Page 113 of Rise of the King (Checkmate 5)

That’s nine zeros.

You’re directly responsible for more than two-hundred thousand high-powered weapons now populating our streets in the hands of children who wage war against the very poverty you put them in.

I know you want Kane because he has this data on you too. I’m who tipped him off two years ago; I sent it again when you had Jay taken out. And I’m cc’ing him on these emails, just so we’re all on the same page.

I have no loyalties to your son, Lieutenant General; my loyalties are with the money. Either you pay up, and I destroy the data, or he pays up, and I give him your location.

He knows what you did to Jay.

I sent that email approximately ten a.m. today.

“I can’t afford you, Soph.” Smiling, Kane pushes a bag of chips across the table as a peace offering. “I can’t afford this blackmail.”

“I can. I can afford whatever the fuck I want.” Switching screens, I exit Redmond’s bank accounts and slide into Colum’s instead. “One, two, three…” Narrowing my eyes, I count and shake my head. “He has seven bank accounts just on my first pass, and a fuck-ton of available cash. We’re talking seven zeros, at least.” I turn to Jay. “I wonder if my future father-in-law will pay for our wedding?”

He barks out a laugh and smacks a wet kiss on my cheek. “I think he’s gonna be hella mad at you, Sugar Plum. He’s being hosed by a sweet ballerina; that’s gonna burn any man. Probably don’t expect anything more than towels for Christmas.”

“Shitty gift,” I grumble.

“Yep. And they won’t even be monogrammed.”

“No!” Andi gasps. “That’s just straight up rude. How dare he not monogram for his sweet daughter-in-law?”

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From: Colum Bishop

To: AcesAndEights

Subject: Listen here, young man

I turn to a snickering Jay and smack his shoulder. “Why must Ace be a man? This is why women get pissy about this shit. There’sstilla seventeen percent gender pay gap. Why?”

“Right?” Jess fist-pumps the air. “That’s what I said. This is a serious problem!”

“Oh God,” Kane whines. “Can we not do this shit again? I’ll buy you both fancy shoes if you just shut up about the pay gap.”

I snatch a gummy worm from Jay’s stash and peg it at his brother’s head. “You want to buy us shoes if we shut up about sexism? You’re part of the problem, asshole.”

“Read the fucking email!”

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From: Colum Bishop

To: AcesAndEights

Subject: Listen here, young man

I have more than enough proof now to have you locked up and sent far, far away from civilization. You cannot blackmail a man of my power and expect to get away with it.

I will not send you a single cent. I do not believe you have credible data.

My people already know your whereabouts.

They’re coming.

Panicked, Jay jumps away from the table and races to the windows.

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