into this any longer,” Mike stated.
“And the rat?” Enzo questioned.
“Goes back to where he came from. Touch him and the deal’s off.”