Kings of Decay (The Winston Brothers Duet #1)

13. Pearce

Chapter thirteen

Pearce

E ven at twenty-two, my father scared me.

The Winston Patriarch, Gerald Winston, my father. Former mayor, millionaire, and even though he’d formally retired, he was the one who ran this town.

Even on a quiet Sunday afternoon, he was dressed in a suit with a perfectly pressed white shirt underneath. He had two thick gold rings that were shined until they gleamed and his grey hair was short and gelled back.

In another life, he would have made a decent Batman villain.

But he was still a villain in this life, and my brother and I were his soldiers. The fixers. The wolves who kept all the sheep in line.

Father let out a long sigh, rubbing his forehead. “This next election is going to be a mess,” he said.

I stood at attention in front of his old-fashioned mahogany desk. “Why is that, Father?”

“Percy Tate. He’s running against the incumbent.”

I frowned.

“So you know the name?”

“I know Tate has a big head and isn’t the type to bend to influence.”

Father chuckled wickedly, leaning back in his chair. “Exactly. And we need people to mold if we want to keep this town alive. We need puppets to appease the mining companies, or we’ll be dead before spring.” He paused, drumming his fingers.

I spoke after the silence became overwhelming. “Want me to take care of him?” I hadn’t tasted blood in weeks, and I was itching to satisfy my inner beast.

My father waved his hand. “I would love that, but,” he said pointedly. “Tate is buddies with the new Governor, and that … complicates things.”

Most of my victims were nobodies. An up-and-coming politician's death right before an election would surely cause suspicion.

“I can make it look like an accident. Or suicide,” I offer.

“Don’t do anything until I have more information,” Father said. “I have Ainsley looking for dirt on the dark web as we speak.”

I nodded.

Ainsley was technically my step-brother, not born of my father or mother, but he was my brother all the same. My father loved us and cared for us equally after both of our mothers died. Father never remarried again. I don’t think any of us could bear to lose another woman we loved.

“In the meantime,” Father stood and clapped his meaty hand on my shoulder. “I want you to pay a visit to our beloved Mayor Mr. Woods and remind him what’s on the line if he should lose.”

***

An explosion filled the quiet of the night as the flames hit the gas tank. The fire roared like an untamable demon close enough that the heat stroked my face.

“God, no! Please, no! I love that car,” the man sniveling at my feet cried out.

“I didn’t think a humble mayor could afford a G-Wagon,” I said, not looking away from the column of flames consuming the gaudy black vehicle. “Not to mention that it wouldn’t even make it down the road in the winter. Leave the luxury cars to the California influencers, Mr. Woods.”

The fire bucked and swirled, lighting up the clearing. I’d taken our beloved mayor to the woods before dousing his stupid vanity purchase in gasoline and lighting a match.

“But,” Mr. Woods sniffed. “I did everything he asked. I’m playing my part.”

“Just be grateful that your family isn’t locked in there, Mr. Woods.”

The mayor made a strangled sound and shut up immediately. He didn’t know that I even had my limits and I’d never put his kids in danger, but he was too much of a coward to call my bluff.

The flames were ten feet high now.

“From now on, no big purchases,” I said, squeezing my fingers into his shoulder. He was still in his pajamas and slippers.

Snot froze to his mustache as he sniffed. “Ok,” he conceded.

“And you’d better win this next election, Mr. Woods,” I said. “Or else we won’t have any need for you anymore.”

The mayor nodded, not daring to look at me.

I frowned down at him. He truly was pathetic. Most men had no spines as soon as they met someone with more power than them. I was looking forward to when we finally could put him out of his misery. But, for now, my father needed his puppet.

Bright lights came from behind us, followed by the crunch of snow and the sound of heavy bass pounding through the windows.

“Ah, just on time. Our ride’s here.”

My brother hopped out of the Jeep and let out a whistle as he looked the fire up and down. “Damn, sorry I missed the bonfire, gents.”

Mr. Woods made another gross sound in his throat. “You’re taking me home, right?” He asked.

“Of course, sir, you have so many meetings tomorrow,” I said, lifting him to his feet by the front of his blue-striped bathrobe and brushing the snow off his skinny body with unnecessary force. “Damn,” I sighed. “I forgot how punchable your face is.”

Mr. Woods shrank back, wincing. “No, please.”

I let out an exaggerated chuckle. “Unfortunately, you have to look pretty for the cameras,” I said. “We all have our places in this game, Mr. Mayor. I know mine, and I’m hoping you won’t forget yours again.” I patted his cheek and shoved him in the direction of the Jeep.

It was no simple threat. If we had to replace our mayor only a few months before the election, I would ensure he suffered for the inconvenience.