Page 106 of New Storm Rising
“Err…um…”
“Because if youweren’tplanning on doing that, I know one group of people who might be rather upset.”
“R-really? Who?”
Mr Ambrose’s one-word reply was like a sledgehammer, threatening to squash all hopes of a politician.
“Voters.”
With a flick of his wrist, a sheet of paper appeared in Mr Rikkard Ambrose’s hand. A moment later, it landed on the desk, displaying a list of names. A long one.
“This petition has been signed by over three hundred inhabitants of this community. They request that you put your all into driving that scum out of your beautiful little town and make certain justice is delivered to the ringleaders.” His finger moved along the list, tapping the names one by one. “Last time I checked, this country had a quaint little custom called ‘democracy’. Maybe things have changed since last I visited, but I wonder what the people who signed this petition will do when the next election comes around…”
Señor Velazquez gulped once more. To judge by the look on his face, he didn’t need to wonder. Jack, Nelly and the other townspeople had formed a line behind Mr Ambrose by then, and their expressions didn’t promise a more prosperous future for the mayor. And as for my dear husband…
His face was the most handsome ever. In a way that could scare the pants off people. I didn’t know how he managed to pull off both of those things at the same time without moving a single muscle on his face, but he did.
“Now, mayor, you have a decision to make. Do you wish to do the popular thing? Follow the will of the people? Or will you go against the very individuals who have power over your future? Will you go…” Leaning forward another inch, he nailed the mayor to his chair with an icy glare. “…againstme?”
Mayor Velazquez quivered in his seat. His mouth opened to speak, and—
Bam!
“Bastardo!” Turning around, I caught sight of De Ravera and De La Fuente, standing in the doorway, heaving in fury. The poor door seemed to have had enough of the rough treatment and had disintegrated into splinters. Judging by the expression on the two Spaniards’ faces, they were planning on doing the same to the rest of the room, including its occupants. Then he caught sight of my dear hubby. “You! You are still alive?”
Mr Ambrose cocked his head. “Apparently.”
De Ravera’s face twisted into a sneer. “And after daring to show your face here, you sink you’ll remain sat way?”
“That is the plan, yes.”
“Well…” Eyes narrowing, the Spanish nobleman raised his hand. “Sen we shall have to change sat plan, won’t we?”
And he snapped his finger.
Bam!
The second door, behind the desk, flew open, revealing the figures of three thugs armed with clubs and revolvers. More men, having scaled the side of the building with a knotted rope, climbed onto the balcony, their eyes filled with murderous intent.
Oh yes.I nodded to myself.My dear husband’s plan is going off without a hitch. He’s truly a genius, isn’t he?
“You dare storm the mayor’s office with armed men?” Mr Ambrose’s eyes narrowed. “You dare threaten innocent citizens of this town?”
Odd.
I frowned. Of course De Ravera was doing it! Weren’t my dear husband’s eyes working? They were right here in front of us! Why…why did it sound as if he was saying those words merely for the sake of saying them?
My eyes narrowed.
What was going on?
“Dare? Dare? Of course I dare!” De Ravera laughed. “Sis office is ours! Se mayor is ours! Se whole town is ours! And if anyone dares to object to sis, we shall cut sem down where dey stand. Wearesis town!”
“Ah.” I nodded. “So that’s why you’re so fat. Enough space for all the houses, eh?”
The Spaniard’s face turned an interesting shade of violet. “You…you…bruja maldita! Espawn of hell! You…!”
The rest of his sentence descended into unintelligible profanities, his face turning darker and darker.
