Page 101 of Dublin Charmer

“Would we look weak by allowing them to stay on?” I ask.

Sean shakes his head. “Nah. We can spin it more like ‘keeping it in the family’ and not look like brutal conquerors.”

Tag considers it, then nods slowly. “I like that. All right, if that’s the way we go, how does it look? What do we support and what’s on the no-fly list?”

I open a new document and start recording as my brothers hash out the details of our new world order:

Hard drugs and human trafficking are absolutely out.

All gun dealings remain with us, but they can still hire out muscle and assassins as long as the targets don’t break the Quinn Laws.

Illegal gambling operations and party drugs are on the yes column.

Prostitution is supported, but with health and safety protocols as well as protection for the workers.

“We should have women running prostitution,” Brendan says. “They’d be more like madam house mothers than pimps. To ensure the choices of the ladies are respected.”

Tag nods. “Agreed.”

As I type, I find myself wondering what Nyx would think of our plan. She’d probably have some smart comment about the Quinn empire expanding, but I think she’d approve of the boundaries we’re setting.

The thought of her sends another pang through my chest. I miss her already, and it’s only been an hour. I wonder where she and Gio are now, what road they’ve chosen.

“Finn? You with us?” Tag’s voice pulls me back to the present.

“Aye, sorry.” I refocus on my screen. “Just thinking about implementation. We’ll need to set up meetings with Rory and Brody, draft agreements...”

“And we’ll need someone to monitor their systems,” Sean adds, giving me a knowing look. “To make sure they’re not hiding anything from us.”

I nod, grateful for the challenge. “I can handle that.”

“Good,” Tag says. “We’ll talk to Brody and Rory next and get them home. We’ll need to take an inventory of their men, their holdings, and the products they have in their warehouses.”

“Are we claiming it all or is that still theirs?” I ask.

Tag sighs. “Let’s decide that once we know what we’re looking at. My first instinct is to allow McGuire holdings and products to be distributed, giving them a deeper cut of the return. Then, as time passes and our efforts are providing the income, the percentage shifts to our favor, and they’ll get a stipend.”

“But only on the south earnings, right?” Brendan clarifies.

“Aye, of course. Only on the earnings from the south. Northside is, and will always be, ours alone.”

The conversation falls quiet and then Sean splays his hand against the table. “Da would be proud of this arrangement. He’d think it’s fair and good business.”