The Heirs: The Murphy Sweetheart

Chapter 20

Chapter 20

Emery

"We're making a move on the Tazzas," Dad's voice seems to echo darkly through the packed conference room.

I immediately look to Rhys, who is sitting across from me. His hazel eyes land on mine, holding them for a moment before turning to my father.

Noah sits on one side of me and my cousin, Aiden Jr., on the other.

"It's been discussed," Uncle Connor goes on from where he stands beside my father, "amongst both our groups on the east coast and the alliance in Chicago that we will no longer be sitting ducks waiting for the Tazzas to strike first."

My brain races and I begin picking at my nails.

It's no secret that the Tazzas weren't exactly fans of Gabe Rossi, but they endured him because of his father. Now Gabe was dead, all of his top guys with him, and the Tazzas had no choice but to prove themselves, to show strength.

There has been murmurs amongst both our group and the Donnelly, Marino, Yenin alliance in Chicago of what the plan would be.

Dad discusses their idea on sabotaging a major shipment deal the Tazzas have with Dettori family in Canada. It will take time, a lot of careful planning, and it won't be without violence. Dad talks about a long-term plan of trying to ally with the Dettoris.

"It'll require us to all work together. But for now, we do what we have to do to show our force and not let the Tazzas get out of control," Dad says. "We'll talk more in the days to come about specifics."

The room disperses slowly, everyone lingering around to visit. I notice Theo is here, but Mila isn't. She has been included in several of these types of conversations regarding the Tazzas, despite not really having much to do with it. She likes staying informed, especially after they still do not know who threatened her life all those months ago. But tonight, I know she's back at her apartment – probably with her secondary guard – stressing out about her summer semester starting at school.

Rhys gets pulled into a conversation with my father and I turn to Noah.

"Any ideas?" I ask my brother.

"I think they want to send us to Chicago..." he grumbles. "To work with the Donnellys."

"Well, that won't be so bad, will it?" I attempt a smile. The Donnellys are practically family, much like Mila and her siblings.

"I'd rather keep an eye on things here," Noah sighs. "But I'll do what Dad needs me to do."

"We'll figure it out," I sigh a bit.

This side of the business is always late-night conversations and plotting. I always thought the legitimate side of the business was stressful until I became part of these conversations. That was all easy-as-cake compared to this.

I can't help but feel like the war is hardly over, and the beginnings of it are all just stirring now.

When I look over at Rhys again, he must feel me look, as always. His eyes stay locked on mine. A tight attempt at a reassuring smile tells me all I need to know.

There are troubling days ahead.

***************************

I stare at the papers I have perfectly organized all over the floor of Rhys' office. I stand up to get a better angle as I narrow my eyes at each. I feel myself start to pick at my nails and stop myself. Between the meeting about the Tazzas and the stress of this acquisition of Lionel Kelly's company going through, my OCD has been particularly bad lately. I've learned to manage it, but it creeps in when I don't realize.