Page 103 of Arranged Addiction

Because in two days, I’m going to smoke them out.

Chapter 36

Declan

The Maguire boy proved very useful. I wasn’t sure he really meant all that loyalty bullshit after I shot his father in the face right in front of him, but so far he’s been nothing but helpful.

“He’s in there with them once a week,” Rory says, squinting through a rainy night toward an old pizza place on a quiet Long Island corner. The lights are off inside and it looks closed. “They’ve got a room in the back. They play poker sometimes, but lately it’s been all family talk.”

“Your dad went there a lot?”

“Almost every week for years. Your father came a few times.”

I stare off at the building and try to picture Dad coming here. He probably hated the drive. But he wouldn’t have complained. This is part of what it means to be the boss of a family like ours. You go where you’re needed and do what you have to.

“Since you know it so well, you’re going in first.”

Rory’s face pales. “They’ll know it was me.”

“Donnell’s not stupid. He heard about what I did to your old man. He knows you flipped even if he’s not acting like it.”

“But still?—”

“You go in first.” I give him a hard look so he knows I mean it.

He nods sullenly. “I understand.”

I turn and meet up with Seamus. He’s standing near a black van with six of his best guys all decked out in military-grade fighting gear. Vests, helmets, advanced night-vision goggles, some serious firepower shit too. They look like they’re off to fight in a war, not planning to ambush a bunch of traitor criminals.

“How confident are you in this?” Seamus doesn’t seem happy as he loads a gun and tests its weight. He nods to himself, satisfied. “You really trust that kid.”

“Fuck the kid. He’s just bait. I’ve known about this meeting for years.”

Seamus’s eyebrows raise. “Really?”

“Dad told me everything. It’s an insult Donnell’s still holding it even knowing I’m out for him. The fucker thinks he’s untouchable.”

“Which means Senesi might be lurking nearby.”

“That’s the plan.”

“You know how dangerous this is, right?”

“I’m aware.”

“You should probably?—”

I stare at him and he stops talking. “If you’re about to tell me to wait behind, you should probably put that gun to your own head and save me the trouble.”

“Yeah, that’s what I figured.” He shoves a vest at me. “At least wear this.”

I put it on reluctantly. I don’t like playing military, but I’m also not immune to bullets. Better to be smart and put the damn thing on.

Once everyone’s loaded and ready, we get into our positions. I’m taking the front with Rory and two more Whelan fighters while Seamus and the rest are coming in through the back. The plan is simple: flush them out, burn the buildings, and kill anyone who resists.

The kid seems nervous, not that I can blame him. I’m sure he’s seen plenty of violence over the years, knowing his family the way I do, but I doubt he’s ever done something like this. Criminals like the Maguires tend to prefer back-alley stabbings to military-style shit.

“When we’re inside, keep your head down.” I nod to the kid, trying to reassure him. “You’ll be fine.”