Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 69875 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 349(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 233(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69875 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 349(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 233(@300wpm)
“My father explained the issues you’ve been having,” he tells me. “I’ll ensure that nobody intercepts any communication between us. I think it’s best we meet face-to-face until the problem has been dealt with.”
“Aye, are you sendin’ men here?”
He nods. “I’ll be overseeing most of the future shipments. My father has given me the go ahead to take over once he steps down. It means I’m going to have to get my hands dirty.”
“That’s not like any of the other bosses I’ve ever met,” I respond with a chuckle. “Most of them would rather their soldiers or Capos deal with shit like this.”
“True. But I don’t want to be like them. Have you ever thought about taking over and wanting to be completely different to those who’ve come before?” He’s deadly serious. I can’t help but respect him and his choice.
I tip my head. “Aye, I have, and since I stepped up to take over RBMC, I’ve done it the way I wanted, not how everyone thought I should.”
Judah may be ten years younger than me, but he has a competent head on his shoulders. At twenty-five, I recall not being as responsible as the lad in front of me. Far from it to be fair. I enjoyed the danger that came with being part of the club. Even though it led me into some dark and precarious situations. But then I realised the more I put myself in danger, there wouldn’t be a club to come home to.
Judah looks at me with a smile. “Then you’ll understand why I need to do this.”
“Aye, no bother. I’ll support yer choices, as long as cash flow doesn’t stop, and work doesn’t dry up.”
He smiles. “I can promise you one thing, Cathal, it’s not something I would do to a trusted confidante of my father. He’s taken years to build the respect from every person he’s worked with, and I won’t step in and butcher that.”
“Then we won’t have any bother,” I tell him. If we’re getting our shipments, and our payments are coming in, I don’t give a feck about who I work with. Granted, I won’t lower my morals for anyone, but I know the Veniers, and they may be mafia, but they have a code that I believe in myself. It’s the only reason I agreed to the partnership. They may deal in weapons, but they never venture into the sordid side of it. No women, no children. And that’s something I can stand behind.
Judah turns to the briefcase sitting on the table and flicks it open. Inside is a shiny laptop that he boots up. Soon enough, we’re going through the information for each shipment. The next one is expected in a few days, which we’ll be ready for.
I scan the dates and times. We’ll be getting shipments every two weeks. Which means we can stock up the warehouse and get the guns delivered south. We have buyers from all over the country, including Dublin. Once they’re paid up, we ride to the border and meet them for the handover. It’s the only thing about my father’s business I kept going.
I glance at Judah. “They all come in at midnight?”
Judah nods. “Yeah, I wanted to make sure we wouldn’t be disturbed in the process of unloading the goods. And most of the men prefer working at night.”
“That’s no bother for us. We’ll be here. I’ll make sure the whole crew is with us. If we need the backup, I’d rather have them on standby than waitin’ for them.” I watch as he hits send on the email that will go through to mine and Tye’s inboxes. Once we sit down tonight at church, I’ll get all the men up to speed.
“Well, I suppose it’s all settled. First ship arrives this coming weekend.”
I nod. “Aye, we’ll be here.”
We say our goodbyes, and I know that no matter what happens, I’ll be able to provide for the brothers. We have the club, which brings in a decent income, and soon enough, we plan to open another.
I’m about to start the bike when my phone buzzes.
When I pull it from my pocket, I find Father Donahue’s name flashing on the screen. I haven’t spoken to the priest in a while. He’s known me for most of my life. He knew Ma because she would attend his services every Sunday. He was the one who buried her.
“Donahue,” I greet as I answer.
“You should get to the club. All the brothers need to be with you when I tell you where to go next. This is important, Cathal. I’ll send you the address in text.” His voice is calm, but there’s a hint of something I can’t put my finger on. I want to question him on it, but he hangs up, and then the message comes through.