“Where’s Colin?” I ask Matthew. I’m at the fucking meeting just like Diesel wanted. This is the most sober I’ve been in days, and it’s not a fucking joyride.

“He’s not your concern,” answers Matthew. “Let us just say, I had to make sure he understood some things. I go out of town for a month and come back to chaos and my sister dead, and that is just the beginning of the fucking shit storm that welcomed me back. It’s time I get my house in order, and you can either be a part of that, or I’ll look elsewhere.”

“Why come to me?” I ask the question that’s been bothering me since I sobered up.

“Because I figure the only person hating Redmond more than my brother or me right now… is you. If I’m wrong, then—”

“No,” I say at once. “I want in. I’m just wondering what you could possibly want us for, since you obviously have your own resources.”

“True, but word has it, Redmond’s in France. While I’m chasing him down, I can’t be worried about everything going to hell here.”

“I’m not a damn babysitter for your brother Colin, and it isn’t why I agreed to this meeting.” I push away from the table. “I’m out of here.”

“Redmond will be back in two weeks for a family meeting that Colin and I called. He thinks it’s to welcome him back as ruler of the family.”

“And it’s not?”

“It is, but it will also be Redmond’s death.”

“What do you want from me?”

“Extra firepower.”

“What do I get in return?”

“When the time comes, I’ll let you put a bullet in him.”

“Why would I wait for you? Now that I know where he’ll be, I’ll just do it myself.”

“Because I think, if anything, Beth’s death has shown us that we will achieve more working together.”

“You’ll forgive me if I don’t want to work with you. Let’s get out of here, boys.”

“You’re making a mistake,” Matthew says.

“It’s mine to make. Load up, boys,” I tell my crew, turning to leave.

“Okay, fine.” Matthew sighs, giving in. “Redmond has complete power and family support. The only shot we have of taking control back is if we kill him. I need your help to accomplish that because, without my grandfather’s approval, I have very limited resources.”

“It must suck having to get approval for taking a shit,” I prod him. Matthew’s eyes flash and I know I’ve scored a direct hit.

“I’ll do this without you,” Matthew growls.

I go back to the table and lean down in front of him. I want eye contact. I want to see his reactions to what I’m about to say.

“You know what I think, Mattie-boy? I don’t think you can. I think Colin got you into some hot water trying to overthrow Redmond, and now Granddaddy has frozen your assets, which means you can’t afford a bottle of beer, let alone hire someone to help you take down your Uncle. In fact, I have to think this meeting isn’t something you arranged. I think it’s something Redmond called and has more to do with punishing you and Colin for your failed attempt at taking control.” Matthew doesn’t say anything, but I see the truth in his bitter eyes. “I think that’s also the only reason Redmond would let his guard down enough to walk into your house on these terms. He thinks he’s coming back to claim his home.” Matthew avoids my eyes, which pretty much confirms what I’ve said. I was mostly guessing, but what little intel Torch had been able to gather before our meeting made the guessing easier.

“I thought you would be more reasonable, considering I was helping you to make Redmond pay. Apparently, I overestimated you,” Matthew says, moving away from the table.

“Tell you what. I’m going to agree to this plan of yours. I’ll help you take Redmond down, but I want it written in the pig’s blood that you and your fucking brother won’t bother my crew anymore. You don’t even breathe in our territory.”

“I can agree to that.”

“So, we have a deal? I kill your Uncle, and you get control of the family again. In return, you leave me and my crew alone, forever.”

“I’ll get you the details of the meeting this week.”

“Tell me, Matthew, what would your grandfather do if he knew you were plotting to kill his only remaining son?” Matthew pales, and that’s the point I want to get across. “Fuck me over, Matthew, and he’ll know everything. Everything, because this meeting… I have it on tape.”

I pull open my cut, revealing a mic taped down and leading to the recording system.

“Let’s roll boys,” I say. “I’ll give you a week to get me the info, Matthew. Don’t make me wait,” I warn him, then leave.

Diesel was right. I do owe Beast this. Not Beth, because I’m the fucker that hurt Beth. I can’t fix that, but I can avenge my brother’s daughter, and I will. It’s the only thing keeping me moving right now.