Page 205 of Forced Vows

It's a tightrope we all have to walk.

"You're one-thousand times better an option for my niece than that fucker Jed. And you are strong enough to protect her from the AOG."

Brogan's words show defensiveness about his decision to offer his niece for the blood alliance. They also indicate that he might have been thinking of Róise and her safety as much as growing his powerbase when he offered the alliance to Sev.

"I am," I agree.

He sighs. "I will open an investigation into Derry's death. I should have done it six years ago."

But he'd believed his father was responsible.

"There's no need." I tap twice on my phone. "Look at the attachments I just sent you."

One is the statement for Jed's bank account. It shows five $9,999 deposits (staying under the mandatory reporting limit) each a month apart starting the day Derry died. The payee is the AOG. Taken independently, that money could be payment for anything.

But the other attachments condemn Jed.

"That parking garage has line of site for a competent sniper to where your brother and grandfather exited the building on the day of Derry's death."

"Let me guess," Brogan says, fury deepening his tone. "Jed is a trained sniper."

"He racked up one of the top scores for kill shots during Desert Storm. Those videos show Jed driving into and out of the parking garage on the day of Derry's death. He'd been there twice before."

"Recon."

I nod. "He paid a toll on I-80 shortly before receiving a speeding ticket on his way back to the AOG compound. The timing fits for the shooting."

Brogan's face twists with agony only another made man with family who have died at the hands of our enemies can understand. "You're telling me …"

"That Gabriel had your brother murdered so your mob would continue to do business with him."

Rage replaces pain on the older man's features. "That's when Gabriel promised Róise to Jed. I'm going to kill him."

"No. That is my privilege. Gabriel and Jed are threats to Róise and she is mine to protect."

"He had my fucking brother killed. He's mine."

"Are you saying you want to be part of the operation?" I'm not offering more than that and it will be my hand that ends Gabriel Lion's life.

Brogan nods grudging agreement. "I knew you were the right man for Róise."

"Are you saying you set up the blood alliance for the sake of your niece?" Supposing is one thing.

Knowing another. And if it is true. Róise deserves to know.

"I have alliances with mobs all over this country and Europe. I have alliances on every continent with other syndicates. So, no I didn't need this alliance. But I wanted my niece protected."

"And it didn't hurt that you probably figured my brother was going to be godfather one day."

He doesn't attempt to deny it. "There is that."

I respect him more for not pretending his intentions were entirely altruistic.

"Does Róise know about Gabriel killing her dad?" he asks.

"Yes." No way would I tell her uncle before telling my fiancée.

Her temper flashes hot and big when she's riled. And while that can be fun, hurting her isn't. Being the last to know who killed her father would do that.

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