CHAPTER 175 Partners

*Lisa*
*Chicago*

"So, how was your meeting with De Vega?"

I didn't want to talk about De Vega, the ENCS underboss of the Angels of Darkness. When that asshole finally gave me a minute of his time, he mocked me and told me to go and crawl back under the rock I came from in such a condescending manner that made my blood boil every single time I happen to remember our short meeting.

To make matters worse, I paid De Vega a large sum of cash that I took from Cris' storage space in exchange for his cooperation, expecting he would extend me every courtesy. Instead, he dismissed me for the fool that I was and told me I shouldn't meddle in affairs that didn't concern me.

He was such a waste of time, effort and *money*.

After that unnerving conversation I had with that prick, I was convinced I had no choice, but to put whatever happened to Cris behind me. I exited the night club feeling utterly defeated, resigned to the fact there were things that were out of my control. I just needed to believe, in my heart of hearts, wherever Cris was, he was probably in a happier place.

Dressed in my favorite pair of jeans and a black tank top under a long camel-colored cashmere cardigan paired with brown leather boots, I sat on the edge of the bed near the pillow where Link's small note sat, my phone against my ear, and stared at my reflection in the small vanity mirror fronting the bed.

Despite feeling a bit hungover, I undoubtedly looked happy. My eyes sparkled, my cheeks were flushed, and the sides of my cherry lips were curved upward in an unmistakable smug grin.

*Why shouldn't I be happy*? My no-good husband was dead leaving me to take his place on the council, and topping it all off, I had mindblowing sex last night...

*With Link*.

After lamenting over the distressing news of Cris' death, I washed my face and fixed my make-up, then I went to find Liam. As expected, I found him in a huge tent designated as a dressing room, behind the stage set up in the middle of Main Street. He was seated in a chair, dressed in a colorful yellow and black suit, getting prepped up for the opening ceremony of the Honey Bee Celebration by a female stylist.

"Lisa, what are you doing here? Shouldn't you be outside with the rest of the townsfolk?" Liam asked, surprised to see me.

"I need to talk to you... in private," I answered.

"Can this wait? The opening ceremony is about to start and-"

"No, Liam. This can't wait," I replied harshly, giving him a telling look. "I need to speak with you now." He rolled his eyes at me and let out an exasperated sigh.

"Fine. Uhm, Sandra, can you give us a minute?" Liam asked his stylist. Without saying a word, the woman nodded her head and left us to help Miss Honey Bee First Runner-up, who was seated at the far corner of the tent. "So, Lisa, what's so important? Were you able to track down Cris?" He asked, pointing to the empty chair beside his. I sat down and leaned towards him.

"Two detectives from Bismarck came by earlier and told me they believe Cris committed suicide," I explained, pulling Cris' wedding ring from my purse. "They found his ring near the edge of Elk's Cliff." Liam's eyes widened, obviously shocked by the unexpected news.

"You seem to be taking this extremely well. Did they find his body?" Liam asked, his tone curious. I couldn't tell if he was either happy or sad to learn of his friend's sudden death.

"No, the police haven't found the body. They said something about mountain lions being present in the area," I mumbled, shrugging my shoulders.

"I was aware of Cris' mental issues, but suicide? And with the election so near? However, you did say the police haven't found a body yet, so it's possible he may still be alive. It could be just an elaborate scheme of his so we won't go looking for him," Liam rambled, skeptical Cris was indeed dead.

"Liam, if he needed to go into hiding, he would have at least brought some money with him. I've already checked the CCTV footage at the storage unit he has outside Mandan. There was no sign of him ever being there," I pointed out. "Liam, we need to accept the inevitable. Cris is dead."

Liam nodded his head sadly while he looked up at the ceiling of the tent, rapidly blinking his eyes. For a second there, he looked as if he was going to cry. I was about to place an arm around his shoulders to comfort him, but he suddenly lowered his head and clasped both of his hands in his lap, seemingly uttering a short prayer for Cris. Even though their current relationship was rocky, Liam cared deeply for his friend.

I allowed Liam his moment of silence and waited patiently for him to speak again.

"I'll have to talk to Dan then and ask him if he's willing to substitute-"

"That's why I'm here. I'd like to substitute in behalf of my dead spouse," I said, cutting him off. Liam stared at me with his mouth agape.

"W-what? Y-you want to run as Councilwoman? Why? I mean... Didn't your parents move out of New Salem because they didn't want to get involved with politics?" Liam asked, both stunned and confused.

I took a deep breath and rubbed my sweaty palms on the smooth cloth of my beige slacks, mustering up enough courage to tell Liam my dirty little secret. His father, Theodore, knew my family background, but I doubted if he had ever disclosed to Liam before he was murdered.

I had to voice out my demands and negotiate. *It was now or never*.

