Dirty Money (Bad Money #2) by Ali Parker Read Free Book Online Page B

been.
    "It still could be, you dumb ass." He took a long drink of his coffee and walked into his bedroom just as his phone began to ring. He walked to it and picked it up to an unknown caller. He usually wouldn't answer it, but something nagged at him to do it. Ever since ignoring Kate when she was in need and almost having her die changed him. He wouldn't make that mistake again with anyone.
    "Peterson."
    "Jon. This is Victor Parence."
    A cold chill ran through him. The last person he ever wanted to see or hear from again was the bastard on the phone. Not only had he been the one to call the hit out on Adam, but he had taken Jon's mother. The older woman hadn't suffered seeing that they drugged her and knocked her out, but Jon was well aware of all that could have happened.
    "What do you want?"
    "That's an awful way to address your employer."
    "I don't work for you."
    Victor laughed, the sound grating across Jon's nerves. Could he really tuck tail and run, leaving Marcus and Kate to deal with this maniacal fucker? No.
    "You do for now, but soon I believe you'll be back to being the good cop you've always been. You've always been a great example to everyone, including young Adam, right Jon?"
    "Fuck you."
    "Ahhh... I hit a nerve, I see. Well, I assume you'll be with Marcus and Katelyn tonight when we meet."
    "It's Kate and yes. I'll be there."
    "Good. So here's the reason for my call. I've decided to release you from the upcoming hell we're going to reign over the underbelly of this city, but I need you to do two things for me."
    "I'm not doing anything for you."
    "Oh, I think you will. You enjoy being one of the good guys. It almost feels icky to think about you joining forces with evil and lying to everyone around you. Once a man makes a decision to be bad it's so hard to overturn it and walk back into the light. If you've ever done so, then you know exactly what I'm referring to. To have to slip back into the shadows would make you into an even bigger monster. See, I know. My story is similar to yours. You won't survive in the darkness with me."
    "Kate's not staying in the darkness either. I'm going to tear you limb from limb until you have nothing left to stand on."
    "I don't doubt that you'll try, but please know that Kate is expendable. If you wish to threaten me or mine, I'll bring my returned retribution on the lovely bartender that has stolen both of our thoughts."
    Jon swallowed hard, knowing Victor's type all too well. He wasn't messing around, and he would get what he wanted. It just felt like such a pussy move to give it to him. The bastard would end up victorious, but that reign would come to an end, just like Seth's before him and Billy's before Seth. Good always won.
    "Still there, Jon?"
    "What do you want from me?"
    "I want you to turn a blind eye to us. After tonight I'll release my hold on you for the future without threat on your family or you."
    "I can't pretend that you're not selling drugs in the city, Victor. I'm a cop."
    "You can take another part of the city or move. I don't care how you do it, but if you dick with me or Kate in any way where our business is concerned, I will cut you down."
    "That all? Just turn my head away from you ruining the kids of the city?"
    Victor laughed again. "Don't play martyr to me. I know your past."
    "Fuck you."
    "You know that ignorance beckons you respond with that. You're a smart man. Get a new line."
    "I'm hanging up." Jon paced the floor in front of his bed, anger clawing at the inside of his chest. He hated this mother fucker with every ounce of him. He would find a way to bring Victor down and free Kate and Marcus.
    "One more request."
    "No."
    "If you want out, then you push Kate away."
    "What? I'm not hurting her."
    "You already have. You haven't called in four days. Who does that to someone they love but a coward? Tell her you’re done with her. I know you're mulling over the decision. Good guys always want to take a bad girl and make her behave. Kate's not a