For Us, It Will Be

Chapter Five - The Branding

"As do I," John said. "Which is why I still have a relationship with Kayce."

Oakley frowned, knowing John knew which nerve he planned to hit with her. She turned and faced him, crossing her arms.

"John...I swear if you do anything to Kayce," Oakley warned.

"I'm not going to do anything to him, Oakley," John sighed. "Except preserve the life he wants for himself and his family. That's what this race will do...it's the end game."

"End game?" Oakley asked. "You're only governor for four years, what happens after that?"

"Peace," John said.

Oakley gave him a funny look.

"I don't think you know what that word means," She said softly. "You've never experienced peace in your whole life, John. There is always a fight. You've brought destruction and chaos to anyone close to you...you've destroyed lives...you've ended lives."

John kept a calm look on his face.

"You got your endorsement," Oakley said. "You've seen your new granddaughter."

"Seems like I'm getting what I want despite your disagreement," He said.

"Then what else is there?" Oakley asked. "What more do you want from us? We can't be that happy family, John. You can win and control the rules to save this place, but it will never be what you truly want. Don't you see that now?"

"You need help with your attacks, Oakley," John told her.

"Attacks?" Oakley glared. "Fine...you haven't had peace since Evelyn died, and you've been chasing after a feeling you'll never be able to feel again."

John seemed to think over Oakley's words. He walked around her, taking the stairs slowly. She watched him reach the bottom. He looked back up at her. Frowning, Oakey walked downstairs until she was at the last one.

"Ask me the question, Oakley," John said.

She took a deep breath.

"Did you have Lawrence Stone killed?" Oakley asked.

"No," John said.

That wasn't what Oakley thought he would say. Her eyes grew large as she looked at him in disbelief. John placed his hands in his pockets and turned to leave.

"I shot him myself."

**

"Oakley...Oakley...Oaks!"

Tate nudged Oakley on the bench they were both sitting on. She looked over at him.

"You're shaking the whole bench," Tate smirked.

Oakley stopped her knee from bouncing up and down.

"Sorry," She sighed.

"What's wrong?" He asked.

"Nothing," Oakley brushed him off. "Just too many people."

"Yeah, Dad said you'd be pissed," Tate nodded.

"He did?" Oakley asked.

"Yeah, earlier," Tate looked at her. "We were walking and I said there were a lot of people and Dad said that you probably would be pissed because most of them come from law enforcement."

"I hadn't honestly noticed," Oakley said. "Does your dad think I'm pissed a lot?"

"Not a lot," Tate said. "But he tells me when I need to steer clear of you sometimes."

"So he recognizes my attitude enough to warn you but not talk to me about it?" Oakley shook her head.

"Are you pissed a lot?" Tate asked.