Page 100 of Mob Princess

“It wasn’t us.”

“Sure.” Maybe it was and maybe it wasn’t. I won’t believe anything Justin tells me until one of the O’Rourkes confirms it.

“When are you going to understand you’re in more danger with them than you’ve ever been?”

“Funny how that is. I date an O’Rourke while my brother and his men are deeper in the shit than they’ve ever been with the O’Rourkes. Now I’m suddenly a target when I haven’t been one before, despite my connections to two other mob families.”

“It’s the O’Rourkes. They are the reason you’re in danger. It isn’t us. Ewan’s a lot of things, but he isn’t into sororicide.”

“Of course not. He didn’t have to commit patricide because the O’Rourkes took care of that for him. He doesn’t shoot well enough to have come close to the mark when Sean was hit. But Colt does. He could have ordered Colt to do it. He’s biting the hand that feeds him.”

I ease down the hall toward men’s voices. I hit mute as I knock.

Finn opens the door, and he’s pissed to see me. I hold out the screen, so he can see the call’s muted. He can hear Justin’s voice, but it’s hard to tell what he’s saying. I put my finger over my lips.

“It’s Justin.”

I unmute the call and put it on speaker.

“…You end up dead if you stay there.”

“If Ewan isn’t doing this to Sean, and Sean isn’t doing this to Ewan, then whoever this is will keep me caught in the middle. I’m safer with the O’Rourkes than anyone else.”

“You didn’t use to think that. You used to trust me. You even trusted Ewan to keep you safe.”

“He shouldn’t have sent me into the lion’s den to meet with Nishida and Pablo.”

I hadn’t a clue about Sean and Pablo’s history until Sean told me. I hadn’t met Pablo before Sean and I ran into him. I wouldn’t have known who he was at the meeting that never happened unless Sean introduced him. I only knew of him. When I think back to the meeting I canceled to spend time with Sean instead, I realize how lucky I was. I at least knew Nishida in passing. I had an idea of what to expect. Sean would never put me in that position.

“You were fine with them. You’re in the shit now. Come back to Boston or let me come and get you. I’ll take you back to Montreal.”

“That isn’t happening. I’m going nowhere with you or anyone else connected to the O’Malleys.”

“I’ll tell your grandfather.”

“By all means, run to him like a little bitch. He already thinks you are one.”

“I’m trying to be nice, Nik. Don’t be like this.”

“Don’t get my grandfather involved. This is messy enough.”

I watch the guys as they watch me. I need to get this conversation moving or end it.

“If you won’t come to us, then you should go home. That’s where you’ll be the safest.”

“Why? Because it’s Canada? Or do you know something?”

“You mean, is this your grandfather? I don’t know. If it is, then going to him will keep you away from all this.”

“Or it’ll clear your consciences, so you can go after the O’Rourkes without me being a casualty of war.”

“For fuck’s sake, Nikki! We aren’t doing anything!”

I laugh. “You are not that high up to know what my brother is or isn’t doing.”

“I am for you. Nikki, please. All I’ve ever done is try to protect you. I tried to warn you about Colt. I warned you about Sean. I’m not clairvoyant. I have fucking common sense.”

“You’ve been a good friend, but I’m not changing my mind. In the end, you will always be loyal to Ewan. That means you are inherently untrustworthy now.”

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