32. Cian
Cian
A s I promised myself and Wolfe, once I returned home from my second honeymoon with Ravenna, I’d dive into work.
This skirmish with the Monahans monopolizes my attention as soon as I sit down at my desk.
Apparently, there was a misunderstanding over turf lines.
They tried to open a gambling den on a property that I control, and when forced out, they didn’t take it lying down.
Shots were fired, but thankfully no one was seriously injured. This time.
We’re in a time of peace, and I intend to keep us out of any mob wars that might pop up. Including this one.
“Tell me about the Monahans,” I urge Wolfe.
He claims the seat across from me, arms folded over his chest. “I looked into them. They’re relatives of the old Flanagan family, and it seems like they’re taking over that turf. Clearly they don’t know where the border line’s drawn.”
“Or they’re testing the boundaries.”
Wolfe nods. “Could be. Three brothers lead the Monahan family. The eldest living one is Cormac, who has quite the reputation as a ruthless motherfucker. His younger brothers are Liam and Killian. There’s a nephew too, the son of the deceased brother.
They’re fresh off the boat from Ireland.
That’s about all anyone knows about them. ”
“That’s a good start. Keep an eye on them. We need to hold firm to our borders, don’t give the Monahans an inch. Also, make sure they know we have the Italians to back us. That should give them some perspective of who they’re fucking with.” Hopefully, they won’t want to fuck with us.
“Will do. Do you want me to arrange a meeting with them?”
Considering that option for a second, I shake my head. “Not yet. Hopefully we can both peacefully coexist.”
“All right.” He runs his hand over his shaved scalp. “Had a hell of a time trying to replace Seamus. Most of our guys don’t know shit about computers. Never expected to find out Brendan had such brains. I guess we all underestimated him because of that pretty boy face and crisp suit.”
“So you think he knows his stuff?” I wouldn’t have guessed it of the Dunne lad either. He’s always been the quiet, serious type. Didn’t think he was especially bright though.
“He’s already run circles around what Seamus installed. We’ll finally get a real security system around here.”
“Good.”
Wolfe settles back in his chair. “One other thing. After you’re finished with Brendan and the security system, we need to go over the accounts. I think a betting ring in Harlem is skimming money. The Italians might be lax about such things, but we sure as fuck aren’t.”
I suppress a sigh. It’s going to be a long day. Never a dull moment in this line of work.
“ A re you sure your heart’s set on a brownstone?” I ask Ravenna over dinner. We still wake up with each other in the mornings, but our days are mostly spent apart. Our evenings have been drifting in separate directions as well, so I insisted on us having dinner together tonight.
“Yes, definitely. I mean, we can look at some penthouses if you want. I have a list of interesting ones, but if I want to be close to my cousins then we should move into my old neighborhood. Plus, those old houses feel like home to me, I can’t imagine living in a different style of architecture We can renovate to update it if need be. ”
I give her an indulgent smile. “If that’s what you want, then put together a list and we’ll schedule the viewings around my work obligations.”
“Okay. I can do that.” She swallows a spoonful of soup. “Text me the dates you aren’t available and I’ll work around those.”
I grunt out an affirmative. Reaching across the table, I entwine our fingers, hardly able to believe that we’re taking this leap together. Buying a new home is no small feat. I’m looking forward to having a place that’s all ours. A home for our family. Putting down roots.
Ravenna hasn't brought up children again since our honeymoon. The question surfaces in my mind sometimes though. Why isn’t she pregnant yet?
Is it her? Or is it me?
Then I remember that we’ve been trying to conceive for less than a year. Patience. It will happen in its own time.
The timing will be even better once we’ve settled into our new home. That’s the ideal scenario in which to welcome our first child into this world.
We finish eating, and I’m about to escort my wife upstairs to our bedroom when my phone rings. Glaring at it, I tell Ravenna, “I have to take this, and it may be a few minutes. I’ll see you in bed.”
“No rush.” She presses a kiss to my lips, then heads upstairs.
I answer the call. “Niall Bane, do you have what I asked for on the Monahans?”
“Good evening to you too, cousin.”
I cringe. “We’re not family.”
“Hm… last I checked my mother and your father were siblings. That would make us cousins. Though you only ever contact me when you need something—nope, wait, that definitely sounds like something family would do.”
“We don’t live in the same sphere. So I don’t consider us family.”
He chuckles. “Our spheres cross more than you’d think. Just because my siblings and I have legal day jobs doesn’t mean our hands are any cleaner than yours, O’Rourke.”
“Yeah, I doubt that. Your father made it clear he wanted nothing to do with mine.” The resentment still burns. Aiden Bane is the reason my father spent the remainder of his life in prison. So no, I don’t consider the Banes family.
“Well, they’re both dead. So what we do is up to us now. Anyway, I have that information on the Monahan family.”
“And?”
“They ran a gang in Belfast called the Irish Hammers. After getting into too much trouble there, they escaped and made their way to New York. These guys are the real thing. Seasoned Irish gangsters. Don’t mess with them.
It’s a good thing you have ties to the Italian mafia now, so they can watch your back.
The good news is the Monahans are new in town.
They don’t have any real connections or allies yet, which makes them vulnerable.
At least for now. Funny thing is, they’re now calling themselves the Monahan Group. ”
“Sounds like a financial firm.”
“It does. But they’re far from anything corporate.”
I take a moment to process this information. “Do you have a full dossier on the Monahan brothers?”
“I do. Emailed it to you,” he pauses for a long second, “I also emailed it to Blake Baron. He’s taken an interest in them too. Which isn’t surprising since he’s interested in everything that goes on in this city. But I thought you should know.”
I grunt. The Monahans really are serious players if Mr. Baron is also looking into them.
“Well…” Niall sighs. “See you around sometime, cousin. Or just call me up when you need another favor.”
“Thanks.” I mean it, but he’s already ended the call.
I’ll look through the information Niall sent me on the Monahans tomorrow. But if they’re as dangerous as they seem, then I might have to set up a meeting and see if we can come to an understanding before we start fighting over the limited space that New York offers.
Maybe they’ll welcome a peace treaty between us. Or maybe they’ll try to cut us out.