Chapter 54

Alden POV

Colton slants closer. "And how do you know this?"

I scoff condescendingly. "Common sense. Who else has a ghost crew that could get in and out, undetected, no physical, forensic or even digital trace? Just blood and carnage."

"If Botan executed the kill order that means Haru green-lit the hit," Colton points out. "Why would he do that? That's a lot of heat and noise and Haru hates both. Not to mention the gruesome death of the Governor's son. What was Haru's aim? I knew Adler was one of your influential allies—was this a message to you?"

A smile flourishes on my face as I raise my shoulders in genuine bafflement.

"If Haru is ready to do that to him—just to send a message. Imagine what he's prepared to do to you. So why are you smiling like that?"

"Because Adler is stepping down," I announce as my smile grows wider. "And guess who he's endorsing as a prime candidate?"