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But that hadn’t happened, had it?
When we arrived back at Ashby Manor, the media circus had disappeared. Thomas’s plan for me to disappear had worked. When I didn’t show up, the reporters slid back under the rocks from whence they came.
I went to my parlor to think. I needed to plan what came next for me. I needed to find something to fulfill me since I was done with my previous vengeance.
I hoped.
There was too much shit to do and not enough time, so when the siren song of booze called my name from the bar cart in the corner, I shook my head and went into another room. I needed to be clear-headed to get through this next part. I wasn’t Colm, and I wouldn’t be taken down because I couldn’t stop gambling, couldn’t stop drinking and taking unnecessary risks.
I was stronger than Colm.
Always was.
Thomas’ words rang in my ears as I sat down with my laptop and planned. “You always were stronger than him, Sadie Rose. Stronger even than the old man, and you know how much he meant to me. You were the only one who didn’t know it.”
When he first said those words to me, at the ripe old age of nineteen, I thought he was just throwing out a line in hopes that I’d let him fuck me.
He said them again when I reached thirty, and I ignored them, too hardened to accept the kindness, too cynical and too broken to believe them. But now, older and wiser, I realized that Thomas had seen what nobody else had.
The real me.
So I kept those words close to my heart while I worked and planned. I held on to them like the lifeline I needed if I was going to beat Agent Beck at her own game, tie up loose ends, and transform the Green Zone into what it was always meant to be.
Chapter Twenty-One
Sadie
I woke up the next day feeling like I had a purpose as the sun filled my room with light and warmth. I hadn’t felt like this since I brought Jasper home from the hospital, knowing that he was totally dependent on me and that he needed me to take care of him. To guide him and teach him until he became a man.
I sat up in bed, seeing my lavish surroundings with new, clearer eyes. What good was all this luxury and all this money if it didn’t help me achieve the goals I’d set out for myself so many years ago?
It was up to me to pursue those plans, and that was exactly what I intended to do today. After a long shower, hotter than it needed to be, I dressed carefully in a black Chanel pantsuit with bright red kitten heels. It was just the look for today’s agenda.
Jasper sat behind the oversized mahogany desk in his office that was just beside mine. He rarely used this office, preferring the one down at Midnight Mass to conduct most of his business. His eyes were glued to his phone, brows pulled into an angry scowl.
“Something on your mind, son?”
“Sure.” He tossed his phone on the desk, sighed and scrubbed both hands over his face. “What’s up?”
I took my seat behind my desk. “I have some plans to discuss with you. Not now, but soon.”
“Okay,” he drew the word out and looked at me like maybe I’d lost my mind. “And why are you telling me this now?”
“After what happened yesterday, I realize I need to clean up some loose ends.”
“Loose ends?”
I nodded. “Those fucking kids came after me because they believed me to be weak, and they thought that because I showed mercy when I shouldn’t have. I need to rectify that first, and then we can talk.”
Jasper sighed again. “You want to rectify that now while you’re out on bail?” He shook his head in disbelief. “It’s like you want to go to jail.”
“I don’t. But I have to end what’s left of the Black Jacks.”
Jasper nodded as he thought about my words. His gaze landed on mine when he made up his mind. “Fine. But take Terry with you.”
I shook my head. “Thomas will come with me. That’s all I need.”
I knew Jasper would argue, but I wouldn’t let him win this time.
“Terry is getting married soon, Jas, and that’s what’s important now, to him and to Kat. And to me too. I can’t risk anything happening to him.”
“You sure about this?”
“I am. It has to be done, and I have to do it. Trust me when I tell you that Thomas and I can handle the remaining members.”
“All right, Ma. I trust you. Be careful.”
“Don’t worry Jas, I have no plans to leave any evidence.”
His lips kicked into a playful grin. “Good. Have fun.”
“Thank you.” I left the office with some energy in my steps, practically bouncing down the corridor to the foyer. Outside, Thomas waited in an idling navy blue sedan.
