Another point I had to concede. “Have they approached you?”
“In the early days. Before my association with the O’Donnellys became more known.”
“They didn’t realize you were Irish Mob?”
“No. After I moved in, your… I mean, Da kept my profile low. Do you remember?”
“I do,” I confirmed. "You worked your way up but it was on the down-low, wasn’t it? Out of sight, out of mind.”
Finn nodded. “He kept me busy with the bookies, only letting me get my hands dirty when he was around, and no one said dick about what happened if he was there.
“My affiliation with the Five Points was undesirable once the United Brotherhood figured out who I was.”
“Why?”
“They’re pious.”
“Pious?” I repeated. “They go to church?”
Finn snorted. “Doubtful. I just mean they consider themselves white hats.”
That doubled the ache in my head—I was sure my ears were ringing. In my world,Iwas considered a white hat—I went in and found security flaws.
Blowing out a breath, I rumbled, “Didn’t Da believe he wore a white hat?”
“I doubt it. I think Da was many things, but I don’t think he’d consider himself as pure as the driven snow.”
My hand balled into a fist. “Did you… When they approached you, what did they want?”
“It’s like the Freemasons. You scratch my back, I scratch yours.”
That made me think of Star. “Quid pro quo.”
He hummed. “They’re harmless, but they’re everywhere in the world of investment banking. It’s a shame they realized my affiliation. Would have been a great networking opportunity.”
“If they’re such good guys, why don’t you want Aoife to know about them?”
“Because when you mentioned them, you looked like you could puke. Just because they wore white hats in the past doesn’t mean they do now. Aoife’s been through enough these past twelve months. I don’t want to add to her burden.
“You need to talk about whatever is going on, you talk to me. No judgment, no shit, no griping. I’m your brother, Conor. I can help. Now, get some rest.”
I wanted, desperately, to ask him some more questions, but the pull of sleep came at me with the force of Temperance. As he closed the door, my eyelids were already shut and, did I but know it, the nightmares were already beginning to load…
12
CONOR
I wokeup to my nose being pinched.
Then my ear being tugged.
My hand wafted on the mattress as I attempted to stop whoever was gnawing at me while I slept.
My hair was snagged in a starfish hand, grabby fingers that gave me my first clue as to the identity of my attacker, but I stubbornly turned my head aside.
“He won’t quit,” Finn drawled. “He wants Uncle Kid.”
I groaned.