Page 45 of Condemned to You

A chill sent goosebumps throughout my body. Emilio was telling me I was ghost’s next target, but if I was taken in by authorities, then ghost’s plan would fall through. The pieces began to click. The monthly trio meeting was set for tomorrow. Ghost wasn’t just targeting me, he wanted all three of us.

“Where is he now?”

“I don’t know.”

“I can’t stay in here,” I replied. “I’ll take the risk.”

“You aren’t going anywhere. I intend to push as many charges on you as possible. Get comfortable in here.”

Leaning back in my chair, I gave him a look that was quickly humbling him. “What do think this city would be without me? Hm? You think it’d be safer?”

“Less weapons, drugs, and other crimes.”

I laughed, “I keep everyone in this city in check. If you think removing me will make this city better you’re wrong. I don’t flush weapons and drugs through the city for my own benefit. Every major authority figure in this city has their hands dirty. You’ll have to take down everyone.”

Hamilton seemed taken aback by this causing me to laugh again.

With a stern tone, I continue, “I keep these streets under control. Without me there would be chaos. You couldn’t handle chaos.”

“Try me.”

“First person you will need to lock up is your father. If he’s still around.”

Hamilton tightened the grip on his pen, “Leave him out of this.”

“Don’t tell me you honestly think the Branton name was built honestly, do you?”

The hesitation told me he was clueless and was internally debating whether to open that can of worms. So I encouraged it.

“That scandal that never made the press. You know, the one where your father had a secret family?”

“What?” Hamilton reacted. “He doesn’t have a secret family.”

“Not anymore,” I stated. “My condolences.”

The look of mortification crossed his face. He knew. Trained to appear innocent but he knew damn well about his father’s mistress and 3 children. I wouldn’t be surprised if he thought his father paid them to go away but nonetheless he knew they weren’t going to be an issue anymore. But I wasn’t going to stop there.

“It would be a shame if that case against your brother re-opened when the missing weapon reappears.” I remained nonchalant. “Or how your father won the D.A. election.”

“Enough,” Hamilton stated. “I just want to take my father’s place without having any ties to you.”

“Well that’s a challenge. I can’t have you running around knowing at any point you’ll be looking for something to pin on me.”

“There’s one way I guarantee that I wouldn’t do that.”

His reply caught my interest. “What would that be?”

“Bethany.”

I hid the smirk from crossing my face. Of course my sister would be the demise of so many men.

“You understand she’s a married woman.”

“Well, you can take care of that.”

“The apple does not fall far from the tree.” I shook my head, “If you want no ties with me and have my sister then you will need to figure that out.”

Essentially, I was giving him the clear to make Bethany a widow. Funny how things came full circle. You couldn’t escape it. I needed him just as much as he needed me. That was the only way this city wouldn’t go into shambles.