The Joy of Revenge

CHAPTER 94 Awake Liam My father was stable, but it didn’t seem like he was getting any better. His doctors explained that because of hi age and the injury he sustained, the smoke had affected him worse than others. They assuredhe was getting better and toldto be patient.

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

Despite the mess from recent events, | decided to stay by my father’s side until he was well. enough to continue his treatment at home. Pete was someone | didn’t want to underestimate ever again... | had learned my lesson.

As | 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 of our agreement.

“Spring Formal is next week. | will be there to collect. P | furiously crumpled the small piece of recycled paper into a ball and tossed it into the garbage can.

Over my dead body, Pete.

| 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, | 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 | 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 accosted 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. | made the effort to make him as comfortable as possible knowing if anyone heard him complain, we would all be in trouble.

| felt bad for the man. He wasn’t part of this, but since he needed money, he was willing tol/5 CHAPTER 94 Awake deliver a note, so they grabbed the chance to earn seasy money. One of my men asked. where his friend was and he said he didn’t know | 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. | assumed Carter lied to make us think he wasn’t alone so we wouldn't hurt him.

Id be upstairs with When Jack finally showed up, | was angry for waiting for so long. I should.

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

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

“Sorry, Liam. There was an incident at Virtues,” he answered. My anger abruptly faded, replaced with worry.

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

“Uhm, no. At her store,” he replied. “She’s there getting the place ready for the opening “tomorrow.” | didn’t expect her store would be finished so soon. | was impressed.

“And?” | 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 | wasn’t there, would have hit her in the face,” he explained. | felt my anger bubble up insideagain.

Virtue almost got hurt! Gosh, Pete was such a di ck! “What did the note say?” Jack took out his phone and showeda picture of the note. It was a one liner like the message | received yesterday, signed with the first initial of Pete's name.

“Does she suspect anything?” | asked.

“I think she’s worried. | saw it on her face while she was staring at the note. | 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. According 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.

2/5 CHAPTER 94 Awake “She’s a smart woman and goes around town on her own. | bet she probably knows almost everyone in this town by now, so that’s not surprising,” | reasoned. “As for Pete, I'm guessing, he’s in South Dakota. Carter said he's from there.” Jack's eyes widened, surprised | knew the man’s name.

“I didn’t know you were on a first nbasis with the man seated in the back of the patrol car,” Jack scoffed.

“I had to keep him comfortable or he would cause a ruckus. Anyway, Carter said the boss paid. him and a friend five thousand dollars each to deliver messages. I've been waiting for the friend, but apparently he was instructed to deliver a message to Virtue,” | 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 place right now. But since they're friends, | know he'll keep an eye on her.” My face scrunched up wondering what happened to Dom.

Dom isn’t in a good place right now? Why? It tooka few moments, but | finally figured it out. Oops.

“Ah, the Marla Lawrence fiasco,” | uttered, grimacing. | don’t know what happened last night, but maybe Marla got hold of a gun and tried to rescue her mother. It sounded far-fetched, but it was the only possible explanation, unless she had been planning to do this all along. Anyway, Jack was looking for Riley, to confirm if Marla 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, | need you to escort Cris and Lisa home. | 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, | need a court order before | can put an ankle monitor on him and second, he'll probably killif | try. But | can put a tracking device on his car or have a deputy tail him. That's the best | can do.” “Fine. Have a deputy tail him, then tell Lisa | need to see her here later this afternoon. Tell her... | have something important that | have to give her,” | 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! | almost forgot Virtue 3/5 CHAPTER 94 Awake says if you have tto 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,” | said, waving at him. “Jack, thanks man.

| 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. | waited for him to turn into the main road before | sprung into action.

| wanted to tell him what | had planned, but | didn’t want to tell him, then have Virtue rejectlater. Better he find out when | pop the question.

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

“Do you have the ring?” | 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 you that ring,” Dan said, annoyed.

“I need the ring by tomorrow. Virtue’s grand opening is happening and | want to do it out in public. It'll be great for my image if she says yes | heard Dan scoff.

“You never make it easy, do you?” Dan uttered disdainfully. “I was hoping to spend the night in Chicago and do sshopping for myself, but since you need the ring by tomorrow, we’ll be back later tonight. | already made an appointment at Tiffany's to see this stunning two carat square re cut diamond on a platinum band. It screams Virtue.” He sounded really excited.

“Good. Sendphotos so | can form an opinion,” | said. | heard him scoff again.

“Sure, Liam. But | don’t want to hear you complain about the price. It’s more expens your car.” | heard him sigh dreamily. “And | get to try it on...” No wonder he was excit “You know what? | should just give her my mother’s old ring. | just need to have it clean and polished-" “No, no, no, no! We'll get her a new ring. Don’t be a cheapskate.” | heard an announcement on the PA. “That's us. I'll call you when we land.

When | got to my father’s hospital suite, several doctors were inside, surrounding my father’s bed.

| felt my heart momentarily stop in my chest, thinking my father had died. | clutched my 4/5 CHAPTER 94 Awake chest, thinking | was going to have a heart attack.

Suddenly, | heard the doctors laugh.

What was going on? | 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 | 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.

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