Claimed by the Hero

by Yahrah St. John

  Chapter 18

  Caden thought he had everything in order. He and Jack had a statement ready to deliver for today’s upcoming press conference when he was met with an unpleasant surprise. As he parked his BMW in front of his campaign headquarters on Monday morning, reporters besieged him with questions about his secret wedding.

  Obviously, someone had leaked the news.

  Why get married in secret? Do you have something to hide?

  Jack was waiting for him and helped escort him into the building, where Caden immediately walked into his office and closed the door.

  “I warned you this could happen,” Jack said.

  “Who leaked it?” Caden asked. “Only a select few in my inner circle knew about our marriage, Jack.”

  “People talk. It’s the nature of the business.”

  Caden paced the floor and rubbed his bald head. “This isn’t what I envisioned.”

  “You wanted to make a grand announcement. Claim your son,” Jack responded. “We can still do that. We’ll have the press conference today and get our narrative out there.”

  “I don’t know if Savannah is ready.”

  “She’ll have to be. This is what she signed up for.”

  “You set it up, and I’ll call her.”

  “Sure thing. And, Caden?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Don’t sweat the small stuff. You’ve got this. Because trust me, there will be bigger fish to fry.”

  Once Jack left, Caden pulled his smartphone from his suit jacket and autodialed Savannah.

  “They know” were her first words.

  “Yes.”

  “How could this have happened?” Savannah asked. He could hear her anxiety. It was palpable through the phone.

  “I’m not sure, and at this point, it doesn’t matter. We need to get out front with our narrative. Kianna Watson is on her way to help you with your look, and I’ll need you over to the campaign office pronto after you meet with her.”

  “Of course. Liam has an early school day. I can bring him if you want.”

  “I dunno, Savannah. Are you sure? I don’t want to upset him. Having so many people around with all their loud voices can do that. How about this? We introduce him quickly and then bring him back inside? Would that work?”

  “I-I think so …”

  “Good.” Caden ended the call and prayed Savannah was right because they could be opening a powder keg bringing Liam into a situation he wasn’t ready for.

  Savannah smoothed down the skirt on the sleeveless Ralph Lauren dress that reached her knee. Kianna had selected this outfit along with a simple choker, a structured ponte jacket, and three-inch heels.

  “We want you to look sophisticated but not show too much,” Kianna had said. “You have a killer body, but we need to tame the curves a bit.”

  Savannah had agreed because what did she know about all of this? Was that why Liam was so agitated beside her? Did he feel her anxiety?

  “Are you alright, Liam?”

  He nodded but didn’t look up. He continued playing with his video game, which he’d already mastered since Caden purchased it a few weeks ago.

  “Your father is depending on us now to help him with his campaign. Remember when I explained to you sometimes we would have to stand by his side and be quiet but wave every now and then? Do you remember that?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Do you think you can do that? It won’t be long—ten or fifteen minutes at the most.”

  “I know. I’m not a child.”

  “But there will be a lot of people yelling questions at your father. I don’t want you to get upset if they say something you don’t like.”

  “Okay.”

  Savannah didn’t like Liam’s short answers. Although he wasn’t a talkaholic by any means, he was usually more engaged, but he’d undergone so much change in the last few weeks. She just hoped the juggernaut of Caden’s political campaign wouldn’t crush them both to bits.

  Now in the rear of Caden’s campaign headquarters, they were ushered through the hallway into Caden’s office. He was not alone. His parents, grandfather, and Cameron were there.

  “Savannah, darling,” Camilla said, rushing toward her, “you look lovely. And my grandson,” she said, glancing down at Liam, “you’re just as handsome as ever.”

  “Thank you,” Savannah said. “I had no idea this was going to be a family gathering.” She glanced at Liam, who’d walked into the room with her but immediately had gone to the couch and sat down with his iPad.

  “We wanted to publicly support Caden and, of course, you and Liam,” Camilla replied. “You’re part of the family now.”

  “We appreciate that, Mother,” Caden said, “though I do wish you would have informed Jack.”

  “Why should we?” his grandfather blustered. “We’re your family. We should always be welcome.”

  “I’m not going to argue the point,” Caden replied. He walked over to Savannah. “You ready for this?” he whispered.

  She was far from ready, but Caden was looking at her so expectantly that she had no choice but to nod. Will it always be like this? she wondered. Would she always feel as if they were being trotted out for display?

  “And Liam?”

  “He told me he’s not a child and can handle it.”

  Caden sighed. “Okay. Let’s get the party started.” He held out his hand, and Savannah placed her trembling one in his. If he noticed, he didn’t say. Instead, the entire family headed to the conference room, where the press was gathered.

  Savannah watched in amazement as Caden delivered the speech he’d prepared. He’d been up half the night revising and revising it, so much so, he had left their bed last night and didn’t return until after she’d fallen asleep. Savannah’s mind wondered if that was on purpose. Was being with her a distraction to his campaign? He didn’t say so, but the thought tugged at her all the same because ever since their wedding, they’d made love every night. Caden was insatiable for her as she was for him. He knew exactly how to pull a response from her.

