“Okay, okay.” Her father runs a hand through his hair, hanging his head. “That’s good. That’s good.” When he looks at her again, his expression softens and he wraps his arms around her. “I’m sorry you got dragged into this, sweetheart. Dirty bastards, they’ll stop at nothing to get their way.”
Hadley leans away. “I’m fine, honestly. But do you know anyone who would do this to you or why they would want you to step down?”
The senator moves back, folds his arms. “There’s nothing specific that comes to mind. The corruption is about bills getting passed and the usual, but to go as far as to threaten you?” He pauses, lips thin, and then he shakes his head. “No, I can’t imagine why anyone would do this.”
I watch the conversation with interest. I care for the senator, but I study his body language, looking for any signs that he might be lying. His shoulders are relaxed, breathing normal, skin not flushed. Not finding any deceit, I ask him, “There’s no one who seemed more determined than anyone else to change your mind on something?”
“No.”
Which is what worries me the most. That means this is a lot more complicated than some hot feelings over a current issue. And it’s obviously a shared worry since silence descends on the room.
Hadley finally breaks the heavy quiet and leaves for a moment, entering the kitchen. When she returns, she hands me my coffee that I forgot about. “Thanks,” I tell her, giving her the smile she deserves, then I focus on the senator again. “Is there anyone who rubs you the wrong way? Anyone who seems more interested in you lately?”
The senator gives a dry laugh. “Would it help if I said everyone?”
Hadley drops down onto the couch, holding her paper cup on her lap. “This is personal, though, Dad. Someone wants you out of office. It’s hard to believe there hasn’t been someone who’s been pushier than the others or anything like that.”
“I’m afraid, Hadley, that I’m telling you the truth,” the senator responds, taking a seat next to her. “People in politics are passionate. If motivated, I could see anyone being driven to extreme measures to get what they want.”
Hadley sighs, looking at me. “Well, that isn’t going to help us any.”
“No, it’s not.” I move to the chair opposite them and sit against the armrest, staring out at the cloudy sky through the windows behind them before returning my attention back to the senator. “Sadly, there’s not much we can do until they make their next move.” Which, of course, is a lie to protect Hadley. I won’t let anyone make another move, because if they do that would be publishing the video. But the senator doesn’t need to know that.
The senator studies me, then he agrees with a nod. “I need to travel to Washington tomorrow morning. I take it, with this worry on your mind, you’ll be sending other team members along with me.”
Usually, I travel to Washington alongside the senator, but he’s right. “I think it’s best I stay close to Hadley until I ensure this threat isn’t a danger to her.”
“Yes, I think that’s best, too.” The senator rises and kisses Hadley on the forehead. “Do you mind sending next week’s schedule to my email for someone in the Washington office to print?”
Hadley grabs her cell off the coffee table, clicks a few buttons, and smiles. “Done. Have a safe trip, Dad.”
I follow the senator to the door. Once he steps into the hallway, he turns back to me, expression stern. “You’ll contact me right away if she’s in any danger?”
“Of course,” I reassure him.
“Good.” He slaps a hand on my shoulder and gives a small smile. “So, tell me, is it time I tell the missus that Hadley has a new someone in her life?”
He could, but…“Sir, if your wife is anything like your daughter, I would suggest you not speak for Hadley or it might not end well for you.”
The senator barks a laugh. “Touché, Blackwood. Touché.”
Hadley
Less than an hour after Dad left, my phone began ringing and it didn’t stop until I picked it up. I drop down onto the couch and pull my legs underneath me, a bit sad that I can’t see out my windows anymore. Ryder lowered all the blinds, and I miss my view of the city already, even if I agreed with his suggestion. The thought of anyone watching me gives me the full-on creeps. Though I also have other concerns now, and I quickly realize my father’s questions earlier were nothing in comparison to the current interrogation. “No, Mom, Ryder’s not my boyfriend,” I say into the phone for the thousandth time. “We’re just seeing each other, that’s all.” I instantly regret what I’ve said.
“When someone sees you in nothing but a blanket that is more than just seeing them,” Mom states. “Are you being safe?”
“Yes, I’m being safe.”
“How safe?”
“Oh, my God, Mother, can’t I just see someone and not be grilled about it?” I drop my head onto my hand and absentmindedly begin to respond, “Yes, I like him…Yes, he is cute…Yes, he’s very nice to me…Yes, he does have a sweet smile.”
It’s at that moment, my front door opens and Ryder enters the room with Alex trailing behind him. Obviously hearing what I’ve said, he gives me a good look at that sweet smile and a sexy wink, too.
My body warms, just that easily. I’m not sure how anyone has that much power over me to control my body’s reactions, but it’s true nonetheless. “Mom, I have to go…Yes, I love you…Yes, I’ll call you and tell you if we become exclusive…No, you won’t hear about my life after the world does. Ok
ay, okay, Mom…” I lean away from the phone. “Bye. Love you. Bye.” I sigh and press end, then toss my phone onto the couch. “I love that woman, but she seriously can talk like nobody’s business.”