to have a difficult time breathing, both Christian and I were satisfied with the events that had unfolded during the afternoon. Our meeting with the Taglionis had been successful. We agreed to back down on certain land acquisitions and building casinos, allowing the Taglionis to take control of that avenue of business. In turn, they agreed to release the debt owed by Donovan, as well as his unscrupulous payment.
Winter was now all mine.
Could they be trusted? Not for a damn minute.
While I certainly couldn’t care less who the senator slept with, the fact he’d gotten into bed with the Taglioni family in his effort to run for the White House was all the ammunition we needed. He would either accept the deal or face a level of retaliation that he certainly wouldn’t recover from.
Sadly, the senator had been supplied with very detailed information about the sect, including financial information and connections to outside companies and politicians. It was likely the senator was poised to release various portions during the upcoming days or weeks, only further fueling the power and influence he’d gained already. He’d been careless on several levels, at least according to Donovan. The man had made many deals himself, various politicians that refused to be influenced by the sect.
A clean sweep was in order.
Not only had we made a deal with the Taglioni family, we’d also made certain that our various friends in law enforcement had all the information Donovan had supplied. It was my understanding they were prepared to raid the senator’s offices, as well as those of other individuals he considered confidants.
I had my doubts the senator would remain alive for very long, but that was none of my concern.
Hunting down the traitor within the Sacred Sect was. This meeting was nothing more than a formality.
“Why?” the senator asked in a hushed voice.
“Because you’re going to hold a press conference today denouncing the investigation.” I kept my words even, also offering my own smile. I could tell the asshole knew he’d been beaten. Whether or not the sect had issues with the Taglionis in the future remained to be seen, but I knew our deal would at least buy us a tenable partnership.
For now.
“And you’re going to resign from the appropriations committee citing personal reasons,” Christian added.
“Lastly, you’re going to resign as senator of our great state. I’m certain your wife will appreciate the time you will spend with her in order to mend your relationship. As far as my daughter,” Carmine half whispered, the tone dripping with dangerous innuendoes. “If you ever attempt to contact her or my grandson again, that will be your last day breathing. I hope I am very clear because I will not say this again.”
The senator glared from one to the other, his grip on his glass shaky at best. As he took another gulp, beads of scotch dripped down his chin. The poor bastard was terrified.
As if I gave a shit.
“Do we have a deal, Mr. Bellows?” Christian asked, already sliding a hundred-dollar bill on the table.
Senator Bellows polished off the remainder of his drink before answering. “Yes, but I will warn you, son, that things aren’t always as they seem. Be careful who you trust. Some of the most precious things in your life can easily be taken away from you and there is nothing that you can do about it. After all, there are sharks everywhere swimming off the beautiful Hampton beaches.”
There was a look on his face that I hadn’t seen before. His statement wasn’t a threat. It was a promise.
One that sent a chill down my body.
Both Christian and I rose from the table. “It’s been nice doing business with you, gentlemen. Now, if you’ll excuse us, we need to plug a leak.”
As Christian and I left the restaurant, we both knew that we were facing the true end to the sect that we’d known all our lives. It was time to move into the future, something we’d both wanted since Father McGivney’s death.
Now Christian would be forced to play a hand. Would we ultimately regroup? I had no doubt the sect would be fine, perhaps merely living as everyone else seemed to do.
A day at a time.
* * *
I’d been in the inner sanctum of the Sacred Sect only a few times, preferring not to venture behind the hallowed doors. I remembered as a kid being taken inside, the man I knew to be my father holding me on his lap as he conducted