Page 77 of Dublin Brute

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Brendan

“So, what do we know about the missing women?” Tag is sitting at the head of the table and studies Bryan, Finn, and me with stern expectation. Thankfully, between the three of us working all day on the matter, we sussed out a great deal about the missing women and how it’s being done.

Finn starts us off. “We’ve confirmed it’s Gravely’s brainchild, but that Niall is aware of the plan and did nothing to stop it.”

“So, not only have they tossed the truce, but territory lines mean nothing anymore, either.” Tag grips his steak knife tighter in his fist. “Good to know.”

Itis,actually. Tag’s been so determined on not letting Da’s efforts go down the drain that he’s been slow to accept that since our father’s death, the McGuires stopped playing by the rules.

Reality can sting like a knee to the nutsack, but in this case, Tag giving up the notion of keeping the peace between our rival families is a good thing.

It means we can finally take the fucking offensive.

“How are they doing it?”

“Nothing new there.” Bryan swallows a sip of his wine and sets the glass down. “They’ve got guys scouting the bars and clubs. They strike up a convo with a girl who fits the profile. They drop a roofie and escort her out the back and she’s a ghost in the night.”

“What’s the going rate for the collection of girls?”

“Five thousand Euro a head,” Piper says.

All attention shifts to Sean’s wife, and she shrugs. “I called Rory this afternoon to find out if he knew anything about this.”

Sean frowns. “We talked about this, beautiful. The more contact you make with your brother, the more your family and Billy Gravely will take notice. We don’t want to put him in danger.”

Piper blinks up at Sean and sighs. “I’m not new to this and I didn’t give him any details. Trust me, the last person I want to hang out on a limb is Rory. He’s the only family I have left.”

Sean dips his chin. “So, what did he say?”

“He confirmed Niall has rebuilt the McGuire pipeline of girls through Galway since you boys so efficiently dismantled their operation back in April. He also said Niall thinks Billy is working to push him out. He’s got Darcy and Brody testing the waters within the organization, and there’s definitely an undercurrent of wavering loyalty.”

That confirms what we already suspected.

“Do we know anything about their recruitment MO?” Tag asks.

Finn swallows and sets down his cutlery. “We do. We know they’re scoping out the high-end clubs, they’re working in three-man teams, and that they’re well-dressed and good-looking. These men come off like charmers, not creepers.”

“They can dress up, but they’re still fucking predators,” Laine says.

“Aye, they are, luv.” Tag takes a biscuit out of the basket and breaks it in half. “Do we have the pipeline figured out yet? Holding? Shipping? Galway reception?”

“Nothing concrete on that yet,” Finn says.

“All right. Then that’s your focus. I want to know where they’re taking these women so we can turn the tables on Niall and Gravely. Odds are, if they’re painting us as the operators, there will be a safe house or warehouse in our territory somewhere.”

Sean’s brow furrows. “You think so?”

“I’d bet my balls on it. Have Kieran unleash his street rats. Find out where these women are being taken. Once we know the details, we’ll hand everything over to Jordan Kelly’s task force.”

“What’s that now?” Bryan sputters.

I’m as confused as my twin. “They come into our territory, terrorize women in our streets, and we’re not handling it ourselves?”

Tag shakes his head, a sly grin curving his lips. “That task force is looking for the monsters of Dublin, so that’s what we’ll give them.”

“Turn around is fair play,” Laine says.

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