Page 108 of Freed By Fire
“Once they saw how much money I was offering, they were more than willing to negotiate,” Noah Sr. adds. “It’ll be my name on the paperwork, of course.”
I wrench my gaze away from the water and look at him. “Of course.”
It’s not what I wanted, but it’s the best I can do under the circumstances.
I don’t care how or what he did to get one of the docks back, as long as he did.
I hate having to jump through more hoops for a man like the mayor, but at least I know what makes him tick.
Money and power can only open so many doors for him, and he knows it.
That’s where the Payne name comes in.
Noah’s father is salivating over the few introductions I’ve already made, and it’s pathetic how desperate he is to prove himself to them.
To all of us.
Underneath all the bluster and bullshit is a sad little man willing to do whatever it takes to play with the big boys, including selling out his sons.
It’s been a week since Noah was returned to him, and he hasn’t asked about Ryder once.
It only makes me dislike him further.
What kind of father uses his children like that? How can he live with himself knowing he’s turned his back on them?
It’s no wonder he and my father speak so highly of each other. They’re cut from the same cloth.
“Have you had any luck getting rid of the evidence?”
“You mean the evidence Ryder put together.”
“Yes.”
“Ryder will be released as soon as he gives up the location of the backup.”
And once I’ve hunted down the last of his informants.
There’s nothing I hate more than a rat, and while I’ve had Carlisle hunting down every one of Ryder’s potential informants, there’s still the issue of the backup drive.
In the meantime, Carlisle has destroyed every shred of evidence he can get his hands on. Once he’s done, my right-hand man will be free to focus his attention on Noah’s brother.
The little shit still thinks he has an ace up his sleeve, and I will enjoy watching Carlisle rip him to shreds, inch by painful inch.
The mayor waves my comment away and continues to study the water. “What? Oh, yes, yes. That’s fine. Do what you need to do.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Is Noah going to be a problem?”
The mayor claps me on the back before stepping away again. “No, between the two of them, Noah is the one I worry about the least. He doesn’t have much in the way of ambition. You don’t have to worry about him causing any more problems either.”
His words should make me feel better, but they don’t.
I wonder what kind of sadistic man silences his sons for a chance to sit on top.
Is being respected in certain circles worth all the trouble?
What do you care? Not your family, not your problem, as long as he keeps his sons under control.
I should be thrilled, but I keep thinking about London and our unborn child, and the kind of man I want to be for them.
