Mafia King (Young Irish Rebels #2) - Vi Carter Page 0,49

skyscraper in a billion-dollar building.

I smell coffee and fresh baking. I’m tempted to glance around me, but I can’t look away from the man who pulls Shay into a half embrace.

“I didn’t expect you here until next month.” The man’s light blue eyes flicker to me, but it’s brief, yet I want to wrap my arms around my waist and protect myself from him.

Blonde hair is brushed back off his face. His suit, his shoes, his desk, even his presence don't belong here.

“Chief Commandant.” Shay greets him as he releases the man.

My insides churn as the Chief Commandant’s gaze rests on me again. I know who he is; I’ve never seen him before. A giggle rushes up my throat and threatens to spill, but I swallow it back down.

I was standing in front of the leader of the Irish Republican Army. I repeat that sentence over and over again in my head until Shay takes a step toward me, and the sound of the ding of calculators and the rustle of money comes rushing back.

“Emily,” Shay speaks again.

I swallow. “Sorry, yes.”

“This is Lucian.” Lucian approaches me and reaches out his hand. I take it. Of course, I do. I expect it to be soft and manicured, but calluses brush against my palm.

Lucian Sheahan. I was holding Lucian Sheahan’s hand. Awe over-rides everything.

Amusement twinkles in his light blue eyes before he releases my hand and turns back to Shay.

“Tell me what you need.” Lucian moves behind his desk as he addresses Shay, who lights up a cigarette.

“The square, I want full control of it.” I have no idea what Shay is asking for, but I use the moment to look around me. Everyone is watching; they don’t look away from me when I meet their eyes. My hand automatically goes to the knife in my pocket and rests there.

“That, my friend, isn’t possible. You know this.” Lucian’s voice rolls and tumbles around the room, and gazes flicker to him before returning to me.

That is power.

A woman with deep brown eyes and long brown hair hasn’t as much as blinked as she continues to stare at me.

“My brother, Frankie, died in the cages of that square.”

My attention returns to Shay as he crushes out the cigarette in the large crystal ashtray that sits on the desk.

“I know Shay, and we have all given our deepest condolences to your father.” Lucian waves across the room. “And your family.”

“Someone paid three thousand to have my brother killed that day.”

I glance at the room again. Everyone is working but listening. Shay’s voice carries across the space as his temper flares, and I don’t want that to happen.

Anyone who went up against Lucian would get their kneecaps blown off. I take a step toward Shay, attracting Lucian’s attention. He tilts his head slightly and gives me a curious stare.

“Maybe he annoyed someone, Shay.” Lucian steps away and sits behind his desk.

Shay has forgotten his place; I can see that. All the lessons that my father drilled into my head were about respect for the Chief Commandant if you wanted to live. Disrespect in the RA ranks wasn’t tolerated.

Shay’s fists tighten as he leans on the desk. I’m aware the calculator’s noise has ceased. There is no ruffle of paper or low chatter on the phones.

“Amanda, the ring lady, paid Michael Phillips three grand to kill my brother.” Shay pushes off the desk. “I want to know why and if I go down there, no one will give me answers.” Shay leans back in, his voice low, but I can still hear him. “But if I control the area, I will get my answers.”

Lucian sits back deeply in his seat. His gaze flashes to the room before it diverts back to Shay. The noise behind me resumes.

“Leave it with me, Shay. I’ll dig around, see what I hear, and let you know.”

Shay stands straight, towering over Lucian.

“In the meantime, stay here.” Lucian’s smile is quick, and his eyes flash with something that I can’t decipher.

I’m not sure if staying here is an invitation or a command.

“Chief Commandant.” Shay spins on his heels with fire in his eyes. I haven’t looked away from Lucian, who’s watching me.

A hand circles my wrist, the thumb so close to my pulse. Shay’s touch is gentle, and I know he’s making an effort from the fiery flashes in his gaze.

We leave the room through the same door we came through. Shay doesn’t release me as he walks down another hall that looks