Chapter 7

"God invented whiskey to keep the Irish from ruling the world."

—Ed McMahon

Two weeks later

Daniel

Whiskey.

And scotch.

Both could be considered the bane of my existence. On this late afternoon, I'd decided to indulge in whiskey, likely given the meeting that had been set up with the leader of the Irish mob. Liam O'Banyon was a gruff older man with a bad attitude. He'd arrived in the country only five years before with his family, quickly becoming a powerful leader inside various clans within New York. Now they were stretching their wings.

Why they had their sights set on Kansas City was beyond me, but I was sitting in one of my favorite bars in the city with several of my men waiting for his arrival. We'd agreed upon a public place on a busy street to hopefully avoid any consideration of violence. This wasn't about drawing the line on a battleground, more of a friendly reminder that our family owned the city.

And after this, I was off to another location where I'd meet my future wife for the first time. I still found it difficult to believe I'd agreed to the arranged marriage, but after spending time going over the contract and the paperwork as well as Giovanni's financials and business holdings, and seeing photographs and movies taken of their estate and grounds in Italy, it was apparent the reason Constantine had made the suggestion.

Still, I was uneasy about the concept of taking over as the Don of the Sicilian Cosa Nostra, the area far more dangerous than being in Kansas City. However, the thought of possessing so much power did have its benefits.

Plus, the girl was stunning. I'd spent time researching Maria as well in my endeavor to determine what I was getting myself in the middle of. She was spoiled. There was no doubt about that. However, I had no issue taming and training her, including the use of discipline if necessary.

One thing I'd adhered to from my father's teachings was that women thrived on standing beside a dominating man. In my mind, they also found some sense of relief when treated with a firm hand. Okay, so maybe some of my thinking was a bit Neanderthal, but I'd seen it in action, a woman thriving after her behavior had changed.

I took a pull on the glass of whiskey, still thinking about the quote my father used to spout off. He'd had dealings with the Irish while still in Italy, something that had tarnished his view of them until the end of time.

There was no trusting them, the meeting more of a formality than anything. If Liam adhered to the rules, he was welcome to partake in whatever legitimate businesses his heart desired. However, if he had plans on going through with the resorts, then he would quickly learn a hard lesson.

"He and his men are on their way," Kane told me as he approached. He was my most trusted man, our friendship going back years. A fellow ranch and horse owner, his military training and sharpshooter skills had come in handy over time and during what few skirmishes we'd worked together. Even though we'd been in a time of peace for a few years.

"Good. I need to get this over with." I took another sip, glancing around the crowded bar. I'd sequestered an area in the back where my meeting wouldn't be disturbed but even on a Wednesday night, the place was full of people enjoying the late spring afternoon, including the perfectly clear skies and warm temperatures.

"So you're really getting married," he teased, both his grin and the glint in his eye mischievous.

"It would appear that way."

"At least she's a looker."

"I guess we'll see in person. You know pictures can be and are doctored more often than not."

"You are so cynical. You need to believe in love."

I almost choked on my drink. "Are you kidding me? This coming from the man who hasn't had a relationship in five years."

"Three years, my friend. And you know why."

Yep. His girlfriend had dumped him on Christmas Eve.

"It's time to stop feeling sorry for yourself," I told him.

"That's not even fair, especially coming from a man who refuses to date then is suddenly getting married. Seriously. And I do have my eye on a sexy woman."

"As long as she can tolerate your surly ass."

"Fuck you," he barked seconds before Liam and his entourage entered the bar area. The men trailing behind him included his son, Ronin, a bruiser if I ever saw one. The man was taller and bigger than I was and that was saying something.

I eased off the chair, shifting to my full height, studying the four men as they approached. While I'd brought six with me, only Kane would sit at the table, the others remaining in various parts of the bar, two still located outside.

Liam had a smug look on his face, only smiling when he was a couple of feet away. I already didn't like him, partially because I had a feeling that he believed the fact he was meeting with the Capo and Consigliere of the organization meant that our regime was weak. I hoped he wouldn't need to be taught a lesson. While I enjoyed my shared of partaking in aspects of violence, I was getting too old to play games.

He stood in front of me, giving me a hard look while I remained unblinking. When he extended his hand first, it was a bow of honor to the fact we were doing this on my turf. There were unwritten rules in every syndicate, the Irish staunch followers of those aspects of respect. That was one thing they had going for them.

I accepted, the handshake firm on both our parts.

