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“Now, now look at the brand, spanking-new babysitter!”
I didn’t need to turn to know that my little brother, Kellan, had just joined me.
“Keep the bullshite to yourself, Kel. I’m not in the mood right now.”
He hurried around me, hopping up to sit on the side table that adorned the well-appointed hall. Kellan and I were damn near spitting images of one another, both with the same tall, broad-shouldered physique, along with the same dark red, wavy hair—though his was worn close-cropped rather than the slightly longer style I preferred. Unlike me, with our Ma’s ice blue eyes, his were the dark green of our Irish father’s. Kellan was dressed in brown leather loafers, fitted, light blue slacks and a crisp, white button-up, the sleeves rolled to his forearms. His face was alive with his usual enthusiasm and cheeky attitude.
“I can tell what kind of a mood you’re in,” Kellan said. “One that’s going to get you on the boss’ bad side if you’re not careful.”
“I’d ask if you were listening in, but I know my little brother.”
“Couldn’t help it. Had to resist the urge to jump in and stop you from saying something stupid. What’s the story? You taking a shine to the girl in there?” He nodded toward the door.
“It’s not a matter of taking a shine to her,” I said. “More about not wanting to kill an innocent person.”
“Yeah, I don’t like it any more than you.”
“Then you should’ve stepped in instead of spying. Could’ve used your help talking the old man out of what he wanted to do.”
“Sounded like you didn’t need my help at all. Besides, if we were together on it that would’ve meant we’dbothbe on the hook for babysitting. No thank you.”
I glanced away, the events of the last twenty minutes washing over me.
“Oh no,” Kellan said. “I don’t like when you get that look, not at all. Means that you’re thinking about things.”
“That’s because I am. You ever feel that this life ain’t all it’s cracked up to be?”
“What, you mean the money, the nice clothes, the cars and the beautiful women?”
“Come on, Kel, you know there’s more to it than that. The money’s blood money, and all the shite we’ve got has been bought with it. And the women…” I nodded toward the door. “This is the dark side of that.”
Kellan flashed me a look of confusion. “Years in this business and you’rejust nowhaving second thoughts?”
“It’s not second thoughts. More… misgivings about the direction the old man’s been taking things. Something’s strange with Eddie lately. The boss I knew wouldn’t have tossed some poor girl into a room like this and considered “offing” her for the crime of listening in on something that she shouldn’t have.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. Eddie’s always been that way. The difference is that now you and I are high enough in the ranks to see it on the regular.”
Maybe he was right.
“Either way, I’m not happy. They’ve been starving that girl, trying to break her. It’s disgusting.”
Kellan sighed, running his hand over his hair. “I agree. Believe it or not, I’m right there with you, Connor. But… this is our life, you know? It’s all we know how to do.”
“So, I’m just supposed to ignore something like this?”
“I don’t know, brother. You’re going to do what you’re going to do. But if you’re getting this bent out of shape about the darker side of our business it might be time to rethink things. All the same, do it on your own stage. Last thing you or I need is to have the boss looking at us side eyed.”
He was right about that. Eddie getting the impression that I was having misgivings about the life wouldn’t do me or Kellan any favors.
“Anyway.” Kellan hopped off his seat. “Ma got in touch with me earlier, wanted me to ask if you’d be up for dinner at her place tonight. Should I give her the go-ahead?”
I laughed. “You say that as if I’ve got a choice in the matter. You know damn well that if I told her I wasn’t coming she’d blow my phone up until I gave in.”
“That’s a good lad,” he said, clapping his hand on my shoulder one more time as he passed. “I’ll give her the good news. And good luck with the babysitting, brother.”
With that, he headed down the hall and was gone. I was alone once more, staring at the door in front of me.
“Christ,” I said under my breath. “What the hell was I thinking?”
