Chapter 23 Puppet Master
What did I do to get such useless children? Pacing behind my desk, I fight the urge to not order Cecily into my office so I can put a bullet in her. Unfortunately, if I want to keep my legacy going, this is the only way. At least, that is going well.
Lachlan has taken up the mantle as if he was born to lead, and I am impressed.
Already we are seeing record profits, and getting footholds in territories my father and grandfather only dreamed about.
This is the legacy those before me should have strived for.
Instead, they grew weak and complacent, allowing others to push them to the side until they were all but forgotten in the city’s bloody history.
First, it was allowing the O’Connel Family to become the premier Irish Organization.
Then the fucking Italians decided to claim their stake, followed by the Russians…
At least, the Martellis were good for something.
Eliminating the O’Connels was the only good thing that Family did during their reign.
Now? I will crush what is left of the Martelli, De Luca, and Amato farce. A Council? Unheard of, and a slap in the face to the men who bled and died for them all to have the positions they falsely claim.
Too bad Kieran had to be taken care of. The kid was at least good for something…
I could have used his intellect to get out of this mess right now.
Sadly, he made too many mistakes. That, and he would never have agreed to marry—even for appearances.
Despite what Allesandro Martelli and Cristian Amato tried to portray, men of their persuasion cannot hold positions of power.
Look at what happened to them, ousted by the very people they trusted.
And Roman Amato is a bigger disgrace than his father ever was. Despicable.
“Sir?” Cecily’s voice is hesitant over the line.
“I am trying to understand how I raised not one but two fuck-ups,” I respond cooly. “Because surely you didn’t get so complacent that you became predictable to our enemies… What if they brought in their forces to kidnap or take you out?”
She scoffs. “They want their precious Council members back too much for that. Lachlan saw an opportunity and he took it. Do I agree? Perhaps not, but you can’t deny it is a boon. We have their Ghost. Think of the secrets I can get from him.”
“You’re not taking him to where you’re keeping the other two, are you?”
“I’m not a novice, Father. I’m a little insulted you would ask. Of course, I’m not. I have a place I can work him over.”
“Very well. You have two days to extract information from him. If you don’t come up with something useful in that time…I will seriously consider your usefulness. In the meantime, I think I will go visit our other guests.”
Cecily laughs. “Oh, I wish I could be there, it’s been a while since I’ve seen you work.”
I hum but otherwise don’t respond. I don’t have time for such silly games. “Very well. Forty-eight hours, Cecily.”
“It’ll be done, sir.”