Page 141 of Drown My Sorrow

Gael presses a button, and Locke’s face is revealed.

“Kelly has my vote.”

Ryn appears and adds hers. Raider throws his weight behind Kelly, as does the cheerful Lia.

I can feel the distress in the bond. Kelly doesn’t want this, but he’s trying to protect everyone. He’s trying to do the right thing, even if it kills him.

I step towards Gael and murmur something. His eyes widen, and he nods, walking quickly from the room.

Gael is gone for five minutes, all of which they try to undo Kelly’s decision and get nowhere. I feel a little bit like we’re telling off the island kids. They stamp their feet and slam their fists on the table, but it doesn’t sway us.

Gael walks back in and hooks his tablet to the laptop by the wall. Five boxes appear on the massive screen.

Charles looks out and down at Kelly. “I’m changing my vote.”

Kelly’s jaw drops. “What?”

Charles shakes his head. “Kelly is my proxy for now, but I’m going to come down and train up the Raines replacement.”

Kelly’s devastation turns to hope.

“All in favour of Bailey Raines becoming the next CEO of Alpha labels.”

Lia, Ryn, and Locke all say aye. Raider looks at Kelly, really looks at him.

“You’ll never be happy here.”

Kelly exhales roughly. There is so much emotion in the bond. “Thank you.”

“Aye!” Raider says.

“First thing’s first,” Kelly says. The doors open and several police officers stalk in. Fifteen of the thirty board members are arrested. It gets loud, but, by the time it’s over, the rest are sitting stunned, their faces pale.

“Now, down to the important part of all this,” Keagan growls. “Where is Typhor?”

The board quakes in their seats, but they tell us everything they know.

Maelhasdarkeyesand dark brown hair. He disappeared for a couple of weeks a few years ago and came back with the darkest shadows in his eyes, and the cruelty and viciousness just got worse.

He leans against the wall and watches Edric and Kingston talking with Keagan and Beau.

“I haven’t found her yet, but I’m working on it.”

I sigh, disappointed that I have no news to give Aspyn.

“You should take care of Holt. I gave him a warning, but he’s got that fanatical look.”

I groan and shake my head. “I’m tempted.”

“What are you waiting for?”

“This is their world. We’re giving them a chance to sort it out before we take care of it.”

Mael laughs. “Stupid.”

Edric and Kingston are deadly. But I’m more terrified by that giant cat draped over his shoulders that hasn’t taken its eyes off me.

“And Eben?”

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