“You will never get to fuck me again,” Mom says, baring her teeth.
“The only action you’ll be getting is a cock in the ass in prison,” I taunt. “And I hope they fuck you up so badly you wish you were dead.”
“Can we move this along?” the president says. “We have heard enough. You are officially extradited from the organization and stripped of your elite status, Michael Hearst.” He turns to the guards. “Remove him from the building.”
Drew has a word in his ear, and he nods. “Very well.”
The president holds up a hand, addressing the two guards. “He will remain here until the meeting has concluded, and then you can take him to the dungeon and lock him in one of the holding cells.”
“El Presidente,” a voice I’m familiar with says, and I whip my head around, narrowing my eyes at Denton Mathers. “Permission to approach the council.”
Kai, Rick, Drew, and I exchange concerned looks.
“Yes. Mr. Mathers,” the president says, wiggling his fingers at him.
I smirk as Denton makes his way to the stage with an obvious limp, feeling a surge of pride knowing I have caused him pain. He flashes me a wicked look, and I stare right through him, refusing to let him intimidate me.
“I’m sure you are as keen as the rest of the members to salvage the meeting and achieve the purpose we set out to achieve here today.”
“Spit it out, man,” the president says, his impatience showing as he coughs into his handkerchief again. I’m close enough this time to see the speckles of blood coating the white linen, and if we had any doubt, it’s now gone.
“I would like to propose an alternate candidate,” Denton says. “None of the other candidates here today received the minimal eligible votes, but we have a candidate in our midst who has earned the respect and trust of his fellow members the right way. I feel completely confident that this man is the man to lead the organization into the next era of prosperity.”
He shoots me a sly look as footsteps resonate behind him.
This won’t be happening. But we’ll let them continue their charade.
He hands a sheet of paper to the president. “I believe the paperwork is in order with a nominator and a second supporter, which is all that is needed to formally announce Christian Montgomery as a viable candidate for president.” His smug expression grows more confident. “Shall we take a vote?”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
The president inspects the paperwork as another council member calls Christian to the stage.
“Standby, Xavier,” I murmur.
Christian shoots me a gleeful look as he steps up onto the podium, flanked by Trent.
“No one can save you now,” Trent whispers in my ear. “As soon as my father is declared president, we can do with you as we please.” He glares at Kai. “A stupid piece of paper won’t protect you. You will not be leaving here with him.”
That’s what you think.
I tug on Kai’s hand, when a growl rips from the back of his throat, and urge him to ignore Trent and not rise to the bait.
“The paperwork is in order,” the president announces. “And we will take a vote.”
It’s ridiculous how easy it is to nominate a candidate for the presidency. Drew had explained this before. The hard part is gaining support, and that’s why most don’t offer themselves up as candidates unless they are willing to work their butts off on their campaigns.
“Excuse me,” I say, keeping hold of Kai as I angle in closer to the president. “We object.”
Christian barks out a laugh, and Denton smirks.
“Young lady, I believe you’ve had your say,” the president says, shooting me an irritated look before he glances at his guards. “You can escort everyone off the stage back to their seats.”
“He poisoned you!” I blurt before anyone can remove me. I hear Drew instructing Xavier to play the recording through the earpiece. Kai hands me the medical report, and I thrust it at the president. “It’s all in that report, signed by Dr. Collingsworth, the most senior doctor on your payroll in the medical wing.”
The recording starts up at that very moment. “Listen to what he has to say,” I implore the president, turning around to watch the doctor on the screen. We debated having him come here in person to make his statement, but it was too risky.
“Mr. President. I wish to make a statement to you and the authorities,” the doctor says, “who have just now received a copy of this recording along with a number of files confirming criminal activities of several of your members.”
