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Chapter 10 Damien
“Did he leave a note?” one of the many reporters crammed into the room calls out.
Newly appointed police chief, Raymond Trejo, hesitates briefly before responding. “Yes, he did. However, out of respect for the family, it won’t be released to the public.” He points to another reporter. “You.”
“What about the election? Is Cain Carter our mayor now?”
The cameras flash, and I look across the room to the man in question. He stands stoic in a dark pressed suit, the corners of his lips turned down in a frown. One might mistake his grim expression for sadness due to his opponent’s tragic death...but they don’t know the real Cain.
The only thing Cain’s upset about is officials granting Covey’s committee authorization to nominate someone else.
According to the handbook, had David Covey only waited a few more days to off himself, Cain would have won by default.
Such a pity.
Chief Trejo clutches the sides of the podium. “Uh, well, that isn’t my particular area of expertise, but as I understand it, another person will be stepping in to…fill the vacancy.”
“Do you know who?”
“Your guess is as good as mine.” He gestures to William Anderson—the head of David Covey’s political party—and the man who will ensure I have the majority vote from the committee when they meet in secret later tonight. “Let me hand it over to the one who can answer your questions.”
Cain eyes the podium like a hawk as Trejo and Anderson trade places, no doubt chomping at the bit to know who his new opponent is.
He won’t find out now, though. I specifically instructed Anderson not to tell the public about me until it was a done deal.
I don’t want to give Cain—or his precious governor Bexley—the chance to persuade someone on my committee to change their vote.
“Evening, everyone,” Anderson starts. “I know you’re all anxious about the upcoming election. However, out of respect for the family, we won’t be revealing who the new candidate is until after David Covey’s funeral.”
Instantly, reporters’ hands fly up and they start pummeling him with questions.
“Isn’t the public supposed to nominate the candidate?”
“The election is just over a week away, is that enough time for the town to make an informed decision by polling day?”
“Given Covey was terminal, did he ever disclose who he’d like to take his place?”
I can practically see the hairs on Cain’s neck stand on end as he whispers something to the man next to him.
“Please, everyone,” Anderson stresses. “I know you’re all concerned about the upcoming election, however, right now is about David Covey. We’ll be holding another conference the day after the funeral to discuss the events going forward. Now, excuse me while I spend the rest of my evening mourning the loss of a great man.”
“What the fuck are you doing here?”
I glance up at his reflection as I finish washing my hands. “Last I checked, this was a restroom. Do you really need me to go into specifics?”
“You know what I mean. I distinctly remember telling you never to set foot in this town again.”
“The conference was open to the public.” I fish my cigarettes out of my pocket and light one. “And technically the Vanderbilt Castle—my new home—isn’t part of Black Hallows. It’s just outside of it.” Turning, I blow a line of smoke in his face. “Might want to do some research on your town before the election, Mayor.”
Despite his impassive expression, a vein in his forehead begins to bulge. “I’m go
Reaching over, I give his tie a little tug. “Kinky.”
He swats my hand away. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” He digs inside his pocket for his cell phone, but I shove him against the nearest wall and place my forearm over his throat, keeping him there.
“Careful, Carter.” Leaning in, I graze the shell of his ear with my teeth. “You don’t want to cause any waves before the election.”
“I think all the time you spent on that tropical island reduced your brain cells. You’re in no position to come here and try to intimidate me, asshole.”
“Kept tabs on me, have you?” I get close to his face. “Who says I came here to intimidate you?” I lower my gaze to his zipper before meeting his eyes. “Maybe I’m here to hang out with my new friend. We have so much in common. So many things to bond over.”
His eyes narrow and I can see those wheels of his turning.
He knows I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t have something on him.
Something that would destroy everything.
He bares his teeth. “Where is Eden? What have you done with her?”
“Your little lamb will be staying with me for the time being.”
His brown eyes turn black with rage. “Like hell she will.”
Removing my arm, I straighten his collar. “Have a good evening. I know I will.”
“I’ll call the police,” he barks when I open the bathroom door.
“That’s a good idea.” Looking over my shoulder, I flash him a spiteful grin. “You obviously don’t have what it takes to protect her. Otherwise I wouldn’t have stolen her from you.”
With that, I walk out.
Cain’s hot on my heels as I stride down the empty hallway. “Release Eden and leave town, or I’ll hand over the tape to the authorities, Damien. I mean it. Don’t fuck with me.”
“It’s not you I’m fucking this time, Carter.” I spin around to face him. “You can do whatever you want, but be forewarned I’ll tell everyone— including your darling Eden—the truth.” Reaching between us, I find his testicles through his pants and give them a sharp tug. “So, unless you want everyone to find out who the real Cain Carter is, consider these mine for the foreseeable future. Because our little game isn’t over until I fucking say it is.”
He scowls. “I’m not interested in playing your stupid game.”
“You know as well as I do that games are only fun if you have an opponent.”
He bares his teeth. “It would be more fun to see you locked up in a jail cell.”
“Unfortunately for you, that’s not going to happen. Not after I tell Ed—”
His fist co
Staggering back, I spit the blood forming on my bottom lip at him. “That would bring your body count to what? F—”
"Cain, honey,” a voice at the other end of the hall interjects. “Is that you?"
“Fuck,” Cain mutters before he clears his throat. “I thought you went home, Margaret.”
“Looks like you have a stalker,” I muse as she starts walking toward us.
He starts to say something, but Margaret picks up her pace.
"You were right, Cain.” I reach for her hand and give it a kiss. “She is stu
“Thank you.” A blush creeps up her cheeks as she looks between me and her fiancé. “I don’t believe I’ve met your friend before.”
“You haven’t,” he grits through his teeth. “He’s only visiting for a short—”
“Margaret—oh, what’s going on down here?” Governor Bexley questions, his jolly frame marching down the hallway.
Cain looks like he’s about to bust at the seams.
I let go of his daughter’s hand and extend mine to the governor. “Nice to meet you, Governor Bexley.”
He promptly shakes it. “Likewise…” His voice trails off, waiting for me to fill in the blank.