First Episode

The Cost of Power is set in an alternative universe from the main Martiniere Legacy series. In this book, I take a closer look at the mind control technology and…the relationship between Gabe and his father Philip ends up being different.

Additionally, Gabe tells Ruby who he really is much, much earlier than in the main Martiniere Legacy series.

Most of all, I’m freeforming this story. I somewhat know where it’s going to go, but how it unfolds depend on what happens with Gabe, Philip, Ruby, and Justine once they get on a roll in this particular setting.

The entire series—The Cost of Power: Prodigal’s Return; The Cost of Power: Prodigal’s Crucible; and The Cost of Power: Prodigal’s Redemption—will be available in early 2024. This book is finished and the next two are outlined. It’s going to be quite the ride.

Enjoy! This is part two of Chapter Eight. There will be five parts to this chapter.

July 2033

RUBY

Gabe exhaled heavily. “Rubes. Thank you. He does have some means of triggering me.”

“Another argument that those nanos you got hit with five years ago aren’t Martiniere,” she said.

Philip eyed her. “No effect on you, however. I’ve been seeing you react to our tones. Your exposure would have been through Gabriel. So what’s the difference?”

“I dunno.” Ruby shrugged. “Lack of personal connections with Joey? That would make sense to me. Another reason to get ourselves to a lab and see what I can tease out about those nanos.”

“Next week.” Philip paused. “Let’s talk to Rivers. Unless this was intended as a distraction to allow him time to slip out.”

“Remy’s on watch. She wouldn’t have let it happen.”

“Then let’s get this over with.”

Ruby completely agreed with that sentiment. It had been a long day already, and fatigue pulled hard at her.

At least Gabe seemed to pick up on her mood. He put his arm around Ruby, and she took advantage of it to lean on him.

#

After the run-in with Joseph, meeting with Rivers was surprisingly anti-climactic, not requiring anything from Ruby other than to observe. A relief, since she was so damn tired, and a little nauseous.

Ruby sat in the back of Rivers’s office with Donald, Gramps, and Remy, while Philip, Gerard, Gabe, and Justine confronted Jesse Rivers. Security staff—reluctantly—remained outside the office, supervised by two very nervous deputies.

“Here he is.” Rivers pointed at Gabe.

Philip shrugged, adopting that feigned relaxation Ruby recognized from Gabe in confrontations like this. He and Gerard were the only Martinieres who had accepted Rivers’s offer of a seat. Justine and Gabe stood behind them.

“I already knew where Gabriel was, Sheriff Rivers.” Philip’s voice was silky-smooth, with a snaky undertone that should have warned Rivers of his presumption. It made Ruby shiver. “His location became known to me last night, when he contacted my brother—” Philip gestured to Gerard. “Who contacted me. Your information was, essentially, useless, even if I had been interested in it.”

“I was led to believe that you would be more than willing to pay for this knowledge.”

“By whom?”

Rivers flushed. “Someone who I considered to be reliable.”

“Well, they weren’t. Furthermore—” Philip stood, resting clenched fists on Rivers’s desk and leaning forward, a malign note now dominating his voice. “Gabriel is my son. Biological son, while Joseph is adopted. Gabriel is also one of the current Martinieres-in-waiting, along with his sister Justine. To threaten him like you did—”

“You don’t have any proof of that!” Rivers blustered.

“Do I?” That silky snaky undertone returned, stronger than ever. “My understanding is that legally there only needs to be one approving party for telephonic recordings in the State of Oregon, and I was located in Portland when you called me. Shall I replay my recording to remind you of your offer to turn Gabriel over to me, dead or alive, for a price?”

“You didn’t—” Rivers blanched.

Oh, it was so sweet to watch Jesse Rivers cringe like this! Ruby wanted to grin, but kept her face impassive.

“I make a regular habit of recording every call I receive, no matter what.” Philip pointed his right index finger at Rivers. “Especially when it involves threats to a Family member who happens to be holding a high position in both the Family and the Group.”

