2026-02-04 23:30:20
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321. Blood, Sweat, and Steel
That phone call put Dustin in a dilemma.Although Alex’s offer was simply too good to refuse, he knew that turning down the mayor’s secretary was bound to have consequences.Angelo Velasquez wasn’t just an elected representative, but a figure of legal authority who decided both industrial and administrative matters.Dustin could spend as much money as he wanted to acquire new land, but he’d never be able to set up any new factories without the mayor’s approval.After some initial reflection, Dustin finally changed his tone.“I am quite busy at the moment. Show her around the factory and bring her some refreshments. Tell her, I’ll meet her in an hour.”With that, he put the phone down and rejoined his discussion with Alex.“That sounded important,” Alex remarked, perceptive of the change in Dustin’s expression.Dustin knew Alex wasn’t another businessman whom he could dupe with a simple lie and reluctantly mumbled, “The administration is interfering in my business again. Mayor Velasque
320. The business of politics
The following day, Alex arrived at the Hoffman Steel Mill, completely unannounced. Josiah Warrington had driven him to his destination, but the plan wasn’t to go together.As Alex stepped out of the rented car, he gazed at the industrial juggernaut with its towering chimneys, spearing the skyline as smoke guzzled out of their black-capped crowns.So used to seeing polished glass and marbled floors, this place offered a stark contrast to Alex’s natural habitat back in Glenmonte.The concrete monstrosity before him had flames burning in its belly 24/7, and the people who were scurrying across the factory floor like ants had the mammoth task of keeping it well-fed throughout their 12-hour shifts.“This is the largest mill I have ever seen,” Josiah mumbled, awestruck by the sight of the smoking concrete giant. “I don’t think I could ever work here. It’s suffocating and bleak.”“Good thing I didn’t bring you here to start a new steel mill,” Alex joked. “But I need your help dealing with th
319. A double-edged sword
Ross Spencer’s appearance on camera alongside Angelo Velasquez sent a clear message to not just Alex, but the other business competitors as well.Ross was now under the mayor’s protection, and any attempts to hurt him or derail his new business ventures would be met with serious repercussions.Alex knew this wasn’t the civilized boardroom politics of Glenmonte. Out here in Cobalt Cove, when power cracked its whip, the masses listened in silence.The mayor had the whole city pressed under his thumb, and the only ones powerful enough to challenge his authority were the industrialists who ran the mills and the mines.Far away from all his allies, Alex was completely isolated. And here in Cobalt Cove, his money was worth nothing without the proper connections.Josiah had also watched the news, and it didn’t take him too long to show up at Alex’s door.Alex invited him in and switched off the TV.“I think now we know who was after the attack. Ross Spencer still holds a grudge against you f
318. The Mastermind
Howard instructed the driver to take them to a safehouse on the outskirts of the city, where Alex was already waiting for them.“I am really sorry I got you into this mess, Josiah. Are you alright?”Josiah heaved a sigh of relief and embraced Alex. “I was more worried about you. Those cops wanted me to take your name. Almost like they had a personal vendetta against you.”“I figured they’d do that,” Alex replied. “Those bikers didn’t attack you for no reason. They wanted to lure me out. I was their real target.”“But why? Did you know any of them?”“No, I didn’t. I don’t think they were in this alone.”“What do you mean?”“Someone hired them,” Alex replied in a low voice. “Cobalt Cove is not our territory. And I think we’ve managed to piss off someone quite influential.”“Who?”“We are still working on that,” Howard pitched in. “But it will take some time. This city isn’t run by law. Only power and influence talk here.”Howard instructed his agents to stand guard outside and escorted
317. Saved by the Bell
Maxwell was promptly taken into custody and thrown into a lockup, while Josiah Warrington was taken to the nearest public hospital for treatment.A few hours later, as Josiah recovered enough to sit up straight, the senior patrol officer, Ronald Carter, came in and cuffed him right there on the hospital bed.“Mr. Josiah Warrington, you are being arrested for trespassing, vandalism, property destruction, and multiple counts of homicide. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.”Josiah looked at him with a dazed expression as if still trying to figure out if he was hallucinating under the effect of the anesthetic.“Have you gone mad?” he growled in his throaty voice. “I am the victim here. Those bikers shot me in the arm! I barely made it out alive, and you’re blaming me instead?”“Save it for the judge,” Ronald snapped, ignoring his words completely.Another detective marched in and grabbed Josiah by his arm.“Let’s get y
316. To the Slaughter
The two bikers on the upper floor were ready to kick the door open and burst in when the sound of gunshots caught their attention.On the floor below, Alex had just shot Mitch in the legs, bringing him down.“Son of a bitch!”Cursing and grunting, Mitch flipped around and fired his shotgun.The slug shots shattered the fire alarm panel, triggering the sprinklers and setting off the emergency sirens.Alex jumped to his left and took cover behind a disposal bin placed on a rolling trolley.“God damn it! I swear I’ll kill you!” Mitch reached out to his men on the phone. “Someone…got in. And he’s armed! Stay alert!”Alex crouched and moved to one side of the trolley before pushing it into the open.As the trolley rolled out from behind the bleeding racks, Mitch reacted on instinct and fired again, blasting it with three slug shots.Alex jumped out and took Mitch by surprise, shooting him in the chest.“I see him!”The bikers on the upper floor opened fire with their Micro Uzis, raining do
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