Page 111 of Every Which Way

“However, considering the parameters of your mother’s existence and your sister’s life expectancy, I’m sure you can be brought around to my way of thinking.”

Kenna walked to a chair and slumped into it, exhausted by the endless talking around things. Bruce did it. Now Woodford. “What do you want, Senator?”

“A wife.”

“I’m already engaged.” Something he no doubt already knew.

“Really? I don’t see a ring on your finger.”

She rolled her eyes. “I’m not marrying you.”

“Unless you want to witness the deaths of your mother, your sister, those two women in that hotel”—he pointed at the laptop screen—“and your friends at the campsite?—”

“You say that word like it’s dirty. Like campsites aren’tawesome.”

Woodford frowned a second, hesitating like she’d thrown him off.

“Awesome, like fast-food chicken restaurants and milkshakes at beachside diners. Those bags of popcorn you only get from gas stations on the highway between small towns. Meeting new people everywhere you go. Living a life that has nothing to do with social media and everything to do with face-to-face interactions with real people. Affecting their lives. Bringing justice. Finding people who’ve gone missing or been lost. Or abducted.”

“Are you done?”

“Oh, buddy. I’m just getting started.”

“Be that as it may. I’m sure you’ll endeavor to make my life interesting.”

“For as long as we both shall live?” She figured he understood the murderous look in her eye. “Sounds great.”

“You can be sure I’ll have certain…protections in place. If you’re thinking about ending my life. I’m only one small cog in the wheel of this machine. You won’t be marrying me so much as you’ll be marrying the entireDominatus.”

That didn’t sound so good. “Who?” She stared at him, completely confused. “What did you say? Dominoes? Like the game?”

“Dominatus.I suppose I can’t expect you to be versed in Latin.”

“Not unless you want to be exorcised. I can accommodate that.” She wasn’t going to back down. Married? As if. She was going to marryJaxand no one else. Ever. Thank you and goodnight. “What does it mean?”

“It is our organization. We are the power in the world. The ones in command.”

“Oh, like world domination.” She nodded. “Cool, cool. Good stuff. It’s good to have goals.”

Woodford sighed.

“What else?”

He stared at her for a moment, then went to perch on the edge of the desk. “We will be married in name only. You will bear the children of theDominatus, and thankfully, I won’t have to spend much time in your presence.” A look of frustration, and maybe a little bit of disgust, crossed his face.

“You can’t please everyone, I guess.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll teach you how.” He reached over and closed the lid of the laptop. “And you’ll be well-versed in the consequences of disobeying me.” Woodford glanced at the guy who stood by the door, then picked up a pouch from the desk beside her.

Heavy hands landed on her shoulders.

She stiffened, but he held her fast and didn’t let her move. Woodford came over with a syringe in one hand. Kenna kicked at him. The man holding her didn’t let go. She gritted her teeth and shoved at them both. He held her down, and the senator stuck the needle in the side of her neck.

The spot burned hot enough that she gasped.

Woodford said, “Why waste any more time?”

Warmth washed over her. Kenna tried to fight it, but eventually, the sensation crested over her like a wave that sucked her under a king tide. Deep into the water where she floated for a while.

---