Page 96 of His Last Shot
“DREW! I knew you would fall for him. You made it so easy, and you’re so unbelievably predictable. He’s your type, after all. Tall, older, handsome, and rich. I told him what to say, what to do to get you to fall for him. And it worked. But the idiot had to screw it up …literallyscrew it up.”
I can’t believe what I’m hearing. My uncle orchestrated my entire relationship with Drew. A tightness builds in my chest, and the panic rises. But somehow, I push it down.
“Why? Why would you do that to me?”
“Why else? To take care of you! Drew is going to take over my empire.”Empire? He can’t be serious right now?“Micah was always too weak, too into Shelby and his cooking. But Drew. Ah, Drew has all the makings. And I need for all of this”—he sweeps his arm over his office—“to stay in the family. Think of it, Rachel. We could expand. Dexter’s could be a national and maybe even a global brand. A perfect house for my operation to thrive under. With Drew at the helm and you by his side, it’s possible.” He’s in front of me now and grabs my biceps. I jump. “All of this can take care of you for the rest of your life. All Johnny can give you is—”
“Love. Johnny gives me love.” He drops his grip on me as he walks away, back toward his desk. “Drew may claim to love me, but he loves himself more. Always has. And I don’t care about this place, Dexter. I care about my life and what I need and want. And if you love me, like you claim to, you would see that Johnny makes me happy. I don’t want anything to do with your global dreams. Count me out.”
He scoffs. “That’s your choice. My plan is going forward, with or without you.” Standing behind his desk, he grabs a picture. I know the one. It’s him, Micah, and me standing at the ocean, the water behind us. Uncle Dexter is in the middle with his arms around both of our shoulders. It was a happier time, full of love and safety. I grimace at the memory.
But now, that’s all gone.
He studies it for a beat or two. His expression softens, then the anguish rolls off of him in waves.
His lip curls. “Johnny needs to pay for what he cost me. So, I’m taking from him what he loves.” He shrugs as he opens his desk drawer and tosses in the frame. “Seems like a fair trade.” He slams it shut. I flinch. “You and Johnny cannot see each other. Ever. And trust me, I will know if you have any contactwith him. You saw the photos. I’m everywhere. If you want to keep his family safe, you know what to do.”
Anger blazes in my head. “I hate you.”
He plops in his chair. “That’s too bad. Because I love you, and I know what’s best for you. Even if you can’t see it yourself.”
Oh, but I’m not done. I approach the desk cautiously. “I could turn you in.” His head snaps up, his eyes narrowing, and a vein throbs in his temple. “The gambling, the tax evasion. I could call the police and let them know. An investigation would start, which would lead to them finding other things, I’m sure. I’ll do it.”
This is it. My Hail Mary pass, my only trump card.
Then he laughs.
Actually laughs.
Shaking his head after composing himself, he points at me. “You are such a stupid little girl, you know that? Do you seriously think the cops don’t know what happens at this place? Or that they aren’t here participating themselves? I have them right where I want them.”
“I’ll go to the FBI then.”
He slams his hands down on his desk. “ENOUGH!”
The outburst causes me to stumble backward. His nostrils flare, a crimson tide flooding his face as his breath hitches in his chest, a barely suppressed snarl forming on his lips.
But then, in a split second, he composes himself. “You know what, do that. Because you will see Micah hauled out of here in handcuffs right along with me.”
My chest tightens at the sound of my brother’s name, and I suck in a sharp breath.Micah’s involved?
Dexter continues. “Micah made some drops for me, some runs, a few years ago when he was trying to save for an engagement ring. And I made sure he got that ring. It was nothing major, but major enough for the Feds. So, you go ahead and call whoever you want to call. But something tells me you won’t do that to your brother. Am I right?” I lower my head and shake it. “And as for me? Well, I can guarantee you I would walk away unscathed. But I can’t say the same for Micah.” He picks up his Mont Blanc and begins writing. “Stay away from Johnny and his family.”
My God, this is far worse than I imagined.He has the cops in his back pocket, and now Micah. There is literally no way out of this.
Resignation settles in my chest with his threat. If I say anything to anyone about Dexter or his so-called empire, my brother will go away for a very long time. If I contact Johnny, Dexter harms his family.
It’s all here.
Johnny stays away from me to protect his family.
I stay away from him to protect mine.
All is lost. Johnny is gone from my life.
“Will you promise not to harm the Givens family and keep Micah out of it if Johnny and I stay apart?”
He nods.
