Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 43402 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 217(@200wpm)___ 174(@250wpm)___ 145(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43402 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 217(@200wpm)___ 174(@250wpm)___ 145(@300wpm)
“I am,” Blade answers, instantly assessing the other man. Maybe it’s my imagination but I get the feeling that he finds Marty as lacking as I do. Something about that makes me happy.
“I hear you were a partner in a prestigious law firm in New York,” Marty replies. “What made you give that up to come here and represent people who can’t even afford to pay you a quarter of what you used to make?”
“I’m sorry, Mr.—”
“Oh, Mr. Aetos, this is the City Commissioner, Marty Stephenson.”
Blade gives me a smile before turning his attention back to the commissioner. “Mr. Stephenson,” he says, shaking the man’s hand. “I’ve been hearing a lot about you.”
“I bet you have. Did that asshole Bear tell you how he was treating the people here that could help him?”
“Marty!” I gasp, wanting to wade in to try and diffuse the situation that could have very bad repercussions.
“It’s fine, little one, why don’t you go see if uh … Mr. Golden needs anything in the conference room while I speak to Mr. Stephenson?” Blade suggests.
“Mr. Golden?” I ask, confused.
“He’s talking about that damn gang leader. His Cherokee name is supposedly Golden Bear,” Marty replies, his voice thick with disgust.
“Marty, seriously. I’d like to remind you that tonight is about coming together to help this community bring in money that we desperately need. Bear and Mr. Aetos have a very comprehensive plan to fund housing, education, and bring jobs for individuals here who are living below the poverty line. I would think as the city commissioner that you’d do everything in your power to help those who elected you.”
Marty snorts, taking another drink of his scotch, which he’s probably already had too much of. “What I think is the Cherokee—”
“Make up the majority of your voting pool, I would imagine,” I snap. “Blade, may I show you where the meeting is to be held?”
“Why thank you, Miss Davis. I would appreciate that very much. I’m sure you and I will have more to say to one another later, Mr. Stephenson.”
“I’m sure we will,” he grumbles.
“Perhaps you can even introduce me to your wife. I was going to introduce myself earlier, but you two looked to be enjoying a private moment—though maybe not so private since several of us saw you. It must be wonderful to be so in love even after marriage. It’s a dream we all have, I’m sure.”
“Uh …,” Marty stutters.
“I’ll show you where the conference room is,” Olivia says quickly, all but pulling me away. “Oh, God, Mr. Aetos,” she says, sounding a delicious mix of worried and amused.
“Blade,” I correct her, not liking that she used my surname—and it’s not even because I hate the name in general.
“Blade,” she murmurs, looking up at me and blushing. “I feel I should warn you that Marty’s wife isn’t here tonight.”
“I feel like I should tell you, Livy, that I knew that he wasn’t with his wife.”
“Oh my,” she giggles. I grin at her, loving the look on her face. Hell, I’m just enjoying being close to her. “I guess you should probably count Marty and Josie off your tally of votes going your way tonight.”
“Josie?”
“Probably the woman you saw him with. She’s the circuit clerk and also on the board. The saddest thing about it is that she and Marty both have wonderful spouses who deserve better.”
“I think I should probably tell you that I feel comfortable those two will vote our way.”
“Are you feeling okay?” she jokes. “I think you might be feverish.”
“You’re cute,” I chuckle. “I’m just saying, people in glass houses can’t afford to throw stones against someone who knows where the skeletons are hidden.”
“I think that’s two different idioms,” she giggles.
“The meaning is the same.”
“Point taken,” she says. “Shall we go join Bear?”
I hold out my arm, and she links hers into it. I escort Olivia toward the conference room, feeling as if I have just won the lottery.
3 OLIVIA
“Livy, thank you for all your help,” Bear says, as he walks me out.
The vote went their way—six to four. It didn’t escape my attention that they won by two votes from people Blade hinted they were blackmailing. I wasn’t going to say anything about it. I find it kind of hilarious to be honest. I think it’s about time that people who serve up shit have to eat it too. It’s karma at work and it makes me happy.
“I’m so glad things went your way tonight. What you guys are planning will truly help the people here in Cherokee. With some, it will make all the difference in the world.”
Bear leans over and kisses my forehead once we reach my car—a ten-year-old Toyota Camry. It’s the first thing I ever purchased myself. It was a darn good deal. I’ve had her for two years and she never lets me down. “I’m going to head home, Livy. Ayi can’t sleep unless she’s in my arms.”