Page 20 of Beyond Rosy Irish Twilight

He nodded. “Any word from Ambrose?”

“No, I think he’s waiting until after the wedding. Are you sure this honeymoon is a good idea?”

He stood and walked over to the table where he had papers scattered around. “It’s the perfect time. I’m going to use the opportunity to check loyalties. It’s not enough that they haven’t made a move against you.” He opened his mouth, but didn’t say anything.

“What?”

“I did something you don’t like.”

Just saying that set me on edge.

“Look, we need information fast on who we can trust. Not only are you moving to a bigger property, those men are going to be around you with access to you at all times. I called Cash.”

“Chase, you know what he said.”

“Yeah, but when I updated him on our progress, he’s the one that offered help. I told him about our plans and he suggested we get Scottie to fly the plane. He can bring his team along as his crew or muscle. They can help us weed out anyone that might stand against us. With Patrick keeping an eye on Jade, we really don’t have another choice. It would take us five times as long to gather the same information.”

I wasn’t happy about it, but I had to admit, we did need someone we knew was on our side. “And it’s just for one week?”

“Just for the honeymoon,” he reassured me. “After that, they’ll drop us here and go on their way.”

“Alright,” I agreed. “I don’t see another way around it.”

“Because there’s not,” he grinned. “See, you need me around to make these hard decisions for you.”

“Just make sure I survive the wedding. I’m meeting with Ambrose today to go over details of the reception.”

“It’s not like you to discuss flowers,” he said sarcastically.

“With any luck, I can get some of our guys around the church and the reception hall. I can’t trust that he’ll take care of it.”

“He’s not going to want trouble at the wedding,” he said, but didn’t sound very convinced.

“That’s not what I’m worried about. That meeting, it was too easy.”

“Agreed. But what’s the end game? It’s not like he wants to be in the arms trade.”

“No, but maybe he has someone in mind to take over.”

“And he’s marrying you to his daughter to lure you in?”

“Can you think of another way to get all our men in one location where we’re completely taken by surprise? Think about it, he has me thinking there’s nothing to worry about. A few idle threats to make me think I have to be on guard, but things are going my way.”

“And then he strikes at the wedding when you’re not ready for him.”

“And he takes over the trade without us being able to do a thing.”

“Exactly,” I nodded. It was a working theory, even if it wasn’t very solid. I wasn’t entirely sure it was even close to accurate, but at this point, I had to think of all potential outcomes and plan for any eventuality.

“I sure as fuck hope you’re right about this. If not, we’re walking into the lion’s den.”

I quirked an eyebrow at him. “We’re already there.”

* * *

Frankly, I was surprised at how easy it was to get a meeting with Ambrose. I thought for sure he wouldn’t have time for me. But apparently, being his new son-in-law gave me special perks. At least for now.

“There he is!” Ambrose said as he walked into the front hall to greet me. It was strange to hear him be so cheerful, but I quickly realized why when a few other associates stepped into the foyer to meet me. He walked up to me and kissed me on both cheeks, which was strange enough as it was. But the look of warning was a clear signal to be on my best behavior.

---