Chapter 21: The Price of Protection
(Damon's POV)
I stepped out of the bedroom, steam trailing behind me from the shower. The air in the apartment didn't smell like grease or the cheap oil of a diner. It smelled rich-a heavy, decadent aroma of melted butter and black truffles.
I walked into the living room. The television was humming with the evening news.
"Mr. Sterling, are the rumors true about a presidential run next year?" a reporter shouted over the din of camera shutters.
A secretary stepped in front of the lens, hand raised. "I'm sorry, no comment at this time."
The screen cut abruptly to a report from *The Riverside Daily*. A grim-faced anchor was discussing the recent brawl at the public high school. The report questioned the slow pace of the police investigation, spec
