I can’t fucking wait.
The Next Day
We’re all sitting in the main room around the big-screen television waiting for news of the smear campaign to hit. Neon has his laptop in front of us, and so far, it’s reached nearly two million hits online. So, it is being seen, and we’re now waiting for one of the major networks to pick it up.
“Wait! Nessie, turn that up,” I call out as a news flash lights the screen, and we see a giant cowboy hat on that asshole, and he’s being dragged along by the police as I listen to the reporter.
“Houston’s very own billionaire oil tycoon, Tilman Squires, also known locally as ‘Mr. Generous’ to the folks of Houston, has been the focus of an investigation into embezzlement, fraudulent activities, and money laundering from multiple areas of business, government agencies, and even some local society families to get ahead. These allegations were leaked on the internet from multiple unknown sources.
“It seems this was either a joint attack from many different sources on the man commonly called ‘the Baron,’ or a well-placed campaign by a person or persons unknown who wish to remain anonymous. Either way, according to our fact checkers, the information checks out, and it looks like the Baron is now in some murky oil-filled water.
“Squires has been taken into custody pending a hearing. But sources tell us this is an open and shut case with the evidence that has been acquired from the investigation provided by the leak.”
“This is Trisha Simms.
“Back to you in the studio.”
A cheer resounds through the clubhouse.
I pull Prinie onto my lap, kissing her cheek. “Looks like you did it, Neon,” I call out.
“Now, we just have to hope the government hackers don’t trace it back. I’m confident I have covered my bases. I have the routers relocating and looping constantly through an encrypted tunnel on the dark web. There’s a digital footprint, but it will be so confusing, they should be searching forever.”
“Okay, that just went right over my head. Zero’s gonna be proud of you.”
Cherry rushes over to Neon, pulling him into a huge embrace. “He really is. I’m sure this will help mend the bridge between you guys, too.”
Neon’s slightly bearded cheeks sink in as his lips turn upward. “You’re already helping us with that, Cherry. Thanks for trying to mend our friendship.”
In recognition, I dip my head at Neon.
Zero and I had become close, and it was because I needed him, and he helped me. When shit with Neon and Zero was strained because of Neon’s sister and the whole wedding-cheating saga, I was there instead, and in some ways, that forced Neon to the side. But there’s room for more than me in Zero’s life, and he can’t shut Neon out forever because of some shit his sister did. Life’s too fucking short. All of this has shown me that’s for sure.
It’s time to let go of our pasts.
His and mine.
Finley waltzes in with the biggest of fucking grins on her face. We all turn as she throws her hands in the air in celebration. “In light of what’s happened, Zero’s been granted a preliminary hearing. I'm sure by the way I will maneuver the evidence and how the Baron’s falsely accused Zero, he will be coming home without charges being filed.”
Prinie and Cherry burst into tears as the rest of us holler out in celebration.
I dip my chin at Finley, in awe at how she’s managed to pull one over on the Baron. I have no fucking clue how she gathered all this shit, but fuck am I glad she did! “Fin, a word?”
She walks over to me as everyone continues to celebrate around us, and once she’s in front of me, she raises her brow. “Everything okay, Wraith?”
“I gotta know… how did you do all this?”
Her eyes harden. “When Neon told you I hated the Baron, he meant it. I’ve been gathering dirt on him since I was old enough to understand what it meant to have leverage on someone.”
“You and the Baron go back that far?”
She scoffs. “Further… I heard about you guys and his illegitimate son, Chuck. How Cherry was married to him, and she ended up killing hi—”
“How did you—”
“That’s not my point. My point is Chuck isn’t the Baron’s only illegitimate child. He has dozens. And I am one of them.”
I grimace. “Fuck! Sorry.”
She flares her nostrils and breathes out heavily, trying to keep her cool. “It wouldn’t be so bad, the fact he’s my father, but when my mother found out she was pregnant, he tried to force her to have an abortion. My mother wouldn’t, so he attempted to have her killed.”
“Fucking asshole!”
“Mom got away somehow and went into hiding with some family friends. I was born, but he found us when I was five or so…” Her eyes glisten with unshed tears. “Mom didn’t make it.”
“Jesus!”
“When I was old enough to understand what had happened, I became an attorney so I could figure out a way to bring the bastard down. What happened today has been my life-long mission, so thank you for helping me as much as I helped you. I might not have gotten justice for my mother, but seeing that asshole put away for a long, long time is all I need.”
I reach out, wrapping my arms around her body and pull Finlay into a tight embrace. Not a move I would usually do, but it’s warranted right now. “Thanks, Finley. Thank you for putting everything on the line for us… for Zero.”
Prinie steps over,
