Page 64 of Sullivan

“There are rumors. I’ve heard them. That the hotel and casino are cover-ups for the mafia. I ignored them until now.”

“No,” I assured her. “Not mafia. The casino and hotel are legitimate businesses. They make Finn and Niall a great deal of money. They have many legitimate ventures.” I paused. “I oversee a lot of their financial plans. Advise them. They, ah, send a lot of monies to other places.”

“You launder their money,” she said, sounding shocked.

“No. The funds I have access to are clean.”

“What is the syndicate?”

I glanced at my watch. I had a lot to explain and not a lot of time. “The syndicate is a group of powerful people that works at keeping the cities they are responsible for going forward in a positive manner. Each has a territory. Some, like Finn’s, are well run, the people safe, the areas clean and protected. Others, not so much.”

“Toronto?” she asked.

“Yes. Many major cities have a form of behind-the-scenes groups.”

“And how are they funded?”

“I cannot speak for all of them. Finn and Niall do have some, ah, less-than-legal operations. But fewer of them all the time. A great deal of their resources are funneled back into the communities they protect with the investments they make. Finn runs a tight organization. He strives for peace. But there is danger. His wife was kidnapped by a rogue group, and he rescued her with the help of other syndicate members. Niall rescued Anna during the raid, and that is how they met. The syndicate doesn’t believe in many of the old ways. Selling of women and children. Flooding the streets with drugs. The mentality of control with murder and threats. The idea you are in until you die. But diplomacy and secrecy still are key. The group exists very much in the shadows and is very powerful.”

“But they still kill. I just heard you order Alan dead.”

“I am not an active member of the syndicate, Autumn. I can’t order anything. Finn is a leader. Niall is his second. They have ties back in Ireland and here. I do stand for Finn when needed. But only as his representative.”

“That’s why your name frightened that man.”

“Yes. My name is known.” I drew in a long breath. “In your case, I’m calling in favors with Niall and Finn to find Alan, yes. And if involving the syndicate helps them find him, so be it.”

“And having him murdered.”

“I see it as protecting you and other women. He’s a serial stalker. The police won’t do anything. They never will. This is when the syndicate steps in. They find the problem and eliminate it when needed. If you had any idea how many people they have helped—rescued from lives of horror. The kids they have put through school. Families they have assisted. Communities they have rebuilt. They do more good than harm. That is always the last resort.”

She stared at me, her indecision and worry warring in her eyes.

“I want Alan stopped. He needs to be stopped. I don’t ever want you to worry.”

“Does Roisin know?”

“Yes.”

“Bonnie?”

“What do you think?”

Her eyes flitted around the room, searching—for what, I wasn’t sure. Then they settled back on me.

“Have you ever killed someone, Sully?”

“A long time ago. We grew up in a different world from yours. I know it’s hard to understand, but our reality isn’t simply black-and-white. There is gray, and I’m part of that. The day I had to end a life, I saved an entire family. I’m not proud of it, but I don’t regret it.” I paused. “And I’d do it again to save someone I love. Especially you.”

“I knew this was too good to be true,” she whispered. “That there would be something to end this.”

Horrified, I was on my knees in front of her, holding her cold, trembling hands. “No, Autumn, No. I’m still me, mo fhiadh beag. The man who loves you. I would never hurt you. I would die to protect you.”

“I’m so confused.”

“I know. I didn’t want you to find out like this. I wanted to sit down and tell you.”

“Why didn’t you?”