"It's a pleasure meeting you, Daniel. I've certainly heard quite a bit about your organization," Liam stated. The translation meant he likely had a limited alliance with one of my family's other enemies in hopes of learning all our weaknesses. Other than Constantine's wife and child, perhaps the fact my sister was engaged in the business when allowing females any control was usually frowned upon was also something our enemies planned on using. If that was the case, Liam would learn quickly how capable the women within the Thorn family were and had been since the beginning of time.

"I'm afraid I know very little about your organization, Liam." It was a purposeful slight and he knew it. "Please sit," I offered, also acknowledging his son, who would eventually take over for his father.

Both men did, and only then did Kane ease onto the chair seconds before me.

I sat down, motioning for the bartender. Only after orders were placed did I start the meeting. "Gentlemen, I won't take much of your time. I'm certain you're as busy as I am."

Liam nodded, Ronin already scanning the interior of the bar as if looking to see how many soldiers I might have lying in wait. One of the keys in determining whether or not an enemy could be trusted was how they reacted when they didn't believe the other party had anyone watching their backs.

That would only occur after the meeting when we walked outside. It was all preplanned, this meeting more like an opening act, a wait until the real fun might begin. I studied Ronin briefly, the ugly scars running down one side of his neck a reminder of how brutal our world could be. Not that I had any sympathy for anyone. That wasn't my style.

"I do appreciate that. I have a poker game to get to," Liam stated.

"Then I'll get right to the reason for having this meeting. It's my understanding that you have every intention of creating new business in Missouri. Is the information that I received correct?"

He glanced at the scotch he'd ordered, swirling the amber liquid in his glass before answering. "Yes. You are correct. I visited here last year and found the area spectacular, ripe for business."

"And what might those businesses be?" I asked casually, sitting back in the chair comfortably.

"You appear to be a smart boy. I'm certain the reason your brother sent you here was nothing more than to taunt me into reacting to some ridiculous threat regarding opening up a few casinos in the area."

Now he chose to take a sip of his beverage. While my natural tendency would be to shove the glass into his face, breaking his nose, I made the choice to keep my cool for the time being. "And I'm certain you understand that I'm here to remind you to tread carefully with your intentions. We don't want a war but we're happy to engage in one if necessary. You can understand that, I'm sure."

I wasn't here to make friends. I couldn't care less about protocol at this point. The best thing that could come out of this meeting would be that Liam had a better understanding of our tactics and what we expected.

The worst thing was bloodshed, which would be fine also.

I'd heard the man had a hot temper, easily flying off the handle when he didn't get his way. When that didn't happen, I shifted further on the edge.

"Understandable, Daniel. You can certainly assure your brother, the Don of your… empire that I can just as easily be persuaded to find another location to concentrate my resources on one condition."

I also wasn't here to make a single deal. Being members of the Brotherhood was as far as we were willing to go. However, his impetuous behavior had me curious. "And what's that?"

"That an arrangement be made with Ronin and your beautiful sister Danika."

Ronin took the opportunity to grin, which made him look like a baboon and infuriated me. The request was the only reason Liam had accepted a meeting in the first place. I took my time in answering, taking several slow and easy sips of my drink. My sister meant the world to me. No fucker was going to touch her. I'd become the monster I'd been before if necessary.

When I finally placed the glass down, I allowed my gaze to follow it, only lifting my eyes to his after swirling the glass back and forth on the wooden table. I didn't bother shifting in my seat even though the tension had increased tenfold.

"I'll make this very easy on you, Liam. My sister isn't for sale under any circumstances to anyone."

"But my son isn't just anyone. He's Irish royalty."

The man had to be kidding. I was ready to shove my fist into the guy's mouth. I was losing patience and control very quickly, but that was likely something both men were hoping for. My practiced smile was something I was quite proud of. "Perhaps I didn't make myself clear. For that, I do apologize. So, let me say this another way. Get out. If you as much as step foot in our territory or dare to open a single casino in Missouri or Kansas, you and your clan will be run out of town. And I assure you that you won't like how I do it. Now, I hope you don't take offense but when my sister decides to get married, it will be to a man considered of her caliber."

Ronin all but pushed the table over, rocking it as he tried to stand with enough force my drink was sloshed over the rim. I shifted my amused look from his father to him, enjoying the redness in his face and the way he was huffing and puffing. Meanwhile, I was having a better time than I'd thought I would. It had been a long time since I'd engaged in a terse meeting. It felt good to be back in the saddle.

Liam pushed his arm in front of his son. "I think we're done here. We've both said our piece. I suggest you take my offer back to the man who is in charge. Allow him to make the decision. You know where to find me when you've come to your senses." He stood slowly, acting as if I would do the same.

