Honored_ An Alpha Mob Romance(33)

“I guess you know what happened already.”

He nodded, staying silent.

I continued. “Colm is a monster, you know that. He was going to murder a civilian, a kindergarten teacher named Ellie Boucher. All because she was unlucky enough to stumble on Colm’s idiot muscle dumping bodies in a public place.”

O’Brian held up his hand. “What does this have to do with me?”

“I know you have your issues with Colm. He’s changing the way we do things. He’s making our lives less profitable and much more dangerous. I know you want him gone, even if you’re not saying it. And I’m here to offer you my strength in turning him over. Between the two of us, we can take him down, and install you as the new boss.”

I stopped talking and waited. He stared at me for a few seconds and then let out a long sigh. He looked at his office, gesturing around him.

“Do you know how I got all of this?” he asked.

“Because you run a good business.”

He nodded. “Exactly. I run a damn good business. When Michael was the boss, even though I didn’t agree with a lot of what he did, I kept my head down and ran my business. And I grew my territory. Now, I’m one of the richest, most powerful men in the city. Do you know how I got that?”

I blinked. “By running your business?”

“No, you fucking idiot. I got that by not getting involved in Mob politics.”

His face was calm, but there was a menace underneath his words. I was surprised to hear him say that, considering he had been one of the most outspoken opponents of Colm in the beginning and had always been a part of big decisions when Michael was running things. And yet there was he, claiming not to be a part of politics.

The man was so full of bullshit that he stank.

“You’re blacklisted, Liam. How much muscle could you possibly bring to bear for me, even if I did decide to try this little coup of yours? You’re a fucking pariah to the Right People. And for what, for some kindergarten teacher? Maybe you have some men who are loyal to you above anything else, but it won’t be enough.”

He paused, and the implications of his speech began to sink in. I felt a stone set itself at the bottom of my stomach.

“Give it up, Liam. Kill the girl, apologize to Colm, and hope he lets you live. Otherwise, it’ll only get more difficult from here.”

I shook my head. “I can’t do that. I just can’t do it.”

He nodded sadly. “I know you can’t, kid. I don’t agree with what Colm’s been doing lately, but he’s the fucking boss now. You either adapt or you die in this business, and I plan on adapting.”

“You know Colm is going to tear us all apart. We can’t keep going this way for long. You’re the man we need in charge. You’re the man who can put all of this back together.”

He held up one hand. “That’s enough, Liam. Now, the only reason you’re not dead is because I respected your father, and I like you. But never come back here. Never speak my name to anyone. From here on out, consider me an enemy.”

I gaped at him, shocked. I felt a chill run through my body.

“But you know Colm isn’t right.”

“Stand up and leave now. Walk out of here and be happy I didn’t kill you.”

Without another word, I stood, and I felt like everything was crumbling around me. I knew it was a long shot, getting O’Brian on my side, but it would have meant everything. Now, my plan was gutted, and I was going to have to work with almost no resources. The world felt like it was crashing down around me.

As I turned to go, O’Brian spoke up. “He’s offering your whole territory to whoever finds you and finishes you off, you know. Don’t trust anybody.”

I looked back at him and nodded.

“Good luck, kid.”

I opened the door to his office, strode out through the main bar, ignored looks from Davin and the two goons, and went out into the night. The sun dipped down below the horizon, bringing on the soft darkness of twilight. As I climbed into my car and started the engine, I promised myself that I would keep Ellie alive no matter what.

I didn’t care what the cost would be. I had to protect her. I had to make her situation worth the blood and the destruction.

And my plan wasn’t completely ruined. I still had my ace tucked firmly up my sleeve. There was still a chance.

There had to be.





Chapter Fourteen: Ellie


Liam promised he’d call Chelsea, and then he disappeared. It was late, probably around six or seven, but he said he had some business. That man could be so frustrating sometimes, treating me like a child and not telling me what was going on.

I stretched out on the couch, staring blankly at the television playing some reality TV show about young girls raising kids. I believed what he told me, or at least I believed most of it. I didn’t think he was lying to me, but I sensed that he was leaving some stuff out. It was the omissions that I was most interested in. I trusted that he was genuinely trying to protect me, but I was terrified that I couldn’t help myself if he wasn’t going to tell me everything I needed to know.