  Savannah was so caught up daydreaming that she didn’t realize a question had been addressed to her until it was too late. The reporter was repeating it loud enough for a hush to fall over the room at his audacity.

  “Mrs. Mitchell, was there some defect in Caden Mitchell’s character that caused you to keep your son’s existence from his father for over a decade?”

  Color drained from her face as all eyes turned to her.

  Caden bristled inwardly at the intent behind the reporter’s question. The reporter was trying to prove that Caden had married Savannah to make himself look good.

  “‘Defect’ is such an ugly word,” Savannah said after several seconds as she made her way to the microphone at the podium. “People have used that word to describe our son, who has autism, and I refuse to use it again, other than to say …,” Savannah paused as she walked up to Caden and linked her hand with his, “that although there have been challenging times in the past as a single mother, I look forward to facing them now with Caden together as a family.”

  Caden watched as Savannah smiled and stepped back next to his parents. He could see admiration gleaming from his mother’s gaze. Camilla Mitchell wasn’t easily impressed, but Savannah had garnered her respect.

  “That concludes today’s press conference. Thank you all for your time,” Jack said after stepping behind the microphone.

  As the crowd dispersed, Caden couldn’t take his eyes off Savannah, who’d moved to the far side of the room with Liam as if she could avoid being seen. That wasn’t possible. She’d just put that nosy reporter in his place, and Caden was thrilled.

  “She did good,” Jack said from his side. “For a second there, I thought she was going to choke, but she pulled through.”

  Caden grinned. “That’s my w
ife.” He turned to Jack. “You shouldn’t underestimate her.”

  Jack nodded. “I won’t. It was good your parents, brother, and grandfather came out. The solidarity you showed today was remarkable and a great photo op.”

  “It wasn’t a photo op, Wyatt,” Caden’s grandfather Carter said from behind him. “We Mitchells support our own.”

  “I stand corrected.” Jack saluted Carter as he walked away.

  Carter couldn’t resist a smirk. “That campaign manager of yours is a pistol, but he’s got nothing on that pretty wife of yours.” Carter inclined his head toward Savannah, who was whispering something to Liam.

  “Yeah, she’s pretty great, isn’t she?” Caden looked fondly across the room at her.

  “You not getting soft, ol’ boy, are you?” his grandfather asked. “You can’t let your head get turned by a pretty face. There’s lots more to be done to win the governorship.”

  “I know that,” Caden snapped, blinking Carter back into focus. “But even you have to admit she held her head high throughout the press conference.”

  “Indeed. She gave as good as she got.”

  “I’m going to go check on her and Liam.” Caden didn’t wait for a response. He marched toward his family. “Everything alright over here?”

  He noticed the plastic smile Savannah had just put on. Her usual genuineness was replaced with a fake quality he’d never seen before.

  “Yes, everything is fine. Isn’t it, Liam?”

  “I did good, right?” Liam asked, looking to Caden for validation.

  Caden grinned from ear to ear. To have his son by his side dressed in a miniature dark gray suit similar to Caden’s had been unreal. But it was true. He was a father now. “Absolutely, my boy. Can I get a hug?” He knew Liam didn’t enjoy affection.

  Reluctantly, Liam allowed Caden to embrace him for a few moments before pulling away. “Thank you.” Caden knew how difficult it was.

  “Can we go now?” Liam asked. “It’s so crowded in here. I can’t hear myself think.”

  “Absolutely.” Caden touched Savannah’s arm. “You guys go on home. I’ll see you in a little bit.”

  Savannah nodded, but Caden sensed her relief despite the fact she’d been perfect in every way. He would talk to her tonight, allay her fears. He wanted the Savannah he remembered—the woman with passion in her soul who discarded her inhibitions in bed with him on their honeymoon and embraced her emotions.

  After a quick brush of her lips across his, Savannah and Liam left the campaign office.

  “She was great today,” his father said from Caden’s side as Caden watched his family leave.

  Caden turned to regard him. “Yes, she was, but I can sense her unease in this environment.”

  “Not everyone is made for this world.”

  “You mean everyone can’t be like Mom?” Caden said, glancing at his mother, who was chatting up his campaign staff. Camilla Mitchell was the consummate socialite, easily able to converse on any number of topics. She knew exactly how to handle herself in any given situation. Caden wanted the same for Savannah because this would be their world for the next four years if he had his say.

  “Perhaps your mother could help,” his father replied.

  Caden shook his head. He wanted his mother nowhere near Savannah. She’d done enough damage in the past. He’d just barely agreed to the small wedding ceremony at the house. “I won’t subject Savannah to that, and she’d never agree anyway.”

  Caden would have to find another way to help Savannah become comfortable in her own skin.

  After settling Liam in his room, Savannah walked to Caden’s study, where she knew he kept his prized liquor, and poured herself two thumbs of whiskey. Today had been a real eye-opener on what she had to look forward to. There would be endless events, political rallies, and press conferences she would need to attend. Now, it was very clear to her: She really might have to give up the career she’d worked so hard to attain. How could she have failed to seriously think about this before she accepted Caden’s proposal?

