Page 60 of Dirty Deeds

“Enzo, I can handle Brent.”

I started flipping through channels, deciding New York One was probably my best bet, and sure enough they were reporting live from Lutheran Hospital, the ticker on the bottom of the screen readNext: Congressional Candidate Brent Matthews.

“I didn’t ask if you could handle him.”

There was a distinct edge to his voice, but it wasn’t meant to intimidate me. He was genuinely concerned.

“I promise I’ll call you,” I assured him softly.

“Text me Ro’s address. I’ll see you when I get out of work.”

“Okay.”

“And Danica?

“Yes?”

“I…fuck... I almost lost a finger earlier. I was cutting the drywall for the bathroom, and I couldn’t stop thinking about you. I kept picturing your face. I don’t know if I told you, but I love the way you look in the morning. You get a soft glow to your cheeks after you’ve been fucked... your whole face lights up.” His voice lowered and he continued, “I missed you this morning.”

I missed him too and I couldn’t wait for this whole mess to be behind us. But just as I was about to tell Enzo that, Brent emerged on the television screen.

“He’s on,” I whispered.

“What?”

“Brent. He’s about to speak. Hold on, I’ll turn it up so maybe you can hear.” I raised the volume as high as it could go, then I put the phone on speaker. Ro walked in and saw my gaze pointed to the television.

“Is that Captain Cunt?”

I nodded and signaled for her to be quiet. Elliot introduced Brent and he stepped in front of the microphone.

“Thank you all for being here. The support you’ve shown over the last week and a half has truly touched me. As most of you know I was brutally attacked after my last fundraiser and the recovery has not been an easy one. But it is because of all your well wishes and my unbridled desire to serve this community, that I will prevail. There’s work to be done and I will not let this unfortunate situation deter me from my quest to be District 11’s next congressman.”

Applause rang out around and he paused, lifting a hand to his chest—a well-rehearsed move to appear touched by the people’s support.What a joke.

I lifted the phone. “Can you hear him?”

“A little bit,” Enzo replied. “He mentioned the attack.”

“Yeah. Oh, he’s talking again.” I held the phone closer to the television, hoping Enzo could hear better.

“Thank you,” he said.

“My God this is painful,” Ro commented. I couldn’t argue. I also couldn’t help but wonder if Ro had the same thoughts whenever I appeared on the news with Brent.

Eventually the clapping tapered off and he continued, “That being said, it is with a heavy heart that I announce I will be severing ties withFrankie’s House. My hope is that the organization continues to help the community, especially our youth, but for personal reasons not attached to my campaign, I can no longer support the establishment.

“I do not condone violence of any kind. I stand for law and order and the wholesome values the neighborhoods I serve were built on. We will rise from this. Justice will be served and on Election Day the great people of Staten Island and Brooklyn will send me to Capitol Hill, knowing I have their best interests at heart. We will be a community that bands together. A community that lifts one another up. We will not knock each other down and we will not turn a blind eye to violent crimes. The streets of our city have been filled with crime for too long. It’s time to take a stand and I hope you stand with me.”

“That motherfucker,” Enzo roared.

Cheers broke out.

Cameras flashed.

He’s had them eating out of the palm of his hand and all I wanted to do was scream. The phone slipped out of my hand, and I hung my head as the room started to spin. If there was any doubt that Brent was a piece of shit, it was gone after that performance. Ro dropped to her knees in front of me, picking up the phone.

“Danica,” Enzo called, and Ro shoved the phone into my hand. I swallowed hard as my hand tightened around the phone.

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