The phone clicks, and I croon, “Mr. Governor. To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“Manuel Blanco…” Mansur’s mellow brogue rumbles in my ear. “I was upset we didn’t get to chat the other night. You seemed to have your hands full.”
My jaw tics. Clearly, he’s referring to the fact that everyone I was with at the theater was half my age, my own partner included.Like he doesn’t associate with twenty-year-olds…
“Never a dull moment.” I roll my eyes. “You know, I meant to call and congratulate you on your win, but I’ve been just swamped.”
“Yes, well, that’s what I wanted to talk about,” he gets right down to business. “I’m sure you’re aware that the board has been dissolved…”
“What board?” I smirk.
“Cut the shit, Blanco,” he grumbles, and I chuckle. “We’re both too smart to play games.”
“I disagree greatly with that. What about, like, Trivial Pursuit?”
He’s silent for a moment, and I press my lips together to keep from laughing.
“This is a courtesy call,” he goes on, ignoring my wisecracking, “to tell you that I’m watching that island very closely. And I’m watchingyoueven closer.”
“Tax dollars hard at work,” I sigh. “You know I donated to your campaign? Under my assistant’s name. He’s a big fan.”
“I’ll cut you a check right now,” he hisses, though his tone remains professional.
I chuckle some more. “I’m not sure what you think is happening, but I no longer live in New York, nor am I affiliated in any way with that island.”
“Right. Well, be that as it may, I promise you that ifanythinghappens on that island from this point forward… If someone so much as stubs their toe, I’ll be coming for you.”
“That hardly seems necessary, but I appreciate the hyperbole, Governor Mansur.”
“Don’t underestimate me, Ivory,” he murmurs.
“Wouldn’t dream of it. Thank you for the call. I look forward to seeing what sorts of good you do in the wake of someone so bad.”
Disconnecting the call, I toss my phone onto the nearest piece of furniture and sigh, taking a moment to rub my eyes.
Yet another one of these new sheriffs in town, riding in to clean up the streets. I’ve been through many of them, and I’ll be through many more.
I happen to agree with much of what Mansur is doing. That said, he has a bug up his ass about Russo and I don’t blame him. If I have to stay away from New York for a bit, so be it.
Regardless, I know that the Isle won’t be a problem.The new king has her under control.
Brushing it off, I return to my giddy mood from before that call.
I have more important matters to attend to.
“Angelito!” I call out for him. “Will you come down here, please?”
“Hang on!” He shouts from upstairs.
Poor thing. I’ve given him only a few minutes to unpack and decompress from the flight before I’m springing this on him…
I’m seriously hopping, I’m so excited.
Moments later, Angel trots down the stairs, visibly curious. “Qué pasa?”
Taking his hand, I pull him toward the back door. “I have a surprise for you.”
“Ooh, I like the sound of that,” he croons.