  Because her love for Caden had won out over common sense. She hadn’t thought about the ramifications of becoming his wife. She’d merely thought about the logistics of moving in together and sharing a bed with the only man who made her emotions seesaw from high to low.

  Now, Savannah was in a situation of her own making with no way forward. She and Caden were married. She was expected to attend these sorts of events as was Liam. Liam had been okay today, but how would he handle this continuous invasion of his normally stable life? Instead of thinking of her son, she’d thought with her heart. She’d selfishly considered her own needs over Liam’s.

  Had she honestly thought she could have it all? Caden? And the family she’d always wanted?

  Savannah’s cellphone rang, prompting her out of her musings. She glanced at the display and saw Carmen. She didn’t call her “Mom” or “Mama” or anything else that endearing. Her mother preferred to act as if she hadn’t given birth to Savannah and was instead footloose and fancy free to do as she pleased.

  Savannah thought about ignoring the call, but Carmen would keeping calling her until she picked up, so she answered. “Hello.”

  “Well, look who’s moving up in the world,” Carmen spoke. “I happened to be back from my trip to Atlantic City when one of my girlfriends told me my daughter was on TV. Imagine my surprise to see you all dolled up standing next to Caden Mitchell.”

  “What did you expect? We’re married.”

  “Oh, I don’t know. It was just so unsettling to see you so, so perfectly manicured. I mean not a strand of that wild mane of yours I’ve never been able to tame was out of place. And the clothes. You didn’t even look like yourself. You looked like some Stepford wife.”

  “What do you want, Carmen?” The words slipped out before Savannah could catch herself. She sipped her whiskey.

  “I want to know how it feels to be Mrs. Caden Mitchell. He’s announced to the world that you’re his wife and Liam’s his son. You must feel like the cat that finally got the cream.”

  Carmen had no idea how Savannah felt about any given subject because her mother had never wanted to have her in the first place. She’d gotten knocked up by some smooth-talking fella, and Savannah was the result. If it hadn’t been for her abuela insisting Carmen have her, Savannah wouldn’t be here.

  “Well?” Carmen asked. “Are you going to answer me, or are you too uppity now that you’re living with the rich folks? You mark my words, one day Caden will see beyond your big tits and ass and wonder if he made a mistake. So I would suggest you figure out how to be more than a stick figure by his side.”

  Angered, Savannah broke her silence. “I’m not a stick figure. I spoke up for myself at the press conference.”

  “I suppose, but initially you looked like a deer in the headlights. You’d better figure it out or your precious Caden will be looking elsewhere for the perfect wife.”

  “Was there something you wanted?”

  “Yes, there is. Since you’ve boarded up my mama, I have no access to her bank account anymore. I’m going to need a couple of hundred dollars.”

  “That’s too bad, but I’m not your bank.”

  “Bull. You’re living the high life with your rich husband. I know you have money at your disposal.”

  Once again, Carmen was reminding Savannah how she’d jumped into this marriage without discussing finances with Caden. Sure, she had some of her own money, but what were his expectations?

  They had so much to learn about each other, and with the press watching their every move, not much time for a learning curve.

  “I don’t have access to Caden’s finances.”

  “Surely he’s given you an allowance.”

  “I’m not a kept woman, Carmen. I have my own money, and I won’t beg Caden for his. I have some money in my
savings and could loan you a couple of hundred, but that’s it. You have to start taking care of yourself. I’m not going to support your gambling habit or whatever man you’re with.”

  With that, Savannah took one last sip of whiskey and ended the conversation because every time she talked to Carmen it only brought her concerns about this rushed marriage to the forefront. She just didn’t know how to bring them up to Caden.

  Chapter 19

  Caden heard every word of the conversation from the doorway, or at least Savannah’s responses to whatever negativity her mother was spewing, and was quick to disappear in a side room before Savannah could see him. He’d hoped to come home to a peaceful night with Savannah in his arms after he’d narrowly missed a campaign snafu.

  But his night wasn’t going as planned.

  Minutes later, he tugged his tie loose as he walked into the master bedroom, where Savannah had relocated after the phone call in the study. The bedside lamp was on, and Savannah sat cross-legged on the bed in a T-shirt and pajama shorts. This attire certainly wasn’t the negligee she’d worn during their honeymoon that Caden couldn’t wait to take off.

  She glanced up as he walked toward her. “Everything okay?”

  “Of course,” Caden said, tossing the tie on the nearby ottoman. “Why wouldn’t it be?”

  Savannah shrugged. “Was there any fallout after the press conference?”

  Caden shook his head as he unbuttoned his dress shirt. “You did a great job, Savannah. You must know that.”

  “How must I, Caden? You may be used to campaigning, but this is all new to me.”

  Caden sighed. He’d known this was coming. He’d seen the way Savannah looked after the press conference. He hadn’t done enough to help her during this transition.

  “Savannah, I’m sorry. I know this lifestyle is an adjustment for you and Liam, and I want to do everything I can to help you through it.”