Page 72 of Faded Gray Lines
We danced so close there was no beginning to her and no end to me. We danced like we did the night of her prom, filled with hope for a future together that would never come. We danced until her brother reluctantly cut in to take her to say hello to a family from their old neighborhood who’d apparently gained enough zeros in their bank account to warrant an invitation.
“Do you mind?” Brody asked, a strange respect on his face.
Brody Harcourt had never challenged my authority over him. I had his respect from day one concerning the cartel. However, something had changed, and if I didn’t know better, I’d swear I’d earned it for being with his sister. Which didn’t make sense when he’d spent the last six days threatening to cut off my dick if I laid a hand on her.
“It’s fine. I’ll find something to occupy my time.”
That something wasn’t hard to find.
Lilith Harcourt Donovan stood by the makeshift stage, her bright beaded dress calling to me from across the room like a disco ball from the depths of hell. I wanted to get her alone all night, but every time I took a step out of the shadows, some asshole waving a check in one hand and a drink in the other stole my opportunity. However, as she stared at the teleprompter, mouthing the words to her speech, I knew both our times had come.
“Fabulous party,” I said, leaning over her shoulder. She jumped, letting out a surprised yelp as she folded her hand over her chest.
“Thank you. I always love to hear from the community I represent. However, if you’ll excuse me, I have a speech to prepare for.”
“Oh, I’m not one of your constituents, Mayor Donovan. In fact, I don’t even live in this country anymore, much less your city or state. But I bet the ones who are here would love to get their hands on the scandal you’ve been hiding.”
She sighed, folding her arms across her chest in defeat. “If it’s about my daughter’s dirty little secret, you can save your breath. I already know.”
Shit!Did she know about Leighton and Luis? Or even worse, did she know about Leighton and the DEA? For a woman whose child was being blackmailed with a murder charge to infiltrate the darkest side of Houston, Lilith Donovan seemed to swat the revelation away like an annoying gnat.
Still, after what I’d seen tonight, I wouldn’t put anything past these people.
“Actually, this has nothing to do with your daughter. But speaking of dirty little secrets, maybe you can shed some light on one of yours.” It took less than ten seconds for me to pull my phone from my pocket, hold it in front of her face, and play the video I’d loaded onto it in all its pornographic glory.
Her hand flew to her mouth. “Oh my God.”
“Mayor Donovan, that is one uncompromising position you’re in.” Tilting my head, I grimaced at their sudden awkward position. “And dangerous too. That could break a hip at your age.”
From the way her mouth tightened up like an uncooperative asshole, I knew I’d hit her where it hurt. She was more furious over my insult than the tape being in my possession.
She cleared her throat, moving in front of me to block any curious onlookers. “Where did you get that?”
For half a second, I considered telling her just to see how she’d react, but I decided against it. My best defense was a carefully constructed offense. I held all the cards and she knew it.
“Don’t worry about where I got it,” I said, maintaining an air of indifference. “I suggest you worry more about what your donors would think about their mayor being in bed with the cartel she claims to despise so much.”
Her green eyes blazed with fire. “You wouldn’t dare.”
“Don’t test me, mayor. I’ve had a bitch of a day, so why don’t you start talking and maybe I’ll consider not ruining your little party.”
Her earlier panic settled into a sheet of ice. Any heated emotion evaporated, leaving only a political puppet mouthing meaningless words. Waving a hand in my face, she pushed my phone down and glared at the teleprompter. “That’s nothing. Anything can be photoshopped.”
“You’re telling me this is a fake?”
“Of course it is. Don’t be naïve,” she mocked. “Besides, what business is it of yours anyway? You have some nerve coming into my party and threatening me with this fabricated piece of garbage. I don’t know who you are, but by the looks of you, I assume you weren’t invited. Now please leave the premises before I have you escorted out.”
I had to give her points for being fearless. Then deduct them for pissing me off.
“What business is it of mine?” I forced myself to take a slow breath. “Oh, Mrs. Mayor, you see, this is connected to your daughter, and your daughter is very much my business. Can you say the same?”
“I assure you, nothing is more important to me than my family,” she huffed, sticking her chin out and regaining her composure. “If you must know, my daughter and I haven’t exactly been close these last few years. Not by my choice, mind you. I’ve only recently learned of my daughter’s deceit, thanks to my son.”
My head spun with lies and hidden agendas. I wanted to shake her to find out if Brody had sold out his own sister, but I kept my cards close, throwing game changers of my own choosing.
“Well then, tell me, Mayor Donovan, if your daughter is so important to you, it might interest you to know the man who was in possession of this video is dead.”
She placed her hand over her heart, feigning concern. “Oh dear, was it gang related?”
