Oliver stood on the balcony overlooking the ballroom. He watched as Lucille gave her brother a tour of the campaign headquarters. He just kept thinking to himself: "What am I going to do?"

The worst part about it is that he couldn't even let Lucille know that this person she was standing mere inches away from was not her brother but a ruffian, a hired gun.

The entire Marcotte clan has been in the business of eliminating what they, or their clients, deem to be preeminent threats. James Reed was in neck deep with the Marcottes. Their ties go back to the years he served as governor. If ever a state official, like a legislator or congressman, needed some extra convincing to support tax cuts, or whatever James Reed wanted to pass, the Marcottes would take care of it.

When he remembered the involvement between James Reed and the Marcottes he knew he had to pay his father a visit. He needed to know what him being elected as governor had to do with the Marcottes.

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Oliver barely let the car stop before jumping out at the country club. He was going to confront his father and he didn't care who was around.

He walked into the dining area and spotted him sitting at the bar chatting up some woman. Typical. Oliver shook his head in disgust as he darted over.

"You need to tell me what the fuck is going on", Oliver said as he approached him.

James Reed chuckled at his son. He sent a nod in the woman's direction signaling her to give them space. She gave Oliver a curious glance before scurrying away.

"I wondered when you'd show up, son", he said calmly. "Sit down and have a drink with your old man."

"I'm not sitting down or having a drink with you, you son of a bitch," Oliver said raising his voice, trying not to lash out in public. "Tell me what's going on."

"Either you sit down or I have a bullet put in your girlfriend's head."

Oliver's heart dropped. In that moment, this all became real. James Reed wasn't just associating with the most dangerous family in Texas but he was acting like one of them.

Oliver took the seat next to his father that was formerly occupied by James' female friend.

"Don't you ever belly up to me like that again or you'll regret it," James said venomously. "Now it's about time for you to know what's going to happen when you're elected and in the coming years."

Oliver took a deep breath. He flagged down the bartender.

"Two whiskeys", he ordered.

The bartender returned with the two glasses, placing one in front of Oliver and one in front of James. Oliver slid them both closer to him. He knew he'd need more than one to get through this conversation.

"Son why do you think you're so far ahead in the polls right now?", James questioned. "And don't say because of the campaign you've run because Thatcher Hayes' campaign is by far the best I've seen in years."

Oliver shook his head. "I don't know but I'm sure you'll tell me."

James turned to his son. "I think it's about time you meet your benefactors."

James Reed got up from his seat, gesturing for Oliver to follow. Oliver downed the two drinks he ordered before getting up.

The ride to the undisclosed location was daunting. James pulled onto a long gravel road. Oliver could hear the gravel rocks popping under the car and it made him cringe.

When the car stopped, Oliver saw that they were parked in front of what looked like an old warehouse in a remote location and he could bet that was intentional.

James opened his door, getting out of the car so Oliver, dreadfully, did the same. They walked up to the entrance where a bulky man stood as guard.

"Evening Mr. Reed", he said before allowing them to enter.

Once inside, a woman offered them drinks. They both declined. She then led them to a door.

Oliver's heart sped up as he thought of all the possibilities of what would happen on the other side. When they walked in he saw four unfamiliar faces. Three men and one woman.

"James you brought a guest", the woman spoke up. She was white with hair black as night. She looked wicked.

"It's about time we meet him", one of the men chimed in. He was of Asian descent and a little older than the others.

"Yeah it's good to finally meet the person I'm forking over all my money to", another said. He was white and seemed to be around Oliver's age.

"Christopher the only reason you're here is because your pockets are so deep. Let's not forget that", the last one interposed. He was the last to speak. It was then that Oliver recognized him. He worked for the Marcottes.

"Oh Bill, did you have to go there again?", the woman spoke up again, obviously frustrated.

As they started to argue amongst themselves, Oliver turned to his father.

"Who are these people?", he whispered. Or so he thought.

"Oh he speaks", the woman said standing from her seat. She walked over to him.

"Do you all work for the Marcottes?", Oliver asked.

"Work for the Marcottes?" The woman laughed hysterically. "No one here works for anyone."

She went on. "This is all", she paused and pondered. "A group effort."

The Asian man spoke up. "Think of us as the syndicate."

"We're offering you a seat at the table", the woman said taking her seat. "Your father has been so kind and open to all of our help."

James Reed gave a strong nod.

"It's time you put in the work and show us you're worthy of our generosity", the younger man, Christopher, chimed in.

"Either you give us what we want or we take it", the woman said.

"We'll take it all", Bill said. Oliver understood clearly since this man had connections to the Marcottes. He meant they would take everything and everyone.

Oliver nodded. "Just tell me what I need to do."

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Lucille and Jared had just eaten dinner and she was now getting him settled into his hotel room.

Jared thanked her.

"I'll be back in the morning to check in and maybe you can come to the campaign headquarters with me", she said in a questioning tone.

"Sounds good", he responded.

She nodded and started to make her way toward the door.

"Hey, can I ask you something?", he asked.

Lucille nodded.

"You have a thing with Oliver Reed right?", he questioned.

Lucille's breathing hitched. "Why would you think that?"

"Oh, I'm so sorry", he said. "That was so disrespectful and out of line. I apologize."

"Okay", Lucille nodded.

"It's just", he continued. "I saw the way you act around each other. And the way you talk about him is nothing short of a school girl telling stories about a crush."

"I'm sorry but you're mistaken. I respect Mr. Reed and his hard work through this campaign has been admirable. He gave me a chance when no one else believed in me. If anything he's a mentor to me and nothing more", she defended herself.

"And he's married", she added, internally screaming.

"You're right, again I'm sorry, I was just trying to look out for you", he said.

"Look out for me how?", Lucille asked.

"I know men like Oliver. They abuse their power to take advantage of people and I don't want to see that happening to my little sister."

"Well it won't", Lucille said.

She turned to walk away. "I'll see you tomorrow", she threw over her shoulder.

Lucille got to the hotel room and was surprised to see Oliver wasn't there yet. He'd disappeared earlier at work so she figured he'd be there.

She showered, brushed her teeth, then moisturized her body. She dressed for bed in one of Oliver's t-shirts which fit her like a nightie. She wanted to wait up for Oliver to get back. Even though she told him earlier she was abstaining, she was all for an early celebration tonight.

She picked up her cellphone from the nightstand to text Oliver.

"where are you?? should I wait up?", she sent.

She fell asleep soon after, without getting a response.