Chapter 7
SEVEN
“H ow’s your sister?” My father asks from across the table, steepling his fingers as he peers back at me.
We’re in Haldon’s office at The Ravenite, waiting for a deal to conclude at the docks. Now that I’m head of the family, I try not to get directly involved unless requested. It was something my dad taught me when he was training me for this position. My presence and respect has to be earned, and until my clients understand this, I won’t be meeting with him face to face. Plus, I refuse to get my own office. Haldon has more than enough space for me to hold meetings in any of his clubs, so it’d just be a waste.
“Why don’t you ask her yourself?” I smirk.
“You know it’s easier to ask you,” he chuckles, throwing back the contents of his whiskey.
I roll my eyes at the truth of that statement, because my sister doesn’t make shit easy for anyone. Then again, I’ve never known my dad to back down from anything. When the Russians first approached the Five with the proposal of using our docks, he didn’t even bat an eye. You see, my dad is clever in the way he forms alliances. He’s methodical, logical. He analyzes every aspect, all while making you believe you have the upper hand. I’ve seen it countless times between alliances that have come and gone, but when it comes to my sister, he’s a lost cause.
Huffing out a breath, I glance his way, noticing the concerned look etched across his face. He and my sister don’t always see eye to eye on some things—well, pretty much every thing. I know he’s only looking out for her, but some of his actions have been questionable at times. He still sees her as his little girl, but Alanis is far from that. She’s a badass; I’m not even afraid to admit that she gives me a run for my money. I know for a fact if she actually wanted a part of this life, she’d be damn good at it. But therein lies the problem— she doesn’t want anything to do with the family business. That’s been the nail in my father’s coffin.
“You guys are far too similar,” I state, earning an agitated look from my dad. “What? You guys are pretty much the same person. Lani just has better hair.”
My dad glares at me from across the table, though there’s humor lacing his dark eyes. Pointing an accusatory finger at me, he laughs. “And you’re just like your damn mother.”
I chuckle at that because it’s hardly an insult. My mom is a goddamn saint with the way she puts up with all three of us. We don’t make it easy for her, and I know she hates to be the referee, but deep down I know she would do anything for us.
“Speaking of,” Dad says, clearing his throat. “She wants to have a family dinner soon.” He doesn’t look too happy about that statement and I, too, feel the same way. We never have family dinners because putting all four of us in the same room usually ends up in catastrophe. More often than not, it’s because my sister and dad butt heads over something trivial.
Still, I understand why Mom wants to attempt another one. She spent a lot of her time working, becoming one of the most ruthless lawyers in New York City before Dad finally convinced her to retire. We don’t live with our parents anymore, and she wants every chance she can get to spend with her kids. I just wish it wasn’t so difficult to sit down and get through one meal without an argument breaking out.
“I’ll be there,” I finally tell him as the door to Haldon’s office swings open.
The music from the floor below us pours into the room as my Uncle Noah and our client step through the door.
“The last of the shipments have been checked and loaded,” Noah states, crossing the room to the liquor cart.
Stapleton, our contact for the private security firm I deal with steps forward, pulling his phone from his pocket. I watch him type something before putting it away and glancing at me and my dad.
Not a second later, my phone vibrates in my jacket. I pull it out, reading the notification that flashes across the screen before I glance back at Stapleton with a frown. “This is more than what was agreed upon.”
“The client said it’s a little extra for making this a seamless transaction.”
I don’t like the sound of that. We run a less than legal business, which is dangerous enough. Add that to the fact that we might owe someone something down the line and it’s a recipe for disaster. Shaking my head, I stand up and pace towards Stapleton. “We’d rather not be indebted.”
“Don’t worry about it.” He holds his hand out to me. “It’s a relief to know you’re just as reliable as your father.” He offers a nod towards the man behind me.
I reach forward, shaking his hand with conviction. “Then, it’s a pleasure doing business with you.”
With a subtle glance in my father’s direction, Stapleton turns on his heel and heads out of the office.
My uncle approaches with a glass of whiskey in one hand and the bottle in the other. He takes a seat next to my dad, pouring another measure in his glass as I join them.
“So, how’d it go?” Dad asks, bringing his freshly filled glass to his lips.
“Shipments were all accounted for,” he answers, focusing his attention on me. “But you might want to check your security.”
“Oh?” I frown. That piece of information doesn’t sound great.
“I handled it. Just some kids trespassing.” Noah shrugs, taking another gulp of whiskey. “But if they can get in, anyone can.”
