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“That woman baked me cookies whenever your uncle would bring me by your house. She’s like family to me. You both are.

“Let me be there for you guys. I can make sure you eat and take notes when you speak to the doctors.”

“Boy, you know I don’t forget shit,” I say and tap my temple.

“I’m not saying you will, but this is a traumatic time. You might not hear everything like you should. Let me help, Danny.”

I think about it for a moment. Byron is always trying to help me. Maybe he’s right. It might be time I allow someone in.

“Fine. You can come with me. Give Lyric the plate when you’re done. We’re meeting in private.”

Byron looks frustrated, but he nods. Business is business. He can, as he says, look out for me and make sure Lyric isn’t on some bullshit—but he doesn’t need to sit in on meetings and learn all my moves.

***

“Bujar is a problem,just as I thought he would be. He’s been strong-arming Casanova and Brando to get his shipments through. They’re too stupid to see the problem with what they’re doing,” Lyric says as I eat the breakfast quiche and grilled mango Byron sent for me.

“Yeah, Bujar had my attention before all this with my mom came up. I had planned to give his ass a visit. I don’t take to threats and I don’t like that he feels so familiar with doing so.”

“That’s just the thing. I agree. I think he needs to be touched, and Casanova and Brando should be taught a lesson as well. They’re not paying the tax on the shit they’re transporting for Bujar.

“They’re assuming we’re not paying attention and they can get away with the bullshit. The problem is, the Alliance has already given the Albanians a seat at the table. Granted, your seat will hold more weight than theirs, but we don’t want to go fucking up relationships your uncle set in place.”

He’s right, Cass and Bran should know better. There is a tax for any illegal business run through my fleet. We have to know what we’re transporting. That way, we know how to handle it.

If they’re backdooring us, that puts everything in jeopardy. They could get us all taken down. Moving their work and someone else’s poses that threat.

I sit back in my seat and take a beat to think. It’s not that I don’t know or understand how this alliance is supposed to work; I’m being cautious because of my understanding of it. If it fails, we could be bringing heat down on our heads for nothing. However, if these dudes can do what they promised, then this will be outstanding for the organization.

“This LaSalle is still asking for a meet, right? He wants to know who I am?”

“Yeah, Dad wanted to give you time, but they’re still asking to meet you before the Ireland roundtable.”

Something clicks in my brain, and I know exactly what I need to do. I can’t believe I almost missed it. This is it.

“Okay, I’ll meet him, and I’ll take him a gift. He can have the Albanians and still allow me to demand my respect. Whatever it is he’s punishing them for, I’m sure my gift will open the door.”

“Okay, I hear you. We do what Uncle Freddie taught us and come out on top, but this better be one hell of a gift.”

I laugh. “It is. Bujar and Dalmat have a cousin who should have taken over the family. The brothers snaked him out of his spot. He’s been biding his time to get them back and take what’s his.

“I make a friend and earn everyone’s trust in one go. I will then make a few requests of LaSalle in return.”

“Baby Girl, this is why your uncle chose you. I have never had a problem being your second. Shit, sometimes I don’t even think Dad is going to hand his seat over to me. I bump heads with Marlow and his boys too much.”

“I find that so interesting. You know, I have only ever met one of them.”

“Consider yourself lucky. Those motherfuckers are dumb as fuck and entitled.”

I snort and try not to laugh. A knock at the door interrupts my next thought and I look at the time. I need to get going to see my mom.

“Anything else?”

“Nah, not right now. Go take care of your moms. I’ll hold it down.”

CHAPTER21

Go For It