Chapter Two Hundred Fifty-Nine
Adrik
We set a meeting with the people organizing in the different areas of the city that we knew about so far. Since Armando was at his house, I had everyone come to the building to make it easier. I regularly met with groups of people from all areas of the city, so it wouldn’t raise suspicion. It wasn’t the same as having known drug dealers walk into the building to meet with me. After the meeting, we had planned to go to the house. I knew the guys were just as stressed as I was. Being away from everything, if only for the weekend, helped everyone relax to make it through the week.
The meeting went well and Sephie was happy with the people that showed up as well. “It’s obvious the people love you. It’s always been obvious to me. You’re so popular that I still can’t believe I’d never heard of you before the night I first met you at the restaurant. Not once did any of the other bosses mention you when they were meeting at the restaurant,” she said. We were in the backseat, on the way to the house.
“I do try to stay as anonymous as possible. The other bosses wouldn’t necessarily need to mention me unless there was a problem. That’s why I showed up that night,” I said.
“Was it just Anthony’s side hustle or was there something more?” she asked me, as curious as always.
“That and I was already hearing rumors of increased taxes in a few areas of town. Not as bad as it is now, even. Anthony made sure that conversation didn’t happen, so the bosses took advantage and raised taxes on everyone quickly.”
“At least the people are smart enough to know it wasn’t you. Now they know they can count on you to help solve the issue, too.” She leaned her head on my shoulder. “You’re a good King,” she said wistfully.
Our conversation on the way to the house made me start to wonder if Anthony had been put up to doing what he did that night at the restaurant specifically so I wouldn’t call the other bosses out about raising taxes. They couldn’t have known I would come to Sephie’s defense. I’d never shown any favor to any woman in public, well, ever. At this point, I was starting to question everything and everyone around me.
night, I brought it up to Sephie again. “How well
‘my son is about your age’ and then he’d tell me what his son did or was going
me or not.”
son,” I said. I hadn’t given it much thought, but
me and scrunched
help but laugh. I never had to question her love for me. I would be more worried about her leaving me for one of the guys than I ever would about her leaving me for someone else. And I never
for years now. Armando still has some self-respect and tries to keep in shape. He looks good for
than I am,” I
how long has he been a
related to business. He handed everything over to Armando when he
or worse job than that guy?” she asked, settling in. She rested her chin on my chest,
as you know. Overall, he’s tried to win the favor of the people in his area. He’s quite generous, has
after you did?” she asked. I could see her mind trying to make a connection, but I wasn’t exactly sure where she was going
stayed quiet, curious where her mind was going. I also loved watching her when she was deep in thought. It was almost
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XdL2uprXS+iqmkzekKDXClejfACGOorjtE+zd3/lqWbRB271J3JUSFM/xMTK9pUt
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