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I pulled one of the small listening/tracking devices from my pocket. “These little beauties have been a godsend. They are basically indestructible and can’t be tracked by the traditional methods that I know you employ. Sean called you several times and I was listening in.”
I allowed the information to sink in.
He didn’t seem to have much to say.
“I’m surprised you aren’t attempting to deny it,” I told him.
“Business is business, Viper. Both you and Max know that. Your organization had become too powerful. I can’t allow that.”
It was funny he seemed to believe he could still control the situation.
“And the alliance?” Max asked, although neither one of us gave a damn any longer.
“You’re both intelligent men. You knew it was only a matter of time before you were challenged,” Killian said defiantly.
I had to give the man credit. He wasn’t sweating what his fate would be.
“Yes, we are very intelligent,” Max agreed. “Which is why we’ll handle the takeover of your organization entirely differently than other syndicates would do. We might even allow your men to live.”
“Of course, if they pledge their loyalty to us,” I added.
“You’re bluffing.” He snorted and raked his hand through his thinning hair.
“I don’t bluff or joke about business.” I smiled again, still debating his demise.
At least now he had the decency to seem nervous. “What about my nephew?”
“He’s alive. I suspect he’s on his way back to New York. I’ve yet to determine what I will do once he returns.”
“So what now?” he asked. The man was still dressed in his robe given the early morning hour.
“Now, we discuss your retirement.”
Even Max seemed surprised at my choice. Perhaps I was tired of the bloodshed for the moment. I wasn’t certain.
I also wasn’t a fool.
He allowed himself to slowly appear resigned, even shifting his body language.
“Why don’t we talk in my study?” He didn’t wait for our answer, turning and heading into the interior of his home.
Max furrowed his brow but said nothing, following me into the man’s expansive office.
Killian moved toward his window and I flanked him on the left side, Max remaining standing in the middle of the room.
“I’m not certain my men will take kindly to an announcement.” After saying the words, he rubbed his jaw.
I remained staring out at his pool, waiting to see what he’d do.
“Then you’ll need to convince them,” Max stated almost in passing.
“Yes. I suppose I will. Here’s the thing about the men who work for me. They don’t take kindly to strangers.”
For some reason, at seventy-two years old, the man still believed he had the agility of a twenty-year-old. It was something else I’d give him credit for.
When I attended his funeral.
The moment he pulled a weapon from his pocket, twisting to kill Max first, I wrapped my arm around his neck, jerking back, which allowed the shot to hit the ceiling. As I tightened my hold, he started to choke, fighting me with his free hand.
