buried my father today. I deserve a drink.”
“How’d it go?” Brad asks, putting his hand out for the bottle. I reluctantly give it up and he knocks some back.
“I could hear him cursing my arse to hell,” I admit, accepting the bottle back, liking the feeling of my mind becoming fuzzy. “What does Spittle want?” I point to my phone where the missed calls glow up at me.
“He’s got me in. I’m going to find out who this shooter is and who the fuck he works for.”
“Good.” I shove my phone back when it rings again, Uncle Ernie’s name flashing threateningly at me.
“He knows something isn’t right,” Brad says, giving me a look to suggest I’m deluded for thinking I can avoid my father’s cousin. “He’s already on his way here.” Brad only just finishes speaking when I hear a commotion from outside the office, Uncle Ernie’s booming voice sinking through the wood and telling me what to expect. My heavy eyes stare at the door, waiting for it to fly open.
“What the hell just happened?” Ernie bellows as he charges in, the door hitting the wall behind it.
“I’m not in the mood,” I say calmly. “If you’ve come to toast the old man, then sit down and I’ll pour you a drink. If not, fuck off and leave me in peace.”
Ernie’s nostril flare dangerously. I couldn’t give a fuck. “Where the hell were you?”
“Burying my father,” I snarl, my men moving in behind my uncle, ready for the nod to eject him. The wave of confusion that travels across Ernie’s face is a novelty.
“He wasn’t in the coffin,” he breathes, realization dawning. The old man reaches for the doorframe to hold himself up. “I wanted to pay my respects, Danny. Say my goodbyes.”
I ignore his hurt and get up on unstable legs, collecting a fresh bottle of Scotch before retaking my seat. “It had to be done.”
“How could you?”
My fist meets the desk without thought, the bang echoing loudly. “Quite fucking easily. Someone wants me dead, Ernie, and today was the perfect opportunity for them to take me out. I know how this world works. The bigger, the more elaborate and daring the kill, the more satisfaction. No one knows that more than I do. So apologies if you’re a little put out that I’m still breathing.”
“You fooled them all. All those people there to see your father off.”
I scoff. None of them loved him like I did. None of them really cared. I bet most were just there to make sure the old heathen was definitely dead and buried.
Uncle Ernie’s face softens somewhat, and a rue smile slowly creeps onto his face. “You really are your father’s boy, aren’t you?” He shakes his head and limps over, his dodgy knee clearly giving him grief today. Slumping down in the chair, he points at the bottle in my hand. “Pour me one of those, for fuck’s sake.”
I pour some into two tumblers and slide them across the desk to Ernie and Brad, keeping the bottle for myself. “To Pops,” I say, raising my bottle to their glasses. They mumble their acknowledgements and neck their drinks with me.
“So hundreds of people just said their prayers to an empty coffin?” Ernie asks.
“Not quite,” Brad chips in, thumbing over his shoulder. I take the opportunity of him explaining to chug down more Scotch. “Don’t know if you noticed, but we’re kind of overrun with bricks after some fucker went nuclear on our asses.”
Ernie chuckles, thoroughly amused. “Well, I’ll be damned. So where is he?”
“Somewhere quiet and peaceful.” My words are becoming more slurred by the second, my eyes heavier, as I drink the Scotch like it’s water. “I’ll let you know where when the dust has settled.”
Ernie scoffs. “If you keep getting bombs hauled at you, that’s going to be a while.” He stands, creaking his way upright. “Be safe, Danny.”
“Always am, Unc,” I mumble, glugging down a few more inches of the amber stuff. He shakes his old head, a fond smile growing. “Call me. Let me know if there’s anything you need.”
My nod is a little haphazard, the Scotch now on its way to controlling me completely. Good. I hope it knocks me out.
Ernie leaves, and my damn phone screams again. “Fuck off,” I slur, turning off my mobile and struggling to my feet. “If anyone wants me, I’ll be in my room.” I’m slightly aware of Brad’s poorly hidden amusement as I sway my way past him, my treasured