Chapter 93 - 95
Kelsey wanders closer. "But Simon opened your eyes to something none of us would’ve seen?"
"The first indicator was when Botan was at my house. But at that time, I didn’t know who he was. With everything that was going down with Haru and this ’debt’ my father owes. He served us this lie about coercion."
Kelsey comes close and releases an explosive sigh as she plops down beside me. "It’s unbelievable that your father’s childhood friend is a Yakuza boss. I mean—I just—don’t know what to believe."
I drop back down on my back so I can look up at her. "Me neither. Which is why I want to find out the truth about it all—his relationship with Haru, the alliance and the Vacherons’ involvement. I’m guessing there is a history there that was conveniently left out."
"Kinda is suspicious how this all came about. How their proposal for the alliance came in right when we hear about Haru allegedly threatening Uncle Al, and Colton coming out of nowhere with preternatural timing, offering salvation, all at the cost of your hand. But why you—no offense."
"None taken," I say with half a smile. "It’s plagued me since day one, but I didn’t really get a chance to think it through because everything was happening so fast. But it was the same reason why I wondered why a crime boss would choose my father to exploit? Same question stems from Colton. If either party wanted significant political influence, leverage a senator or something. Not a local mayor—at the time."
"Yeah, but what ulterior motive could they have with you?" she asks, to voice the question looming behind every theory. "The link between the alliance and your family is your father because he and Haru go way back—take over the world, yeah, we get it. Fine. The Vacherons however, more especially, what does Colton gain from the alliance?"
"Power," I blurt and I bolt upright so we’re aligned even with our bodies facing opposite ways. "Allegedly, my father has a host of criminal connections, including the Yakuza—billions in shadow currency. My father must be the bridge between the worlds, so that means—"
"The Vacherons are dirty," Kelsey says in a dramatic conspiratorial voice like announcing a plot-twist revelation that was kind of obvious the moment my father himself made his criminal affiliation known.
With speculations still stirring, Kelsey moves her body to recline her back on the bed like the way I was with her head resting at the foot. I drop back down with my face turned to look back at her, shoulder-to-shoulder, as I can practically see the steam emanating from her temples as the gears churn.
"So wait... let’s say you investigate this further. Teamed up with that hot ex-detective and—"
"I never said he was hot."