The Almighty Dominance

The governors sat in the chamber, the large screen still glowing from the online session.

Alfred Kingston's chair was empty-he had walked out mid-meeting, leaving the feed running but showing nothing.

The governors who remained pressed on with the agenda.

"If Alfred leaves Los Angeles," one voice broke the silence, "who takes his seat as governor?"

Eyes shifted across the screen, suspicion hanging thick in the air.

Jose leaned forward. "It's obvious. The leader of the rebellion should become governor. The people choose him."

He'd been made governor by a rebellion once himself.

"I disagree," Logan shot back. "Los Angeles has always been Alfred Kingston's domain. He'll take it back from the rebels. He's the only legal governor."

Samuel gave a dry laugh. “Legal? Alfred was never truly governor. He was appointed by the King after the last governor of Los Angeles dropped dead without warning."

"Now? Finally, LA belongs to the people. That's something worth celebrating."

Another governor snapped. “Nonsense. Alfred is the only governor. These rebels are nothing more than terrorists. We cannot bow to terrorists."

Bella smirked, contempt dripping from every word. "So when the government kills its people and they fight back, that's 'terrorism'?"

"No wonder you guys keep the military close — not to protect citizens but to keep them in chains. If you even call them citizens anymore, they're just slaves to you."

The chamber erupted, voices colliding, accusations flying. The debate grew heated, tempers flaring over who had the right to rule Los Angeles.

Then, in the middle of the chaos, the screen flickered.

A man appeared where Alfred Kingston had sat. Calm. Confident. Middle-aged with a warm smile that carried more defiance than charm.

"Well, fellow governors," he said smoothly, "allow me to introduce myself. I am Keaton Knight-leader of the Free LA movement. And the new governor of Los Angeles."

The room went silent. Every governor froze.

Logan sneered, "Governor? You're just a rebel with a webcam."

Keaton laughed, "True. But at least my Wi-Fi works, which is more than Alfred can say."

Bella clapped her hands, laughing like it was the sharpest joke in the world. "Good one."

But Logan's face twisted like he'd just swallowed poison. "We don't recognize rebels as governors. Keep dreaming, Knight. Alfred Kingston will return to Los Angeles."

Keaton laughed, a low, dangerous sound. "I doubt he'll come back. I saw him run -tail tucked between his legs."

Logan's jaw tightened. "If you don't hand the governor's seat back to Alfred, I'll make sure you're the one running with your tail between your legs."

Keaton's smile widened. "Funny. Come to Los Angeles, then. We'll duel. We'll see who's still standing and who's running for cover."

Logan snorted. "Why would I go? I've got ten thousand troops. Taking Los Angeles from you would be like stealing candy from a three-year-old."

"Charming. Armies are impressive," Keaton said with an easy smile. "But they won't save you when the whole city decides your name is nothing more than a bad joke."

a laugh, sharp and merciless. "So the mighty Logan is just a

locked on Logan. "You're a joke, Logan. You know the Los Angeles soldiers are gone. Only civilians remain. Are you really saying you'd march your troops in

"If those rebels don't want to die, they should leave Los Angeles and let Alfred reclaim his

and the Free LA movement.

down with the rebels, be my guest — I'm

Jose said,

king or peasant — is the one who finds peace at home. But under a cruel governor, people can't even call their land home; they're slaves and prisoners in their own

- too weak to keep a rat

ever seen. He should've learned from me how

and replied "When tyranny becomes law, rebellion becomes duty of

citizens,"

in, "Don't forget - I'm with

sharpened, fury

He opened his mouth, but Bella cut him off with a laugh

as long as it's not Alfred

Thompson nodded. "Chicago

Keaton," Sophia added. She wanted the Kingston family cut down from power, whatever it

you've got five states backing Keaton out of thirteen. That still leaves

her voice sharp

Logan,

straight. You've

your camp but you forgot one thing Los Angeles new governor

so desperate, tell me how do you plan to drag Vancouver to your side when their governor isn't even online? That's

a tie, Logan. And you can't win a

stupid. You're the fook- you and your whole damned

s

already escaped one tyrant.

"Because Logan thinks

all eyes cutting toward Logan. His face burned

Logan snapped, rage spilling

If Vancouver's governor sides with Keaton, you'll

you're wrong, Bella, instead

country, you'll wear the title of the

"Deal," she said.

"Deal," Logan answered.

put his hand on the table.

dark square of the

Jasmine Kingston appeared.

of the devil," Logan spat, laughter

venom

—

pick Keaton Knight that rebel as governor of Los Angeles over your own father. Tell her she's

s

a pale, empty map of pain. She didn't

that had been said.

she could remember was the slap -