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“Pushing away a powerful ally at this time, sir, isn’t a good idea.”
I didn’t respond to that. I was aware of the rumblings, thanks to Aiden, but Aine would no longer attend meetings, and that should shut them up. I’d have dinner tomorrow with Sean and Aine and, unfortunately, close the chapter on her leading the family.
As I glimpsed at Aiden, his eyes securely on the road, I wondered if perhaps he should, in fact, take over for the family. Would he let me step down?
I hated uncertainty. I would broach the subject with him, but it could force an unnecessary hole in a floating ship.
I’d wait until after the dinner tomorrow. One thing at a time.
Morning came way too soon. I stumbled out of bed and moved as if I were on autopilot. Bathroom, brush teeth, shower, change, style hair, phone and wallet, and off to the kitchen, where the scent of coffee was like a beacon calling a ship home.
“Thank you, you beautiful goddess.” Sarah, my housekeeper, came early every morning and on top of being in charge of the cleaning and cooking staff, she made sure I always had coffee and was feeding myself.
“Good morning, Mr. Fred.” She giggled as she went about fixing my plate.
I sat at the table in the kitchen, preferring it to the dining room, and scrolled through my messages.
I paused over an email from Zion. What now? I clicked it and as I read, I could feel my eyes getting wider and wider.
“Bad news?” Aiden said in way of greeting.
“Vincenzo has agreed to meet.”
Aiden froze, coffeepot in hand. “Seriously?”
“Yes!” I smiled because this was huge. “I guess being a little bratty pays off.”
Sarah placed my breakfast in front of me. “Mr. Aiden, would you like food?”
“No thank you, Sarah. I ate already.” He jerked his chin. “What’s the email say?”
“He said Vincenzo is willing to meet but requests my presence at his home and not here in Westford. Zion would like to discuss it over dinner.”
“Oh, Mr. Fred, you have dinner with Mr. Sean tonight,” Sarah reminded me.
“I’ll give Zion the address to the restaurant and tell him I’ll meet him for after-dinner drinks to discuss it.”
Aiden didn’t say anything, just sipped his coffee, his gaze a million miles away. I was sure he was thinking about the hundreds of ways this could be a disaster, or perhaps he was just in awe of how epically this had worked out for me.
I sent off the message, shoved breakfast down my throat, and was out the door and heading to the hospital in under an hour.
CHAPTER SIX
Fred
It had been the shift from hell. A major accident on the highway had brought eight people to our hospital, and three of them died. Days like that stayed with me. I should have been used to it, what with working as an emergency room doctor and being the boss of a mob family. But I wasn’t wired that way, and it was why my running this organization wasn’t good for anyone. Thank God I had Uncle Sean at my side. Every time I fumbled the ball, he always retrieved it.
I was able to shower and change at the hospital so I wouldn’t be late for dinner. I was starving, having blown past lunch due to the influx of patients.
Molly’s was my favorite Irish pub and grill. They had a private room in the back they always gave me when I asked and tonight, I wanted it to be just the three of us. This conversation was going to be hard enough.
“Good evening, Mr. Brennan.” Charlie waved at me as Aiden and I entered.
“Hey there, Charlie.”
“Room is ready.”
I nodded and turned toward Aiden. “Zion should be here in an hour. Stay here and let him know I’ll be out soon.”
