Page 98 of Sinful Hearts

“Hades, we go way back—”

“Which is why I’m only pissed, and notfurious,” I growl.

“We can make this right. I’ve got other—”

“Don’t worry about it.”

When Jay swallows nervously, I force a smile and pat his hand.

“Seriously, Jay, we’re good. Shit happens, you know? Like you said—it’s just business.”

I’m guessing this was the other part of Gavan’s little surprise attack: to get us pissed off at the Jamaicans for selling to him instead of us.

To divide us.

And that’s actually evenmoreconcerning than him buying a fucking warehouse he doesn’t need just to “send a message”.

Alotmore concerning.

Which is why making sure Jay knows we’re cool is really, really important.

“Seriously, we’re good,” I smile at him. “Listen, my sister’s opening this new bar in the West Village, and they’re doing this family and friends soft opening in a few weeks. Why don’t you and Desmond swing by?”

The concern around his eyes melts a little. “Yeah?”

“For sure. I’ll put you both on the guest list.”

“Stock up on the Red Stripe,” Desmond chuckles. “It’s all Uncle drinks.”

I grin through the darkness swirling inside of me. “I’ll see what I can do.”

* * *

“Fuck.”

Ares turns to stab his gaze through the big windows of the Thermopylae Acquisitions conference room. I got our mother’s piercing icy-blue eyes. Ares got our father’s dark, brooding ones.

“You’re sure it wasn’t Jayden’s idea?”

I shake my head. “Positive. Never mind the history between our families, we’ve always been a bit bigger and more powerful than him anyway—and that was before we joined forces with the Kildares. No, he’s got too much respect for our history, and too much appreciation for the power dynamic to fuck that up.”

“Even for four fucking million over our price?”

I nod. “Even that. Jay’s not an actor, man. And he looked scared as shit when I walked in there. This was a shot across our bow, but it rattled Jay’s windows too.”

Ares shakes his head. “This deal was locked the fuck down. I mean the only people who knew were us, Neve’s family, and Jay’s crew. Maybe one of his guys let it slip? Or, fuck, I mean I know Cillian and Castle just brought on some new blood. Maybe—”

“Ares.” I drum my fingers on the conference table, glancing up at him when he turns back to me. “I think part of the reason Gavan did this was to make us suspicious of our allies. Same as how I’m betting he was hoping it would drive a wedge between us and the Jamaicans.”

His eyes narrow. “He’s trying to divide us.”

I nod.

“And sow discontent.”

“Yep.”

His jaw clenches. “In war or politics, those are both moves you make on your enemies before youinvade…”

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