“I—I—I—” Rivers’s eyes widened and he rolled his chair back slightly.

“Listen to me, asshole. Gabriel is my son. We have had our differences in the past, but he is now a Martiniere-in-waiting. That means he is my successor, approved by the Board of the Martiniere Group, which includes responsibility in the Martiniere Family. If you or any other lackey of Frank Braun touches even the slightest hair on the head of Gabriel, his fiancée Ruby Barkley, Ruby Barkley’s grandfather Ron Ryder, or anyone else even vaguely connected to Gabriel here in Thunder County, You. Will. Pay.”

Ruby quivered at the angry intensity of Philip’s voice.

“Do you understand?” Philip’s voice was quieter but no less threatening. “Do you understand?”

“I—I—yes. I understand,” Rivers blubbered. “It was all a mistake! A misunderstanding!”

“Tell your handlers to pass this information to Frank Braun directly. If he wants war, he will have it. My son and daughter stand at my back, and we know what Gabriel is capable of doing. US vs Martiniere Group should be a lesson to you. Nor should you underestimate his sister.” Philip straightened up, glancing back at Gabe and Justine, an enigmatic smile barely touching his lips before turning toward Rivers again. “Now, imagine Gabriel with the power that I possess. Possibly more. You had best be trembling, because he is not just a Martiniere, but a Saldivar through his mother’s connections. If something happens to Gabriel, do you want to be on the wrong side of the Saldivar cartel?”

“N-no.”

“Good. Because Jorge Saldivar has made it known to me that he wants his great-nephew Gabriel safe.”

“Wha-what?” Rivers’s eyes nearly popped out of his head at that.

Whoa. From what Gabe’s said, I didn’t think Jorge Saldivar was that concerned about his future—wow.

Was this a partial explanation for Philip’s change of heart? If so, that meant some complete twists in their calculations about what they faced. Had the Brauns managed to anger the Saldivars? From what Gabe had said, Ruby didn’t think the Saldivars were players in his future.

Apparently that assumption was wrong.

“I will not choose to cross Jorge Saldivar,” Philip continued. “And Gabriel’s sister is quite capable of enacting her own vengeance—remember who she is married to, and Donald Atwood’s connections. Atwoods. Knowleses. There will be no more misunderstandings. Gabriel plans to continue living in Thunder County, and he will do so without your meddling. Do I make myself clear? Because if not, I can assure you that the next person to show up in your office should something happen to Gabriel or his connections will not be a Martiniere, but a Saldivar. Or both, together. With the potential approval of the Atwoods and the Knowleses, and their banking and security operations. Do you understand me?”

“Y-y-yes.”

She had never, ever, seen Jesse Rivers so abject and cringing. Never.

“Good.” Philip stepped back. “We’re done. Make sure you remember what I have said.” He whirled and marched away from Rivers. Gerard was already on his feet, right behind his brother. Ruby helped Gramps fall in beside Gabe as they left.

Philip paused by their SUV and pulled out his phone. “Sending that recording now. Edward at Trask Law Office dot com, all lower case?”

“Yes. Thank you,” Remy said. “Do you still wish to support an ethics complaint against Rivers?”

Philip glanced at Gabe. He nodded. “Yes.”

“Thank you.” Gabe’s voice was soft. “For the support with Joey and with Rivers.”

“If Rivers moves one step out of line, squash him, Gabriel,” Philip growled. “But don’t muck around with me if you have further problems with Rivers. Jorge made it damn clear to me that there had better not be any repercussions as a result of Criminal Injustice. Call Jorge.”

“I think it’s time we had a talk,” Gabe said. “A long talk. Back at the ranch, where it’s not only safe but private. Does your schedule allow for that possibility?”

Philip half-smiled. “I have all the time in the world available to dedicate to this particular discussion.”

“Good.”

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