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“I’m sorry, brother. We don’t know shit about this guy, and I think the devil we know is a better option,” he says.
I nod in understanding. It’s a risk.
“Bones? Judge?” Cy asks.
“Aye,” they say together. That’s not a surprise because they adore my girl like she’s their daughter.
“Not that we need my vote, but I trust Rigger, and if he thinks this is a good idea, then you have my support.” Cy bangs the gavel.
We’re interrupted by a knock at the door. Tigger pops his head in. “They’re here.”
“Send them in,” Cy says, standing. “Knowing this was how the vote would go, I invited Leo and Robert over to break the news.”
The two men enter, and out of respect, Dutch and Satyr offer their seats at the table.
“Want to tell me why we’re here?” Leo asks, suspicion lacing his tone.
“We have some good news. We’re prepared to pay off our loan in full,” Cy says. “The money will be wired later this afternoon.”
Robert’s cloudy old eyes narrow. “This comes as a surprise. Can I ask why?”
“You know we aren’t pleased with an associate of yours, and we decided it would be best to end our ties with your organization,” I say.
“That seems drastic.”
“It is,” I agree.
“Hold on a second,” Leo chimes in. “Just because you pay us off doesn’t mean he’s not still under our protection. Ray handles a lot of work for us, and until he pays off his debts, he’s off limits.”
“After that money hits your account, we have no obligation to you.” I mash my finger into the table to make my point.
“That’s not how this works. If you lay a hand on him, we’ll take that as a personal offense and react accordingly,” Leo says.
“So you’re saying you’ll go to war over some peon? Guys like that must be a dime a dozen in your line of work.”
Robert shrugs. “Morals are a strange thing. Just because someone’s willing to overextend their debts doesn’t mean they’ll do the kind of work Ray will.”
“Either way, that’s not our problem.”
“Except it is,” Leo says threateningly.
“Listen,” Robert interjects. “We’re happy to give him up if you can offer someone to take his place.”
I figured this might be something they’d want, but we hadn’t worked out how to handle it. War is not an option. We have too much to lose right now, with Clancy watching our every move and trying to grow a new business.
But we’re also not the Costa’s whipping boys.
“We’re not doing your dirty business for the rest of eternity,” I say.
“That’s not what I’m saying. I think we could agree on the time.” Robert leans into the table. “Let’s say your replacement is at our disposal for six months.”
I look to Cy, who nods almost imperceptibly.
“Then we have a deal.” I stand and hold out my hand. Robert and Leo join me, each shaking their agreement.
“I’ll be looking for that transfer,” Robert says, buttoning his suit coat.
The two men leave, and I breathe a sigh of relief. It’s done. Over. Now I can finally end Navy’s nightmare.