I nod in agreement. The last thing we need is someone trespassing. Innocent or not, those kids are lucky to be leaving alive tonight, because my men have always been told to shoot first. Noah is slightly more reserved when it comes to violence. Then again, he didn’t have the same upbringing as my dad did.
Even though they’re brothers, Noah and my father lived very different lives. Where my dad was raised by his uncle, working in the family businesses, extorting and fulfilling contracts of all types of illegal activities, Noah was adopted by an Irish family where he stayed away from the brutality of this life. They still ran illegal activities but as far as I’m aware, Uncle Noah didn’t have much involvement with it.
Coincidentally, the Irish family are now a part of ours, since my best friend’s dad married into the O’Sullivans. That’s a story for another day, but the fact my uncle tried his best to remove himself from this life, yet still found himself in it, is more than a little ironic.
Twenty years on and he’s now my second in command. Even though he’s older than my dad, he’s never contested his place. It’s why I trust him when he tells me he’s handled things at the docks. The last thing I need right now is disruption. In less than twelve hours, all my contracts for this month will be fulfilled, and if that doesn’t bring me a sense of pride, the fact my dad is sitting opposite me with a wide grin on his face will surely do the trick. I can practically feel the respect emanating from him.
While my dad has always made sure to set an example for me and my twin sister, there’s no denying that I’ve exceeded his expectations. He raises his glass towards me silently, and my uncle follows before gulping back his whiskey.
It takes him less than three seconds before he stands, sliding the bottle towards my dad.
“Leaving?” My dad asks worriedly.
“Yeah,” Noah sighs, rubbing his brow. “I owe Liv some alone time.”
My dad chuckles, shaking his head. “Still whipped I see, even after all these years.”
Noah swings his fist at my dad, thumping him on the arm. “You can’t fucking talk.”
“Fuck!” My dad winces. “At least seal the deal with her!”
Cutting a glare at his brother, Noah snatches the bottle of whiskey from the table and takes a pull from it. When he’s done, he swipes his hand across his mouth, placing the bottle back down. “Trust me, Ax. I’ve tried!”
Olivia—or Liv for short—is my uncle’s girlfriend. They’ve been together since I was born, yet she refuses to accept any of his proposals. At this point, we all tease him about it because even though they’re a done deal, Liv keeps saying no.
“Once more couldn’t hurt, right?” I chime in, laughing when Noah’s gaze narrows on me. “What? Maybe she’s waiting for the twentieth proposal.”
“Careful,” he growls, pointing a finger in my direction. “If you weren’t my boss, you’d be getting the same treatment as your father.”
I chuckle as I dart my gaze to my dad, who’s glaring at Noah. You wouldn’t know they spent the first thirty years of their lives completely oblivious to the other’s existence from the way they act with one another. They’ve spent the last twenty years building a bond that is unbreakable, and now the two bicker just like Lani and me.
“Speaking of proposals,” Noah announces, focusing his attention on me. “How’re the Russians?”
I know my uncle is referring to the agreement we have with the Bratva, but I can’t help my mind running to that moment outside of Club Palma last week, when Milo pinned me against the wall.
Shit. I’m getting hard thinking about it, and that’s the last thing I want right now. I take a swig of my beer to distract me from the fact my dick is pressing uncomfortably against my zipper.
“That bad?” Noah laughs, shaking his head. “Don’t worry. Just hold your ground with them. They like to think they run things, but they know they can’t do shit without our say-so.”
I swallow thickly, placing my bottle back on the table. If only they knew how redundant that statement is. When it comes to Milo Kyrovsky, I can’t seem to hold my tongue, let alone my ground. I resist the urge to mention that to them both, though. Not because of my sexuality, because my dad wasn’t even slightly perturbed by the fact that I don’t conform to the norms or what’s expected of a man in my position. The fact Milo is the enemy is what prevents me from discussing or even hinting at the fact that I had the best kiss of my fucking life less than a week ago.
Instead, I opt for a half-truth. “They’ve been interfering with Roman’s dens. We found out yesterday that the Federovs have been extorting money from the businesses while the Genoveses have been away from the city.”
My dad blows out a breath, jaw clenching with irritation. “Roman has it handled?”
I nod firmly. “ We’ve got it handled,” I respond. My dad knows me well enough to understand I won’t let my best friend just walk back into the city without me having his back. He’s only been gone for five years, but even that’s enough to see the city has changed.
I just hope he can adapt to it quickly.