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Baxter
Honest Dan Kelly glared back at me. “I trust you’ve seen the error of your flagitious ways and are ready to release me.”
I stared down at my prisoner. Kelly was a blowhard. A corrupt liar, just like the rest of the politicians. I generally left them alone unless I needed something in particular. So when Kelly finished his term as comptroller, I thought I’d heard the last of him.
Then he announced he was running for mayor a month ago.
That was too far. The man who once called me vermin would not ascend to the highest seat in City Hall. No fucking way would I allow it. I ran this city, not the mayor. And certainly not Dan Kelly.
So I’d taken matters into my own hands.
I folded my arms over my chest. “Are you complaining about your upgrade in accommodations? Because I’m happy to take you back to the warehouse.”
Instead of answering, he asked, “Why am I here?”
“Perhaps I’m feeling benevolent.”
“Men like you don’t have a benevolent bone in your body.”
“You better hope I do, if you want to continue breathing.” I stepped closer and put a great deal of menace in my expression. “And you should be fucking grateful. When the city learns what you’ve done, you’re finished here.”
“I don’t appreciate blackmail, Baxter.”
“Get used to it. Until I get what I want, I own you.”
“And what is it you want?”
Looking down my nose at him, I answered, “I want you ruined. Destroyed. Humiliated.”
“Then why hold me here? Why haven’t you played your cards yet, Baxter?”
Did he think I was bluffing? “Anxious to lose everything so soon?”
“I’m skeptical you possess any proof whatsoever. I think you are stalling while having someone fabricate the evidence.”
“I have what I need, Kelly. Though I suspect those boxes of paper we found in your home office will give me more.” I went to the mirror and smoothed my hair. I was tired, but that orgasm had given me a burst of vigor. “Don’t worry. Just as soon as the boys finish sorting it all, I’ll call a few reporters and tell them everything I know.”
“Let me go.” His voice was an entitled snarl, a man unaccustomed to ceding his power to another.
But I was a man used totakingpower. I would grasp and claw for whatever I could gain in this city—and I would not lose my leverage when I was so close. “Rescind your candidacy for mayor and I will.”
“Absolutely not. I’m the front-runner.”
A knock sounded and I went for the door. “Then I suggest you get comfortable and enjoy Lisette’s hospitality.”
“You’d like that, I suppose.”
“Sit and stare at the wall, if you want. Though you should know Lisette’s girls are the best in the city. No one would judge you for having some fun.”
I jerked open the door and Lisette was there. She handed me a pencil and paper. “Here, mon chou.”
“Thanks.” I tossed the items onto Kelly’s bed. “Write a letter to your daughter. Tell her you’re alive.”
Kelly’s gaze grew suspicious. “Why?”
So she doesn’t worry herself into an early grave over you, you bastard.
“I’ll see that it’s delivered to her.”
