Chapter 42

CHAPTER 42 Tug of War

Liam

Hangovers. One reason why I rarely drank to get drunk, but last night I wanted to forget about the past, my obligations, my responsibilities and this gnawing feeling I would have to do something inexplicably deplorable, if not, be at the commanding end of it. It didn’t matter. All fingers would point to me….

Not my father. Not the boss. Not my friends. Me

I wanted to call in sick today, but it was a Friday. “Monday and Friday are reserved for the people, the rest of the days of the work week is for business, while the weekend is for yourself and family,” my dad would always remind me when I didn’t want to go to town hall. Today was no different.

“Get up, Liam. Today is a Friday. People are expecting you to come to work today,” my father said, shaking me awake. He was dressed and ready to leave for the cabin in the woods.

“Dad, I have a hangover and a splitting headache,” I reasoned while I rubbed my forehead, closing my eyes tightly.

And whose fault is that? I’ve told you time and again to drink within your limits,” my dad aid. “Take the medicine Claire has left you on your nightstand and take a shower. Don’t forget to brush your teeth. You have horrible breath.”

I sat up on my bed and took the aspirin and the glass of water that was laid out by our maid. from my nightstand.

“I thought you were leaving early,” I said after I had placed the empty glass on my nightstand.

“I would have, if you had come down for breakfast, my father answered, letting out a sigh of frustration. “I heard from Henry that you drove by the Old Taylor House. Why did you do that for?”

“I just wanted to make sure our new resident got home safely,” I answered, pushing back my. sheets and getting out of my four-poster bed. My head was throbbing and the sunlight. pouring through the tall windows of my room was hurting my es

my eyes.

“New resident? The woman named Virtue Sullivan? Liam, I need to do a background check on her. A woman like Virtue Sullivan usually goes where the action is…big cities like New

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York, Los Angeles, or Chicago. Not small towns where designer clothing is hard to come by. You don’t think I haven’t noticed her expensive car and her Prada bag? I doubt if she’s here.

for the scenery.”

I grabbed my phone to check my calls and messages. Nicole had messaged saying Pete would be taking over Virtue’s boutique. I quickly messaged her telling her it wasn’t a problem. After sending a message to Abigail that I would be coming in late, I threw my phone on my bed and took out a piece of paper from my briefcase which Cris gave me last night.

“Cris says she checks out. All the information on Virtue Sullivan is on that sheet of paper. You can call her parents if you want. Their numbers are on there.”

I watched my father scan the sheet of paper. “It says here she was a victim of a mugging in Las Vegas and sought therapy after. Her shrink suggested she move to a small town with a low crime rate,” my father said, nodding his head. “She’s fragile. Perhaps her parents will be moving in with her. The Taylor house has more rooms than the town inn.”

“Dad, we have to stop with the paranoia,” I said, quoting Cris. “It’s causing us more problems. How about if I befriend Virtue? She’s opening a boutique beside Bo’s. Plus, she’s single and of marrying age.

“Friends, sure. More than friends, no. I have already made an arrangement. You will give me

heir who will be our ticket out of the pact our forefathers had made. I am sick and tired of

ing a pawn. I want us to be kings in this state he said frustratedly. “You should get ready for work. I’ll be back from the cabin on Sunday.” He walked towards my bedroom door. “And Liam, no more drinking.” He left, closing the door behind him.

I wanted to scream. My father was such a pain. He even made arrangements for me to marry someone I didn’t love. I had a feeling it was one of the daughters of the higher-ups in the organization and most of them were butt ugly.

After taking a long and relaxing hot shower, I got dressed and left. I hated eating at home alone. My mother died when I was a baby and ever since, it has only been me, my dad, the

ser vants and the guards.

I picked up breakfast at Harold’s including a huge cup of coffee so I could eat in my office. As I parked my car, I noticed Chip’s Range Rover in the parking lot.

Ah…building permits.

I walked inside the building, my food in one hand and my cup of coffee in the other, and quickly went up the stairs to my office.

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CHAPTER 42 Tug of War

I placed

year against the large wood door, listening in on their convention, when the door suddenly swung open almost making me lose my balance.

I saw Virtue jump and gasp while Chip gave me a dirty look. If Virtue was pretty yesterday, she was even more beautiful in her dress with her hair up.

“Uhm, why are you standing in the doorway of your own office, Liam?” Chip asked, crossing his arms in front of his chest. He knew 1 didn’t like him. Hell, I didn’t like him and his cousins. The people of this town were beginning to warm up to them and since they were all so handsome and kind, some of the town’s folk were beginning to think of them as potential

leaders of this town.

