Chapter 410
Last week, Samuel Prescott sat across from Jericho Kane in a private study thick with the scent of oak and old leather.
The table between them gleamed with crystal glasses and an unopened bottle of wine.
“Samuel,” Jericho said. “I don’t understand you. You want me back in the governor’s seat? You don’t have the power to make that happen p>
Jericho uncorked his finest bottle, pouring deep red into Samuel’s glass.
“I don’t,” Samuel admitted, accepting the pour. “But the king does. He could put you back p>
Jericho laughed, sharp and bitter. “You know where I stand. I am always on the old king’s side. Thee new king? He despises me. He gave Kelly Kingston the governorship just to keep me out p>
“The king sees more than you think, Kane.” Samuel swirled the wine, took a sip, and let his eyes widen. “Remarkable vintage p>
Jericho smirked faintly.
“He’s been watching you,” Samuel continued. “You’ve done nothing. You’ve stayed in the shadows. To him, that means you’re teachable-maybe even useful again p>
Jericho’s smile wavered. He sipped his wine, the weight of it heavy on his tongue, and let out a tired sigh.
“When a man has only a few years left, Samuel, he stops looking for wars. He searches for peace p>
Samuel’s eyes narrowed. “So it’s catching up to you. How long? Ten years p>
Jericho shook his head, slow and grim.
“You know the old king. His greed had no limits. My father-in-law drained forty years of my life’s core to strengthen himself. I feel it slipping from me every day. At best, I’ve got a year-maybe two p>
He set the glass down with care, voice dropping to a whisper. “For now, all I want is peace p>
“Is that truly what you want?” Samuel asked, his voice calm but cutting.
Jericho turned his gaze to the blue sky beyond the window.
“When I was young, giving up my life span for power and authority felt like a fair trade. But now? No. Time is not something you sell. It’s priceless p>
“I’d give anything to see my daughter marry, to hold a grandchild. But that’s impossible now. All I can hope for is a brighter future for Bella p>
Samuel studied him carefully. “Then will you take the king’s offer p>
Jericho leaned back, his face unreadable. “First-if it means Bella has a chance
to be governor, then yes. But second-what happens to Kelly Kingston? She’s the governor now p>
“She’ll be stripped,” Samuel said flatly. “Stripped of her position and her place in the Kingswell p>
Jericho chuckled, a low, weary sound. “Fallen from the king’s grace. That’s no small punishment p>
He tilted his glass again, smiling thinly. “Fine. No problem. But tell me, Samuel- what was her mistake? What line did she cross? I want to know, so I and Bella never step on the same land mine p>
Samuel pushed back his chair and stood. “Every eye in Vermont reports to you, Kane. Tell me did you see anything different about Kelly in her last term p>
Jericho’s face hardened. “She became obsessed with killing Sophia Lancaster. And worse-she started helping Charles Kingston plot against Alex p>
“I could see it-rage and jealousy controlled her every move. She was slipping into the dark side, and that path only leads to destruction. She was destroying herself by giving in to her own poisoned emotions p>
Samuel nodded once, lips tightening. “Good. Then don’t make the same mistakes. Keep clear of that filth, and your position will be safe p>
Jericho pushed back his chair and stood. “Tell me, Samuel-have you met the king? Is he worth loyalty p>
Samuel laughed, harsh and loud, the sound echoing off the walls as he walked toward the door.
“You’ve met him too, Kane. And your daughter-her eyes are sharper than yours. The king will never put you back in the governor’s seat unless he met you himself p>
“I have met him and My daughter sharp eyes?” Jericho muttered, his mind already turning. He was a calculating man-one hint was enough, and a name came to him.
The next night, he summoned Bella.
“Bella,” Jericho said, studying her face, “what would you think if I took the governor’s seat again p>
Bella didn’t even pause.
“Father, you work twice as hard as Kelly, earn twice the respect, and deliver better results than she ever has p>
“Compared to her inexperience, it’s only natural the king would put you back.” She popped a snack into her mouth, chewing like it was the simplest truth in the world. Jericho leaned forward. “And how do you know the king will choose me p>
Bella smirked. “Because if he really is the king, then he must be smart. And a smart man doesn’t waste an opportunity like this. You’ve been lying low, showing no hunger for power. That makes you look safe, stable-the obvious choice. Safer than Kelly p>
Jericho’s eyes narrowed. “Why is the king losing favor with Kelly p>
He loved these talks with Bella. His daughter wasn’t just clever-she was a
genius, sharper than anyone else he knew.
“She’s too emotional,” Bella continued.
