Sizzle & Share (Surrender to Them 9)

“Yeah, I think you had more memory loss than you realize, because Henry Walford offered to support your campaign if you ran against Mayor Stevenson.” Dad nodded.

“Seriously?” My eye brows shot up in surprise. “Why? He’s an ally…”

“Old Man Wrigley told me to talk to Henry Walford, but he didn’t tell me why.” Hudson pulled himself up to a sitting position.

“The alliance between the Walford family and Mayor Stevenson isn’t as strong as we’ve always believed. Mayor Stevenson paid them to shut down the mill, which has caused most of the problems here in Andalusia.” Dad sighed and shook his head. “This place used to thrive because there were more jobs available than people to fill them.”

“Why would Mayor Stevenson do that?” I pulled over a chair and sat down. “Destroying the economy isn’t beneficial to anyone…”

“Unless you want to buy the land.” Dad turned towards me. “He’s buying up the land as people go broke and have to sell it—or the bank takes it. He’s getting it for pennies on the dollar because the economy is so fucked up.”

“So, he’s doing everything he can to keep money out of Andalusia.” I felt my face twist into a snarl. “That fucking asshole—fucking greedy asshole.”

“Yep.” Dad nodded. “Henry Walford believes that the reason Mayor Stevenson doing it is because he’s going to wait until he owns enough land—and then revive the economy so he can sell the land to developers for a premium price. He’s even been talking with some automobile manufacturers—and there are a few that are interested in putting a plant near Andalusia.”

“Why is Henry Walford turning on Mayor Stevenson now? His family has plenty of money. Closing the mill hurt the town, but they still live in a mansion.” I tilted my head inquisitively.

“Yes, but Henry Walford has cancer.” Dad sighed. “It’s really aggressive and he doesn’t have long. I think he’s just worried about karma—or maybe he found religion in his old age and is looking to atone for his sins.”

“Fuck…” Hudson shook his head slowly. “If I had Henry Walford behind my campaign, I would have had a shot—I mean, I could have beaten Mayor Stevenson.”

“Yes.” Dad nodded quickly. “With his help, and the frustration that people are already dealing with—I think you would have won by a landslide.”

“That means Mayor Stevenson had a real motive for making sure you never got a chance—if he knew that Henry Walford was going to turn on him.” I nodded in un

derstanding. “But how would he have known?”

“I don’t know.” Dad shrugged and turned back towards Hudson. “But very few things happen in Andalusia that Mayor Stevenson doesn’t know about. You were making waves and then you went to see Henry Walford. Maybe he connected the dots.”

“This is bullshit.” I was so angry that I couldn’t sit anymore. “I’m going to handle this.”

“Wait!” Dad hopped up and grabbed my arm. “What do you think you’re going to do? Storm into his house and kick his ass?”

“Yeah.” I pulled away. “That’s exactly what I’m going to do.”

“No—Preston stop.” Hudson’s voice caused me to stop before I walked through the door. “That isn’t the right way to handle this.”

“You’re laying in a fucking bed—you had to have part your damn skull removed to relieve the pressure from that accident! Blood for fucking blood.” I growled under my breath.

“That’s not what I want. There will be hell to pay for what Mayor Stevenson did—if he was even the one who caused the accident. I can’t remember for sure. He’s sure as hell not innocent, but that doesn’t mean he was responsible.” Hudson grimaced as he spoke.

“Then his blood will be the price he pays for all the other shit he did! He’s certainly earned enough of it with how he’s destroyed this town!” I growled and balled my fists—feeling my anger rising.

“Which is why beating the fuck out of him won’t do anything.” Dad walked closer. “I raised you to be smarter than that.”

“He’s done hurting our family. He fucked you over long before Hudson’s accident.” I shook my head angrily.

“Which is why you have to beat him—but not with your fists. You have to run for mayor.” Hudson shifted to the side of the bed. “The foundation is already there, and truthfully, you’re a lot better politician that I would ever be.”

“Run for mayor?” I blinked in surprise. “I don’t want to be the fucking mayor.”

“Then do it for me.” Hudson’s eyes locked on mine. “Take Mayor Stevenson down and fix everything in Andalusia but do it the right way.”

“He’s right.” Dad nodded. “You could do it. Henry Walford will support you.”

“He’s just as bad as Mayor Stevenson.” My jaw tightened.

“I’ll help.” A voice startled me, and I turned to see Eliza standing in the hallway. “Hudson’s right. This is the best way to take him down.”