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“Everything okay?” Jane’s eyes dart meaningfully to my hands, smirking.
“Fine,” I grunt. “Let’s discuss the plan for Diaz.”
Her smirk falls, and she’s all business. “I say we don’t speak unless absolutely necessary. We shouldn’t give anything away. Let them do all the talking since they’re the ones who wanted this meeting.”
“Agreed. What else?”
“We don’t make them any promises about supporting his takeover.”
“You think he’d really tell us that’s his plan?” Nolan asks.
“Absolutely,” Jane replies.
“He likely believes we suspect he’s responsible for the explosion,” Nolan points out.
“Yes,” I agree. “But like Jane said, we won’t give him any information either way. I’m tired of Luis Diaz acting as if he has the upper hand.” It’s bad enough the piece of shit is blackmailing me. The desire to put him in his place and take him down is strong, but I need more evidence before I can act. Otherwise, it’s likely the slimy bastard will find a way to weasel his way out of facing the consequences of his actions. And put my family at risk at the same time.
My three most trusted friends murmur their agreement, and the rest of the drive to the Brooklyn Bridge passes in silence as each of us mentally prepares for the impending meeting.
Twenty minutes later, Liam pulls the car to the curb. We exit the vehicle and join the throng of tourists making their way to the iconic suspension bridge. As a child, I remember my mom and dad forcing me to go on bike rides throughout the city. At the time, I wanted nothing more than to stay in my room at our luxury brownstone and play my game console. But even then, I had to admit riding across the iconic landmark was cool. So was getting mint chocolate chip ice cream from the cart at the end of the bridge.
We reach City Hall Park. Across the street, I see Luis Diaz standing to the left of the entrance to the bridge’s walkway. He wears his usual dark jeans with a silver chain dangling from the back pocket, looking at his phone like he’s bored.
His dismissive demeanor is an act. As is the fact he appears to be alone. I have no doubt he has men positioned out of sight, but I refuse to look for them. That’s what Nolan and Liam are for.
We cross the street. Sensing our approach, Diaz looks up. He grins. “MacKenzie. Good to see you.”
“Diaz.” I stop several feet away. Jane, Liam, and Nolan take up positions next to me. “You wanted to speak to me.”
“Not here. Let’s go for a walk on the bridge.” He motions to the populated structure behind him.
“No. We speak here or not at all.”
His hand falls to his side, but his grin grows. “Declan MacKenzie. Nothing can ever be easy with you.”
I don’t dignify the comment with a response.
Unfortunately, my silence seems to heighten his amusement. “You seem touchy this evening. Tell me, did something happen to put you on edge?” His eyes focus pointedly on the scratch marring my cheek.
Again, I stay silent even though his comment all but confirms his involvement in the morning’s explosion. He wouldn’t know about it otherwise.
The crowd moves around our group despite the wide space separating us. It’s like they can sense the dangerous tension brewing between us and their instinct tells them to steer clear.
Eventually, Luis’s grin falls and reveals the cold gaze of the man I have unwillingly come to know. “You heard about Santiago.”
It’s not a question. Still, I answer, “I have.”
“I will be stepping into his shoes and leading the gang’s business in Harlem,” he declares.
I tuck my hands into my front pockets. “I see.”
“And I expect the MacKenzies to fulfill their promises made to the gang.”
I don’t bat an eye at the demand. “Those promises were made to Santiago.”
“And now they will be made to me.”
“Will they now?”
