CHAPTER 94 Awake


    Liam


    My father was stable, but it didn’t seem like he was getting any better. His doctors exined that


    because of hi


    age and the injury he sustained, the smoke had affected him worse than others. They assured me he


    was getting better and told me to be patient.


    Honestly, I didn’t want to get my hopes up.


    Despite the mess from recent events, I decided to stay by my father’s side until he was well. enough to


    continue his treatment at home. Pete was someone I didn’t want to underestimate ever again… I had


    learned my lesson.


    As I had anticipated, Pete sent another one of his men to the hospital, instructing him to leave a small


    note by my father’s bedside. Just like the first note, this note also reminded me


    of our agreement.


    “Spring Formal is next week. I will be there to collect. P


    I furiously crumpled the small piece of recycled paper into a ball and tossed it into the


    garbage can.


    Over my dead body, Pete.


    I believed our arrangement was null and void, simply because he had left my father behind to die in the


    fire. The act itself indicated Pete wasn’t going to hold up his end of the bargain, so why should I?


    After tossing the small note, I walked over to the parking lot where a young African- American


    in man from South Dakota named Carter was sitting in the backseat of one of the sedans parked in the


    back. We only had a few families of color living in New Salem and I knew all of them. I’m guessing Pete


    sent Carter to further taint my image… as a racist. If a video recording of Carter being osted by my


    men ever surfaced, it would definitely ruin


    me.


    We detained Carter inside one of the vehicles used by my guards, waiting for Jack to arrive, so he


    could take him down to the station for questioning. I made the effort to make him asfortable as


    possible knowing if anyone heard himin, we would all be in trouble.


    I felt bad for the man. He wasn’t part of this, but since he needed money, he was willing to1/5


    CHAPTER 94 Awake


    deliver a note, so they grabbed the chance to earn some easy money. One of my men asked. where


    his friend was and he said he didn’t know


    I had most of my men waiting for his friend to show up at my father’s room, thinking Carter was a mere


    distraction, but his friend didn’t turn up. I assumed Carter lied to make us think he wasn’t alone so we


    wouldn’t hurt him.


    ld be upstairs with


    When Jack finally showed up, I was angry for waiting for so long. I should.


    my bedridden father, but I had to wait because I definitely knew Jack would rough Carter up, if I wasn’t


    around.


    “Where have you been?” I asked angrily after he ced Carter inside a patrol car.


    “Sorry, Liam. There was an incident at Virtue’s,” he answered. My anger abruptly faded,


    reced with worry.


    “You mean at the Old Taylor House?” I asked, shocked.


    “Uhm, no. At her store,” he replied. “She’s there getting the ce ready for the opening “tomorrow.” I


    didn’t expect her store would be finished so soon. I was impressed.


    “And?” I said, urging him to continue.


    “She got a visit from one of Pete’s men. He gave her a small note, but instead of letting the


    pre, he man walk away, she grabbed his sleeve and asked him who he was. If I wasn’t there, would


    have hit her in the face,” he exined. I felt my anger bubble up inside me again.


    Virtue almost got hurt!


    Gosh, Pete was such a di ck!


    “What did the note say?”


    Jack took out his phone and showed me a picture of the note. It was a one liner like the message I


    received yesterday, signed with the first initial of Pete’s name.


    “Does she suspect anything?” I asked.


    “I think she’s worried. I saw it on her face while she was staring at the note. I had to lie to her and tell


    her it might not mean anything… that maybe it was a prank. But she pointed out the man who delivered


    the message was about to hurt her for just asking him who he was. ording to her, it’s not the kind of


    behavior she’s seen from folks in New Salem,” Jack said. “I kind of got the feeling she knew the guy


    wasn’t from here.


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    CHAPTER 94 Awake


    “She’s a smart woman and goes around town on her own. I bet she probably knows almost everyone in


    this town by now, so that’s not surprising,” I reasoned. “As for Pete, I’m guessing, he’s in South Dakota.


    Carter said he’s from there.” Jack’s eyes widened, surprised I knew the


    man’s name.


    “I didn’t know you were on a first name basis with the man seated in the back of the patrol


    car,” Jack scoffed.


    “I had to keep himfortable or he would cause a ruckus. Anyway, Carter said the boss paid. him


    and a friend five thousand dors each to deliver messages. I’ve been waiting for the friend, but


    apparently he was instructed to deliver a message to Virtue,” I said, shaking my head in disbelief. “I


    have got to fix this.”