“She makes reckless choices. She never should’ve gone after Sophia Lancaster. The king clearly favors Sophia, yet Kelly dared to strike at her. That wasn’t courage that was stupidity p>
Jericho’s eyes glinted. “If Kelly falls, what happens to the Kingstons p>
Bella leaned forward. “They’ll mark you as their enemy. Alfred Kingston will believe that if you die, he can shove Kelly back into power. He won’t stop until he tries p>
Jericho’s gaze hardened. “And in your opinion p>
“If he comes after you, he’s poking a tiger. If Alfred dares lay a hand on you, give
me two months-I’ll take Los Angeles for us p>
Jericho arched a brow. “And how exactly will you do that p>
Bella waved her hand like the whole thing bored her.
“Alfred forgets who put him in power. The king placed him there. Half the city hates him as governor. They’ve already built their underground, waiting for the right strike p>
“If we slip them money, Los Angeles will bleed from Alfred’s grip. And if he comes at us first, that gives us the excuse to crack his skull and throw him out p>
Jericho worked the plan through in his head, then smiled. He stepped to Bella, pulling her into his arms.
“You’re my precious girl. I forget sometimes you were reading men like open books at ten years old. With an IQ of two-fifty, this world is too dull for you p>
“I’m not smart,” Bella said coldly. “Everyone else is just too stupid p>
Jericho chuckled. “True enough. The world’s full of fools p>
Bella’s mouth curved into a sly smile. “But Alex is different. He’s sharp, like me.
His eyes are always calculating what people think p>
Jericho studied her. “You’re certain p>
“Father, when have I ever lied to you?” she shot back, eyes sharp.
“I can smell my own kind. Alex is the first-he’s different. Smart, yes. But too soft too sentimental to be a real man. Maybe that’s his weakness… or maybe that’s his charm. A gentleman.” s
“Good,” Jericho said, voice low and
satisfied. When I take the
governor’s seat, I’ll give you everything Everything. But he hesitated, then leaned close don’ trust your mother.” s
Bella tilted her head. “Why? You think she’ll steal my life energy to stay young p>
Jericho froze. His father-in-law had mastered the forbidden art-stealing years of
life to strengthen himself.
Even at lower levels, the ritual worked on family. He’d always feared his wife would take from Bella.
“You know?” Jericho whispered.
Bella’s eyes glittered. “Mother has already taken years from me white I slept. I’ve counted-ten years, gone. I learned the art in secret, Father. I know when she drams me She, keeps her youth by bleeding me dry.” s
Jericho’s face twisted with shock. “Bella p>
“Father.” She locked her gaze with his. “Grandfather and Mother never taught you
the art. But I can. I’ll teach you how to take years. Take mine. Live longer, Father p>
Jericho burst into rough, guttural laughter, though his eyes burned with tears as he crushed her against his chest.
“Don’t ever say that again,” he growled. “It’s a father’s duty to give his life to his daughter-never the other way around p>
“I don’t mind, Father,” Bella whispered.
“I do mind,” Jericho shot back, his voice breaking.
“I mind more than anything. You are my daughter. You are my life. And I will do everything everything for you p>
Back to now.
Eddie shoved the syringe home, chemicals flooding Jericho Kane’s veins.
Jericho’s body convulsed, muscles seizing as the toxins ripped through him. His
chest arched, black veins crawling under his skin.
Then-clarity.
For a handful of seconds, strength surged back.
He forced his eyes open and saw them-his sister, his wife-their faces twisted in
panic.
“Jericho, you have to save us!” Beatrice screamed.
His wife’s voice broke through the chaos. “Bella is out of control p>
Jericho saw it all, and he knew—the plan was working.
“Guards,” Jericho rasped, voice rough but steady. “What command did Bella
give p>
One of the guards straightened. “If the doctor they chose cannot heal you, Master, everyone here will be executed p>
“Good,” Jericho growled. “Then kill them all p>
Black blood poured from his eyes, ears, and mouth like a floodgate bursting.
The guards didn’t hesitate.
Gunfire roared.
Bullets ripped through his sister, the doctor, everyone in the room. Jericho’s body
collapsed with them, blood pouring from every opening.
Yet on his lips, a faint smile remained.
Bella, my daughter… I’ve carried all the weight that threatened your future.
You are free now. Live as you were meant to. This is my last gift for you.
My daughter. Live happily.
Gunshots thundered, the room drowning in smoke and screams.
Outside the door, Bella pressed her back against the wall. Her shield hung limp at
her side, her face streaked with silent tears.
“Have a safe journey, Father,” she whispered.