I look around the table at Steel and Stone Titan. They’ve even brought Rock, whom I can’t stand, but I’m not here to make friends.
“The Brennans are talking.”
I run a hand over my face.
“Talking to whom about what?” I gesture at my watch.
“They don’t buy that Jack’s death was a suicide.” The words come from Steel, but Stone fidgets in his seat.
“He was found hanging by his bedsheets in his cell. It was ruled a suicide. What am I missing?”
And this right here is why I never wanted to get back in business with the Titans, but Jack Brennan fucked all that up for me.
“The rumblings are they want to point the feds in our direction.” Steel’s words hang in the air like a bad smell.
“Then I suggest you handle it.” I stare at Stone when I say that. “Expeditiously.” I toss my hands in the air. “This is why I didn’t want to get in bed with you people.”
“You people?” This comes from Rock. “My brothers made you.”
I stand and plant both hands on the table. “Nobody made me, kid.”
“My family hired you when you were nothing.” Rock points and scoffs at me like he has any pull in this room. He’s nothing but a lackey in his family’s business.
“Shut your brother’s bitch ass up before I do it for you,” I snap.
Stone stands, and in record time, he’s in my face. He’s about the same height as me. We glare at each other, neither of us backing down.
“Don’t talk to my brother.” His voice is but a growl.
“Then tell him to shut the fuck up before I shut it for him.” Stone shoves me so hard that I take a step back. I shove him back, and he stumbles. Steel gets between us.
“I’ll get the boxing gloves, but Hunt, you’ll be limping out of here and will be useless to your wife on your honeymoon.” Steel’s voice is as smooth as honey. He looks like a man in his early fifties, with a salt-and-pepper beard and a belly. He looks harmless, but I know better.
“Ifhe leaves upright. He might have to go out in a body bag.”
“Really, motherfucker?” I challenge Stone. “Dosomething.”
Steel raises his hand, and whatever Stone was going to say never leaves his mouth.
“Congratulations on your nuptials, Hunt. I would have liked an invitation to the wedding, but I guess mine got lost in the mail.” He throws his hands. “Stone, sit down. Rock, you’ve lost your speaking privileges for the remainder of this meeting.”
“We have a plan for the Brennans, but we’re going to need you.” Stone sits down and unbuttons his blazer. Out of all the Titan brothers, Stone is the most dangerous.
“My help? That’s not what the fuck I do. I wash your money. That’s it.”
“Well, it’s time for you to branch out. If they aren’t handled, they will come for you and your new wife. Is that what you want? They won’t stop with me. They hate us for the same reason.”
And I know why that is. He’s right.
“If we turn them in, they will turn you in. You’re a bigger fish, and the feds will make an example of you for staying under their radar all this time.” Steel and Stone both nod as if what I just said is obvious.
“I have a plan.”
“Are you going to tell me what that is?” I ask Steel.
“We need to flesh it out, but I need to secure your cooperation.”
“Then I need to know what this unfleshed-out version is.” I want to be done with the Brennans as soon as possible. I might not like the Titans, but they have honor, unlike the Brennans.
