Stoking the Fire (Salus Security #1) - Teodora Kostova Page 0,58
race, and Calloway’s supporters will continue to support him even if he’s running as an independent right now.” He leans back in his chairs and lets out a deep sigh. “I will never endorse someone like Calloway, regardless of his political affiliation. He’ll ruin everything Governor Rosling fought for before he decided to retire,” Dad continues. “As for Wolfe, like I said, the Republicans desperately need to regain power on a local level and inject new life into their rhetoric. Wolfe is gathering a cult following who are ready to do anything for him. He sees the position as a stepping stone in his political career and has his sights set on the White House.” Dad runs a hand through his salt-and-pepper hair, the first sign of frustration he’s exhibiting since we walked in here. “If we’ve learned anything from recent history, it’s that he has to be stopped now, before it’s too late.”
Something about his words, the way he says them, the vulnerability he allows us to glimpse on his face, makes several pieces click into place in my head. Horrified, I blurt out, “Oh my god, is Adri working for you?”
Surprised, my father considers me for a long moment before he replies. “Yes.”
“Fucking hell, Dad!” I jump off the chair, placing my palms on the desk and looming over him. “Do you realize how dangerous that is? Irving Wolfe is completely unhinged! And Calloway is a fucking deputy sheriff! How could you send Adri in there alone?”
“I didn’t send him,” my father says calmly which infuriates me even more. “He came to me. He told me he’s already been working on something for months and finally has a strong lead.” He pauses, hard blue eyes boring into me. I’m shaking, unable to find words to express how fucking angry I am. “With my support, and with Van Dorf Group’s financial backing, he has a better chance of succeeding and being safe. With or without me, he will keep digging, you know that.”
He’s right, but that doesn’t change the fact that right now my best friend could be dead in a ditch because he stuck his nose in something too big and too vile.
“I’m doing everything I can to make sure he’s safe, Zach. You have to trust me on this.”
I scoff. “Yeah? Then why is he there alone, potentially risking his life, and you’re sitting here in your nice penthouse, the building more secure than a federal prison?”
I can’t stand still anymore. It feels like ants are crawling all over my body. I have to move. I start pacing around, barely containing the urge to scream.
“With all due respect, sir, you still haven’t made your point,” Alec says, his voice as terse as I’ve ever heard it. “Who’s after Zach?”
My father stands, then leans a hip against his desk. “An extremist group is behind the attack on Dawn. I’m still working on proving who gave the order. The death threats received about Zach were sent by another organization, and I’m certain they’re connected.” Dad pauses, and I turn to face him, leaning back against the window overlooking Central Park. “I’m also certain the kidnapping attempts, and the break-in, were orchestrated by someone else. Someone who wants to have leverage against me, strong enough to make me endorse Calloway.”
“You think someone would kidnap your son and blackmail you, committing several federal crimes and risking life in prison for an endorsement?” Alec says, disbelieving. “Seems a bit extreme.”
My father raises an arrogant eyebrow at him. “I think you’re underestimating my influence, Alec. There’s a reason a Republican hasn’t won a gubernatorial election in New York for eighteen years. Every candidate I’ve endorsed has won the election with the support of every one of my publications, and each one of them has been a Democrat.”
I wrack my brain for any evidence that contradicts his words, but find none.
My father’s face softens. “I know you’re both aware I have political influence. But I don’t think you realize just how long my reach is.”
The words are softly spoken, but the connotation behind them makes a chill run down my spine. I cast a look at Alec, trying to make sense of everything going on right now, needing him to anchor me. He meets my gaze, and his dark eyes are burning. For some reason, that gives me more comfort than I expect.
My father clears his throat, breaking the moment. “Bottom line? I refuse to submit to extremists who think they can pressure me