Chapter Five
Then
In my search for a campaign manager, and potential VP candidate, I’ve already had a disappointing private meeting with Owen Taylor and Carter Wilson, Florida’s governor and his chief of staff. That was back in October, before the election that put Carter’s wife, Susa—also Taylor’s lieutenant governor—in the Florida governor’s office.
Now, less than a weekafter Markos’ meltdown, I’m back in Florida on an unexpected mission to buy a house and help my super-secret Secret Service sadist boyfriend blackmail his ex-boyfriend into coming to work for me as my campaign manager and chief of staff.
Um…wow.
That soundsreallybad when I spell it out like that, doesn’t it?
Don’t get judgy with me. If you had any idea how the sausage is made in Washington,DC on a daily basis, you would demand we nuke the entire site from orbit.
It is, after all, the only way to be sure.
It’s little more thanLord of the Flieswith suits and lobbyists, only despite the political parties’ attempts to demonize others, I say the true beast is money.
I’ve purchased my new house sight unseen, strictly on Chris’ recommendation.
The main reason?
It sits directly behindKevin Markos’ house.
Chris picked me up from the airport last night and we spent the night together at my townhouse before we head to the real estate office for me to finish signing papers and receive the keys, two gate clickers, and a shit-ton of HOA paperwork.
After lunch, Chris drives us in his rental car to take me to see my new house. When we reach the development’s front gate and slowfor it to open after he uses one of the clickers, I look around. “Nice area.”
“Should be,” Chris says with an unreadable smirk on his handsome lips and his sunglasses firmly in place to hide his eyes. “It cost you enough money.”
That’s irrelevant to me. I could retire right now and never have to work again, if I wanted. I inherited money from Momma, yes, but I’d been making my own living, anice one, long before then.
This house is part of the long-term plan Chris has laid out. Tonight I will fly back to DC after we confront Kevin Markos and secure his commitment. Chris will stay behind with him.
“I think I’m a little jealous of him already,” I comment as we wind through quiet residential streets laden on both sides with expensive homes on large, shaded lots.
“Why?”
“He getsto spend two solid weeks with you.”
“You’re going to be busy with paperwork,” he reminds me. Then he reaches over and takes my hand. “I haven’tspokenwith him intwentyyears, Shae.” The deep emotion tinging his soft words isn’t lost on me. “You’ve had me for the past four years. Ineedthis time with him.” He gently squeezes my hand. “You’ll get to play with him soon enough,” he teases.
Likeme, Chris is a workaholic. He has a lot of vacation time coming that he hasn’t used up. Two of those weeks start now. Then he’ll bring Kevin to DC with him and prep him for starting life as my campaign manager.
“I’m nervous about Sunday morning,” I admit. “It makes it…real.” I’m going onMeet the Press, and there I’m going to announce my run for president.
I hope.
Depends on how today goes.
If not, I’ll be announcing I’m running for reelection to the Senate.
He pulls into a driveway, shifts the rented Lincoln into park, and looks at me. “Shae, I’ll support you whatever you decide. If you want to run for the Senate again, or you want to run for POTUS. It’syourcall. But we need to settle this now, before we go over there and put this plan in action. We have to have our stories straight.He can be your campaign manager and chief of staff either way. But they are different beasts. I can soften my approach if you’re going to run for Senate, and in six years, we’ll be a team for a presidential campaign. Except we’ll have to be even more careful in that time not to risk discovery.”
I lay my head back against the seat and study him. “Take the glasses off, please?” I ask.
He does.His green gaze meets mine, steady, firm.
“You’ll still marry me?” I ask, hating that I feel…needy.
