American Dynasty

T W E N T Y - F I V E

Thanks for your patience, everyone! Here (at last) is chapter 25!

I've also created a new soundtrack for the book on Spotify! Link is in the book description or just search up "American Dynasty Soundtrack"

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Months. It must have been months that had passed since he had last seen Stella. But with every glance at the calendar Flynn knew it had only been a week.

Every time he closed his eyes he saw her long, light brown curls, her big, brown doe eyes, adorable freckles and a smile so bright it would put the sun to shame. His heart had been aching since he left her room, a feeling he thought he would never feel again. A feeling he had last had when his parents died.

Every day that week he had woken up in his cold bed, all alone. His routine never strayed: wake up, down a glass of whiskey, light a cigarette and wallow in self-pity. That is, until Aiden decided that enough was enough. It was half past eleven at night when Aiden appeared at his doorway, looking displeased.

"Flynn, what the hell is wrong with you? You've been sulking all week and I've been making excuses to Masseria about why you haven't been getting done what you said you'd get done."

Flynn did not bother getting up from his laying position on the bed, nor did he bother to meet the eyes of his second in command. Instead he stared up at the ceiling and took another drag of his cigarette. "On the contrary, Aiden. I have been getting stuff done."

Aiden huffed and crossed his arms over his chest. "Oh really? Then where are the results? Masseria wants to see action, Flynn, and you're not giving him that." Flynn spewed a plume of smoke into the air before sitting up and putting out the butt of his cigarette into the ash tray beside his bed. Aiden frowned when he took in his best friend's appearance. "Holy hell, Flynn. You look like you've recently died and come back."

Flynn chuckled and ran a hand through his unruly hair. "That's probably what the Jews thought two years ago when they shot me three times and I survived."

The corner of Aiden's mouth twitched as he approached Flynn. "As your best friend and second in command, I'm telling you that you need to get it together. Masseria is getting impatient."

Flynn sighed and stood up, pulling the pack of cigarettes from his pocket. "You really do underestimate me, don't you? Come on."

"Where are we going?" Aiden asked cautiously. Flynn looped a tie around his neck and grinned. "Hell's Kitchen. I think we ought to pay old Eddie McGrath a visit."

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An hour later Flynn and Aiden were strolling down 9th Avenue, a group of seven men following a little ways behind them. "I hope you know what you're doing, Flynn. We're in enemy territory right now," Aiden warned, his eyes darting around.

Flynn waved a hand dismissively. "You need to relax. And yes, I do know what I'm doing." Flynn took a sharp right into an alleyway and went straight to a large steel door. His knuckles pounded several times on the metal, all the while with Aiden staring at the door.

"McGrath is waiting in there, isn't he?" He asked lowly.

Flynn gave him a crooked smile. "I told you you underestimate me. I set up a meeting with him a little while ago. A parley."

"And you didn't tell me?" Aiden demanded, his eyes narrowing.

"I was going to go at it alone, but you demanded proof that I was doing something. So here we are," Flynn said casually, shrugging.