Sadie's Game (Ashby Crime Family)

“Ready?”

I nodded and squeezed Thomas’ hand as we made our way down from the VIP area and outside, where half a dozen reporters stood with microphones outstretched and blinding white lights aimed right at the club. “We are so happy you all have decided to come out and offer up free promotions for Lucky Lopez.”

The reporters laughed. “Is this Green Zone rejuvenation real or just another ploy to gain power?”

I sighed and gazed at the blonde woman. “I don’t know. Have you asked the citizens who live here? Who works here? Who are now safe and secure, something I did for them when law enforcement could not? Or would not?”

“Does this mean we’ll see more of the infamous Sadie Ashby around the Green Zone?”

I smiled. “You can count on it.” I sucked in a deep breath and let it out slowly as I looked around at what I’d accomplished. It was a good thing, and yeah, I was still as powerful as I ever was, but as long as other people came up in the process, who the hell cared?

I turned to Thomas with a smile just as shots rang out.

Thomas’ smile faded. “What’s wrong?” The words sounded strange coming out of my mouth. It was like I was hearing them underwater.

“Sadie!” His fierce expression told me something was wrong, but the lights started to dim, and as Thomas wrapped his arms around me, my world faded to black.