12. A Boss by Any Other Name is Still the Boss #2
Doesn't he realize? I am an diabhal. And as the devil, I'm already the king of hell.
"After an initial ninety-day assessment, if the fostering parents agree it is what is best for the boys, they will be allowed supervised visits with their families of birth," I continue passing sentence and then wait a beat before adding. "In the cities of their new domiciles."
"I think Jasper's assessment should be shorter," Fitz says.
"Do you?" I ask, unsurprised my son has been moved to a measure of leniency toward the other boy. He is, after all, his mother's son too. "Why?"
"First, because Mr. Casey already showed that he's a better father than the others."
I agree. "And second?" I prompt.
"I don't think Jasper being separated from his dad will be good for him or the mob. He already has a better understanding of our code and what it means to be honorable than the other guys, even if he needs to grow a spine."
The look Fitz gives Jasper makes the other boy wince, but he nods. "I'm working on it."
"Why not good for the mob?" I ask, proud of Fitz for thinking in the long term.
"Taking him away from his dad will cause him to resent you and me. I want him to be a loyal soldier one day, not someone who hates us and causes problems because of it."
Fitz doesn't know about Kenneth's plan, but his words show that he understands human nature better than the wannabe underboss. He'll be a bleedin' good boss one day.
"You don't think that will happen with the other boys?" Kara asks our son, her tone pensive.
Fitz shrugs. "I think there's trouble there already, or they wouldn't have said what they did about how da shouldn't be underboss."
"Kids talk shit, it doesn't mean anything," Kenneth slots in so fast, it's clear he's thought about the answer beforehand.
"Jasper said it too," Billy O'Grady speaks up for the first time.
"No, he didn't. That's why he's not limping like you, or wearing a shiner like PJ," Fitz points at each boy in turn. "Or have a broken arm like Kenny Jr."
"Your son went after ours as a personal vendetta. It had nothing to do with the Gallagher girl," Duffy says, like he's made some kind of major discovery.
I give Fitz a chance to answer the charge. Not because he needs to, but because this is good training for his future.
"They were always going to get a beatdown," Fitz says without remorse. "But it would have happened off school property if they hadn't attacked my friend."
"Friend," PJ sneers. "I bet you're fucking her."
"I'm not fucking anyone until I'm old enough to take responsibility if the birth control fails," Fitz says without an ounce of embarrassment.
Because he is also my son.
"That's right, you're not," Kara says firmly. "And you're lucky I'm not your mother, PJ Duffy, or I'd be dragging you by your ear into that bathroom." She points to a door on the wall behind the boys. "And washing your mouth out with soap."
"He'd be lucky to have you as a mom," Fitz says loyally. "He'd be a better person if he did."
"How dare you insult my wife, you little punk?" Duffy's face suffuses with angry color as he adds another day of torture to his eventual punishment for calling my son a punk.
"Considering the things she said earlier today, I've got to agree with Fitz," Wraith says. "And you are welcome to take offense and challenge me over it."
"This isn't the 1900s. I'm not challenging you to a duel at dawn." Duffy adjusts the cuffs on his shirt and then his jacket.
"Good, because if you did, I'd laugh as your shots go wide and then I'd kneecap you."
I laugh darkly. "Considering how infrequently you show up at the gun range, Wraith could give you extra shots and you still wouldn't manage to hit him center mass."
Kenneth stands. "If you're finished with your juvenile barbs, I'll take my son home and I'll be calling Brogan."
"Your son is no longer in your custody," I bark. "As underboss, I speak for Brogan when he's not here."
"We'll see about that." Kenneth has the air of a man whose plans are bearing fruit.
What a bleedin' muppet. He's got no clue and no one around him smart enough to help him find one.
"I'm not finished outlining the consequences from the attack on Sadie. After I am, if you insist on speaking to Brogan, we'll pull him in on a video call."
We arranged this earlier and my father-in-law is waiting for my call if I need to make it.
Kenneth, Duffy and O'Grady all tense at the offer.
Casey is just staring at his son, like he's willing him to stay strong. My son is right. Keeping those two apart for too long will do more harm than good.
I make a split-second decision, adjusting the plans I made earlier.
"Casey, you will accompany your son to Dublin and will be seconded to the Northside Dublin Mob until Jasper completes his secondary education. You may choose a home of your own, or live at my father's estate with your son. My father will act as Jasper's guardian for the first year."
