Page 116 of Immoral

"They're O'Learys," Aidan says with disgust then spits at their feet.

"Never heard of them," Killian states.

"Me, either," I agree.

Tully steps closer to the men. The one in the middle pisses himself. The urine runs down his torso, neck, and face, then puddles under his head. Tully scowls. "The O'Learys seem to think they can come onto our turf without consequences." Tully crouches, releases the ball gag, and grabs the jaw of one of the men. The man coughs, but Tully squeezes his chin until the guy turns purple.

When Tully releases him, he tries to catch his breath. A thick Irish accent, one that only a foreigner would have, fills the room. "Fuck you, Tully."

Tully steps back, takes his boot, and kicks his torso. The sound of his ribs cracking hits my ears.

The man screams, choking some more.

"You've got a new family from Ireland coming after you?" Killian asks in surprise. He shouldn't be. New families come in all the time, but in fairness, it's rare they come straight from the mother country.

"Yeah. These bastards thought they could waltz in, and we wouldn't notice their business in our territory or their alliance with the Abruzzos," Aidan states.

"Abruzzos?" I blurt out. The hairs on my neck rise. The last thing either of our families need is a new enemy on our turfs.

"Does Liam know about this?" Killian questions.

Tully nods. "Yeah. He's aware."

Aidan leans down next to his father, grabbing one of the men by the hair. His eyes narrow with hatred. He tugs hard so the man whimpers in pain. "This motherfucker seemed to underestimate me when we met in Ireland. You won't do that again, will you?"

Blood drips down the man's neck. He gives Aidan a hateful look.

Aidan's hand flies to his cheekbone, and a crack echoes through the air. Another muffled scream erupts. Aidan laughs then releases the man and spins in front of me. "Guess who's been in contact with Uberto?"

Visions of my tesoro naked and on stage fill me. My chest tightens. Breathing becomes harder. I'm so tired of not knowing where Uberto is and wondering what next threat faces my wife. I seethe, "Where is he?"

Aidan points to the four men. "Don't ask me. Ask them."

Three of the men stay still, not making eye contact with any of us. The man Aidan hit flinches. It's quick, but I don't miss it.

I remove his gag, take out my gun, press it against his skull, and demand, "Where is Uberto?"

He doesn't answer, grinding his molars, but his body begins to shake.

I release the safety on the gun and cock it. He spits at me and taunts, "Go ahead, you Italian piece of shit."

I stand back and aim at his foot, shooting the middle of it.

He screams, and the man next to him throws up.

"Now we're talking. Let's see what kind of pussies we have in front of us," Aidan shouts, clapping, his eyes growing more crazed. It's the Aidan I've known since we were kids. Like my brothers and his, he's always ready to defend his family, always ready to take down any enemy he deems a threat, with or without proof.

"Give me your lighter, Tully," I demand, holding my hand out.

"You should bring some gasoline down here the next time you use this place," Killian adds.

Tully shakes his head and chuckles. "You O'Malleys and your gasoline. I've told Liam to upgrade you."

"To what?"

Tully turns on a pocket flashlight. He points it to the corner. Dozens of blue plastic containers sit on the floor. He arrogantly states, "Kerosene."

Killian scrunches his face. "Why is that better?"

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