Page 85 of Nitro

“I’m just trying to help.”

“Thank you,” Scar says. “I’m sure he’ll eat something later.”

“Okay. If you need anything else, I’ll be in the kitchen.”

“You can come and sit with us if you want. I’ll boot one of the boys off the couch.” Nina scoots up against Reaper and pats the cushion beside her.

“I appreciate it, but I’ve got work to do for dinner.”

“Don’t bother. No one’s going to be too hungry tonight,” Scar says.

“Whatever doesn’t get eaten can go in the freezer. It will give me a day off sometime in the future.” Daisy smiles brightly.

“Why’s she so chipper all the time?” Talon asks.

“Don’t know. She’s not fucking anyone.” Reaper shrugs.

“Be nice to her, you guys.” I sigh. “She works her ass off.”

“And we appreciate her. She knows it.” Matrix slams his laptop shut and directs his attention to the broadcast.

“This is Walter Reynolds reporting live from the steps of the Montana State Capitol building in Helena, Montana. This hotly contested race became national news a month ago when I broke the news about the controversial tape in which Mr. Blackstone appears to be discussing child trafficking. Although he vehemently denies the claims, an ongoing investigation by the FBI is in progress. So far, he’s been cooperating fully, and no charges have been filed.”

“Because he’s a fucking piece of shit con artist,” Nina yells at the TV.

“True story.” Talon nods.

“The polls will be closing in five minutes, and we expect the mail-in ballot results shortly. While we’re waiting, I’m going to interview people who have already voted. Ma’am? Ma’am?” Reynolds waves down a lady in a business suit. “Did you just vote?”

“I did.” She’s probably in her early fifties with a pinched brow and graying hair.

“Can I ask who you voted for and why?”

“Mr. Blackstone. He’s got a solid track record in business, which is exactly what this state needs. We love to talk about how Californians are coming in and ruining our state, but they have the fourth or fifth biggest economy in the world. Blackstone could teach us a lot about how to bring more tech jobs into the state.”

“What about the tape? Did that have any bearing on your decision?” Reynolds asks.

“Of course not. Everyone’s said or done something they regret in the past. What’s done is done. I don’t believe he was child trafficking. If anything, he was being callous about children in need of adoptive parents. But he’s helped so many kids. I can’t imagine he’d ever do anything so despicable. His opponent should be ashamed of himself for using such a transparent, manipulative tactic. It won’t help him win. We need a businessman, not a backwater farmer whose only claim is that he’s a fifth-generation Montanan.”

“Why wouldn’t a farmer be a good candidate?”

“This isn’t 1880 anymore. Farming and ranching don’t pay like they used to. It’s time to modernize. Blackstone will take us into the twenty-first century. He’s the only one who can build Montana’s future.”

“And there you have it. Billionaire Jonathan Blackstone’s campaign promise is to build a better future for Montanans.”Reynolds smiles at the camera before touching his ear. He frowns and leans toward his cameraman. “The mail-in results are coming in. I’ll send you over to our news anchors for live numbers. Stay tuned for complete coverage of the Montana State Governor’s race.”

The broadcast switches to the newsroom where two newscasters sit behind a desk. A huge screen behind them shows the first round of votes from mail-in ballots.

“The race is much too close to call right now,” a young, blonde newswoman says.

“Blackstone’s out in front at the moment, but Peterson’s snapping at his heels. This is going to be a close race.”

“It could take all night to get the final results.”

“Great,” Reaper grumbles.

“Maybe I will eat those snacks after all.” Matrix takes the plate Daisy left him and viciously bites into a chip.

“Want to go for a walk, kitten?”

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