“You are a piece of shit,” Uncle spits, releasing me finally. “What the fuck do you want?”
“Aye, why are you here, Adrik?” Rourke asks.
I glance between the two men. “You didn’t expect me to sit around while the three of you collude against me, did you?” I stretch my neck and crack my fingers. “We can come to an arrangement that we’re all satisfied with, I’m sure. After all, this is a meeting for the Mafia organizations of Chicago, and I’m the leader of the cartel.”
“This is a meeting for an alliance between three families of which you don’t belong. An alliance against you and your psychopathic plans,” Massimo says.
I tilt my head. “Now that’s not very fair, is it?” He waves his hand in the air dismissively. “Don’t mind me and continue your announcement. It’s very interesting to hear that the Callaghan Clan are such wusses that they’re giving up territory to their longest standing enemy.”
The comment gets under Rourke’s skin as he clenches his fists. “Careful, Adrik.”
I reach for Eliza and place her hand back on my arm, noticing the way she tenses at my touch.
“Careful of what, Callaghan?” I shake my head. “Are you going to give me territory, too?”
The tension heightens and I enjoy it like an acrobat walking the high-wire. It’s exhilarating; the danger and uncertainty.
To my surprise, the next voice I hear is female, drawing my attention to the stage. “Don’t listen to him. Can’t you see he’s trying to drive a wedge between everyone?”
Mia Morrone.
The girl who it would seem has stolen a Callaghan’s heart. “Is that what I’m doing?” I ask.
My uncle takes another step back, putting distance between us. “She’s right.”
I smirk at my uncle, as he’s not normally one to think straight.
Mia continues talking, “If you want to negotiate, then arrange a meeting with us rather than crashing a party you weren’t invited to.” Mia glares at me. “Clearly, you have different motives for being here than what you claim.”
I smirk. “Perhaps.” I signal to my men. “Put the guns away.” Some of the tension eases from the room. “Since I’m here, why don’t the four of us have a chat?”
“We’ll sit with you for a discussion, but only two of your men can accompany you,” Rourke says.
I nod. “Done. Little Mia has to come, since this was her idea.”
“Over my dead body,” Killian says.
I arch my brow. “That can be arranged.” I watch as they all squabble amongst themselves like children.Pathetic.Turning to Eliza, I murmur in her ear. “Go outside and get into the car. Things might get ugly.”
Her eyes narrow. “You are going to hurt these people, aren’t you?”
“That all depends on them. Now go to the car.”
She turns and leaves and I find myself watching her for a moment. Once she’s out of sight, I turn glance at Mia Morrone. The thorn in my side calming everyone down.
The rest of them follow Rourke toward the back of the pub. Two of the higher ranking Cartel members, Santos and Rubén, follow me as we keep a good distance back from our enemies.
I remain standing as the rest of the group of men take their seats.
“Have a seat, Adrik,” Rourke says, his voice sounding commanding.
He’ll learn I don’t take orders from him or anyone. “I think I’ll stand, thanks.”
There’s a shift in atmosphere at my refusal.
Uncle glares at me. “Sit down, Adrik, or I will slit your fucking throat.”
“Always so bossy, Uncle.” I shake my head. “If you insist.” I sit at the opposite end of the table to Rourke at the head, sitting back in my seat. “So, Mia,” I say, my attention fixed on the only woman in the room. “What is it you think I’m here to do, exactly?”