Chapter 4

Chloe Madden

“He is going to kill us. He is going to kill us.” I screamed as I told my sister what Carter warned me about. The words spilled out of my mouth in a panicked rush, each syllable loaded with fear and desperation.

"Chloe, calm down," she commanded, her tone sharp and authoritative. "We need to stay calm. Dad will continue doing such things. We need to think of a permanent solution.”

"But Jess, he was so... so sure of himself. He said he is going to finish it all now, he is tired of playing this game. What if he does something to mumma or you?" My voice was shaking, my hands trembling as I clutched at the memory of Carter's intense gaze and the chilling promise in his words.

Jessica placed her hands on my shoulders, grounding me with her steady presence. "Chloe, listen to me. We knew this job wouldn't be easy, especially with someone like Carter Gray. He's used to getting what he wants and dad will never let that happen. So we are stuck between a rock and a hard place.”

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart. Jessica was right.

"Okay," I said, my voice steadier now. "What do we do?"

Jessica's eyes narrowed, her mind already working on a plan. "First, we need to inform Dad about what happened. He needs to know exactly what we're up against. Then, we need to gather as much evidence as we can on Carter. We need to hit him where it hurts—his operations, his finances, his connections. If we can dismantle his empire piece by piece, he'll lose his power because dad is not going to stop so we might as well help him. We just need something linking him to his crimes and it will all be good once he is behind bars."

I nodded, feeling a sense of determination ignite within me. "Again what about our family? What if he goes after Mom or you?"

"We'll increase security. I'll make sure Mom is safe, and I'll be careful too. But Chloe, you need to promise me you'll be careful as well. Carter is dangerous, and he's clearly interested in you for some reason. We can't afford to underestimate him. Don’t fall into his trap. You know the kind of guy he is."

"I promise," I said, my voice filled with resolve. "I'll be careful. But Jess, there's something else. He... he has this effect on me. I don't know how to explain it, but when he's around, it's like I'm drawn to him. It's terrifying."

Jessica's expression softened slightly, a mix of concern and understanding in her eyes. "Chloe, that's exactly what he wants. He thrives on control and manipulation. You need to stay strong and focused. Remember once we take him down, the other Lancasters would fall down like domino."

"Easier said than done. You are too optimistic. Have you not read up on them? Do you really think we can take them down? Don't be crazy," I relapsed, his words echoing in my mind.

‘He was done with the games.’

"So what do you wish to do? You know you are a police officer, right?" my sister asked, her voice filled with judgment.

"I mean, it would be different if they were going around hurting innocent people. If there were rapes and murders, then things would be different. They are literally not hurting anyone. I’m sorry if I feel like I'm putting my family in danger for no good cause," I told her in an exasperated tone.

"So all the illegal things they are doing are somehow better because they don’t kill innocent people?" she asked.

"No, it's not okay. But marijuana and gang violence among themselves are not the hills I want to die on. I guess I’m a bad police officer," I said, and she looked at me with a blank expression. "And what about Dad? Torturing innocent people because they 'might be' related to the Lancasters? He thinks it's alright because he is the lesser of the two evils. Why does he not care about what might happen to Mom?" I asked, my eyes tearing up.

My sister and I were very close, but no one had accepted and loved me the way my mom loved me, and I couldn't imagine living without her.

"Yes, but you are his daughter, and the day you decided to become a police officer, you made a choice," she said, and I snorted with haughty derision.

"I made the decision?" I asked, and she looked at me, not knowing what to say. "We weren't exactly given an option, were we?" I asked, and she sighed in defeat.

"Okay, I know this is a very tense situation. I understand that you might be going through something after one of the scariest and most dangerous men on the earth threatened you. Go home, and I promise we'll come up with a plan that makes everyone feel safe again," she promised, and she hugged me as I breathed in hard.

For the first time, my sister wasn’t able to comfort me. I always trusted and blindly believed her, but now the fear and doubt gnawed at me, and I felt more lost than ever.

For the first time, I felt like she didn’t know what she was up against.

"This is absolute insanity. What the hell?" We heard my dad roaring, making us rush into his office. A lot of police officers were gathered around him as he yelled.

"This is coming from the chief of police, sir. I can't do anything," my captain said with his head down.

"That mafia scum sues me for wrongful arrest, and the chief of police suspends me. Is he dirty too? I am the only good cop left!" he thundered, making everyone whisper to each other quietly.

"Dad, wrongful arrests are punishable. This is procedure. You knew you were going to get suspended for this," my sister explained, but he brushed her off.

"I have given forty years of my life to this force and this is the thanks I get to try to clean up my city? This is very disrespectful. I am going to confront the chief," he said as he stormed out of the office.

"He's going to get fired, and then we would all be happy," I whispered to my sister, who covered her laugh with a cough.