Chapter 185 Chaos at the Parade

*Joy*

I was playing out the events in my mind when Dan walked up to Lorenzo, quickly took the older man's hand to his lips, and kissed the emerald ring.

*Dan was a member of the Angels of Darkness*!

I hid my shock with a look of confusion while Liam glowered at Dan, incensed. Yet, despite his rage, he remained eerily silent as he watched his friend position himself beside the Consigliere.

"I didn't know Dan knew Lorenzo," I whispered to Liam. "He must be the nephew Lorenzo mentioned earlier..."

"No, they aren't related," Liam whispered back. "From what I know, they met several years ago. I think at a business conference."

It was a lame lie, but I didn't want to point out that Dan kissing a casual acquaintance's ring as odd, so I nodded my head, pretending to take his word as the truth.

I remembered Sebastian had voiced his concerns over Dan's extravagant lifestyle, suspecting Dan of being a *made man*, but the rest of us dismissed his suspicion as folly, thinking Dan was merely profiting from the drugs.

*Dan has been right under our noses this entire time*. I felt so stupid. Nevertheless, I was happy Dan trusted me enough to show me who he really was.

*Was he the elusive Nestor Villegas*? *Was he Pete's capo*? I tried to make the connection, but concluded that it was impossible Dan and Nestor were the same person. Nestor's parents weren't New Salem natives while Dan's patriarchal grandfather had worked for my grandfather and his father had worked for mine. My father even had a picture of all of them together, taken at the very grocery store my family used to own.

I quickly deduced that Dan must have done the Angels of Darkness a great service to be inducted into the organization. He got in based on merit, just as I with the Blood Disciples.

But how? It couldn't have been the rape. If that were the case, Liam, Jack and Cris would have all been inducted as well. Did he kill someone to protect Cynthia or Pete? Possibly, but unlikely.

I stared at Dan while he spoke with Lorenzo, analyzing his every move. I could tell Dan was no killer. His eyes didn't have that certain *hardness* one gets once you've tasted blood.

"Excuse me, but can the both of you finish exchanging pleasantries? If you must know, I'm a busy man," Liam interjected coldly in an attempt to stop the chatter between the two men. However, Dan and Lorenzo ignored Liam and continued whispering to one another. Snubbed, Liam stomped his foot in exasperation, hoping his action would get their attention, yet to no avail.

*In the Mafia*, *loyalty was absolute*. Since I myself was a member of the Blood Disciples, I understood the code of conduct required of us in the presence of a high ranking member, and by the looks of it, Dan knew as well.

He had no choice. It was loyalty or death, something Liam knew nothing about.

While Dan and Lorenzo *deliberated* among themselves, my eyes flew from Liam's face to Jack's, then to the Sheriff's. The expressions on both Liam and Jack's faces were so funny, I had to bite my lower lip to withhold the laughter that threatened to surface. They appeared utterly betrayed and forlorn. Curiously though, unlike the two men, the Sheriff didn't seem too bothered by Dan's actions. For some weird reason, he looked amused. I noticed that a corner of his lips was curved upward forming what looked to be a devious smile...

Wondering why, I took notice of our surroundings and I saw several of the Sheriff's deputies circling around us.

*Ah*... *The Sheriff had Lorenzo surrounded*.

I wasn't the only one who spotted the Sheriff's deputies. Apparently, Lorenzo's young bodyguard was also aware of the impending situation, looking quite agitated. While he nervously wiped the sweat off his forehead, I saw his lips moving rapidly. I focused my eyes on his lips hoping to catch something, but I soon gave up. It was pointless. I couldn't make out a damn thing.

All of a sudden, he stopped moving his lips and straightened himself, standing at attention directly behind Lorenzo. Then, for some reason, he turned his eyes to his left, slightly nodding his head in that direction.

I took a step back and slowly turned my head to where he was looking at and saw a dark haired man in black jeans and a light blue shirt, watching us at the store about three doors down.

As I tried to get a better look at him, a group of people wearing bee costumes walked in between us, blocking my line of sight. When they had finally passed, he was gone.

