Page 54 of Royal Pain

“The Elite. The elite what?” I snickered. “Assholes? This council who runs the little world in the community?”

“You can’t understand how powerful they are.” He was nervous, heading to the bar. His hand was shaking and I allowed him to make a drink so he’d calm down and hopefully spill his guts.

I also ensured he noticed my gun sticking out the front of my trousers. He studied it for a few seconds before lifting his gaze.

“What I can understand is that they think they are gods. In the process, they kidnapped a little boy from his grandparents and his mother. It was done on purpose. You were told to enlist the help of Heidi and her bunch of witch friends. Yes?”

“Don’t let Evangeline’s father fool you. He’s one of them.”

That didn’t strike me with any level of shock. I’d suspected as much. I had a feeling Evangeline had shut down the concept in her attempt at believing her parents were totally good. “Her mother?”

“She’s just another pawn, for God’s sake. They pick women who eventually won’t fight back or if they do, something is held over their heads. Like Evangeline was with her mother. They will stop at nothing to get what they want.”

“You knew about the divorce.”

His sigh was heavy. “Yes, but I couldn’t understand why they let her go in the first place. It doesn’t happen. Unless people disappear.”

At least he’d confirmed what I’d suspected.

“Where do you come into play with this?”

He took a long swig of his drink, half laughing and half choking. “Like I said, you don’t get to leave the society. If you are allowed for any reason, you owe them bigtime. I had payments that had to be made. Luring Evangeline here was an easy one. A vacation. Her friend’s bachelorette party. It fit right in with her social media profession. But they want more. Blood.”

“Blood, huh. Well, I’m out for blood too. Who’s the fucking leader of this cult?”

He laughed. There were even beads of sweat rolling down the side of his face.

“Talk to me. Now.”

“Heidi’s father! He’s always been in charge. His name is Dreyfuss Winston.”

“How could Evangeline not know?” I was musing more to myself.

“Are you kidding me? The man is the best well-kept secret in all of New England. I think there are other cults who worshipthe man and what’s he’s been able to accomplish. He uses his minions to do the dirty work, sitting back and enjoying the spoils of war.”

“Much like a mafia organization.”

“Very much so but get this. Most crime syndicates are afraid of the man and the group within this community. The council members could make a phone call and lives are destroyed. The bastards tout the area is free of crime. Yeah, right. They create their own rules.”

At least now I knew what I was up against. I was a little surprised he was being so forthcoming but I had a feeling he’d been burned more than once.

“Where would they take the kid?”

He appeared more nervous than ever. “That I can’t be certain and I swear to God, I really didn’t know all the details of what they had planned.”

“What about your nephew? Is that why you were given some leeway?”

After taking a huge swallow of his drink, he nodded. “Yes, but that adds pressure. My nephew is going to be someone within the group. Do you understand?”

I think I did.

“Fine, Christopher. I know you’re going to tell the powers that be I was here. I have no issue with that. You will also give them a message for me. I’m coming for them. And they won’t know how or when but I will bring down the wrath of God when I do.” I powered back a good portion of my drink before slamming theglass down onto the bar. As I headed toward the door, I heard him mumbling something. What did I care?

“Heed my warning, Gage. They are more powerful than you think they are.”

My turn to laugh. “So am I.”

CHAPTER 15

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