Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 120336 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 602(@200wpm)___ 481(@250wpm)___ 401(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 120336 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 602(@200wpm)___ 481(@250wpm)___ 401(@300wpm)
“Dima is running for mayor, isn’t he? Has he told you?”
“He mentioned it but I’ve been busy chasing after a psycho maniac. Dima will officially announce it to all of the Syndicate once you’re dead and we can go back to everyday business.”
“Dima will need the votes in order to win. Of course he has the North but everywhere else in Paradise City will be tricky. We have 1.4 million registered voters in the East.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “What does that have to do with anything?”
He grinned. “That’s why politicians always want to come to our galas, isn’t it? To prance around, shake hands, and gather favor with our people. The East holds heavy voting power. If Dima wants the East’s votes, he’ll need to back the idea of draining the lake.”
Next to me, Moni sucked in a sharp breath.
My father shifted his gaze to her. “Monique, I bet you can get Marcelo, Banks, and Einstein to jump on board. The South has strong political influence as well—another million voters.”
She pursed her lips.
“With both the East and the South pushing for it, draining Dream Lake won’t seem so impossible. And you can talk to Kashmere. The West would want the lake drained too.”
Leaving that memory, I returned to Dream Lake and realized that the Bandit no longer sat next to me.
We can do it but what would happen to Paradise City if we do?
The dark body of water rippled in front of me.
Draining this lake wasn’t just about revealing secrets buried in the muck—it was about power. Sure, the West would reclaim something their ancestors had bled for and lost to greed and hatred.
But the ripples wouldn’t stop at the shoreline.
The entire Diamond Syndicate would feel the shockwaves.
“Too many hands will reach for what’s uncovered.” I swallowed. “And not many will want to share.”
Because in the end. . .draining Dream Lake would unearth not just history but lots and lots of new land. This meant resources and the possibility of building new developments. Whoever had possession of that land would find themselves in an insurmountable position of power.
The boundaries of Paradise City would change.
The West would more than expand, it would be the most dominate accumulation of space.
However, Dream Lake fell into the South too.
In fact. . .it went pretty deep into the South.
If I knew Einstein, he would see the money signs clearly.
Marcelo and Banks wouldn’t be able to ignore it.
Rowe Street Mob would want their cut.
The Killer Crows, bound to the lake’s legacy, wouldn’t stand for sharing.
Because of all that. . .there would be no compromise on either side.
Only war.
My chest tightened as I thought of Moni. Her allegiance to Rowe Street Mob was unwavering, just as mine was to the West.
I let out a long breath. “When the water goes down. . .we might be divided.”
Moni would want the East to back Rowe Street Mob.
I’m not sure if we should just yet. The Killer Crows, although wealthy and successful, had suffered so much from the ghosts and their pasts. They deserved some form of reparations for what had been done to their people.
Yet. . .fair was fair too.
At least 60% of Dream Lake was in Rowe Street Mob’s boundaries on a map that the Killer Crows had drawn. They’d given Rowe Street Mob most of the lake to be wicked and keep them under them in power. Now. . .that decision might come back to bite them in their asses.
I exhaled sharply. “How could I stop the violence?”
The Bandit appeared on my right.
I tensed.
“War will come.” She gave me a sad smile. “But you don’t have to worry about that just now.”
I turned my gaze to her. “What do I focus on, then?”
Her smile widened. “All you’ve got to do is get the man in yellow to push for draining the lake.”
“Dima?”
She nodded, the brim of her cowboy hat casting shadows over her face. “He wants the East’s votes. He’ll need the West’s backing too. You’ve got leverage, little one. Use it.”
I thought of Dima’s smooth words, the way he charmed and strategized, always one step ahead. If draining the lake aligned with his goals, I could push him toward it.
“I’ll talk to him.”
“Don’t just talk to him, little one. Get it done by any means possible.”
Those words pressed down on me.
“Because you are finally listening.” She disappeared but her words continued to fill the air. “I’ll tell you two things that are important. Things that will save your legacy.”
I scanned the space, still not seeing her. “Okay.”
“They’re plotting in Shanghai to kill you and your Mountain Mistress.”
I gritted my teeth.
“Send your best people to handle it. However. . .if you two go there, you’ll both be dead. But if you send your best, it will be your enemies’ end.”
I swallowed. “And what is the second thing?”