10KillianHolley gave me the go-ahead for the engagement plan the day before we had our end-of-the-month meeting, which was perfect timing as far as I was concerned. I looked around the room, noting who was there and who wasn't there. Of course, most of the older guys would have my back: they'd seen how I'd risen through the ranks, from a dirty street-rat to Frank's right-hand man. They respected me—some of them a bit grudgingly, albeit.
It was the younger ones that I'd have more of a problem with. I didn't really command respect with many of them, especially not the ones who were ambitious and just a little older than me. And with Max in the room, there was no telling how that faction would break down.
For a moment, I silently considered Max Cordell, Frank's son.
By birthright, Max shou
