She nodded. “I’m afraid that things are going to get worse. And that’s why I didn’t want to tell you.”
“That makes no sense at all, Reesa. How can I help you if I don’t know what you need from me?”
Reesa looked out of the jet’s window and got quiet. Then I saw her wipe her cheeks before turning back to me. “My brother Jasper was running for president. He could’ve won. But there were people who didn’t want him in power. They knew he’d change things. That he was for the people, and wouldn’t tolerate any illegal shenanigans going on.”
“You ran against your own brother?” That didn’t sound like something Reesa would do.
“No. It’s complicated, but the short version is Jasper wouldn’t bend. They couldn’t break him. Not until they took Alissa captive and used her to…get to him. When they were rescued, Jasper walked away from being a candidate. Although he loves Tabiq, he loves Alissa more.”
I was putting the pieces together. She wasn’t going to Bennett because of herself. She was afraid of what would happen to me. Those words didn’t need to be said.
“That’s when you decided to run for president?” I asked.
“With the help of my brother. At first, I never believed I could win. I’m a woman in a country where for many years, the women were victimized by not just our men, but men from throughout the world. The details are so horrific that I can’t bring myself to share them.”
It wasn’t the past that concerned me now. There would be plenty of time later, when she was ready, to hear the rest. For now, I needed her to continue letting me in.
“Are you worried that what happened with your brother is about to replay with you?” I asked.
“I don’t know, but something isn’t right. I’ve felt it for a few weeks now, but ever since I returned from Ireland, it has gotten much worse.”
“Reesa, will you please reconsider and let me accompany you to your meeting with Bennett.” I pleaded my case, and if she refused me again, I’d reluctantly need to accept it.
“Okay, you can come. But if he believes you’re in any danger at all, I want you to promise me that you’ll leave Tabiq and not come back,” she said firmly.
I raised a brow. “I believe you offered me a job.”
“If you’re dead, you can’t do it,” she said flatly.
Wow. I thought I was harsh.
“Why don’t we wait to see what Bennett has to say,” I suggested.
She nodded. “We better get going, because I’m not going to rest until I tell him what’s been going on.”
“Why don’t you tell me on the way?” I suggested.
“It’s not that long of a ride,” she replied.
“You’re right. Let’s go,” I said.
As expected, there was a driver waiting for us. I knew he was one of Bennett’s men which eased my mind a little. It wasn’t long before we pulled into New Hope and were escorted to Bennett’s suite.
He opened the door and invited us in. Reesa was looking around and Bennett said, “Don’t worry. We are alone. Zoey is off at the beach.”
Reesa nodded and sat down. I took the seat beside her.
“Bennett, I need your help. I’m worried that someone is…”
“Watching you?” he asked.
“Yes. That and maybe more,” she said. “I just have no clue as to who, or how to put an end to it.”
“I don’t want to alarm you, so I request that you hear me out.”
“That’s fair,” she said.
“I have been monitoring your home, work and anyplace you frequent for the past week. We were suspicious when we were notified of the lack of security around you. To us, that is a red flag. Our source informed us who was behind it.”