Total pages in book: 238
Estimated words: 231781 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1159(@200wpm)___ 927(@250wpm)___ 773(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 231781 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1159(@200wpm)___ 927(@250wpm)___ 773(@300wpm)
Depositing her next to Mrs. Crist, Michael’s mother took her other hand, standing in solidarity.
Evans spit out blood and then stood up straight, fixing his tie and drawing in a deep breath. “That was always the real problem with you boys,” Evans said. “No matter how smart you could be or how many occasions you proved yourselves shrewd and clever players, you ultimately always resorted to violence.” He shifted his gaze from Michael to Will, Will’s threat to tie him up still hanging in the air. “You never could keep your attention focused on the long game, could you? Friends and girls were more important, and the immediate gratification was what mattered most, when you should’ve always realized that you could trust no one. Crists don’t build.” He looked to Michael. “We win.”
And they were going to win, too. We were vastly outnumbered. Evans and Martin could ship us all to Blackchurch tonight.
“Take your grandfather, for example,” he told Will. “No grudges, because we’re not friends. We gain more this way. Together, we bought time to delay your resort project.”
“His grandfather?” Kai repeated.
And just then, a puff of smoke drifted into the air, and we all looked through the cops to see Senator Grayson pushing off a ticket booth and strolling forward as he smoked a cigar.
I locked my jaw.
He wore a black, three-piece suit with a light blue shirt and the gold chain of a pocket watch draped over his vest.
I’d actually never seen him in real life before, which wasn’t a feat, since he lived in D.C. almost around the clock for the past twenty years.
But I recognized him immediately.
He stopped behind Evans, drawing a puff off his cigar again, his cool expression unfazed.
Shit. I glanced to Will at my side, the stoic look on his face making me more nervous. If William Grayson, Sr. was here, in person, this was bad.
We were all going to Blackchurch.
Or worse.
“You two?” Michael asked, realization dawning.
“Old timers…” Damon stepped forward. “You’ll be dead before we will. Step down with dignity.”
“Calm down,” Kai grit out.
“Fuck calm,” he barked. “I got rid of my parents, now they both do their part. Step up and deal with this, or else I’m ready to go Children of the Corn on this town.”
I walked toward Senator Grayson a few steps. “You put Will in Blackchurch?”
“Mmm…”
My stomach coiled tightly as Evans grinned. I could see where Michael got his smile.
They were a team? They got rid of Will together?
“You bastards,” Michael said.
Evans glanced over his shoulder at the senator. “You’ve been called worse.”
“I have,” he joked.
“I’m glad you came to me when you did,” Evans said, turning back around, but still speaking to Senator Grayson. “I’m glad we could help each other.”
“Me, too,” Mr. Grayson said. “I learned a great deal.”
“He’s your grandson,” I argued. “Why?”
The senator looked past me to Will. “He knows why.”
I felt Will approach my side, he and his grandfather locked in a stare. “Because I liked my parties,” Will said.
Mr. Grayson nodded. “You lack moderation, yes.”
“And because I was going nowhere.”
“And quite fast, too.”
Will moved toward his grandfather slowly, the other man walking to meet him.
“Because I needed time to think,” Will guessed.
“I hope you got it.”
“And because I’m weak.”
“As a kitten,” the senator teased.
Will cocked his head, and Mr. Grayson rolled his eyes. “A puppy.”
Will stared at him.
“Okay, a small dog,” the senator offered, placating his grandson.
I studied them, their banter almost warm. What was going on?
“Because I’m wild,” Will cooed.
And Senator Grayson smiled, approaching his grandson. “Oh, beyond belief.”
“And because I was an embarrassment.”
Mr. Grayson peered at Will, his eyes thinning in skepticism. “Never,” he answered.
I exhaled. “Then why did you put him in Blackchurch?”
For the fucking money? For the resort? To trip up Graymor Cristane? Why?
Senator Grayson smiled, looking lovingly at his grandson. “Because he asked me to,” he said.
And Will broke out into a chuckle, both of them with the same bright green eyes as they dove in and embraced each other, laughing and smiling as they hugged.
My stomach dropped. What?
“What the hell?” Damon snapped.
Evans’s face fell, watching the two men.
Will asked him to send him to Blackchurch? What?
“Missed you,” Will said to his grandpa.
Senator Grayson held Will’s face, taking him in after such a long time apart. “Missed you, too, kid.”
Will
Present
I hugged Grandpa again, inhaling the scent of cigar and aftershave. Pain stretched my throat as I held my relief in check. Fuck, I’d missed him.
“What the hell is going on?” Damon snapped.
“Will!” Banks yelled next.
I pulled back from my grandpa, his presence always a comfort. Always.
He was a constant. As reliable as the tide, and even if I doubted whatever I was doing, I never doubted him. He was always right.
“You were gone too long,” he told me.
“I know.” I let him go. “We have lots to talk about.”