“I got a call from a TV station manager in Springfield. He wants to know if you’re interested in doing a Q&A thing with Titan and Sonny Solomon Wednesday evening.”
“Wednesday?” I arch my brows. “Yikes. That’s tomorrow. Not much prep time.”
“I know. I think he wants to capitalize on Titan’s announcement. I can tell him no.”
I shake my head. “No, I’m in. I’d like to size Jude Titan up in person.”
“I’ll let the manager know.”
The bus starts up, and we head toward the news station. Claire, another of my staffers, kneels in front of me and powders my nose.
“I’m sweating like a whore in church,” I say to her. “That gym wasn’t air-conditioned.”
“We’ll get you all fixed up,” Claire says. “Want me to pull up your hair to help cool you off?”
“That would be great,” I say, reaching over to open the fridge from my seat. “You want a water?”
“Sure.”
I take two bottles out and hand her one. As I open mine and take a drink, I’m thinking about meeting Jude tomorrow. I’m eager to find out if his presence is as commanding as it seemed on TV today. I’m also eager for him to see that I can bust balls with the best of them.
Jude Titan can bring it on.
I’m ready.
Chapter 3
The enemy.
It’s a term I’ve become all too familiar with in my thirty years walking this earth. After serving in the Marines, I never thought I’d face another one, but here I am—standing backstage, waiting to do a Q&A with my opponents for the evening news…my enemies.
Carl spent half the morning talking my ear off about how I can’t be kind to Reagan Preston or Sonny Solomon. He said if I show an ounce of weakness, they’ll attack like a pack of wild dogs.
“Hello.” Reagan nods, giving me a smile so large that I wonder if it’s sincere.
“Representative Preston,” I reply, holding out my hands to her. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” It’s a complete lie, but I’m a gentleman. Any candidate but Reagan would only get a curt nod.
She slides her hand in mine, averting her eyes. “You too,” she says and chews on the corner of her bottom lip. My eyes are drawn to her mouth. The redness of the skin, the fullness, and the tiny ridge that runs down the center are mesmerizing.
When my thumb strokes the back of her hand, she pulls back. “Good luck today, Mr. Titan.”
“It’s Jude,” I correct her and smirk.
“Jude,” she whispers and puckers her lips, making the crease more severe.
“Reagan,” a woman says from beside her, pulling on her arm. “Let’s get you touched up before you go on the air.”
“Lexi, I’m fine.” Reagan brushes her off and spins on her heels. “I was just talking to Mr. Titan.”
The woman’s eyes grow wide before darting to me. They creep down my body as I tuck my hands in my pockets, waiting for her eyes to return to mine. “Jude Titan, ma’am. It’s nice to meet you.”
“I’m Representative Preston’s campaign manager, Alexis.” The way she says her name is seductive and comes out as almost a hiss. “I’m sure we’ll see more of you than I’d like over the next few months, Mr. Titan.”
I smile and tip my head. “I look forward to it.”
“Jude,” Carl says in a nasal, almost judgmental tone. I don’t even need to hear what he has to say to know he doesn’t like me talking to Reagan one bit. This isn’t his campaign. Even though I hired him, I wouldn’t run as anything else but myself.
“Excuse me,” I tell Reagan and Alexis. “I need to prep before it’s time.”