    “Well, just to keep Virtue safe, I’ve got Bo keeping an eye on her. Unfortunately, Chip is with Dan and


    Dom… he’s not in a good ce right now. But since they’re friends, I know he’ll keep an eye on her.”


    My face scrunched up wondering what happened to Dom.


    Dom isn’t in a good ce right now? Why?


    It took me a few moments, but I finally figured it out. Oops.


    “Ah, the Ma Lawrence fiasco,” I uttered, grimacing. I don’t know what happenedst night, but


    maybe Ma got hold of a gun and tried to rescue her mother. It sounded far-fetched, but it was the


    only possible exnation, unless she had been nning to do this all along. Anyway, Jack was looking


    for Riley, to confirm if Ma was indeed with Pete.


    If Dom only knew, he dodged a bullet. That girl has been used and abused by whoe


    “By the way, Jack, I need you to escort Cris and Lisa home. I had them confined in H so Cris wouldn’t


    add to all the problems we have now. Before you leave them at their


    need you to put an electronic ankle monitor on Cris so we can track him wherever he


    “I can’t do that, Liam,” Jack said. “First, I need a court order before I can put an ankle monitor on him


    and second, he’ll probably kill me if I try. But I can put a tracking device on his car or have a deputy tail


    him. That’s the best I can do.”


    “Fine. Have a deputy tail him, then tell Lisa I need to see her hereter this afternoon. Tell her… I have


    something important that I have to give her,” I instructed Jack. “Question Carter and his friend for


    information, then let them go. Tell them if they ever set foot here again, their friends and family will


    never see or hear from them again.”


    “Sure thing.” Jack said, tinning his hat and walking to the car. “S hit! I almost forgot Virtue 3/5


    CHAPTER 94 Awake


    says if you have time to stop by her shop tomorrow. It’s her grand opening.”


    “I’ll give her a call and tell her I’ll be dropping by, so she’ll expect me,” I said, waving at him. “Jack,


    thanks man. I owe you one.”


    “No Dr


    problem. Call if anything happens… again.” He entered the patrol car and quickly drove out of the


    hospital parking lot. I waited for him to turn into the main road before I sprung


    into action.


    I wanted to tell him what I had nned, but I didn’t want to tell him, then have Virtue reject meter.


    Better he find out when I pop the question.


    I took out my phone and dialed. Thank goodness Dan answered right away.


    “Do you have the ring?” I asked, walking into the hospital.


    “Liam, it’s not like I’m ordering pizza. Chip and just got to the airport. We’re flying to Chicago to get youThis is from N?velDrama.Org.


    that ring,” Dan said, annoyed.


    “I need the ring by tomorrow. Virtue’s grand opening is happening and I want to do it out in public. It’ll


    be great for my image if she says yes I heard Dan scoff.


    “You never make it easy, do you?” Dan uttered disdainfully. “I was hoping to spend the night in Chicago


    and do some shopping for myself, but since you need the ring by tomorrow, we’ll be backter tonight. I


    already made an appointment at Tiffany’s to see this stunning two


    carat square


    re cut diamond on a tinum band. It screams Virtue.” He sounded really excited.


    “Good. Send me photos so I can form an opinion,” I said. I heard him scoff again.


    “Sure, Liam. But I don’t want to hear youin about the price. It’s more expens your car.” I heard


    him sigh dreamily. “And I get to try it on…” No wonder he was excit


    “You know what? I should just give her my mother’s old ring. I just need to have it clean and polished-”


    “No, no, no, no! We’ll get her a new ring. Don’t be a cheapskate.” I heard an announcement on the PA.


    “That’s us. I’ll call you when wend.


    When I got to my father’s hospital suite, several doctors were inside, surrounding my father’s


    bed.


    I felt my heart momentarily stop in my chest, thinking my father had died. I clutched my


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    CHAPTER 94 Awake


    chest, thinking I was going to have a heart attack.


    Suddenly, I heard the doctorsugh.


    What was going on?


    I quickly walked in and found my father finally awake. His steel grey eyes moved to look at


    me.


    “Ah, there’s my son.”


    S hit!


    Well, this meant I would have to have a simple ceremony.


    Only close family and friends in attendance with a judge officiating.


    Before my father is able to get out of bed.


    Chapter Comments


    Luna-Mom


    The intensity and mystery surrounding this whole town is ramping up I love it


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    The Joy of Revenge