I remained seated, glancing over at the two goons who'd opened their jackets as if ready to yank out their weapons in a public space. Talk about Neanderthals. In a world where business such as ours was done via computers and Zoom meetings, it was ridiculous to think about shooting up a place, especially with innocent people inside.

It was difficult to keep a smirk off my face as they walked out.

Kane huffed before motioning to the waiter. "That was something else. You remind me more of your brother every day, only a bit more refined."

"I'm not certain that's a compliment."

"Oh, it is. You're in your element like that. I just thought you should know."

I thought about his statement and grinned. "Let's finish our drinks."

"You got it. Boss man."

He liked to call me that when he was in a good mood. Why not be in one. I knew exactly what was going to happen once we stepped foot outside of the bar. I was actually looking forward to it.

Sure enough, when we walked outside into the twilight after only ten minutes, headed to the two vehicles we'd brought, it didn't take ten seconds before I felt a presence coming at us from the side. I resisted the urge to reach for my gun, the hesitation allowing a hard punch to be delivered to my head. I'd warned Kane and the others what to expect as well so they stood back, waiting for any sign I was ready for them to take over or provide assistance.

This was all about a game of testosterone. Me against Ronin. I'd insulted his honor in front of his father's men and he was determined to get it back. Also as anticipated, he'd sent his men and his father away so there wouldn't be any further humiliation. That was a good thing since he was about to get his ass kicked.

Little did the hulking flesh of a man know I had a blackbelt in karate. I'd also been trained in other martial arts and had recently taken up boxing as a form of exercise.

Those were just a few of my skills.

I didn't hesitate, firing off several brutal punches, catching Ronin under the chin and in the gut, followed with two savage jabs to his kidneys. He went down hard on the pavement, struggling to get up. As soon as he did, I spun and issued a hard kick, knocking the wind out of him as I pitched his body back to the pavement.

He didn't hesitate to come out swinging this time, managing to get in two uppercuts before I backhanded him, sending him reeling for a third time. This time he tripped and went flying into a vehicle, an alarm immediately starting. I threw up my hands and backed away.

"I think we're done here," I told him.

He rose to his full height, wiping blood from his mouth. When he didn't attempt to come at me again, I turned around on purpose. The man was far too predictable, coming at me then like the coward he was.

That's the moment I spun around, pointing the weapon at his forehead while wrapping one hand around his throat. Something that most people didn't know was that Kane had taught me how to use pressure points, something he'd learned while serving his country overseas. It didn't matter how big a guy was, I could drop him to his knees within seconds, which is exactly what I did.

I kept my firm hold, pressing the cold hard steel against his forehead. "Now, I have a very important meeting to get to and I'd prefer not to arrive with blood splattered all over my nice, freshly laundered jacket. But I'll make a detour, stopping at my favorite fashionable men's clothing shop if necessary."

He was wheezing at this point and while it was too dark to see, I had a sense he was red in the face.

"The choice is entirely up to you. We do live in a free country."

"Amen," Kane said from behind me.

Of course, the fuckhead couldn't say anything. As the car alarm continued to go off, I realized my patience level was getting worse and worse.

He stopped fighting me, which allowed me to remove my hand, but instead of shooting his kneecap or worse to teach him a lesson, I pulled out the cutter for my cigar. Ronin had no understanding of what I was prepared to do until it was too late. I shoved his pinky into the implement, pressing the sharp edge against his skin.

"Fuck. Fuck. Fuck!" he howled, the shimmer of a streetlight allowing me to see the intensive fear in his eyes. That's exactly what I wanted.

I could tell Kane was shocked by my actions, the brutality something he hadn't seen in a long time. I grinned, cocking my head slightly, taking in a whiff of urine, which was more pleasurable than I'd remembered.

"Let me make certain you fully understand my position, Ronin. I am not a man to be fucked with by anyone. You will not indulge your wild fantasies by coming into my world in any way, shape, or form. If you do, you will die and I assure you it won't be painless or quick. If you dare try and attack my family, I will break every bone in your body before draining every drop of your worthless blood. And if you so much as dare attempt to thwart a single business activity, your entire family will face the ultimate price. Get out of my town." I pressed the cutter down slightly all over again, the man practically foaming at the mouth.

But I spared him, allowing the full use of his hand, freeing his arm and patting him on the shoulder.

Only then did I walk away, immediately pulling out a cigar, using the cutting to snip the end as I eased the sharp clipper into my hand.

"Whew," Kane said. "That was incredible."

"Yeah? Well, maybe I'm just getting started. As I said, no one fucks with my family."

Maybe a little bit of violence was in order.