“Perfect,” Niyah hurried to the door and disappeared inside.
“Y’all been acting real weird lately,” Donna accused.
“Yeah, but it's cool now.”
“What happened?”
Bella shook her head. “Nothing you want know.”
Donna took a few seconds to think about the words Bella had chosen. Whatever happened, her sister wanted her to have the privilege of deniability.
Donna looked down at the chafing dishes and wondered which one of the moms had made the spaghetti. She’d never eaten anything Mrs. Creed had cooked before, but both her mom and Taylor’s mom were extraordinary cooks. Still, if forced to admit it, Mrs. Montgomery’s spaghetti was the best she’d ever had.
“He’s gonna take Illinois,” Victor Senior announced.
“Why is that unusual?” Questioned Taylor’s mom. “He is the Governor of Illinois.”
“Yes. However, the last republican to win the state of Illinois was George H.W. Bush in 1988.”
Bella laughed. “How the hell did Pappa Bush win Illinois?”
“Two words,” Taylor’s father responded. “Southern Illinois.”
Victor Senior pointed toward Mr. Montgomery. “Right on the head.”
Lincoln scanned the room. “Hey, where’s Jaysen?”
Lucas pointed to the screen covering the election headquarters. “He’s in Chicago with Victor.“
Have you guys talked to Taylor or Victor?” Donna asked.
Tabitha Creed nodded. “I spoke to Taylor about an hour ago. She said McCormack Place was a complete circus. She’s been struggling to find a quiet place where she and Victor can catch a breath.
“Life is about to get crazy for them,” Mrs. Montgomery said with a sigh that seemed almost sad.
“Victor was born for this,” the senator boasted. “He’ll be just fine.”
Donna noticed what no one else seemed to notice. Dr. Creed had subtly cut her eyes at her husband. The expression on her face unmistakingly revealed annoyance. “He wasn’t born to do this. It was you--”
Gunshots rang out in the distance, shattering the unity and excitement in the atmosphere.
Donna walked calmly to her mom and pulled her away from the window.
Niyah rushed out of the bathroom. “What was that? Is somebody shooting?”
Xander frowned, not exactly sure what he’d heard. Nonetheless, he placed Niyah and the mothers behind him and backed them to a wall away from the window.
Donna pulled her pistol from her waistband and turned to her sister. Bella was walking along the wall toward thewindow. Donna took a position on the opposite side. She looked back just as Lincoln and Lucas ran out of the room. With her back pressed to the wall, Bella stuck her head out and took a quick glance out of the window. After feeling a little braver, she stuck her head out again, that time looking a little bit longer.
“What do you see?” Donna whispered.
“I see muzzle flashes. Is Linc’s team out there?”
“More than likely.”
Bella sighed. “Well, they’re in a gunfight.”
“Fuck!” Donna cursed under her breath.
