Black
It felt like Quill and I had just closed our eyes before someone, and likely a very dead someone, came barreling into the room.
“Black,” Steve yelled as he turned the light on. Quill whimpered and pulled the comforter over his head.
“Why the hell are you barging in here at…?” The clock on my phone read nine. “Oh. Well, what is it?”
Steve went to the bedside table, opened the drawer, and took out the remote. “Look!”
The TV came to life, and live and in HD stood Bartholomew Sterling behind a podium. A press conference was well under way, but the caption on the screen made it feel like lava was coursing through my veins. “Bartholomew Sterling Announces His Run For Mayor of Haven Hart.”
“I wanted to give the good people of Haven Hart a gift this Christmas and while I will of course do my usual charities, I wanted to get into a seat where I could begin to spread this good cheer through the government,” Bartholomew said.
“Are you saying being mayor is only a stepping stone for you, Mr. Sterling?” a reporter asked.
“I’d say so, Cindy. I often am asked to please help make Haven Hart better. It’s fallen into such despair, well hidden by the Hart family for sure, but while you can paint over a crappy foundation, it’s still going to crumble eventually. We need more than Band-Aid solutions and I want to help make this city strong again. And who knows, maybe bring it all the way to the White House.”
“Doesn’t that say a lot,” Quill said softly. “Charges against his son would taint his election.”
“It has to be even more than that. Bartholomew would throw his son under a bus and claim he had the balls to do what was right for the city no matter the pain it’s caused his bloodline,” I said, gritted my teeth as I spoke.
“Has everyone seen this?” I asked Steve.
“They are all meeting in Mr. Manos’ study in thirty minutes.”
I dismissed Steve, and Quill and I hurried to dress and get downstairs. We weren’t the last to arrive, but Christopher, Snow, and even Poe were there. I didn’t know if he stayed the night or not. Seeing as we had been at Christopher’s at three in the morning, I chose the former.
“Morning, Black. By the anger rippling from your presence, I take it you’ve seen the news?” Poe asked as he sipped what looked like tea.
“I’m surprised you’re not more upset. He tore Haven Hart apart.”
He shrugged. “Politicians often fabricate the truth, twist the ropes and such. Not surprising. It’s been a tactic many mayors, congressmen, senators, and such have used. But while we all were sleeping, I took it upon myself to have some people dig in the vaults. I felt we were running out of time and, well, they found something.”
Maggie came in with more coffee and danishes. We all settled in and listened while Poe explained what he had found.
“Bartholomew Sterling is the son of one Gregor Sterling. Gregor sadly passed away a few years ago, suspiciously so, it seems. I don’t know if Gregor had inclinations his grandson was going to be a less than stellar citizen or if he knew his son went through money like water, but he made his wishes air tight.” Poe handed me a file and a duplicate looking one to Christopher.
“A trust fund was set up for Ronald with a very interesting clause.”
We all read in silence. Quill gasped, getting to it before me, clearly.
“That’s right, Quill,” Poe said. “On Ronald’s thirtieth birthday, he will be able to access his trust fund. The grand number is seventy-five million dollars.” He chuckled darkly. “Ronald turns thirty next year. The stipulation being Ronald isn’t convicted of any, and I mean any, crimes.”
Poe handed Christopher and me another piece of paper. “Just in time, too, because Bartholomew Sterling is just about bankrupt.”
“Holy shit,” Quill said loudly with a chuckle.
“Wait, what happens to the money if Ronald is found guilty and loses his trust fund?” Christopher asked a great question I bet I knew the answer to.
“Ahh yes, and so that circle is complete.” He gestured to Gregor’s will. “Read on.”
We did, things about boats and such, and then there it was.
“Everything gets handed to the Hart family to disburse to families in need all over the city?” I couldn’t believe it even as I said it out loud. “That’s why Bartholomew wants to take down the Hart family, and Quill. Both are road blocks to him getting that money.”
“Bingo!” Poe pointed at me like I guessed the winning answer.
