he struggled against the ropes holding him to the chair. O’Shaughnessy just chuckled. “You’ll not free yourself of those knots, boyo, no matter how hard you try.”
“I’ll kill you,” Jack snarled. “I’ll kill you and enjoy every second of it.”
“Lots of luck, then.”
They stared at each other for a long moment, and the smug arrogance in O’Shaughnessy’s gaze only enraged Jack further. But he had to remain calm. Losing his temper wouldn’t solve this.
“If harm befalls her, I won’t show you mercy,” he promised flatly.
“Save your mercy, Mulligan. You think we should all fear and respect you, but what have you done to earn that respect? Convince a bunch of gutter rats and street fighters to follow your lead? They’re on the streets, doin’ the hard work, while you sit in your ivory tower counting fucking money. That doesn’t earn my respect.”
“I don’t need your respect, Trevor. But you would be wise to fear me.”
“I grew up in Dublin, Mulligan. This is like paradise compared to what I saw there. I don’t fear anyone or anything these days.”
Jack shook his head. “We could have worked together, you know. It didn’t have to end up this way.”
O’Shaughnessy’s expression hardened. “I did try to work for you. Of course, you wouldn’t remember. It was years ago, when I first came here.”
Jack had no memory of that. It must have shown on his face because the other man explained. “Was told I couldn’t be a part of your crew unless I dressed up, acted like a gentleman. I didn’t own a suit, couldn’t afford one. So I asked for a loan to buy one—and your man laughed at me. Told me there were no loans, to go out and steal one if I had to.”
“I wouldn’t have reacted like that.”
“You know how it works. The men under you speak for you.”
“Just like your men were following my dancers and robbing my policy shops?”
“And I put a stop to both. Those responsible were dealt with.”
“You are running a gang of renegade thugs, Trevor. You will drag the city back decades unless you gain control over them.”
“Not all of us want to work for a corporation. This ain’t a bank, Mulligan. This is every man for himself.”
Idiot. “Then you’ll never be powerful enough to rid yourself of the coppers and Tammany.”
“Your concern is touching. However, thanks to the brothels, I have more men in my pocket almost than you. You’d be surprised the mistakes a man makes when he thinks with his cock.”
Was that a pointed dig at Jack and his recent preoccupation with Justine?
He had to ask. “How did you learn about her?”
“The entire lower half of Manhattan knows. Gorcey was the first one to tell me, though. She’s not what I pictured for you. Kind of plain.” He lifted a shoulder and scratched his jaw. “Sometimes the plain ones are better to fuck, though. They try harder in bed.”
Jack’s blood roared in his veins and he struggled against the ropes once more. “You son of a bitch.”
O’Shaughnessy threw his head back and laughed. “Like I said, thinking with his cock.”
“You had better fucking kill me,” Jack snarled. “Because if I get the chance I will end you, O’Shaughnessy.”
“Don’t worry. You will not get the chance—”
A knock sounded at the door and one of O’Shaughnessy’s men appeared. “You’d better come out and see this. We could have a problem.”
Without looking at Jack, O’Shaughnessy got up and walked out. Jack was left alone to stew with the dark thoughts inspired by O’Shaughnessy’s words. First, he would tie the Irishman up, preferably to a chair. Then, he’d take a knife and ever so slowly drag it—
O’Shaughnessy walked back in and yanked the knife out of the door. Instead of sheathing the knife, he approached Jack with it. Jack braced. He wouldn’t beg. Other than never telling Justine how he felt about her, he had no regrets about his life. He’d done the best he could with what he had—and considering Justine had left him, he knew she’d be just fine. She was better off without him in her life.
Jack lifted his chin as O’Shaughnessy walked behind him. He expected to feel the blade against his skin, but instead he felt the tug of the ropes. The bindings around his arms fell to the floor, though his hands were still secured behind his back. O’Shaughnessy jerked him to his feet. “Let’s go. I want her to watch while I kill you.”
Justine had participated in countless marches over