Page 54 of Reckless Promises

“Iknowyou’ve been gone eight years.” He leans forward. “So I’m not sure what’s planting these kinds of seeds in your head, but the shit you’re saying right now will get you cut off at the knees if anyone finds out.”

“Which is why I’m coming to you.”

Taking the family business legal is one thing, but bringing the Feds in under any circumstances draws a bloodline execution.

“You know as well as I do that if you chop off the head of a snake it just grows another. Look at us sitting here. We’re proof of it. If I want to destroy them, there’s only one way to do it.”

“It’s suicide if anyone finds out you’re behind it.”

“Let me worry about that.”

“You’re trying to drag me down with you, so consider me worried.”

“I just need one piece of information to get it done. You’ll come out clean. And I’ll bring you triple your current profits as a thank you for helping.”

“If I buy into this, it doesn’t matter what you bring me. I’ll lose my credibility. And we both know that’s worth more than money. Cassidy’s pregnant, Cill. Our friendshiponly extends so far right now, and a bullet to the head isn’t on the table.”

“Congratulations.” I hold my drink up, realizing why she’s not here tonight. Standing, I circle the desk and sit on the edge of it. “But what I’m offering isn’t an execution. It’s an out. You won’t be taking the heat. Sascha Rochefort will when heaccidentallyleaks the schedule to the Feds.”

He mulls that over, looking up at me. “You’re setting him up.”

“Two birds, one stone. All I need is the shipment schedule so I can figure out which ones are legit and which ones they’re trying to bury, then I’ll take care of the rest. You don’t have to be tied to it.”

“And what happens when you kill the other half of my business? They aren’t the only families I work with. If the Feds take the Bardots and Rocheforts down on my docks, everyone else will pull out. They can’t risk it.”

“I’m counting on it. And I’ll replace them with more.”

That has Brandon’s attention. He leans back, stretching his arms out. “Keep talking.”

“You know Adam Kingsley?”

He nods.

“He’s invested in a medical supplier overseas, and they’re looking for ports on the East Coast. I could put in a good word.” My mouth ticks up. “Think about it, Brandon. They’ll bring in more in a month than you’re currently making in six. Plus, it’s legit. Like you said, Cassidy’s pregnant.”

“Careful.” He narrows his gaze as I throw his own wife back at him.

I hold my hands up. “Just stating facts.”

“Convenient.” Brandon stands up to meet me face-to-face, thinking over my offer. And I watch as his face changes from hesitation to acceptance. “It’s a bold plan, Cillian. When you bought your wife, I thought that was the end of it.”

“She was never the end of it, just the beginning.”

“I’m seeing that now.” He shakes his head. “All right, you’ve got a deal, under one condition. I get you those schedules and then I’m out. If this goes to shit, it’s on you.”

“Understood.” I nod.

It won’t. I’ll make sure of it.

Reaching out my hand, he only pauses for a moment before taking it. “I think you owe me another drink.”

“How about in Bridgeport?” I offer.

The deal might be set, but I need to stay on his good side to make it happen.

Brandon laughs, tipping his head back. “Already planning to come to town? That was fast.”

“Darci has me booked for next week.”

---