“I realized something the other day. The family will never be whole with both of us running around. The board wants you as the CEO, but the board doesn’t matter. The company doesn’t matter. It’s the family that’s important, and you don’t give a damn about family. If I were a horrible man, I’d hunt down Aunt Irene and kill her just to make a point.”
“What are you talking about? I thought I was here so we could make a deal.” Hugh’s eyes narrow.
“Sir,” the guard says, leaning forward. “I know those men. The guys at those tables over there.”
“What are you talking about?” Hugh squints at the guard then out at the patrons.
“Those are soldiers. They’re fucking street soldiers. They work for Kellen.” The guard’s eyes widen. “Oh, fuck. Everyone in here works for Kellen.” He reaches for a gun under his jacket.
Clyde’s faster. He brings up his pistol and aims it at the guard’s chest across the table, still smiling. “Easy there,” he says. “Why don’t you put your hands on the table.?”
“What the fuck is this?” Hugh says, scrambling to get away, but my gun’s already drawn. I hold it aimed at him and he stares at the barrel in shock. “We’re in public. What the hell are you doing?”
“Public?” I tilt my head. “This is my restaurant, or didn’t you know what I own places like this? I guess you wouldn’t since all you see is a jumped-up street thug when you look at me.” I raise my other hand, set my fingers, and snap loudly.
Suddenly, all the women in the room stand. A dozen women, young and beautiful, instantly walk to the door, moving fast. It’s a stampede, leaving behind only their dates. Young men, hardened man. Scarred and covered in tattoos. The women exit the restaurant until there are only hard, angry looks staring at Hugh. Finn and Angus sit with their backs to the bar, both of them armed. The staff is gone, ushered quietly away the moment our waitress took our orders.
Tara remains. She made me swear I’d let her stay. She said being here would put Hugh at ease—he wouldn’t guess I’d bring her along to something so dangerous.
“What the hell is happening?” Hugh asks, staring at me, staring at the gun, his face turning pale. “I thought we were making a deal. You get the crime family and I get the company.”
“Your guard here almost ruined it for me.” I wave my gun at the guy and he flinches. “He recognized some of my people the moment he came through the door. I stocked this room with my own men, guys from my personal crew, guys I didn’t think you’d know, but I didn’t bank on the muscle here.”
“This is insane. There are witnesses.”
Clyde laughs. “We might as well be alone, Hugh. These aren’t witnesses. They’re accomplices.”
It finally sinks in. Hugh sits back, trembling, staring at me with chattering teeth. “Kellen,” he says.
I lean forward. “You poisoned my mother. You hurt an innocent woman. If you hadn’t done that, maybe I could’ve worked with you. We are family, after all. But you went too far.”
“I did what I thought was necessary. What my father said—”
“Don’t blame this on your old man. That’s too pathetic.”
“You don’t need to do this. We can work together. You don’t want the company.”
“You’re right, I don’t. But do you know what I do want?”
“What?” he whispers.
“Revenge.”
I pull the trigger. Hugh’s head snaps back and his blood and brains cover the booth and the wall behind him. The guard doesn’t move an inch despite getting his face splattered with gore. One person yelps in surprise—Tara. Everyone else only stares, unmoving.
My men, my loyal fucking men.
Hugh’s corpse slumps sideways, onto the guard.
“Get up,” I say, nodding at the man. He hurries to get from the booth and put some distance between him and his dead boss.
“What are you going to do with me?” the guard asks.
“Clyde? What do you think?”
Clyde stands up and taps his chin with his gun barrel. “Tough one. On the one hand, this guy was loyal to Hugh. But on the other, Hugh’s dead, so he might as well come work for you.”
“Tough call. Think he’d show me the same loyalty he showed Hugh?”