“Or what? You’ll punch me, kick me, break me? I’m willing to take that, knowing RJ will get double whatever you give me.”

Ramsey clenched his jaw and if I could see his hands, I had no doubt they’d be in fists.

“I always knew you were worthless. I tried with you through the years, but you were a lost cause. Too stupid to live, but I kept you all the same.”

“Gee, thanks, Dad.”

He leaned down and gripped my chin painfully tight. “You think I’ve lost, but I haven’t. This has been years in the making. You think me so dumb—how did I get you away from Saros?”

I couldn’t answer him with his hold on my face, but he wasn’t done talking anyway.

“You kept your cell phone. I tracked you, knew where you were. Waited. Then you went outside, right onto the edge of the forest. It was like the stars aligned. Knocking Saros’s guys out was also too easy. He needs better men.”

Fucking hell.I was an idiot—I’d never thought about my cell phone.

“By the time this day is over, you’ll finally be a burden I can get rid of, and the governor will be in my pocket. I will run not only Eastbury, but all the surrounding areas. And I will enjoy watching Saros lose everything.”

He released my chin and stepped away.

“Saros gave you an hour, Ramsey. Why do you think that is?”

He glared at me. “He has no idea what I have in the works.”

“Or he’s ten steps ahead of you…as usual.”

He raised his fist, ready to hit.

“You sure you want to do that to RJ?”

He grunted and stormed away. He slammed the door, and I got some serious satisfaction from his temper tantrum.

“Damn,” Andre whispered. “He hates you.”

“I’m not sure Ramsey likes anyone, not even himself.”

“RJ, his son, there’s something there.”

I nodded. “Ramsey has tried to shape RJ into someone, but RJ is too reckless, makes mistakes. He’s a project Ramseyinvested in and he can’t get rid of. He cares about RJ as much as a man like that can.”

“I really hope Saros comes through. If he doesn’t, I’m not sure I’m the life in danger here.”

I stared at the clock that hung on the wall. In half an hour it would be an hour. I didn’t know what that meant, but Saros hadn’t thrown that time out for no reason.

“He will. Saros will come.”

“Wish I knew what he wanted with my dad.”

I looked over at Andre. “Not sure I know, either. I mean a pardon from all of this maybe, but that honestly doesn’t make a lot of sense. Having a governor in your back pocket is good, but what is Ramsey going to do? Hold you here forever?”

“I am not staying here forever.”

I wasn’t sure what Ramsey’s plan was with Andre, but I’d make sure that if Saros came for me he saved Andre as well.

“It’s going to work out.”

Andre chuckled darkly. “You so sure of that?”

I closed my eyes and rested my head against the cement wall. “Yeah, Saros will come for us both.”