Page 53 of Lord of Ruin
“Most likely an invitation into the country but we aren’t one hundred percent certain it came from the New York leader, Sean Donnelly. What we do know is that Madden did a short stint in prison for some shit that went down a couple years ago. Some American oil riggers there to help out a friend on his offshore rig realized Madden had a sudden interest in oil rigs not only off the coast of Ireland and Wales but Canada, Alaska, and even the Gulf of Mexico.”
“We can’t rule out that Madden figured we’d be excellent pawns because of our rivalry,” Phoenix added.
I thought about what Constantine had just said. “So let me guess. Now, crime syndicates are getting into oil rigs and refineries in an attempt to control more territories. Which likely drew the interest of the Death Squad.”
“Excellent guess, brother,” Phoenix finally entered the conversation. “But there’s more to it that just surrounding our country’s shoreline with his soldiers, so he can slide into the US. Or with the hatred between our families.”
He was waiting for me to fill in the pieces. “Either Madden was already working with the Death Squad or at minimum came into their sights. We likely stepped into a mess of shit after the Albanians’ insistence on taking a piece of our pie. Add to it my interference in New York, along with realizing two parties were heavy arms dealers and the Death Squad saw two distinct ways to increase their power. Let me guess. He was suddenly freed from prison a free man.”
“He is good,” Sabatino said as he grinned.
“I told you,” Phoenix growled in his deep voice. “He has a knack for figuring out puzzles with ease. Pops and I think he can bend spoons and read minds as well.”
I lifted my middle finger in jest. “Let me also guess that if this Death Squad controlled a significant percentage of the oil in the world, they would control every drop of consumption, which would bring more than just oil companies to their knees. But to do so, they need to keep a fresh supply of weapons, especially since various international law enforcement agencies are cracking down hard on the weapons trade.”
“Bingo,” Constantine half whispered.
“You’re dead on,” Dante said, almost in reverence.
“So this new assassination squad is really something you’re considering?” I asked, turning back to face them. We were on the thirtieth floor, the entire city of Philadelphia for our viewing pleasure. I felt more reflective than before, uncertain how I should take the news.
Constantine shook his head. “We are, since whatever is occurring is not the main course. For some reason, you were targeted by the Death Squad or by Madden. Phoenix is right in that it wasn’t the Albanian you went after. He might have interfered with your casinos and your ports, but it would appear Madden is using the Irish mob out of New York to lay down some efforts of subterfuge. However, your past with the man could prove helpful.”
“This Irish bloke may have been promised he’d control the oil if he did what he could to keep members of the Brotherhood too busy to continue trying to identify members of the Death Squad.”
The grins on several of the men’s faces indicated I was right. I looked out the window, shaking my head.
“It was our father who dealt with Madden’s. But we could lure him from his comfortable hiding place,” Phoenix suggested.
“Possibly. That’s why we think it’s in our best interest to expand our organization in two ways. One, the traditional method we’ve used with anointing worthy candidates into the main group. And two is to develop our own Death Squad, for the lack of a better name at this point,” Gabriel stated as he flanked my side by the window.
I glanced over at him. “And you seriously want me to consider developing and leading this group of assassins.”
“You’re more than qualified. You do seem to have a sixth sense about things. You don’t ruffle feathers easily and you’re well spoken. In addition, you have as many if not more valuable connections than your brother has,” Maxim retorted. He certainly wasn’t the friendliest one of the bunch.
“The makeup of this notorious group?” I asked, more uncertain than ever I wanted to do this. And it wasn’t about the level of danger or that it would take me away from my usual day-to-day operations. My reservations were more about Jenna. I could feel it in my bones.
It had been so long since I’d enjoyed spending time with a lady as more than a companion for some gala or for a couple of pleasurable hours under the sheets that it had caught me more than off guard. The longing for her had left me winded.
“We haven’t sat down and talked about it other than they need to be extremely qualified at counterintelligence and various forms of weaponry, excellent marksmen and intuitive about foreign intelligence. They should know security systems cold and at least one member should be a qualified hacker, capable of getting into the most secure computer systems in the world. While they can have families, it will be vital for them to understand the risks they are putting themselves in by joining, which could mean men or women who are used to being undercover for long stretches at a time. Quite frankly, their identities will likely need to be destroyed to maintain a sense of order as well as to protect them.”
Constantine made the statement as if they had sat down and laid out a plan. “But no pressure on finding the perfect members. The perfect assassins and spies.” It was my usual method to tease but what they had described were the most elite assassins, often used by the very law enforcement agencies who refused to admit these types of operatives existed. I knew better. I’d interacted with several such operatives over the years. They were little more than ghosts.
“They can be nurtured,” Diego said.
“When do you see the Death Squad making a more significant move in their attempt to take over the world?”
The men glanced from one to the other. It was obvious that was the hot topic they’d discussed more than once.
“They’re laying down their final pieces. It could be weeks. Months. We won’t know until it’s potentially too late.” Brogan appeared exhausted.
“Total financial, political, and infrastructure collapse,” I mused.
“Potentially,” Dante said as he powered back a drink of his own. This was nerve-racking for everyone. I hadn’t really put but so much thought into what could happen if the Death Squad was allowed to continue indefinitely.
I closed my eyes. “I can’t give you an answer today. My main focus is to ensure the Diamondis Empire isn’t catastrophically destroyed, and that none of the threats made against our clients are carried out. All of you are obviously aware I also have a guest staying in my home, although she would tell you she’s a prisoner. She is another concern that I take very seriously. Do you have any idea if the Brotherhood or families have been directly linked to these threats? Do you have evidence to that effect? Do you know anything about their leaders or significant members involved?”
“Your concerns are well thought out and completely understandable,” Constantine said from behind me. “We are all concerned about our respective operations. The threats made have not been direct. We do have enough information gathered to believe the upper echelon of the Death Squad is comprised of current as well as former leaders of various countries, major political players, officials from Fortune 500 corporations, and high-ranking military operations. The secondary tier is made up of accountants, other military, and even some reps from various crime syndicates. Plus, don’t forget there are likely doctors, attorneys, judges, and law enforcement officers involved.”