Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 61746 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 309(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61746 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 309(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
Michael’s eyes narrowed slightly. He didn’t expect me to know that.
“I couldn’t miss the chance to have a drug lord in my pocket. Do you realize all the favors we could grant each other? Money, power, pardons, connections. It’s all business, baby,” he said in a snide manner.
“And you’re going to lose all of it. Everything,” I told him with narrowed eyes.
A dark look passed over Michael’s face as he towered over me.
“Are you threatening me, bitch?” he snapped. He started to lift his hand to reach for my arm like he used to, pressing his fingers into my skin so hard that they left bruises.
But he didn’t get that far this time. Not when Marlo, Baker, and Marcus stepped out into the foyer from the kitchen, and Taj, Ti, and Gus walked out of the living room from the other side. Bryce remained with Chloe in her bedroom, shielding her from what was about to happen.
“What the hell is this?” Michael snapped as he stepped back, looking between all of the guys as they put themselves between me and him.
“The last time you’ll ever see Madison and Chloe,” Ti said as he waved the audio recording device he had in his hand. “We’ll be sure to release this to every local news outlet. Hell, we might go regional.”
Michael turned red in the face as he gritted his teeth.
“You can’t do this. You won’t! I’ll shut down your tattoo shop. I’ll throw all of you in jail!” he shouted.
“Here’s what’s going to happen. You’re going to leave town. No, you’re going to leave this side of the United States. We’re going to torch your career and your existence here anyway, so you might as well leave. You will never return. You will never reach out to Madison or Chloe for the rest of your miserable, pathetic life,” Marlo demanded as he moved closer to Michael.
Michael backed up until his back hit the door. His forehead started to glisten as he broke out into a nervous sweat. His eyes met mine as I glared at him from between Baker and Ti.
“Damn you,” he spat before whirling around to try to throw open the door and escape.
The guys were on him in a second, throwing him to the ground and dealing blows that had Michael groaning and crying out in pain.
I wasn’t one for violence, but I didn’t move from the spot as I watched the guys deal to Michael everything he deserved to get. He deserved even worse than this, but I was happy with him being banished. Being left with nothing.
Marcus dealt one more punch to Michael’s cheek, his knuckles already red. He leaned close to Michael, who was on the verge of tears with blood dripping from his nose.
“Run,” he spat before yanking Michael to his feet.
Michael stumbled out of the house, and Gus stepped out on the porch to make sure Michael took off.
I released a heavy breath, my hands reaching out to Taj and Marlo as they hurried over to me.
“Are you okay?” Marlo asked as worry filled his eyes.
I nodded as I collected myself, nearly feeling lightheaded as the adrenaline started to wean. I couldn’t believe that just happened. He was gone. Finally.
“Better than ever,” I said as a smile crossed my face.
Marlo smiled back and pulled me into his arms, holding me close as a few relieved tears slipped from my eyes.
I felt different hands brush over my back and through my hair, filling me with comfort and hope that everything was going to be okay. It was all over at last.
Chapter 28
Madison
“Guys, look!”
My voice echoed throughout the tattoo shop that had just been closed for the night, followed by the sound of footsteps as the guys left their stations to join me at the front desk.
“What is it?” Gus asked as he reached me first, his breathing sounding a bit heavy from rushing there.
I smiled and placed my hand on his arm, not meaning to worry him.
“This news article,” I told him as I pointed at the computer screen. I stepped to the side to let the guys crowd in front of the computer to read the headline displayed at the top of the screen.
Corrupt Candidate Exposed and Removed from Local Ballot
“No way,” Bryce chuckled as he read through the rest of the article, which cited from the long, detailed blog I posted online with all of the evidence I had about Michael and how he attempted to destroy my life and use Chloe for his own political gain. The recording that Ti took really helped nail Michael down to all of the horrible things that he did because people could hear for themselves what Michael planned to do. There was no way for him to defend himself, especially since he had already fled town without a word or a trace.