“Do you agree that the case has been proven, Poe, that the Sterlings are hurting this city and your beloved Hart heir?” Quill asked, and a brief darkness shadowed Poe’s face at the word beloved.
“I would say so, Quill.”
“I no longer have need to get into your precious vaults, Poe, but Quill’s hearing is fast approaching.”
All eyes were on Quill.
“I can stay here if it’s okay with Mr. Manos…”
“It’s fine with him,” Snow interrupted, earning a few laughs.
“Okay, then that’s settled. You have the Christmas ball with Lana tonight. Go, maybe you’ll see him there and can intimidate him with your presence.”
I had forgotten about the ball, damn.
“It will be great, Black. Quill and I are gonna play with his kitty and talk. I will keep him busy. It seems to be what I do when your men get their men into trouble.” Snow lifted a silvery white eyebrow.
I knew he was referring to Teddy when Riordan had done the whole fake death thing. He stayed here and Snow wasn’t very keen on giving Riordan a second chance on Teddy’s behalf.
When Riordan had told me he wanted to get Teddy back and his plan on embarrassing himself at Fredrick’s Park in a huge pink bunny costume, I thought he was insane, but I helped him anyway. Looking over at Quill, I wondered if I would do something like that for him.
“It’s settled then,” Quill said, shaking me out of my daydream.
“He’s got to be getting desperate,” Christopher said. “If the hearing is so close, he will want Quill to drop the charges or not show up. He’d settle for either.”
“Why not just drop the charges?” Jaclyn asked from her spot near the window.
“Because it’s the stipulation for him not getting that money. If he dies, it goes to Bartholomew according to this will. If he’s convicted, it goes to the Hart family,” Poe answered her.
“Gotta say, I’m surprised dear old dad hasn’t killed his son,” Quill muttered.
“It would shroud his family in doubt. Bartholomew isn’t a stupid man. He has a stupid son however, and while his son’s murder could now conceivably earn him pity votes and secure the money, it would be too easy for him. He may be readying for a plan B.” Poe sat beside Steve as he finished his tea. “Come next week, if those charges aren’t dropped, we very well may find Ronald’s dead body on the news.”
“Who do you think hired Dylan, Bartholomew or Ronald?” Snow asked.
“The who doesn’t matter, it was likely a last-ditch effort. So things are going to be dangerous for the next forty-eight hours. If Quill is staying here, keep this place on lockdown,” Poe said as he turned to Christopher and Snow. “Where’s Simon?”
“He and his friend CeCe are on a school trip, some nature’s classroom thing. He left last night after school. He’s set to return Sunday afternoon, so this needs to be done before he returns,” Christopher ordered.
We all went about the day coming up with plans and plans for our plans. Christopher Manos worked a lot like I did in the fact he like alphabet plans. B, C, D, and so on.
It was five o’clock when Quill told me I had to get ready. Steve had run out to get my suit, and I dressed while Quill lay on the bed watching me.
“I’m going to be fine. Even if anyone got in here, Snow is terrifying.” He chuckled, but I was having a hard time finding it humorous.
“When this is all over, I’m teaching you self-defense. I see you as a survivor, not a victim, believe that, but you need to know how to defend yourself.”
Quill sat up, feet tucked under his butt, hands on either side of his legs. With his head cocked to the right, he looked so young, but there was a determination in his gaze that made my dick come alive.
“Thought you said when this was over, we were over?”
Ahh… “I don’t know I have a choice in the matter anymore, Quill.” I slipped my jacket on and walked toward the bed. As soon as I was close enough, Quill lifted, wrapping his arms around my neck.
“How’s that?”
“My head and my heart are joining forces. They’re unstoppable beasts.”
He chuckled into my kiss and took it so slow. I hated leaving him tonight to deal with this ball, but understood the need to be seen. To show Bartholomew I was unaffected by his stupid attempts. Not to mention, Lana would be so sad to miss it.
It was going to be a long night. But if it went the way I hoped, it would be the beginning of the end for the Sterling family.