“I’m here,” I say softly.
He takes me into his arms then, and I rest my cheek against his chest. His solid warmth envelops me for a few sweet moments, but then the nightmare comes blaring back into my consciousness.
I know Jude has been faithful to me. But this whole thing still sickens me in a way no one else would understand.
I have to live the nightmare again. The questions. The judgment. The condemnation.
True or false, this accusation against my husband is going to change everything.
14
Jude
“We should cancel tonight,”Tyson says after he comes back into our room.
“Any leads?” I ask, ignoring his statement.
There’s no way I’m canceling any events or campaign stops. I refuse to let the liars win. They can try to bring down my campaign—it won’t be the first time—but I know I am in the right. I will not be making a statement of apology in order to sweep the accusation under the rug either. I did nothing wrong and refuse to give them any more power than they already seem to hold.
Tyson rubs his face with his palms and groans. “Nothing,” he replies, moving his hands away and dropping his arms as if he’s been defeated. “I don’t get it. Everyone is being so tight-lipped.”
“Then right now, I call bullshit on the entire thing. If someone had truly made the allegation, they would’ve come forward by now,” I tell him as I move across the room to help Reagan with her coat.
“Don’t be so quick to dismiss it, Jude,” Reagan says as she shrugs on the coat and turns to face me. “The fact that every media outlet is talking about it is all the credibility needed to bring down the campaign.”
“She’s right,” Tyson adds and winces like the words are bitter on his tongue.
There’s still no love lost between Reagan and Tyson. I don’t think there ever will be. They’ll forever be at odds, both politically and personally, and the two will never find middle ground for very long.
Tyson takes a step toward us as I grab my suit jacket from the closet. “Jude, I beg you to change your mind about going to this event.”
I hold up my hand, stopping him before he can say another word. “We’re going, Tyson. Either earn your pay and manage this shit, or I’ll find someone who will.”
“Hey.” Reagan touches my chin and turns my face toward her. “There’s no one better than Tyson. You need to calm down. He’s doing his job by giving you his opinion. Everyone here knows you’re going to do what you want, but he has every right to say what he did.”
I blow out a breath and close my eyes for a moment. I’m on edge and ready to pounce, but I’m taking it out on the wrong people. Reagan stares at me, waiting for me to respond or probably apologize to Tyson for overreacting.
“I’m sorry, Tyson,” I say, and even though the words are coming out of my mouth, the tone doesn’t convey an ounce of apology. “I know you’re only giving me advice, but I’m going tonight. I will not cave.”
Tyson throws up his hands and grunts, “Fine.” He grumbles under his breath about me never listening as he follows us out the hotel room.
The ride down in the elevator is tense. Tyson’s standing in front of us, staring at the lights above the door as we descend. He’s unusually quiet but probably so aggravated with me
Reagan’s at my side, stroking my back underneath my jacket. I lean over, bringing my mouth right next to her ear, and whisper, “You look beautiful tonight.”
She smiles up at me and winks, just as beautiful as the first time I laid eyes on her. It seems like more than five years ago since our paths first crossed, but not because of our relationship. That’s been the best part of the last five years.
When the elevator stops, Tyson steps out and turns toward us. “At least go out the back entrance of the hotel. The media is camped out in the front.”
“Come on, Tyson.” I place my hand on the small of Reagan’s back, ushering her away from the hotel’s front lobby. “We’ll listen to you for once. We have a party to get to, and we’re already late.”
The annual gala and charity silent auction for the American Ammunitions Association is one of the biggest conservative events of the year. It’s always heavily attended by the biggest names in the Republican party and some of the wealthiest people in the state. It’s the event to be seen at if you’re anyone of importance, and with this being so close to election day, I have to be in attendance.
The car’s already waiting for us in the rear, and I give Tyson a smirk before climbing in the back. “You have me all figured out, don’t you?”
“I’ve known you a lot of years, Jude.” He places his elbow on the armrest and stares out the window for a moment as the car starts to pull away from the curb. “Let’s talk about how we’re going to handle any questions.”
Reagan curls into my side as I rest my hand on her knee. “Do you think people are going to say anything to me?” My thumb slides across her velvety skin, and it pebbles underneath my touch.
