Page 48 of Brutal Power

“No, I’m using our country’s broken medical system against you. Make sure the Biancos have some space to maneuver in the next few weeks, do you hear me?”

He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. “I hate you people,” he murmurs. “You think you own us.”

“No, Captain. I just own your debt.” I push my chair back. “Thanks for cooperating.”

He grunts and looks at Elena. “Guess he fits right in with you and your family, huh? Yeah, I’ll fucking do it, because I love my wife, but don’t misunderstand this situation.”

“Thank you, Captain,” she says very quietly.

I lead her away, smiling to myself, my hand on her lower back. She’s the most beautiful woman in this room—the most beautiful woman in the city—and she’s on my fucking arm.

Outside, we pause on the sidewalk. A couple cops are smoking nearby but they ignore us. We walk a few paces away before I pull her into my arms.

She’s not smiling as she looks up at me. “Did you have to do that?” she asks.

“Probably not. He’s on the payroll already. But fuck him. I didn’t like the way he talked to you.”

She buries her face in my chest. “You’d think I’d be used to this by now, but I guess I’m not ruthless enough.”

“Don’t worry.” I move her so she’s looking into my eyes. “We would’ve taken care of his wife no matter what. Captain Kennedy needs a kick in the ass to remind him about our relationship from time to time, but we’re not monsters.”

She doesn’t seem convinced, but when I kiss her, she melts into my arms, and that’s enough for now.

Chapter 25

Brody

Simon seems appreciative the next morning when he gives me a call while I’m at the home office at my mother’s house. There’s a line of people waiting to speak with me, but I make sure to take his call first.

“Word on the street is the cops haven’t been patrolling our neighborhoods as aggressively. You did something, didn’t you?”

“Elena and I might’ve made a visit to a certain cop bar last night.” I lean back in my chair and glance out the window toward my people. All of them need my help in a dozen different small ways, and yet I’m using my political capital on the Bianco family. There’s an irony somewhere. “Your sister’s a good politician.”

“I’ve been telling her for years that she should run for mayor. She’d get elected in a heartbeat.”

“I don’t know what your plans are, but you have some freedom to move around for a little while.”

“We appreciate that.”

“Just doing my part.”

“I’ll see you at family dinner on Sunday?”

“Wouldn’t miss it.”

He hangs up. I stare at the phone until there’s a knock at my door and Seamus comes inside. He hands me a coffee and paces across the room, looking anxious. “Mom hasn’t been out of her room yet today,” he says, running a hand through his messy hair. “It’s not like her to sleep in like this.”

“She’s still mourning.” I lean back in my chair with a sigh. It creaks and sometimes I feel like it’ll collapse under my weight, but the thing’s been in here since the seventies, and I figure it’ll last a little bit longer.

“It’s been a while now, bro. Dad’s gone and it hurts everyone, but she’s got to start moving on. I’m getting worried.”

“What do you want me to do about it?”

“I don’t fucking know.” He gives me a hard stare. “Get her a goddamn shrink or something.”

“I can look into counseling, but she has to want to go. I won’t force her.”

“Then talk to her.” He sits down hard on the couch and leans forward. “I’ve been worried sick, man.”

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