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Chapter 26 (Ricardo)
The fragments from the bottle of Jack slice through my knuckle and I swing my fist into the bottle again.
Anger ripples through me as I continue to watch him on my laptop and his lies and fake tears permeate my ears until they begin to burn.
“This is a devastating loss for me, as I'm sure you could imagine.” He pulls out a handkerchief and dabs at his eyes before clearing his throat. “But my wife would have wanted me to stand up and continue to fight.”
Another bout of rage quickly followed by sorrow pummel me.
Alyssa's never going to forgive me for this.
I'm not only responsible for the loss of Alyssa's father, but now her mother too. Mere months before she becomes a mother herself.
I know I have to go see her, I know I have to try and talk to both Alyssa and Jackson.
I just have no idea what I should say...or how the hell I can ever attempt to make this right.
Another wave of sorrow hits me, this one strong enough to send me sinking back down into my seat. Despite the bad relationship Alyssa had with her mother after her father died, I know Alyssa loved her.
The fact that Travine would even take it this far is revolting—painting himself as the grieving widower now instead of the perverted and sick scumbag he really is.
My head snaps up when a reporter decides to speak, “Mr. Travine, my source says that you believe it to be Ricardo DeLuca, the son of the recently deceased mafia boss, Bruno DeLuca; behind all these murders. Is that true?”
Travine opens his mouth but another reporter chimes in, “Mr, Travine, there's been quite a bit of talk about your past relationship with Bruno DeLuca in the press lately. You told A
He wipes his brow. “I wouldn't rule it out.”
“Mr. Travine,” another reporter begins. “How will this tragedy effect your upcoming plans to run for mayor this November?”
I don't miss the way his eyes gleam before his expression turns stoic.
“It won't. In fact, I'd like to take the position of mayor right now.” Undeterred by the reporters' shocked expressions he continues, “Granted there will be a special election given these unusual and heartbreaking circumstances...but I'm confident that the great people of New York will stand by my side. I'm confident you all will put your faith and trust in me to be the man to pick New York up from these ashes, so that we can all rise together again. I'm putting my faith in you all to trust me to keep you safe and get rid of the corruption that's currently holding us hostage.”
I clench my fists and he looks straight into the camera. “I am not a man who backs down in the face of adversity but rather stands back up and rises to meet the challenge. And that ladies and gentlemen, is the kind of leader this great city needs.”
He wipes a tear away and smiles into the camera. “You people need someone to look out for and protect you. Let me be that man.”
A sound erupts deep in my throat and I haul my laptop clear across the room.
Seething, I grab my cell out of my pocket and put it up to my ear.
“I haven't gone after him,” I growl into the phone. “There was no reason for that woman to die. You set the stakes and I've followed each and every one of them.”
There's dark, menacing laughter on the other line. “No you haven't, Ricardo. You tried to make your own rules without following ours. When will you learn how this all works?”
“I—”
“Travine didn't appreciate the little message you sent him. Ford Baker was his...you needed to consult with me before you killed him.”
I open my mouth to tell him Ford's not exactly dead yet but he cuts me off. “And as far as Travine's former wife goes...we had no other choice but to kill her, we needed to turn the tables back around. Thanks to you going to the press and telling them Travine was behind the murders of both mayors.”
“He was trying to pin it on me,” I scream into the phone. “If anything I was protecting—”
“Well don't,” he barks. “Because the people of the city want a hero...and you're not it.”
I can hear him light a cigar on the other line. “The people need to fear the DeLuca's again...fear is power. It goes without saying that the more feared you are, the better it is for us. People are easy to manipulate, Ricardo. Particularly in large numbers.”
“I—”
His laughter cuts me off again. “You should be figuring out the nicest way to kill your friends before your two weeks are up...not ru
I open my mouth to tell him to go fuck himself but the line goes dead.