*Was that the Colonel*? I looked back at Lorenzo's bodyguard, hoping he had followed the man with his eyes. Unfortunately, his eyes were on Lorenzo much to my dismay.

"Liam, before we do anything rash, let's listen to what, uhm, Mr. Ortiz has to say," I suddenly heard Dan say. "He promises to make it worth your-"

"Rash? May I remind you that there was a massacre that happened here last weekend. Many died that night. Based on the Sheriff's initial investigation, the massacre was found to be the work of the Martins *who* we all know are close associates of Mr. Ortiz," Liam argued, his voice low. "I have half a mind to have you arrested for conspiracy-"

"Arrest me? For what?" Lorenzo asked sweetly, his lips curving into a mocking smile. "For being friends with someone? Mayor Cohen, don't forget that you yourself are also a *close associate* of the Martíns. In fact, so close that your father and Tomas Martín had a weekly shipment schedule." Liam's face instantly turned a pale white at the mention of shipment. "Oh, you think I don't know what goes on in this little town of yours?" Lorenzo chuckled, unbuttoning his jacket, looking quite relaxed. "If there is anyone here who should be arrested, I tell you...
*it isn't me*." Lorenzo sneered as his eyes glanced from Liam to me, then back to Liam. "My apologies, Mayor Cohen. I'm guessing your stunning fiancé here knows nothing of what I say? Hmm?"

"Know what?" I asked, feigning confusion. I turned to Liam. "Liam, darling, what is he talking about?" Liam raised my hand to his lips and kissed it.

"He's obviously done business with my father," Liam replied gruffly. "How about if you-"

"Woah... Hold on a sec. Don't dismiss this sweet girl just yet," Lorenzo interjected, his dark eyes wide with mischief. "Virtue, my dear, are you a local of New Salem?"

"I consider myself to be, although I just moved here-" I was going to say a few weeks ago, but Lorenzo didn't let me finish.

"I see. Do you, by any chance, know anything about a young girl named Joy Taylor?" Lorenzo asked, grinning. He was clearly enjoying the prickly situation Liam was in.

"Mr. Ortiz-," Liam began, but Lorenzo raised his hand to silence him.

"Let her answer," Lorenzo blurted, his tone harsh.

"J-Joy Taylor?" I nodded my head. "I actually bought the house that once belonged to her and her family. Why do you ask, Lorenzo?" I heard Liam mutter a curse under his breath. He didn't like the fact that Lorenzo and I were on a first name basis.

"Good question. *Why* do *I* ask, Mayor Cohen?" Lorenzo threw his head back and laughed merrily. "Should I inform your fiancé or would you like to do the honors?" Lorenzo laughed again, but this time his laugh was dark and cruel, as if he was laughing at a sick joke.

Looking utterly clueless, I turned my face to Liam and waited for his answer.

I saw the anguish in Liam's eyes, but he wasn't the only one who looked disturbed. I noticed the same fearful demeanor in Jack, Dan and the Sheriff.

All three men had their eyes to the ground as if they were ashamed. Well, they should be... after what they did to me!

"While Mayor Cohen musters the courage, Dan, my good man, please introduce me to your friends. For all you know, we can actually become *close associates*."

I saw Liam's pleading eyes lock with the Sheriff's. It was the distraction I needed. As Dan made the introductions, I quickly placed a small audio device in Liam's jacket pocket and waited. I had a feeling Liam would send me away so he could discuss things in private.

"Now that we are all formally introduced, I think we need to negotiate," Dan mumbled, biting his lip anxiously. "We need to hear what Mr. Ortiz has to say, Liam."

Liam coughed and quickly turned to me, extracting my arm from his. "How about you go and find Kiki? After I'm done here, we can grab lunch before we all get ready for our wedding. Whaddayasay?"

"Ah, yes, your wedding is this afternoon," I heard Lorenzo murmur. Liam raised a finger at him, gesturing for him to remain quiet.

"I think Kiki is still busy altering her bridesmaid dress," I replied, pouting. I had to act like the petulant bride.