It's a change from what I planned with Adam this morning, but it's a better solution. Kenny Jr. is less trainable than I thought and will bear close watching. Being placed in a family so high up in the mob hierarchy won't be as good for him or our mob.
Kara beams at this pronouncement and Fitz looks quietly pleased. And that still strange-to-me feeling of happiness sparks in my chest. I like pleasing my wife and son.
"O'Grady, you are being demoted to the rank of soldier from captain," I tell him. "But you will remain with your current crew. Your lieutenant will determine who will take your place."
O'Grady glares at me in helpless fury and then at Kenneth, when his crony doesn't speak up for him.
"Dad's too harb a punibment," O'Grady complains.
I don't bother to respond to his whining, but Billy O'Grady looks at his dad like he's seeing him for the first time. Considering the fact the man has just made it clear that he prioritizes his position over his son, I doubt what he's seeing is making the kid happy.
"Duffy, for the time being, you will be demoted but continue to work with your current crew.
You expressed a desire not to be separated from your son.
If, after the ninety-day evaluation is complete and PJ's foster parents approve it, you will be given permission to relocate your family to the city in which your son is living and your role will be evaluated at that time. "
Duffy's shoulders slump in defeat, as if it's finally sinking in that he's not going to be able to bluster his way through this, or talk himself and his son out of what's happening.
"As of right now, Kenneth, you are relieved of your rank of lieutenant." I don't bother to hide the satisfaction I feel at those words. "All mob businesses you oversee are now under Wraith's authority as the lieutenant replacing you."
"No way in hell! You call my cousin right the fuck now," Kenneth roars.
Sighing, I turn to my precious wife. "You're going to have to go to dinner without me. Take Fitz." Then I ask Graham, "Do you question my right to pass sentence?"
He shakes his head.
"Do you want to stay for the phone call with Brogan?" I clarify.
"If it means staying with my son a little longer…" Graham lets his voice trail off.
But I approve of the sentiment his words express. "You may go with your son and eat dinner in the kitchen with him and his guard."
Pure gratitude shines from Casey's eyes. "Thank you."
"Da, can Casey and Jasper eat dinner with us?" Fitz asks and then looks at his mom. "If that's okay with you, mom."
Kara's eyes soften on our son, her pride in him there for everyone to see. "I'm fine with it."
"Grand," I say.
Fitz takes that for the permission it is and gives Jasper a warning look. "My little brother and sisters will be there. Set a good example and don't talk about anything stupid."
"I won't," Jasper promises, looking stunned.
They all turn to go and my wife's almost to the door when I say, "Kara," in a warning tone.
She stops and turns, sensual mischief glowing in her hazel eyes for only me to see. "Yes, Mick?"
"Come here."
She doesn't hesitate, quickly crossing the distance between us, before grabbing the front of my shirt and reaching up on tiptoe. Wrapping my arms around her, I lean down and meet her with a kiss that stakes my claim for everyone to see and reminds her just who she belongs to.
And who I belong to. Her.
Brogan is bleedin' ragin' when the video call connects. "I should have demoted you after two rats came from your ranks. You're a fucking hypocrite to think Troy's children deserve to be punished for the sins of their father, when the man who should have kept Troy in check, failed."
Kenneth tries to defend himself. "I took my punish—"
But Brogan's having none of it. "It should not have been fucking necessary.
Your lack of leadership could have cost me my niece.
Now, your son has dishonored our family name.
You better hope I calm down before I get back to New York, or I'll shoot you in the head myself and let another family adopt Kenny Jr. so he doesn't carry the Shaughnessy name anymore and can't shame us again. "
Then he lays into Bill and Paul before giving the three remaining boys a dressing down my da would be proud of.
When Kenneth leaves the office five minutes later—without his son, his arrogance is smothered by a heavy blanket of worry.
Duffy and O'Grady are even more cowed when Wraith orders them to stay behind and he outlines their new duties before he lets them leave. Brice deals with the boys, taking them and their minders to one of our safehouses in the city, where they'll be staying until they leave New York.
I make it to the table halfway through dinner. Maeve gives me a good glare, but unbends enough to instruct me to fill a plate.
Kara lays her hand on my thigh in a silent promise for later.