Page 43 of A Man of Wealth

I turn and lean against the door.

“Will I be getting an explanation now?” he asks with a raised eyebrow.

I look past him to the little galley kitchen. I already set myself up in their small guest room, but I look toward it now wondering if Conner should stay here with me.

“Sit,” I say as I motion to the sofa. He complies and I follow him, careful to not sit too close because I don’t trust myself. I can’t be distracted and everything about Conner Sterling is distracting.

“I think they are watching us,” I announce.

He nods. “They are.” He doesn’t seem at all surprised.

“But…aren’t you concerned?” I ask, perplexed why he knew and didn’t tell me and also why he isn’t concerned.

He turns his body toward me, and I can tell he’s weighing his words before speaking. “When we took the vow…we agreed to several things. Our lives…are always open to the brotherhood. In return, we are guaranteed success. We state our dreams, what we want to do in life, and that is part of the agreement. For me, it was building my lobbying firm. I did understand the importance of my father’s company and the work he does. I also understood why the world needs shipping. And I loved political science. At nineteen years old, that was the future I wanted. I knew when I turned twenty-one that I’d start to get access to the trust fund my grandfather made for me as well as the money my mother left me, and those things could help me create my lobbying firm. Of course, my father’s friends helped as well when the time came since my father messed with my money. The brotherhood must have felt it was a worthy cause because they didn’t stop it, but they also didn’t make it easy. Once they saw its relevance for the greater good of the brotherhood, then suddenly my firm started doing very well.”

“But what if your dreams change? People change,” I interject.

“They do. And that can be accommodated. The brotherhood isn’t inflexible. However, your goals must align with theirs.”

I swallow because I know what their goals are, at the core of the brotherhood they want power, wealth, and prestige.

“And so they are constantly watching you?” I ask again.

“They can. They typically don’t. And there are ways around it,” he explains as he pulls a phone from his pocket. “Burner phones. Cash purchased pre-paid credit cards. My security is always looking for and removing security breaches. I only trust certain security firms. Lately, my new firm is doing more than usual.”

“But…if you knew all of this, then why the hell did we take your car the other day?”

“Because I was being reckless,” he admits as he runs his hand over his chin, scratching his beard, which I have come to find is one of his tells. He does it when he is exasperated.

“Would they kill you?” I whisper, my eyes widening as realization dawns on me. My mouth falls open as I take my thought a step farther. His mother. “Oh God! Your mother!”

He looks down. His nod is nearly imperceptible, but I see it. “It’s why I try not to be close to too many people. We knew our fathers were in the council when we joined. We also knew as members we would be protected. They only take out members who break the vow. But they will use loved ones against us.”

“What did he do?” I ask.

“He crossed the wrong brother from what I can know, which isn’t much. He got cocky and he paid the price.” He pauses and looks into my eyes. “He knew what the collateral damage would be, and he did what he did anyhow. For that, I will never forgive him.”

“What exactly did he do?” I ask.

“He used the knowledge he learned in privilege for a business deal that screwed over another member of the council. At least, that’s the rumor I was told, but it sounds like something my father would do. He’s never talked about it with me, never confirmed it, but it makes sense,” he says.

“Who?”

“It doesn’t matter. What matters is that we are dealing with ruthless killers,” he says.

I swallow. “How ruthless are we talking? Would they just walk up and shoot you?”

Conner laughs. “No. Definitely not. They wouldn’t ever do something that implicates them. There are…resources and rules to follow. First, a warning. Then, collateral damage. Third strike, you are out.”

I wrack my brain at every sudden death of powerful members of this city. How many were linked to the brotherhood?

“I see what you’re thinking. Don’t try to figure it out. It could take a lifetime.”

I slink against the back of the sofa, feeling completely overwhelmed. “We don’t stand a chance, do we?” I whisper.

He moves toward me, a single finger lifting my chin.

“We do. And we will. We’ve put a plan in motion, and there is no turning back now.” He’s quiet for a long few seconds. “I admit, we may end up paying the ultimate sacrifice, but I’ll do what I can to protect us, all of us.”

---