Page 119 of Break Me
“And the O’Learys?” Sasha cocked his head.
I’d done a little digging after Halle had finally gone to sleep, working a theory based on a hunch. “About the time we started experiencing issues with the O’Shaughnessy family, the area surrounding O’Leary’s bar suddenly became very popular with several dozen Irish families. Businesses changed hands.Apartments rented to Irish families. Additional Irish eateries popping up. And from what I can tell, large sums of money were paid in exchange for the prime real estate on the twenty-block radius. Notice I said prime real estate.”
“What are you suggesting?” Vissarian chided.
I tossed him a glance, but Mikhail answered before I had a chance. “That it’s possible the O’Shaughnessy family has caretakers for an area of town speculated to be the next for redevelopment.”
Nodding out of respect, I had a feeling I was right. “However, as you know the O’Shaughnessys don’t give something for nothing. They would want something in return. And I bet if we look outward, we’ll find proposed transactions in the works for several additional properties.”
“Well, well. It could be that the Greeks and Irish are ganging up on us with plans of a new resort to rival ours.” Kazimir floated the thought.
“Even if they are planning something, why the ruse? The game?” Sasha had a good point.
“If the O’Shaughnessys are funding the project and using the O’Learys and the Papadakis boys, then this is about getting even.” My theory was met with head nods. “Or… the O’Learys could be proving their worth to the O’Shaughnessy clan.”
Mikhail grinned. “Very interesting thought. Just keep in mind, all the crumbs could be about leading us in the wrong direction. We need to be very careful. It’s business as usual right now. We have a lot going on that we need to keep our eye on. We made a point with Papadakis. If I would have to guess, I’d say he’s testing the waters, waiting for our next move. Do I thinkwe caught him by surprise? Only partially given the number of soldiers he had at the warehouse. However, I don’t think he believed we’d torch the place.”
“So you’re suggesting the bugs are worthless?” I asked. Given Viktor was slimy, I would definitely not put it past him.
He shook his head. “Not all of them. I think thanks to the ones in your vehicle and that of your houseguest, they were able to continue with their plans to rattle you. However, the ones found in the casinos and other areas of the resort would garner them useless information.”
I could tell my brother’s wheels were still churning. In the old days it used to be much simpler. The enemy attacked and either you won the battle, or they did. Now the players used games to try to prove they were top dog. We’d seen it more than once.
“A smokescreen.” Kazimir laughed. “Clever, but I’m shocked the Greeks had enough brain power to think of it.”
Sasha lifted his eyebrows. “Don’t underestimate them. The Papadakis family comes from a long line, their ancestors still controlling Greece today. They don’t like coming in second. That’s why when they suggested a contract, I was personally shocked and skeptical.”
I’d been as well, but they’d never been of any real issue to us and the price had been right. They’d lured us in, learning what they could about our business. But to what end? That remained the question. “This still feels very personal, more so now that karma had a hand in bringing Halle and me together.”
There was little to say about my concern. Maybe my relationship with Halle had altered not only the planning field, but the method of attempting to destroy us. In my mind, that elevatedthe danger she and Emily were in. I doubted Liam truly cared about his sister-in-law. Especially now that he had her money pocketed.
Or spent on gambling. One thing I would ask Alessandro to do was to drill down on the money coming in and out of Liam’s accounts.
“So what now?” Vissarian moved closer, shoving his hands into his pockets. “We’ve established they’re playing a game and buying up real estate along with tormenting my cousin and his new live-in girl.” He grinned just to torment the hell out of me. “So what the fuck do we do?”
“First, I need to have a chat with the two people who kidnapped Emily.” I glanced at Mikhail who was rubbing his jaw. “Maybe they can shed some additional light on the little ruse being played.”
“Bad news, brother. I already thought of that and made a couple phone calls earlier today. Wouldn’t you know it, but the guards found them both dead in their cells. One hung himself and the woman died of an apparent heart attack. And before you ask, the security camera system had a glitch during the night.”
“Fuck me. They were killed to keep them from talking.” God, I was hot. “That means we have Papadakis worried.”
“Yes, to both. What are your thoughts about the O’Leary family being involved?”
Exhaling, I thought about the question. “I’m one hundred percent certain they’re working with the Greeks. There is no chance meeting Halle was anything but coincidental, but they definitely don’t want her associating with the likes of such a handsome fella such as myself.” I grinned to break the moodand they all rolled their eyes. “In all seriousness, with the money owed by Liam to the brothers, and presumably lucrative promises made, this is a perfect opportunity to take more control in the city. They almost have all the pieces in place.”
Although something just didn’t feel right to me.
“What is it?” Mikhail asked.
I shook my head. “I have a suspicion Sean O’Leary’s death wasn’t accidental.”
“Then we need to explore that option if possible.”
He was right although my gut told me we were running out of time. If I was correct, that was in most part based on Halle and I getting closer. Or someone having second thoughts.
“Do you know what bothers me?” Kazimir asked and from where I stood, I could see his mind churning out various tactics. “Why now? We weren’t in dispute over contracts with Performance Food Group. There’d been no pushback on costs, even when there were issues with the supply chain. So why would Viktor Papadakis suddenly decide now was the time to try and overtake even some control of the city?”
Mikhail lifted his eyebrows. “Good point.”
