Chapter 33
33
brAIDEN
S itting in my home office, I sip my third Jameson of the night and stare at the document I never should have needed. Just dropped off by courier, it has a fancy border, heavy black letters, and three separate signatures. A heavy red stamp covers it all.
Annulled.
My marriage to Birte is over.
When the envelope arrived, my first thought was to show it to Samantha. I wanted her to know I’ve finally done something right. I’ve settled the old debt. Too little, perhaps. Too late. But Birte is finally free.
Of course, Samantha isn’t here. She’ll never be here again.
I could call Ingram. Wake the old bastard. Thank him for getting me to do one good thing. But then I’ll have to duck his kill order, yet again.
I pinch my lip. At least Seamus should be happy. The books are, indeed, closed on “that matter.” I won’t spend another penny buying off half the Catholic church in Ireland.
This paper has cost me millions. It’s worth it. But I’m desperate for a change in cash flow.
I drink my whiskey. Midnight comes. Midnight goes. There’s not a word from Madden.
I’ve tried to give my brother the benefit of the doubt. He’s sulking because I broke his jaw. He’s cunt-drunk on Fiona Ingram. He wants to impress Kieran Ingram, wants to make a name for himself with the General.
But now I can’t deny the truth: Madden stole the milk run. After years of chafing under my authority, my brother has finally lashed out in a way I can’t ignore.
Part of me wants to strike back, hard and fast. Call Patrick and tell him to bring Madden in—walking, if the gobshite has any sense of self-preservation. Carried in, if the eejit puts up a fight. I don’t care what it takes—a bullet to his kneecap, a baseball bat to the head. Knock him out, tie him up, take a finger or two. Just let the fucker know I won’t put up with his shite.
I sit back in my chair and pour another whiskey. The annulment stares at me—a stark reminder that some mistakes can be undone. But not this. Not with Madden. There’s no going back if I send Patrick to fetch him.
I’m Captain of the Fishtown Boys. I make hard decisions every day.
But in my heart of hearts, I know I acted too fast with Samantha. I said things no man should ever say. No Dom should ever admit.
I can afford to slow things down with Madden. He’s my brother . I can wait through the weekend. Till Monday even.
And if he hasn’t come to his senses by then, I’ll do what has to be done.