Page 81 of The Unravelings

“Huh?” I ask, looking at my brothers, then at Franco, standing tall on stage at the microphone. The crowd goes wild, chanting his name and cheering him on. The new initiates now stand off to the side of the stage, staring at Franco as two other people stand beside him.

Amanda’s father, Preston Devalle, and another man who looks familiar. I narrow my eyes, trying to remember where I’ve seen him before. And then, it hits me.

“Holy shit! Is that the president of the damn country?” My jaw falls open.

“The Secret Service makes sense now,” JJ mutters, casting his gaze toward the men in suits, finally slinking from the shadows with grim expressions. “I mean, they were always around Maxwell, protecting him.” He’s right. They were always around, chaperoning him to class and the frat house. Hell, they even discreetly fit in at our parties. It was laughable. But tonight, there were like a bazillion of them looming in the shadows.

“This is not fucking good…” Hux mumbles, trailing off when the damn president steps up to the mic with a huge smile splitting his face.

“I am pleased to have my son enrolled in such a worthy cause. Thank you, Nathaniel, for inviting me to witness this.” They shake hands with grins, then the president turns to embrace his son and then turns to the mic again. “And thank you for inviting me to speak in your beautiful venue.”

Kiss ass.

“He better be glad phones are prohibited here,” I say, staring out at the enamored crowd, unable to take their eyes off the man at the microphone. Although this place does have the best security systems in place. It would be a damn shame if this video got leaked to the public.

“Or he’d be all over the damn media, endorsing a fucking gang leader.” Huxley keeps his voice low as the president continues. “How the hell is this going to play out? This can’t stay under wraps. Everyone knows who the fuck Franco is around here.”

Good fucking question. If he has the president in his back pocket, what will he achieve? He’s had the cops in his corner since before I was born. Fuck.

“Yeah. Imagine that. President Cole on GNN having to explain why his son is in the Franco Syndicate.” Maybe I should leak the information and end this once and for all.

Hmm. I rub my chin. Truly contemplating the chaos I could unleash by simply whispering words to the right ear.

“You can’t leak it to the press,” JJ whispers frantically.

“Get out of my head, asshole.” I frown, stepping away from him. Is he psychic now? “Besides. That’s not what I was thinking.” Total lie, and JJ knows it by the eye roll he gives me.

“Right,” he scoffs. “But you can’t say anything. We’re already scrutinized about everything we do.” He sends me a look. You know, that look, showcasing all the disapproval he can muster. Just like a mother.

I huff at him, sulking in defeat. “Yeah, yeah, Mom. I got it. My lips are sealed.” I drag my fingers across my lips in a zipping motion, slightly twisting and then throwing away the imaginary key.

My lips are sealed. For now, at least. One day, I’ll spill his secret and put the spotlight on Franco. Maybe then we can sneak away.

“And I’d like to be the first person to lend my public endorsement of Nathaniel Franco for mayor of Greenwood, California!” He claps, stepping back from the mic.

My ears ring as his words bounce around in my skull. “Did… Did he say mayor? Of Greenwood? Mayor? Like in charge of this fucking town?” I stammer, cleaning out my ears with my fingers. “Seriously…”

Mayor of Greenwood?

This isn’t good at all.

23

Mack

Franco’s words continue to ring in my ears. Mayor of Greenwood. A position of power. Well, whatever power he might get with the title. Damn it! It’s another thing on my plate I have to worry about. I don’t even know what a mayor does for a town.

“Is this seriously happening right now?” I ask again for the millionth time.

“Yes,” JJ says grimly, tightening his lips into a straight line with no hint that he’s about to hyperventilate like I am. “It appears Franco is making big moves on the board by becoming mayor.”

Is it hot in here? Are my lungs still in my chest? Fuck. I rub over my heart, trying to mentally count backward from ten. Because this isn’t fucking good. Not good at fucking all.

“A heads-up would have been nice. Now I really need a goddamn drink,” Hux huffs, eyeing the bar.

I discreetly suck in a breath. “Now, we’re talking. How about… Oh no—” My stomach drops when the devil herself saunters through the crowd, grinning as she sets her sights on Huxley. “Dude, run far and fast; she is coming,” I warn in a low voice.

“Fuck,” he grunts, swiping a hand down his face. “Don’t say it. Don’t tell me…” Pure panic runs through his voice until the little demon shows her wicked face.