Boston Blood

Forty six

Cillian drove as fast as he could without killing anyone, smoking his fourth cigarette since he had left Frankie's ten minutes ago. He felt like he was losing his mind. Frankie was obviously lying. There was no way Aidan had been working with Tommy all this time. It was ridiculous and he knew he would have clarity once he spoke to his uncle. He was furious with himself for letting Frankie get to him like that. He was slipping when it came to her. She had a way of making him feel vulnerable and weak and he needed to get his shit together. Sure, she looked like she was telling him the truth but she had every reason to lie to him. She has been dragged into this against her will, threatened, kidnapped and hurt by his and his colleagues' hands. Of course she was going to try everything she could to bring Aidan down from the inside out. She was just a job and was a liability. He needed to stay away from her if he was going to keep his mind clear. He hated the way she made him feel. Like he wasn't able for this life. She was lying. He knew it but the way her tear-soaked eyes were silently screaming as Cillian held her trembling face in his hands mere moments ago made his heart pound wildly in his chest.

What happened back in her apartment had scared the shit out of Cillian. He had no idea why he had begged Frankie to shoot him, really. He mentally told himself that he loved his life and the people in it. It was a stupid, alcohol induced moment of insanity, one that he swore would never happen again. But Frankie actually tried to do it. Did she really want to end her life? And was it all because of him?

He felt sick as he sped down the pitch black street as his mind relentlessly replayed the conversation he had with his father the night he had met Frankie. He laughed and shook his head, revelling in the relief that washed over him when he remembered that his father told him Tommy and Aidan hated each other and wanted the other dead. Aidan was the only blood relative he had left and he knew that there was no way any of it was true. Still, as he knocked off the engine and made his way to Aidan's front door, he couldn't help the knot that was forming in his stomach.

He knocked and waited as he heard Aidan curse and threaten whoever it was who was waking him in the middle of the night. He looked startled and lowered his gun when he took in Cillian's dishevelled appearance. Cillian walked into the apartment and suddenly felt like a seventeen year old boy again.

"What the fuck are you doing here at this time, Cillian? This better be good."

Cillian had thought about how he was going to broach the subject with his uncle the whole car ride over. He had to be careful. He couldn't just lose his shit and demand Aidan tell him what the fuck was going on, he was his uncle, but he was also still his boss and a really fucking dangerous, increasingly unhinged one at that. He thought about just telling him what Frankie had said but he quickly relinquished that thought when he realised that if Aidan found out Frankie was spreading shit about him he would kill her and that thought made his stomach flip, as furious as he was with her.

He walked over to bar and picked up a bottle of whiskey before shaking his head and putting it down again.

"Hello? Cillian, what's going on?"

He stared at his uncle and let out a heavy sigh. He was exhausted and just needed answers. "I just wanted to know if Frankie had told you anything about the shipment. Has she heard anything from Tony about when it's coming in?" He tried to keep his voice steady but he was afraid Aidan could hear the deep tremble behind it.

Aidan smirked and walked over to his nephew, slapping him on the back. "Jesus, is that it? It's four in the morning, Cill. This could have waited until I've had my morning blow job, at least." Aidan grabbed a glass and poured himself a large whiskey. Cillian narrowed his eyes and and shrugged. "I just think it's strange that Frankie has been working there for weeks and we have no new information, that's all. I'm worried she might be keeping stuff from us."

Aidan downed his drink and poured another, smiling. "Oh so you don't trust her now? What's changed, then? Cos I was starting to think you were starting to fall for the crazy bitch." Cillian snorted as Aidan studied his face, sceptically.

"Fuck no. I just feel bad for the girl. Having a prick of a father like Tommy has really fucked her up, you know. And I'm just worried that all of this is starting to get to her and she won't be able to do the job." Cillian could feel his heart pound in his chest and his hands start to sweat as he watched his uncle, carefully.

"No, yeah. I get you. She obviously hates that bastard as much as we do and it must be hard to have to work with him knowing what he's done. Frankie is a massive pain in my ass, but she's a smart mother fucker and she'll do what she has to and then she won't be a problem, anymore. But I wouldn't worry about her too much. We won't be needing her much longer. You see, she's proving to be a lot more valuable to us than I had anticipated, Cillian and there are secrets there that are coming to light that be just be the making of us." Cillian's eyes went wide with confusion and Aidan responded with a knowing smile. "What do you mean, secrets?" Cillian couldn't hide the worry in his voice as his mind raced to try to figure out what Aidan meant.

"Let's just say young Frances hasn't been totally honest about the night she started the fire in Tony's restaurant." Cillian silently pleaded for his uncle to explain, trying desperately to slow his heart beat down. What the fuck is he talking about? What has she done? Cillian felt like a fucking idiot. She's been playing us, me, all along. She's much more involved in all of this that she's letting on. He was stupid for letting his guard down around her and letting her mess with his head like that. She's just a fucking snake and he knew then that he despised her as much as she did, him. He was a damn fool to let himself get this close to her.

"Don't worry, Cill. Everything will work out and with Frankie's help, we'll get those pricks Tony and Tommy soon and then we'll own this city. The Mexicans are causing a bit of trouble, still but it's nothing we can't handle. I'll need you to step up your game though when it comes to it. Things are going to get messy and I need to know that you're with me and ready to do what ever it takes, Cill. I know this hasn't been easy on you. You lost your mam and dad so young and I knew how lost you were. I know I'm not the most appealing role model but I like to think that I had something to do with turning you into the man you are today. I'm proud of you, son."

Aidan grabbed the back of his nephew's neck and pulled him down so that their foreheads were touching. Cillian instantaneously felt both all of his worries about his uncle go and a rising, overwhelming hatred for Frankie. She was fucking lying. She stood there, saying she wanted to die, looking so hurt and vulnerable and she was fucking lying through her teeth in the hope that Cillian would try to demand answers from Aidan and what? Get killed for his unbelievable disloyalty? He felt stupid and disgusted with himself for doubting the man that had taken him under his wing. Aidan may be many things, but he is not a fucking rat.

"Thanks, Aidan," Cillian muttered, suddenly feeling emotional and ashamed. Aidan punched him in the arm, causing both men to laugh as he led Cillian to the front door.

"We still meeting at my place tomorrow night at 9?" Cillian asked as he stepped out into the hallway.

Aidan smiled wildly and he shook his head. "No, we need to meet in the morning, instead."

Cillian smirked, "What, you got a hot date?"

"Something like that. I was gonna wait to tell you all in the morning but, Frankie came through, Cillian. She called me a few hours ago and told me Tony's shipment of guns and H is coming in tomorrow night. It's fucking showtime."

Cillian felt the blood drain from his face as his uncle winked and chimed; "See you at your place at 10 a.m. sharp" before closing the door.

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Oooooh what is going on? What do you think Aidan has found out about Frankie? Who can be trusted??? All comments and theories welcome!