Best Blood

About the Book

The story of Lamont Savage, the long neglected son of Billionare, Jake Cooper, who only became considerate and attentive to him bcause he could afford the remedy to his other son's life threatening condition. Now Jake must turn to Lamont, the forgotten son, in order to save Jake Jr., his beloved pride and joy. Ironically the salvation of Jake's entire dysfunctional family depended on his ignored, forgotten son, and whether or not he had the capacity to set aside his hatred and learn to forgive.

Lamont's hatred for Jake increased when he learned that his own recent misfortunes had been manipulated through the deceptive orchesstration of Jake, in order to create a situation that would limit Lamont's choices. Lamont was determined not to let Jake Cooper have his way, but disruptive circumstances forced him into a bizarre contract, which left him twisted, confused and feeling more despicable about himself than he did about Jake.

His stubborn and fearless actions affected all those things in his life, directly and indirectly. Lamont's unknown siblings, Cheryl, Anne, Ruth and Jake Jr., as well as his ex-girlfriend, Feclicia, and his best friend Hal, become potential victims of vicious circumstances, and notorious relentless men who are determined to reap the rewards of Jake's fortunes, regardless of the costs. Surrounded by helpless victims, incompetent police officers and hopeless losers, Lamont's life transofrms to an inescapable nightmare.

This poignant action, and mysterious drama about Lamont and Jake will constantly compel you to turn the page and frequently reward you with exciting new plot developments that will leave you wondering and rooting for both men to the final page.

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About the Author

Ray Simmons was born in North Carolina and raised in Virginia and New Jersey. He entered the Air Force and served four years. The author attended college under the GI Bill and received an Associate Degree in Accounting. Ray Simmon's hobbies include reading, painting and trying to learn to play the piano. He lives with his wife and two children.

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Table of Contents or Excerpts

Lamont hunched his shoulders. "That's a shame, man and I feel sorry for the poor guy. But what has this got to do with me? What does your client think I can do?" Lamont shrugged. "I'm no doctor."

"I'm coming to that. My client has information that shows him that you have the same blood type, and very similar DNA as his son. In other words, he's sure that you are closely compatible to his son, and he's prepared to offer you a sum of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars for your help. That's a small fortune Mr. Savage and you could do a lot of things with so much money."

"Are you saying what I think you're saying? Are you suggesting that I sell one of my kidney's to your anonymous client?" Preston was more nervous, as he gauged the look of anger on Lamont's face. Perhaps he had not been as delicate as he could have. "I wouldn't put it like that Mr. Savage. I'm merely here to offer you a proposition that will not only make you well off, but will gives you a chance to save a young man's life."

Lamont couldn't believe what was happening. After all, it wasn't everyday that a stranger knocked on his door, and literally offered to buy a piece of him. More questions formed, as he observed this man closer than before. How could this stranger enter his home, and speak so causally of something so serious? "Is this a practical joke or something? Did Hal send you here?"

Preston gave him an indignant look. "Trust me this is no joke. And I never heard of any one name Hal."

"Mr. Preston, you got a lot of nerve, I'll give you that. First of all I don't know who you really are, or how you got my address, or how your client would even know that I'm compatible with his son. Lamont stood and moved silently around to the window and peered through the blinds. "Is this client of yours having me watched or something?" "No of course not," Preston lied, hoping that Lamont didn't detect his uneasiness. "We were desperate and we simply accessed the computer medical data banks, searching for a match for my client's son. Your name came up as the most likely compatible."

That was only part of the truth. In reality, Preston knew that Lamont had been chosen in the first place because he is Jake's illegitimate son. However, Jake was firm about not revealing this information under any circumstances. Jake had gathered all the medical information on Lamont, right after JJ took a turn for the worst. He then hatched this plan to bargain for Lamont's kidney, a few weeks earlier. He knew that eventually, Lamont would probably find out, but hopefully, after the transplant operation.

