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I drown out Humphrey’s voice; he’s only wallowing in his own shit now, anyway.
The Quinns are going to want to hear this.
I rise to my feet, cutting him off. Then, I lean my palms against his desk and loom over him. Like his worst fucking nightmare. He visibly shivers.
“I don’t care whether you have to beg, borrow, or steal the money,” I say slowly. Icily. “You will pay Quinn Ventures their dividends by midnight tonight. If you don’t,” I straighten up and crack my knuckles. “I’ll be back. And I promise you, I’m not a man you want to see after dark.”
And with that, I stride out of his office, driving my fist through that stupid fucking Segway as I pass.
* * *
“You have a problem.”
Poppy’s heavy groan comes down the line. “I told Lorcan this was a bad idea. Go on, which one of my business owners have you killed?”
“None. Yet.”
I can hear her sigh of relief. “Well, then. Whatever you’re about to tell me can’t be that bad.”
“The mad scientist guy. The one that clones people—”
“Wren Humphrey atChromoLove Dating?”
“Yeah, that asshole. Seems to think you’re collecting a weekly tax from him.”
“Uh, we aren’t.”
“I thought so. In that case, the Abruzzos are.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“I don’t kid.”
She sighs. “I know, that’s what’s so worrying. Hold on, I’m getting Lorcan on the line.”
I drum my fingers against the steering wheel of my car as she click-clacks on some keys. There’s a beep, then Lorcan’s voice comes, low and angry. “Cillian. Who have you killed?”
“He hasn’t killed anyone,” Poppy interrupts, “He thinks the Abruzzos are shaking down our Philly businesses for protection payments.”
A pause. “How sure are you?”
“Unless you’re sending a henchman to shake them down weekly, then pretty sure.”
“Fucking bastards.” I hear him thump a fist against something. “How long has this been going on for?”
“Do I look like an accountant?” I drawl.
Poppy says, “What about the two other businesses you’ve visited this week?”
“Didn’t mention anything about it. But then again, they didn’t say much. Pissed their pants and agreed to cough up the cash the moment I walked in.”
She mutters something under her breath, then says, “I’ll request a copy of all their financial statements and have Orna comb through them.”
“And I’ll talk to Donnacha,” Lorcan growls. “I have a feeling that the Abruzzos seeking protection payments is just the tip of the iceberg, so we’ll need to do surveillance. Cillian?”
“I’m here.”
“Lay low for a little while, kid. Don’t want the Abruzzos to find out you’ve been snooping and then trace it back to us.” Then he adds darkly, “We want the element of surprise if we can’t handle this in a civil manner.
