The Untouchables (Ruthless People 2)

I didn’t even have time to blink. She threw herself off the platform, and her body disappeared as the train swept it down the tunnel, screeching as it tried to stop.

“Fuck.”

THIRTY-SIX

“Look like the innocent flower, but be the serpent under it.”

—William Shakespeare

OLIVIA

There were certain guidelines that all politicians and their families followed. It only had three basic rules:

First: at some point there will be a chance to get ahead. Take it and never look back.

Second: people will talk, make sure you control what they talk about.

Third: always be willing to cut off the head of your enemies, especially when they’re on their knees.

“Neal,” I whispered, walking up behind him.

He didn’t look at me, he didn’t even speak. He just drank, as he stared at the sun as it set over the tree line in his brother’s office.

“Adriana committed suicide. Liam went to see her, and she just jumped. No one knows who she is though, so she only got a few minutes of air time before they went back to covering Saint Melody—”

“Olivia, our sister-in-law was kidnapped,” Neal said. “You can hold your vitriol for when she comes back.”

“Neal, the shit has already hit the fan and Liam is too blind to see it.” When would he start being the man I knew he was? “They are calling in the fucking FBI. In a few hours, some of the baddest Italian bosses are meeting to bring down this family. What were you saying about Roy? He’s not paying full price anymore? Neal, step up. If not for me, then for Liam. He needs you to have his back. We don’t know who to trust, but we’re family, and until Mel gets back, we can’t just wait to be moved around like chess pieces. Get in the chair and lead, or we will be pushed off the cliff.”

I could see it in his eyes: that willingness to die for his brother. But there was also that hunger to lead, to be the Ceann Na Conairte.

“How did you know about the meeting?”

“Nobody pays any attention to Malibu Barbie,” I said, sitting on the desk. “The question is, what are you going to do?”

He eyed me carefully.

“Neal.”

“I’ll let him deal with that. The very first thing we need to worry about is keeping Roy and the rest of the small fish in line. The election is in a few days. How’s your father doing in the polls?”

And just like that, he was a whole different person.

“His win will cast a small shadow on Melody. We’re thinking if she isn’t found by then, we will make an announcement.”

“Hopefully, she’ll be back by then. This much attention on the family isn’t good.”

“Hopefully.” Or not. “Do you have a distraction in mind?”

He sat down, relaxing into his chair. “No. But I’m forming one.”

“Well,” I jumped off the desk, “I’ll leave you to your thoughts. If you need me, I’m going to go spend time with Ethan.”

“How is he?”

“Perfect in every way. He doesn’t know anything is wrong, and I’m going to make sure he doesn’t miss any maternal love.”

He kissed my palm. “Don’t get too attached, baby. Liam’s going to keep him all to himself, and when Mel gets back, I wouldn’t be surprised if they took off for a while after all this shit.”

No. No one was taking Ethan from me. He was happy and I was going to make sure he stayed that way.

“Of course. Now get to work. I’m serious. I’m sure we’re bleeding money. At least this is one thing Liam will be happy to get off his plate.” Kissing his cheek, I left him. Stepping out of the office, I called the only person I knew would take the bait…after all, he’d taken it once before.

“Hello, Officer Scooter speaking.”

“Liam Callahan killed his wife.”

“I’m sorry, what? Hello? How did you know? Hello? Please, repeat that?”

Hanging up, I pulled the sim card out of the phone before snapping it in half. I walked into the blue and green nursery, and there he was, in his little white crib reaching up for the star mobile.

“There’s my boy. Who woke you up, huh?”

He spit up bubbles, as he looked up at me. It was amazing how much love was in his tiny body. Lifting him into my arms, I found myself drifting towards the window. Liam had been so paranoid he had placed bars on it.

“Your daddy is crazy. But don’t worry, he’s going to go away for a while, I promise.”

Neal was going to be Ceann Na Conairte.

My father was going to be president.

And I would take care of him.

Of all of them.

THIRTY-SEVEN

“Deserves it! I daresay he does. Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life.”

—J.R.R. Tolkien

SCOOTER

I didn’t understand why everyone was so damn scared. We got him. We fuck’en got him. I knew something wasn’t right. The man was hiding something and now I knew what it was. He was a bigger monster than I thought. I knew he was behind countless murders, but to kill his own fucking wife?

“It’s not enough,” The Captain said. I threw the folder on his desk, the document I had spent hours building.

“Sir—”

“It ain’t enough, Scooter.”

“Bullshit!”

“Officer…”

“No! I’m tired of this shit. Everyone is so fucking scared of these assholes that they turn a blind eye.” Pulling off my badge, I threw it onto his desk. “Take it. Are you in their pockets too? Or are you like the rest of these moral-lacking pieces of shit scattered in this city?”

He rose from his chair so quickly it crashed into the blinds behind him. “Have you lost your damn mind? Do you hear yourself? I have half a mind to kick you off this force anyway.”

“Go ahead! It ain’t like we do shit. I just told you two of his previous girlfriends ended up dead. Natasha Briar’s body was found naked in a ditch. Now his wife is missing and the man has been hiding something from day one! We got a call, a recorded call saying Liam Callahan killed his wife.”

“Scooter, all you have is circumstantial evidence.”

“Since when did we fucking need more? We’ve been trying for years to get this fucker and now here’s our chance. Be the man this city needs. Step up, for the love of God. Make those bastards pay!” He looked at me before looking at the folder on his desk. Folding his arms over his chest, he shook his head and turned back to the window.

“Sir.”

“Get some rest, Scooter. We go after him in the morning. I’ll get the warrant. It’s going to take a while to find a judge that will willingly get in on this.”

I wanted to go now, but I knew he was right. The last judge that spoke out against the Callahans ended up hanging from a bridge. Although, once again, no one could pin it on them.

“This is right, Captain. We’re doin’ the right thing. I know it.”

He didn’t look at me. “Be here by 7:00 a.m. Go home, kiss your wife, and prepare yourself.”

He made it seem as if we were going to a war, an all-out battle. But I had studied the Callahans for years. They were all about their public image; they wouldn’t do anything that would cause them to look anything less than perfect. They worked in the shadows and now they were about to meet the sun. Walking out of his office, I didn’t bother making eye contact with anyone.