Chapter 0324

Kent just laughs and sits back in his chair, shaking his head. Whatever.

At least he knows, now, what's going on. The city’s taking him down as an example — pinning some other boss’s dirty work on

him in an exchange for information. Damn it. He was going down for more than what he actually did, and someone else was

getting wiped clean. Who the hell was it?

The kid’s continuing to talk now, but Kent’s mostly ignoring him, keeping half an ear open for anything interesting but focusing on

turning over the possibilities in his head. The Russian connection, potentially, but the most obvious candidate here is — ironically

—Alden. Shit, he’s going to have to get in touch with the Bianci’s if he can, let them know what —

But Kent’s train of thought is interrupted, instantly, at the mention of her name.

He snaps his gaze back to Ivan.

“Thought that would work,” Ivan says slowly, twisting the pen in his hands. “She’s always been your soft spot.”

Kent leans forward, letting lvan know that he has his attention.

“I saw her, you know,” Ivan says quietly. “Went to that little beach house you set her up in. She didn’t seem too broken up about

you.

A mix of emotions runs through Kent at the news — disgust at the idea of Ivan in the house that he bought Fay - relief that she’s

safe, away from the police (but of course she is — they've got nothing to hold her on, he made damn sure of that) — and then on

top of it an incredible grief at the idea of her alone, pregnant, fucking furious at him for getting arrested now of all times —

“Actually, you know what, Kent?” Ivan says, his tone considering now, a change that makes Kent refocus on him. “That's a lie.”

Kent frowns, not understanding.

Ivan smiles slowly, knowing he’s got Kent’s attention now. “I’m going to tell you the truth — which is that she was broken up about

you.

Kent's heart wrenches at the thought.

“She flipped at me — called me a traitor, told me she’d never trust me again in her life. But do you know why I can tell you this

truth?”

Pride surges through Kent at the idea of Fay biting back at Ivan’s, not collapsing to him, but rage starts to build in him. Because

he knows where this is going.

“Because you're stuck in here,” Ivan says, grinning victoriously, “for the rest of your fucking life. And she’s twenty-two, and she

might stick by your side for a little bit, but she’s going to get lonely after a while. And guess who’s going to be there to help her

through it?”

Kent's fist clenches at his side as his jaw tightens.

“That’s right,” Ivan whispers, standing to lean across the table, taunting him. “When you're stuck in here, Lippert? I’m going to be

out there, living with her in the beach house you bought her. And your kid is going to call me dad.”

lvan’s been ahead on Kent on a lot of things, but one thing he underestimated?

The speed of Kent's left hook.

Kent's out of his chair before Ivan

can anticipate it, his fist flying befdre

t kid gana COhhecting solidly

his jaw in a blow that rattles

lvan’s teeth. Please read the original

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Ivan stumbles back, moaning, his hand flying to his face —

But before Kent can take another step, the door slams open and the guards are on him, wrapping his arms behind his back.

Kent bares his teeth at the kid, who

looks up at him in shock and ra

but he lets the daydeahsandr We

apyidedsn' tig t them. Though he

could have them flat on their asses in

about ten seconds, if he wanted to.

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“Nice,” Ivan says, giving him a bloody smile that’s more bravado than pleasure. “Assault of a police officer. We'll add it to your

list.”

Kent forces his body to relax into a possession and cool he absolutely doesn’t feel, turning away from the kid as if he doesn’t

matter.

But — as his reaction proved — Ivan got to him.

Because he’s right, Kent thinks,

hanging his head a little as the

— One

guards hold hi tighteskoortinghim

canatialy badk o his cell. He’s got

nothing but time to get her on his

side. I’ve lost her for good. Please

read the original content at

.