Lamont had a strange feeling about this. "Why me? Even if I am compatible, what makes you think I would give up one of my precious organs to a stranger, just for money? That would mean I'd only have one kidney. What if something happened to my kidney? Who's gonna donate a kidney for me? I don't have a rich daddy to buy me another. Something doesn't sound right here. Why doesn't the father give one of his kidneys? A relative had more of a chance to be compatible than a stranger. Is he an only child or something? Doesn't this man have brothers, or sisters or cousins?"

"No he doesn't." Preston found it easier to lie now. "He's an only child, the father was not a match and the mother is dead. There are no close relatives." Preston paused and gave a sigh. "Mr. Savage, I can understand why you have so many questions, but believe me you have been singled out as the perfect match, and this boy is going to die if you don't come forth and help him. My client is begging you Mr. Savage. Please help his boy."

Lamont sighed. "Look, Mr. Preston, I really feel for the guy, but I'm sorry, there's nothing I can do. I'm sure that computer came up with some other names besides mine. There's got to be some one else, somewhere. Try some of them, I'm sure there are lots of guys out there who would jump on such a generous offer, I'm just not one of them.

"There's something about the whole idea that just doesn't appeal to me. I can't see going through that for a complete stranger, no matter how sympathetic I might feel for him. I can't see having a chunk of myself cut out to give to a stranger. Call that what you want, but that's the way I feel."

Preston was losing him, and felt desperate now. "Okay Mr. Savage, I have been authorized to give you five hundred thousand and that's double my original offer. What do you say to that?" He looked around the modestly furnished apartment. "That could go a long way. You could buy a lot of things with so much money." Lamont was visible angry. "Mr. Preston, you think I'm trying to bargain with you? You rich jerks are all alike. You think that everything and every one can be bought. This is not an auction and my kidney is not an item up for bid. I think you better leave now."

"But I'm trying to help you Mr. Savage. God knows you could use the money for your tuit..." Lamont was suddenly attentive. "What? What did you say?" Preston realized that he made a slip and tried to cover his mistake.

"I said you could always use the money."

Lamont studied him for only a few seconds, but it seemed like an hour. "I think you should go back to your client and tell him this fish is not biting, and to try another pond." He moved to the door and opened it. "Have a nice day Mr. Preston."

Preston picked up his brief case and moved slowly to the door. Everybody loves money, and he refused to believe that Lamont Savage was the exception. Especially now that his grant hadn't been approved. Jake had bribed certain people, to make sure Lamont didn't get his grant. Jake's strategy was to put Lamont into a position where he couldn't afford to refuse this offer, but it hadn't worked. How could he turn down so much money? Preston thought. He couldn't believe this was happening, after all the planning. He was authorized to pay Lamont more, but he had tried to negotiate. That was a mistake, his mistake. Now he would forget about bargaining, and offer him what he should have in the beginning. There was no way he would turn it down. He stopped at the threshold, and half turned to Lamont. "Okay Mr. Savage, one million dollars. Think about it. A million dollars tax free and.."

*****

Lamont realized that the feel of the gun handle in his palm soothed him, and gave him an instant sense of power and control of the situation. It was up to him just how he would handle it. It was obvious he couldn't start taking shots at these idiots, even though they probably deserved such action. He had to be cool. All of These closet thugs were probably from well to do influential families, who would swear that their sons were well behaved choirboys.

He must prevail with a clear head, and not shoot them down like the animals they were. That could only bring him trouble that he wasn't ready for, or able to handle. These devils had support from those prominent families who were pillars of the community.

He slowed down as if he was going to pull over, and they did the same, assuming that they had convinced him that escape was impossible. Lamont sensed that they had purposely chosen this isolated stretch of road, miles from town, with so little traffic. It provided Mack and his thugs the opportunity to take advantage of them.

*****

Once she was in the office, Jake made sure that the door was closed, then he pressed the intercom. "Pam, hold all my calls." He turned to Cheryl with a glare hot enough