Page 44 of Heartfelt Pain
He’s not wrong about that. Boris had calmly walked away from me that day in the alleyway.It’s not retribution I seek but peace.That’s what he had said. But what inner peace is Lennie’s dad looking for?
“Do you think the Irish like him?” I’ve always gotten the feeling they find Cain annoying, but can’t break ranks.
“No. He’s lucky he could legally obtain his citizenship.”
I almost snort up a sip of Coke again. If it weren’t for the mask—I can’t believe he’s still wearing it—I imagine I’d see Trevino raising a brow.
“Why are you asking?” Trevino questions when another commercial comes on. I don’t think he cares about the show, but he doesn’t talk when it plays.
“Just curious.”
After a moment, Trevino’s next words come out slowly. Like he’s unsure why he’s even talking. “He does have family in Dublin.”
Part of me wonders why Trevino is being so open with me. He’s avoided Fujimori’s like the plague so I don’t think it’s my stellar reputation that’s got him talking. I think it might be because I know Isolde.
“Two sons,” he says.
“I didn’t know he had sons.” And the dude seems like the type to brag about sleeping with women.
“They took their mother’s names. He never even claimed them until one of them forced the courts to order a paternity test.”
My face mask crinkles as I frown. “Are they like Cain?” As in do they work for the mob?
He nods, but there’s another pause and then a, “They’re nothing like their dad.”
“Oh.” I get an inkling that he wants me to know this one detail. He must’ve come into contact with them when he worked for the Irish.
“He got two women pregnant at the same time. That’s why Cain came over here originally,” Trevino admits, finally telling me the complete truth.
“Jesus, he really didn’t want to have to take that paternity test.” Now it all comes together. Cain really is a piece of shit. “What are their names?”
He hesitates. “Ian Hayes and Ciaran O’Connell.”
O’Connell.
“Boris pushed out the O’Connell’s years ago.” They came to New York, claiming a type of family reunion. It was just as I took over for Aunt Macy.
“Notice how Cain Murray managed to stick around? Let’s just say Cain knows even with Akatov’s hatred that he’s safer over here than if he went back to Dublin.”
I tuck away that tidbit knowing it could be worth something one day. “You worked with the Irish around then?”
He shrugs. “Yeah, but it wasn’t any skin off my back. I’d already decided to leave New York.”
“Toronto?” I ask. I know his friend Tyler went across the border.
He says nothing, but I get the sense he doesn’t appreciate this line of questioning. Considering he kindly answered my earlier ones I go back to watching TV.
At least until my phone lights up.
Roma: I need your help again.
I bite back a laugh. I bet he does.
Lifting my phone, I snap a picture.
“What was that?” Trevino growls.
“Nothing,” I quickly say.
