AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“We’ll establish additional security methods, and we wait. The Ghost will indeed show his ugly face at some point. Until then, it’s business as usual. Agreed, Father?”
“I will make a few phone calls,” Pops said. “Let’s see how serious Volkov is.” With that, he walked out of my office.
Sevastian exhaled, the sound exaggerated. “I don’t mind telling you, brother, that I don’t like this shit. Where does Viktor stand in all of this?”
“Where Viktor always stands, for himself. Besides, it’s obvious he can’t be of any help at this point. I need you to work with me on ensuring the casino opening isn’t delayed. Be the eyes and ears for the union pigs coming in. I have enough to deal with.”
“Mr. Hampton.”
I nodded. Dealing with Gregory would be easy. Figuring out what the hell to do with Stephanie was something entirely different.
“I’ll start checking on the unions,” Sevastian said as he started to leave.
“Do you have your family in a safehouse?”
“We’re safe enough, Alexei. No one is getting through the security.”
“Do you love her?” I had no idea why the question popped out.
He snorted and moved toward me, cocking his head. “If I’d told the truth even three months ago, you’d have told me I was a fucking fool.”
“Things change.”
“O-kay, then yes, I love her. In your eyes, that’s a weakness, but when she came into my life, something changed. No, everything changed. Now I’m curious. Why?”
“It’s just a question. Don’t read into it.”
“Uh-huh. With you nothing is just anything. I hope that means someone special dropped into your life.” He patted me on the shoulder before walking out.
Special.
The light to my darkness.
Too bad it would appear I had to squelch that beautiful, tempting light.
* * *
Finding the prosecuting attorney had been easy.
Gregory Hampton was a man with habits, rarely varying from his typical schedule. Three days at the gym, always at the same time, his usual coffee run at the same establishment every morning like clockwork, and when he felt the need to get away, he always went to the same location.
The house on the Eastern shore had been a gift from his parents. The sprawling estate had spectacular ocean views, a private location, and a dock complete with a boat that was used as a status symbol and nothing more.
What the man hadn’t invested in was a pristine security system. It had far too easy to gain access. Now I waited until he’d arrived home from an early dinner with one of his frequent visitors, a woman he’d been seeing for the past six months. She’d been one of the two I’d provided in the pictures, although I suspected there were more in his… flock of women. I chuckled at the thought as I lit one of the cigars from his private collection. The first puff was magnificent, the Cuban suiting my mood.
I heard the front door open and close, a single set of footsteps heading in the direction of the den where I remained. As soon as he neared, it was obvious he sensed he wasn’t alone. When he finally walked inside, as I’d suspected, he had a weapon in both hands, the lines on his face indicating intense fear.
However, there was no surprise in his expression.
“I must admit, Gregory. You have excellent taste in cigars, and I would also say in women, although the woman you enjoyed lobster and filet with does has a rather dubious past. But you already knew that. Didn’t you?” I took another puff, forming an O with my lips to allow the smoke to curl in front of my face. His selection of other women was now comprised of those who owed him a favor since he’d gone easy on them in his prosecution of their cases. It was just one of the more fascinating avenues his career had taken.
I’d taken additional time delving into the man’s background with Cassian’s help, determining that he’d been on the take for over six years, although initially from what I could tell, his tasks hadn’t raised a red flag given he was already resolved to rid the city of crime. However, certain cases had been handled with additional fervor, ridding the streets of low-level players in opposing crime syndicated. I suspected the activity had been solely to determine his loyalty. Then it would seem he’d resorted to levels of extortion, thereby helping to eliminate various politicians and county officials, forcing them into resignation. I had to admit, the scheme had been well played.
And it would have gone unnoticed for at least a while longer had it not been for the necessity in providing assistance in order to allow Sergei to escape. While that trail I’d yet to go down, once I did, every person involved would meet their maker.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” he demanded.
I rose to my feet slowly, unfastening my jacket so he could see the weapon positioned in my holster. “It’s time we had a more formal discussion.”
