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Idon’t know what to expect, but that’s nothing new. I’ve come to learn it’s best not to walk into anything with expectations. It avoids disappointment this way. And I have a feeling once the meeting I called is over with, there will be much disappointment. And anger.
Ethan and Cian stand with me as we wait for our men to arrive at the factory.
Cian is hurting, and I don’t know how to fix it. There isn’t anything I can say or do because the love of his life is dead, and we don’t know why. I asked Sean before I left if he had anything to do with Amber’s murder.
He chose not to respond.
I can’t wait for this to be over with, which is why I’ve asked my men to gather here at Kellys’ Aluminum. It seemed fitting because this is where it started, so this is where it’ll end.
The factory is filled with men, loyal men who I trust.Thisis the army I needed, but it’s the army I will give to Alek. These familiar faces, I’ve known since I was a boy, but here I stand as their leader. A part of me is saddened that I can’t lead them into battle.
But I’ve made my choice.
Once everyone is here, I stand silent. The silence mutes the whispers. I have their attention. Alek and Austin stand off to the side, showing me respect because this country isn’t theirs—yet.
“Thank you for comin’,” I commence, making eye contact with the men. “I called ye here because things are about to change.”
Excited hollers pass between them, but they’re soon to cease once I reveal why we’re all here.
“Ye have been loyal to my family for years, and for that, I thank you. Connor thanks you. But it’s time for change. I’ve been fightin’ for freedom, mine and yers…and it’s finally within reach.”
The mood changes.
“Sean Kelly is now my prisoner,” I disclose, watching the men’s mouths fall open. “His regime is over. He singlehandedly ruined what we—what my father—worked so hard for.”
Most know that Sean is my biological father, but I won’t give that fucker the satisfaction of admitting that fact aloud.
“He’s not dead because I need him for one final thing. The Doyles’ shipment is still scheduled for arrival.”
The men look at one another, confused. “But the Doyles are dead. You made sure of that,” Ollie says, expressing what everyone is thinking.
“Aye, that I did, but someone is goin’ to be there to make the deal, and I need to know who. That person is a threat to all of us. We haven’t come this far; we haven’t lost this much for some cunt to come and steal it from us.”
The men clap loudly, whistling their approval as we’ve all lost so much in this war.
“And I promise ye this…I will find out who this person is, and I will kill them. Just as I killed every other fucker who wanted to double-cross me. And once they’re dead and I take that haul for my own, I’ll do to Sean what was done to my ma and to Connor.”
My words rouse the crowd, and the static is almost electrifying. But that’s soon to change.
“Once I avenge them, however…I’m out. This started the day my mum was slain. It ends the moment I kill her murderer.”
“What are ye sayin’, Puck?” Rogan Shea asks, eyes wide.
“I don’t want this life. I never did. I can’t do what Connor did…I don’t want to. Which is why I made a deal with someone who does. I trust this man. His name is Aleksei Popov. Lord knows I should not trust him. But he is the ruler you want. Him, and Ethan—a true Kelly.”
Ethan stands proudly beside me, but Cian is about to rip out my spleen.
I didn’t tell him about Sean as I wanted to avoid this. I knew he’d act on impulse to kill him, and he’s no use to me dead. I will deal with Cian later, however, because now, I have to face a factory full of angry Irish and Englishmen.
“Naw, we will not serve another!”
“This kingdom is yers!”
“A shift in power is the end of us all.”
“You cannot trust Sean Kelly! This is a trap.”
These are just a few grievances I hear because, at once, they all form into one big monotonous hum. The men argue and shout amongst themselves, infuriated at me and others.
