“Not right now. I got something to handle for your grandfather. But I love you.” I hugged him again.
“Love you too, Dad.”
“Thank you, Vegas,” Consuela said softly.
I looked at both of them and said, “Don’t worry. It’s all going to work out for all of us.”
KD
48
“And so, I’d like to thank you all for coming here tonight, and for your support over the years. I’ve enjoyed representing this great state up in D.C. and working hard beside our fine president to make America great again. But now it’s time to rid the statehouse of the corruption, outrageous overspending, and the kiss-ass policies toward immigration—which is why, tonight, I’m announcing that I’m throwing my hat into the ring to become the next governor of New Mexico. I’m gonna make sure nobody gets in here that ain’t supposed to be here!”
The room erupted in applause, and the band began playing “Born in the USA.” Wesley walked through the crowd, shaking hands and giving hugs. It was very clear why we’d been gathered here. If Wesley was running for governor, he was gonna need money. Based on the reaction to his announcement, he would have no problem getting it.
“Wesley Bell, governor of New Mexico. How ’bout that, Daddy?” Tyler gave me a knowing smile. One thing was for damn sure: if he won, he would definitely be one of the most powerful allies in my corner and good for business.
“Sounds like music to my ears. His ass got my vote, or at least the ones I plan on buying, since technically I’m not from New Mexico,” I said with a hearty laugh.
“Well, we got something else to tell you that I think you’ll be happy about.”
From the way Tyler was grinning, I just knew he was about to tell me that Duncan’s plane had crashed and LC and his brats were dead. I prepared myself to hear the great news.
“What’s that, son?”
He pulled Elizabeth into his arms and held her close to him. “Lizbeth and I are getting married. She’s moving into the house.”
“Well, now, that’s wonderful news.” I was a little stunned; nevertheless, I was happy for my son. He’d been a man-whore long enough, and it was time for him to settle down with the right woman and give me some grandkids to carry on my legacy. Besides, I liked Elizabeth. She was smart, sexy as hell, and knew how to keep her damn mouth shut.
“Congratulations, you two. I’m happy for you. For both of you. Welcome to the family, Lizbeth.”
“Thank you, KD.” She hugged me, and though it was hard, I tried not to enjoy the feeling of her melon-sized breasts against me. After all, she was about to be my daughter-in-law.
“Tyler, you made a fine choice. I’m proud of you.” I grinned. “Go grab us some champagne so we can have a proper toast.”
“We’ll be right back,” Tyler said as they walked away hand in hand.
I sat alone at the table, observing everyone and everything around me, until I was surprisingly joined by Leo Greer. He took the seat beside me.
“Leo, I wasn’t expecting you to be here. I thought you’d be with your daughter. How is she anyway?”
“She was doing fine until last night.” Greer’s voice was as serious as his face.
“I’m sorry to hear that. What exactly is the problem?” If his daughter wasn’t well, what the hell was he doing in New Mexico? He sure took this political shit seriously.
He looked around at all the people in the crowd. “Can we step outside for a moment?”
We got up and walked into the lobby of the hotel to find a spot where no one could hear our conversation.
“I came to see you. I need to talk to you about my daughter.”
“You’re not blaming your daughter being sick on us, are you?” Even though no one was nearby, I lowered my voice. “’Cause we busted our asses to get you that blood. That girl looked like a walking corpse after we drained her. You got what you needed, right?” I asked him.
“I’m not blaming you at all. The blood transfusion saved her life, but I’m finding out now it was just a temporary fix,” he said.
“Shit, I’m sorry to hear that.”
He was tearing up again. “Yeah, the prognosis isn’t good, but there’s still some hope.”
“I’m sure glad to hear that,” I said.
Greer stared at me and said, “I need that girl. The one that’s a perfect match?”
“I don’t know if that’s possible, Leo. She’s in pretty bad shape to be honest with you.” I hated to hear that this was happening to Greer’s daughter, but I needed to be honest and let him know what he was up against.
“But she’s alive?”
I shook my head, unwilling to tell him she was with LC Duncan. “I guess, if you wanna call it that. The girl looks like a living corpse. We couldn’t drain enough blood outta her to fill a Band-Aid right now.”
“You’re not hearing what I’m saying. My daughter’s in organ failure and will need a liver and possibly a heart. I ain’t asking for more blood. I want the girl.”
I was so stunned by what he was suggesting that I needed to sit down on the cushioned bench against the wall. “Do you know what happened the last time I helped someone like this? What you’re asking me to do landed my ass in jail. I took the fucking fall for everyone. No one went down for that shit but me, and I wasn’t the only one involved.”
“So I’ve been told. But this is my daughter we’re talking about, and I got way more resources than the person you helped, and you know it. I promise you won’t be going anywhere you don’t wanna go,” Greer insisted. “I’ll pay whatever. Do whatever.”
“You already owe me a favor,” I reminded him.
“True, but I’m a man who likes to get what he wants. You seem to be the same.”
“There’s a lot of truth to
