″They’ll have to send in manpower. Then we keep the cartel on our turf with the Russians at war with us. It can get ugly,” I say.
For now, Boston is Irish, and while I know it’s impossible to keep it that way, it’s my home. I won’t let snakes into my garden, and the cartel is just that. A fucking snake. Paddy is right though. We can’t cut them completely.
I pinch my bottom lip as I contemplate our options. “We can continue to pay for the drugs upfront, but instead of selling them ourselves, we sell it to the Russians. We’ll be the middlemen between the two and it allows us to have a peace offering for the Russians.”
″We just pay and we’re out that money?” Paddy asks.
″Of course not. We sell it to them at fifteen percent upcharge. Fifteen percent,” I say.
″That’s sticky business, Cal.” Declan finishes his whiskey, pouring another.
″It is. But it might stop the war before it gets started.” I move my glass forward and Declan fills it for me.
I turn to look at Sean, since he’s been quiet. “Any word on who the child seller is?”
″No.” Sean clears his throat, shaking his head. “They’ve put up some additional firewalls. It’s taking longer to crack without notifying them what I’m doing. Should be sometime tomorrow, though.”
″Good. And you’ve bought the bitcoin?”
″Yes. I’ll replace it once I’m in so they think I’ve only hacked in to return it.”
″Excellent.” My phone buzzes in my suit and I pull it out.
Haley: Just got back from the airport. See you tomorrow.
Callum: Sleep well, love.
Haley: Without you? That might be hard.
Callum: Without you? I’m not hard.
Haley: I doubt that. Good night.
Callum: Good night, love.
I shove my phone away, glancing up to see all three brothers staring at me. “What?”
″Who was that?” Declan asks. “You’re blushing like a schoolboy.”
″Haley.”
″Speaking of. What the hell, Cal?” Paddy grunts, his face reddening as he clenches his fists. “I thought I warned you to stay away from her.”
″Why would I? You said you weren’t interested and you never fucked her.”
″Because! The girl is fucked up. She doesn’t need you fucking with her. You’re going to break her fucking heart. She doesn’t need that.”
″Have you ever thought that maybe it would be her that breaks my heart, Paddy? You have no fucking clue about what’s going on between us.”
″I know you fuck women and leave them heartbroken. You’ve never had a serious relationship in your bloody damn life! I find it hard to believe you’re starting with Savi.”
I chug the rest of my liquor, standing to leave. “Fuck off, Paddy. You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
I turn to leave, catching Sean mumbling. “You really don’t have a clue, Pat.”
Sean and Da are the only people who know about our trip to Washington State. They were the only ones privy to the details of Haley’s dark past. I didn’t confess to Paddy because he’s been nothing but hostile to the idea of me and Haley getting so close. And Declan and I haven’t had free time to talk about anything other than business.
I storm out of the parlor, heading straight for Haley’s house. We agreed to meet tomorrow, but Paddy pisses me off, and the only thing that will calm me is being wrapped in her arms.