"Why don't you help her, hon? So everything will be perfect for later," Liam coaxed, kissing the palm of my hands. "I'm guessing she's at Virtue's, right? How about I have some of the Sheriff's deputies escort you to the commercial complex? I promise, I'll only be a short while. Please, Virtue? For me?"

I was about to argue when I heard screams of delight. I raised my eyes and saw people pointing to the sky above them.

I looked up and saw money slowly floating down from the sky. The throngs of people reached up, their arms outstretched above their heads, hoping to catch some of the cash.

"What in the world? Is that money?" Dan gasped, awestruck.

"I believe we need to adjourn for the time being. Let's talk another time," Lorenzo suddenly said. Judging by his face, he knew a riot was coming.

"This afternoon at the wedding, Mr. Ortiz," Dan said, escorting him away from the people. "You can come as my guest." Lorenzo nodded his head and gestured to his bodyguard.

"Fine. This afternoon then. Brix, let's go-"

All of a sudden, from out of nowhere, we heard a blood curdling scream and a loud bang that sounded like a gunshot. Whatever it was, it caused a panic among everyone in the crowd. People began running in all directions, many of them headed towards us, knowing the shops behind us provided protection.

However, smoke began to billow from the trees located behind the small stores causing the people to turn around and run toward the commercial complex instead.

Strangely, Brix pushed Lorenzo and steered him toward the direction of the smoke without even a protest from Lorenzo.

*The smoke was from the Blue Rogues*.

While I stood calmly in the midst of the chaos, the Sheriff quickly placed an arm around Liam, then gestured for the rest of us to follow them.

"No," Liam cried, pulling away from the Sheriff, his arms outstretched, reaching out for me. "Virtue!"

"She'll follow us, son," the Sheriff hissed, dragging Liam away from me. "Now move it! We need to get out of here!" He turned around to Jack. "Jack, I need you up front to give us a clear path out of here. I want you to head to the diner."

While Jack ran ahead of them, pushing the people aside, Dan dashed to Liam's side. "Follow us, Virtue. You'll be safe with us," he assured me while he gestured for me to follow them.

Distancing myself, I slowly walked behind them, calmly moving around the panic-stricken people. I took out a black silk scarf from my purse and draped it over my hand. Then, I reached below my dress and took my gun out from its holster. Concealing the gun under the fabric of my scarf, I aimed it at Liam's retreating back. Perfect...

*All I needed to do was shoot*.

An image of Liam bleeding on the pavement made the corners of my lips curve into a smile. Fuck the mansion and all his assets! The state can have the Cohen's wealth.

I was about to squeeze the trigger of my gun, when at that exact moment, Dan unexpectedly took a step back, positioning himself directly behind Liam.

*Shit*!

Well, I could kill Liam later tonight. Dan, the prick, was the reason I couldn't have children. He damaged so much of me that being pregnant with a child of my own was out of the question.

Let's not forget that he was a member of the Angels of Darkness. The world was better off without them.

I aimed my gun at his spine. If he survived, at least he would be paralyzed.

However, as I was about to shoot, I felt a hand grab my shoulder. I quickly turned my head and heaved a sigh of relief when I saw it was Kiki. She was wearing a bee suit, the dark net of the beekeeping hat almost hiding her face.

"Not here," she whispered, lowering my gun. "We have to wait until tonight."

"But they deserve it," I argued, utterly frustrated.

"I know they do, but you deserve to look them in the eyes when you kill them. Not like this," Kiki pointed out gently. And she was right. Begrudgingly, I reholstered my gun and felt an overwhelming feeling of disappointment. *I was so close*... "Come on, Virtue. Let's head back to the complex. Pretend like you're hurt." She quickly placed an arm around my shoulders, pretending to assist me, while I walked with a limp.

As we slowly made our way toward the complex, I heard another loud sound followed by a strange hissing sound. I raised my head up to look into the sky and saw fireworks.

"Trees and fireworks. Not a good combination," Kiki muttered under her breath. "Shield your eyes and cover your nose. There's going to be a lot of-"

She suddenly stopped walking.

Apparently, someone was blocking our path.