"Liam, your father and those before him have always had a good standing with the Ortiz family of the Angels of Darkness and we all know that *our* close relationship has kept generations of Cohens in power. However, as the both of us know, *your* power is limited," I asserted, knowing he answered to Pete. "All of that, Liam, can change with me by your side. As an Ortiz blood relative, I will make sure you gain control of New Salem. No more Pete McDowell to deal with. It will just be you and me and I will allow you to have full authority just as long as you pay me my dues. So, Liam, how about you and I become partners?"

While I spoke, I saw Liam's expression turn from stunned to one of approval. "My father did say your family was more important than the McDowells. I never understood it until recently, when I saw your mother's file. It's a shame your mother was never... proactive. She could have kept Cynthia and Pete in line."

"My mother never cared for the organization. She only cared for the money. As for my father, he wanted us to keep a low profile, away from all the... shenanigans," I explained, stating the obvious. "Then again, Cynthia was never a problem. She did what she was told. It's her monster of a son who created all the problems we're facing."

"So you knew about Pete and Cris then?" Liam asked, suddenly looking a bit tense.

"Not entirely, no," I answered honestly. "My mother asked me not to meddle. Once was enough. Remember?" Liam coughed to hide his discomfort. He knew what I meant. "You still haven't answered my question, Liam. How about you and I become partners?"

"Before I agree to any of this, I need information," Liam said unexpectedly. *What was it this time*?! "I need to know who Pete's second in command is. I have been going through my father's files and I haven't had any luck finding out who the sonofabitch is. Do you know who he is?"

*Shit*. I shook my head.

"I may not know who this person is, but I suspect my mother might," I answered, taking my phone out from my bag. I sent my mother a text message hoping she'd have an answer. Unfortunately, she was clueless. "My mother says she has no idea who Pete's capo is, but she said she will make the necessary phone calls to find out."

Liam muttered a curse under his breath. Apparently, the information was important.

"Once your mother gives you that bit of information, I need you to tell me straight away," Liam instructed me, as if it were a matter of life or death. He, then, extended his hand for a handshake. "You have yourself a partner." I took his hand and shook it, grinning from ear to ear.

I suddenly felt his grasp tightened around mine. He pulled me towards him, his face so close to mine, I could smell the coffee on his breath.

"If you double-cross me, Lisa, you will find yourself at the the bottom of Elk's Cliff beside the rotting corpse that used to be your husband," Liam threatened me. His eyes were staring into mine with such an iciness, I knew he wasn't bluffing.

But I wasn't going to let Liam bully me into submission. He needed to see me as his equal.

"If anything were to ever happen to me, Liam, I will make sure it is traced back to you," I warned him. "Anyway, I don't have plans of betraying you. We need each other in order to get what we want. Am I right?"

He quickly let go of my hand and nodded in agreement.

"Good. It's settled. Now, I need a few minutes on stage to announce my husband's tragic death including my intention of running as his substitute. Can you arrange that for me?" I asked sweetly.

It felt really good to use whatever ounce of influence I had.

"Of course, Lisa," Liam agreed, grinning. He turned and called his stylist. "Sandra, I need you to prep Ms. Murdock. She'll be coming up on stage with me. Lisa, I'll leave you in the capable hands of Sandra while I make sure everything is in order."

After my shocking announcement to the townsfolk of New Salem, empowered, I flew to Chicago. However, whatever *authority* I thought I had vanished when I spoke with that arrogant prick named De Vega.

I was feeling down and unimaginabley small when the inconceivable happened.

It was my last day in Chicago and I still hadn't found the perfect yellow dress. Desperate to rid myself of the solitude being in an unfamiliar city brought, I decided to head over to Vera Wang knowing Virtue was scheduled to pick up her wedding gown. I needed a friend and Virtue was the kind of friend I needed.

I didn't put too much thought into my outfit knowing I would be among girls. I slipped on a simple blue and white floral dress paired with white sandals, placed all I needed in a white purse, grabbed my sweater and headed out the door of my hotel room to grab breakfast before surprising Virtue.

When the elevator doors opened to the lobby, I saw him, standing near the hotel seating area, speaking to someone on his phone, amidst the numerous people rushing in and out of the hotel...

The one man who constantly visited me in my dreams ever since he walked into my office with an offer on the Ol' McDowell home.

As if in a trance, I eagerly walked towards him, my heart racing in anticipation and silently prayed he could spare me just a few minutes of his time...

I wouldn't mind... Even a short, "Nice to see you here," would suffice.

I reached over and tapped him on his shoulders. He turned around, a lazy smile on his handsome face, his eyes-

"Lisa, hello? Lisa?" My mother's voice interrupted my reverie. "Lisa, are you still there?"

I sighed. I needed to end this conversation ASAP.

"Yes, I'm still here," I answered. "De Vega wasn't entirely forthcoming, Mother. The worst part was paying him so much money and expecting him to give me answers, but I ended up with nothing. As in nil, nada, zilch."

I heard her utter a curse in Spanish. She only reverted back to her native tongue when she was very angry.

De Vega may think he was cunning, but my mother had a few tricks of her own.