“I was trying to nudge the door open,” I said, showing him that my hands were full. “Have

you gotten your building permits?”

Virtue took out a piece of paper from her brown tote bag and showed it to me. “Yes. We are

all set. Thanks to Abigail.”

“I heard Bismarck. What’s happening there?” I asked, entering my office and handing Abigail

my food and my coffee. I noticed her hands were slightly shaking. I fixed my light gray suit and tightened my dark blue tie while I watched her through hooded eyes.

Why so nervous, Abigail?

l es,” Chip answered. “Abigail here told us about a new batch of antiques coming in at ea market. We’ll be driving there after we’ve had brunch.”

“So you’ll be gone the whole afternoon?” I asked.

“Just for a couple of hours. I need to be back before Friday happy hour,” Chip replied. “We need to go. Much to do, so little time. See you later, Mayor.” Chip said ‘mayor’ like it. disgusted him. There was no doubt in my mind he knew it was my car following them last

night.

I wonder if he has told Virtue about the stuff the people say y about me..

“See you and thanks again,” Virtue said, waving her hand and smiling brightly at me. Judging by her smile, I guess she was clueless then. She wouldn’t be so nice if she had heard.

She was such a beautiful woman. I noticed the cr eamy skin of her breasts peeking from the low neckline of her dress and felt myself go hard. Maybe I could convince my father to marry her, if ever we became a couple. She’s very charming and could probably charm herself into

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CHAPTER 42 Tug of War

my dad’s good graces.

“Virtue, wait!” I called out to her before Chip could drag her away. She stopped and turned around, a puzzled expression on her face.

“Yes, Mayor?” Her voice was so seductive. She made ‘mayor’ sound like an endearment.

“I was wondering if I could invite you to dinner…” I croaked. I saw her hesitate. “N-not today. since I think you’ve made plans. ‘H-How about tomorrow at my place?”

“Your place?” Virtue asked.

“I live on Prairie’s Peak. The big house on top of it,” I answered. “My dad is out of town so we’ll have the place to ourselves. The view of the town at night is spectacular.”

“I-1 don’t know-”

Mugging…she’s fragile…

“Chip, you can come too,” I offered, “unless you have to be at the pub.” As much as I disliked him, he could provide Virtue some security. I needed to show her I wasn’t a bad guy.

“The pub will be closed tomorrow for renovations. I have never been to Prairie’s Peak. I

na go,” Chip said enthusiastically. I saw Virtue’s resolve melt away.

Okay, but on one condition,” she said. I raised my eyebrows, hoping it wasn’t something difficult to do. “You have to come to my housewarming party.”

“At the Old Taylor House?” I groaned. Sitting outside her house was one thing, but going inside? My dad won’t like it. But I can pass by for a drink and leave.

“Ah, yeah. That’s where she lives, silly,” Chip said.

“You have got yourself a deal,” I said, extending my hand. She took my hand in hers and

shook it. Her touch made me shiver and that sparkle in her blue eyes made my heart sk ip a

beat.

“So, what-time tomorrow, Mayor?” Virtue asked, her hand still in my mine.

“Six-thirty. We’ll have pre-dinner drinks, then dinner will be served at seven,” I answered,

letting go of her hand.

“See you tomorrow night then,” Virtue said, waving goodbye. “Have a good day, Mayor.”

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She turned around and I caught the faint scent of her expensive perfume. I sighed happily. I have a date with Virtue.

My only problem was my father… and maybe the boss.

Well, there were ways to make my father disappear just in case he had a problem with

Virtue.

I closed the door to my office and dialed a number. The person answered after several rings.

“What?” He asked impatiently. Of all the people to be an underboss of the organization, it just had to be him.

“Cris said Virtue Sullivan checks out. If you still need to find out more about her, have someone bug her house. She will be having dinner with me tomorrow night. Noah said she doesn’t have a security system installed, so it’ll be easy to break in.”

“Alright,” he said, then hung up.

I began eating breakfast feeling an inner tug-of-war of emotions. I looked forward to spending time with

e tomorrow night, but I was also anxious to find out the truth about

her.

is an undercover agent, I’ll have my fun with her before I dispose of her. Maybe this Cris and Jack will join me.

I sighed. But waking up beside her every morning would make me so happy.

I clicked on my laptop so I could skim through the CCTV footage of my office, but I was interrupted by Abigail’s voice from the intercom

“Mayor Cohen, Mrs. Lowell is here to see you.”

I closed my laptop. I’ll look through it later.

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