Page 27 of The Crownless King
Levi closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Getting mad at his friend for giving him the truth would just prove Sebastian’s point. Instead of saying anything else, he went behind his desk and booted his computer. Whether or not he’d be able to concentrate enough to get work done still remained to be seen.
On paper, Levi ran a successful import and export business. A trucking company and freighter line were a part of that business and the logistics needed his full concentration. He had Bayi who took care of the more mundane tasks, but a lotstill fell onto his plate. Blocking out his friend’s presence, he forced his mind to concentrate. He lost track of time, but Lucas standing in front of his desk caught his attention.
“What?”
“Governor’s here.”
Levi frowned. “The fuck does he want?”
He went through the million and one balls in the air to determine which ones would get the attention of Georgia’s governor but was drawing a blank. Wiping a hand down his face, he leaned back in his chair.
“Fuck it. Let him in.”
From the moment the older male approached in his double-breasted suit and a haughty expression, Levi was reminded of what business they had together. The governor of the fair state of Georgia liked to gamble, and as Levi controlled most of the illegal spots in the city to do so, the governor owed him a lot of money.
Lucas shook his head.‘He finna piss you off,’his friend warned.
‘I’m already knowing,’Levi said, leaning back in his chair. “I assume you came all the way here from the capital building to pay me my money,” he said aloud.
“I need more time,” Kelvin explained.
There was not enough fear in the male’s face for Levi’s liking, which meant the man thought he had something on Levi. Big mistake. He didn’t invite the governor to sit, instead making Kelvin stand in front of his desk.
“Time, huh?”
“I could have your whole operation shut down, you know. They’re calling you ‘The Mad King’ these days. You need me as your ally.”
The governor’s false bravado pissed him off and since he couldn’t take his anger out on Amaya, this male was the next best thing. Levi left his chair and walked around his desk, sitting on the edge.
“That’s the route you wanna go with this?”
“I’m… I’m just saying this relationship is mutually beneficial. I allow you to run your businesses with no obstruction from law enforcement.”
He caught the governor’s gaze and pushed his power into the male, taking satisfaction when Kelvin’s gaze went slack. Levi beckoned him closer, the governor’s steps choppy since his movement was all involuntary. Through the male’s panicked gaze, Levi felt him fighting through his power, which…
Foolish.
He brought the male closer, making him fall to his knees in front of him. Growing out a claw, Levi gripped the governor’s throat tighter, releasing Kelvin from his thrall. Fear had the man’s breathing rapid and his pulse elevated. Levi took pleasure in his terror.
“You run this state because I allow it, not the other way around. Don’t ever forget that shit.” Levi pressed his nail into the male’s skin, hunger rising at the blood sliding slowly down Kelvin’s neck.
“I don’t have the money,” the governor whispered.
Levi growled in irritation. It wasn’t like he needed the money. And truthfully, the governor owing him was worth more.But the very fact that Kelvin had swaggered his trifling ass into his office made Levi want to prove a point.
‘You can’t kill the governor in the office,’was Lucas’s bored warning.
Levi smirked with his fangs extended, making Kelvin pale.‘I can do what the fuck I want,’he reminded his friend.
Lucas snorted.‘Fine, but I don’t want to hear shit when they send the police to harass you for months about it.’
Levi sighed because Lucas was right. They wouldn’t arrest him, but the ensuing trouble wouldn’t be worth it. He had bigger plans either way. He released the male and stepped back around his desk.
“You have two days.”
“And then?”
“And then I take it from your life insurance policy.” Sitting down, Levi studied the trembling male. “Or…”
