Arrogant bastard. There wasn't a single thing attractive about him. Not his looks, not his manners, nothing. Just money and power wrapped in an expensive suit.
He raised his glass. "To new partnerships."
I lifted mine but didn't drink. Not yet. "You've been trying to get me alone for some time now. What exactly did you want to discuss, Declan?"
"Oh, come now." He took a sip, savoring the wine as he savored the moment, as though everything that existed did so solely for his pleasure. "Let's enjoy our meal first. Business can wait."
Like hell it could. But I played along, taking the smallest bite of caviar I could manage. It tasted like salt and money.
After a few minutes of excruciating small talk about the yacht, the weather, and other meaningless bullshit, he finally leaned back in his chair, swirling his wine.
"So," he said, his tone shifting to something more businesslike. "The trade deals with Japan and South Korea. How are those progressing?"
I set down my fork carefully, swallowing the small beads of caviar on my tongue. "You know I can't discuss that."
He laughed—actually laughed. "Oh, Ellie. May I call you Ellie?" He didn't wait for an answer. "That's silly. Of course, you can discuss it. With me, at least. After all, it will be my influence that decides whether or not those deals actually go through."
My spine stiffened. "Excuse me?"
"Come on." He leaned forward, elbows on the table like we were old friends sharing secrets. "You're a smart woman. You know how this works. I have connections, business interests, political allies—people who owe me favors. If I want those deals to succeed, they will. If I don't…." He shrugged. "Well, let's just say it would be unfortunate for your administration."
His sheer arrogance took my breath away. He was sitting here, openly bragging about his ability to manipulate international trade policy.
My hackles raised, every instinct screaming at me to put this smug asshole in his place.
"Not on my watch," I said, my voice cold and determined.
He laughed again, the sound rich and genuinely amused. "Oh, Ellie. That's adorable." He took a sip of his wine, completely unbothered by the ice in my tone. "I already control the United States. You just haven't realized it yet."
"You smug son of a...."
"Smug?" He tilted his head, considering. "Perhaps. But accurate." He set down his glass with deliberate care. "You think you're in charge because you sit in the Oval Office? Because people call you Madam President?" Another laugh, softer this time, almost pitying. "Darling, I own half your cabinet. The other half? They're owned by people who owe me favors. Your legislative agenda? It moves when I allow it. Your executive orders? They're enforced—or ignored—based on whether they align with my interests."
My hands clenched into fists under the table. "You're delusional."
"Am I?" He leaned back, perfectly relaxed. "Your power is only an illusion. You just don't realize it yet. But you will, very soon."
The signal. I needed to give Rickon the signal. His name. That's all it would take, and he'd come through that door like an avenging angel and put an end to this nightmare.
I reached for my water glass, preparing to take a drink, and then start yelling.
"Tell me something," Hewes said, his voice dropping lower. "Do you really think I don't know what your acceptance of this dinner invitation was all about?"
My hand froze halfway to the glass.
His smile widened. "Did you honestly believe I wouldn't find out about your little deal with the Alliance Prime?"
The blood drained from my face, a prick of chill dancing up my spine.
Then I heard it—gunshots. Sharp cracks from outside the door, followed by shouts and the heavy thud of bodies hitting the floor.
I stumbled to my feet, my chair scraping back. "What did you do?"
"I apologize for killing your agents," Hewes said, his tone conversational, like he was commenting on the weather. "But don't worry, I'll get you new ones. Though I'm afraid you won't be returning to the White House." He snapped his fingers.
The door behind him opened, and three figures entered.
They weren't human.
