Page 15 of Forbidden Romeo

Chapter Four

Jack

I feel like a shadow lurking everywhere I go. Torn between defying Padriac’s orders, leaving to set things straight, or sticking around so no one dumps my things on the curb.

Padraic slapped me under house arrest while he arranges his next steps. A part of me hopes that once he calms down, he’ll reconsider. But the realistic side of me knows he’s not going to let this go for a very long time.

Besides, he’s right. Graham’s death is on my hands. That’s not something I’ll ever be able to forgive myself for. At least here, I can lose myself at the gym or spar one-on-one with one of the men who aren’t embarrassed to be seen alone with the disgraced Duffy bastard.

For the third time in as many days, I make my way down to the gym to let off some steam. Andy is usually around at this time, and he’s at least willing to spot for me. My father’s preferred confidant has always been a fair and pragmatic man. We’ve never been friends, but at least he knows I’m worth more to the family alive than crushed under the weight of a barbell.

But when I open the door, the place is completely empty.

I snap into high alert. The Duffy mansion boasts almost twenty bedrooms, not to mention the conference rooms and all the lounges. Padraic’s rotating entourage alone means there are at least five men stationed here at all times. In short: The gym is never empty.

So, where the fuck is everyone?

I grab my phone to find out what’s going on when a text comes through.

KATE:where r u?

JACK:???

KATE:2nd floor boardroom.

My gut twists into a knot, and I stare at the message until my screen goes dark. It doesn’t take a genius to put two and two together.

Padraic called a meeting, and no one bothered to fill me in.

This feels juvenile, even for Padraic. I’ve been sitting at his left side since I was fourteen—regardless of how he feels about me, I’m the best lieutenant he’s got. It grates on my pride, and I’m tempted to throw up a middle finger and leave because of the disrespect.

But this is just a game to him; he’s testing me to see if I’ll act out and give him another opportunity to kick me when I’m already down. He told me the only way back was to prove myself, so I can’t give him that opportunity now.

Begrudgingly, I head to the second-floor boardroom in double time and slip into the back.

The boardroom is already filled with tension and the aroma of Cuban cigars. Around the polished mahogany table is the top brass of the mob’s organization. Padraic is at the head, of course, surrounded by his trusted advisors and most senior lieutenants.

The men in my father’s room have already taken their usual seats and are whispering quietly with each other between Padriac’s statements. Only Ray seems to notice me entering. He grimaces before casting a weary glance to the head of the table, where Padraic sits stoically. The chairs at his side that Graham and I usually occupy are visibly empty.

I don’t take his bait, going instead to stand in the corner where I notice Kate is lingering too. She gives me a quizzical look when I approach her, and I shake my head. No, I didn’t get the memo.

Kate tuts under her breath and turns her attention back to Padraic. TheDead Eyesboss has already begun debriefing the room about the funeral. His eyes glaze over when he notices me standing there, but he doesn’t falter in his report.

“Conan and theLong Roadsare siding with us. Maguires raided their warehouses last week, and they’re keen to get this little uprising under control as much as we are.”

“With all due respect, Padraic, don’t you think it’s more than a little ‘uprising’ at this point?” Ray points out. “We’ve had reports of numerous assassinations, and he’s managed to infiltrate some of our most secure properties.”

Padraic slams his hand on the table. “Thisboyis still wet behind the ears, and you’re telling me he’s getting the better of you?”

“I wouldn’t say—”

“Incompetence is what this is. All of you. Caleb Maguire was a drunk and a fool, and it made you all soft and lazy. I want you to lock down each of our properties until you’ve reviewed every single security measure. Am I clear?”

Ray looks down at the table. “Yes, sir.”

“Vigilance. I will kill the next man who tells me they let a Maguire slip through their fingers.” Every man in that room knows that there’s at least a fifty percent chance Padraic will make good on that threat.

Buzz, a rising lieutenant who’s clearly spotted an opportunity, glances at me with a twisted smile. “I heard there was a run-in with the O’Neils at the funeral.”

---