Page 24 of Mob Princess

I wait for him to say more. It was an observation, not a question. I have nothing to say back. I mean, “you too” seems lame. We stare at each other.

“I didn’t know your brother does business in New York now.”

“We knew you were flying in. It’s a quick flight for me. It meant not another one for you. We do business in Boston.”

“We. It was your father until two months ago. Now you’ve joined your brother. What does your grandfather think?”

That when this blows up—which it inevitably will—he’ll say I told you so.

“He believes family comes first.”

Which is completely true. He just wishes half my family weren’t O’Malleys. From what I know, it was a disaster when my mom told her parents she was pregnant because we’re Catholic. If she’d been married, they could have all believed it was immaculate conception. But she wasn’t even dating my dad. We don’t discuss sex. As far as my family is concerned, we’re born virgins and die virgins. My mom having a baby with no father in the picture screamed she wasn’t a virgin. It’s obvious my father wasn’t her first, but I sure as shit will never, ever, ever ask who was. Ew. Gross.

“His family first. It surprises me you’re here.”

For fuck’s sake. This is how the conversation began. I’m going to be late. It takes all the restraint I can muster not to look at my watch.

“Like I said before, he believes in family first. The O’Malleys are my family. Ewan asked me to meet with you, and we wanted to be considerate of your time. I know your time is limited, so we’ll move forward.”

Let’s see if my positive assumption pisses him off or nudges him.

His grin makes me doubt myself.

“Yes, Ms. Tremblay. We will move forward. Your brother can expect the first deposit tomorrow. When he secures the shipping route, I will send the rest.”

He wants Ewan to move heroin down the entire West Coast. It’s not like we have a fleet. But he wants his product to go by boat rather than truck. It’s safer in many ways. Less likely to be pulled over. It’s faster. It’s also more expensive and requires more risk since we don’t have loyal men out there. We can send them, but none of them can captain or crew a ship. Nishida is testing us.

I stand and thrust out my hand. But I reach less than halfway across the table. Let them think my arm is too short. When he grins again as his hand clasps mine, I know he recognizes what I did. I forced him to meet me more than halfway.

“A wise man would be wary to get caught in your crosshairs.”

“Patience ensures there’s nothing in the way.”

Let him assume whatever he wants. He’s hinting at my ambition. I had plenty, but it was for the career I gave up. I have none for this life I’ve been dragged into. Maybe he believes I’m hinting I’ll last longer than my grandfather or my brother. That my patience will ensure I wind up on top with nothing in my way. As though I want to lead the family. However, I mean that if I wait until this is done, I have no reason to come back.

Sean’s a reason.

I can’t get the man out of my head. I shouldn’t be nervous, but I am. There. I answered my own question. What was I thinking to say I’m available for lunch and dinner, and I like brunch? I may as well strip naked and twirl in front of him.

I know the Japanese envoy—the oyabun came with six men—waits for me to walk to the door. I shake my head.

“I have another appointment soon.”

I won’t be seen walking out of a building with the head of a Tokyo yakuza beside me. That’s suicide. An association with him alone is enough to get me killed. But to meet with him in NYC? I’m still fucking pissed Ewan insisted I do this.

I don’t fear Ewan physically. I know he would never touch me, and he wouldn’t let his men do it either. But he would fuck with me. He could ensure I never get a legit job again. It wouldn’t take much for him to ruin my professional reputation. He could cause trouble with my grandfather and get my mom caught in the middle. He could do plenty of other things. None of which I want to imagine right now, but I’m certain he already has.

I wait ten minutes until it’s twelve-twenty-six. Four minutes to get down to the ground floor. I know Ewan worries about me personally as much as he does my work for him. He’s not entirely a sociopath. He insisted I bring bodyguards. I refused. The less attention I bring to this trip the better. I flew commercial. I have my ultra-blonde hair in a bun. It lightens to platinum every summer and darkens a shade or two in winter. I spend as much time outside as I can, so my hair is already lightening. It’s recognizable, so I have it up to try not to make it so noticeable.

I look around the lobby as I step off the elevator. I spot Sean immediately. Fuck. He’s hot. Like so incredibly hot that my panties are soaked already. It took one glance. His physical features—height, build, face—are striking. But put it all together with the well-earned self-confidence, he’s a magnet to me. I’m certain he’s a magnet to anyone with a pulse and likes to fuck.

“Hi, cailín.” He steps close to me, and I wonder if he might kiss at least my cheek. He doesn’t.

“Hi. Thank you for meeting me. I hope I didn’t keep you waiting.”

“Not at all. Just people watching.”

Is he telling me something? Did he recognize Nishida?

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