Bedmates

by Nichole Chase

  “Then I’ll let you know.” I grabbed the waistband of his shorts and tugged him closer so I could plant a big kiss on him before opening the door and dashing out.

  Tony was off, so there was a different agent with me in the car today. She didn’t talk, so I let the ride pass in silence while my brain went from giddy to dark thoughts. Remembering Jake’s hands on me, the way he had cradled me as if I was the most important thing sent my soul soaring. Then it would plummet when I remembered the blank terror in his eyes at the sound of a lamp breaking.

  By the time we got to the White House I wasn’t sure which way was up and which way was down. I’d never felt that way in a relationship. I’d been excited to spend time with past boyfriends, butterflies and all, but there hadn’t been this sense of importance or dread if things went wrong. Maybe that had been because it hadn’t really mattered in the past.

  I was so lost in my thoughts I didn’t have time to avoid the trap that had been set for me.

  “Maddie, the Vice President would like a word with you.”

  I looked up at her chief of staff with big eyes before looking around the large hallway for an escape.

  “I’m sorry, I’m in a hurry. I’ll give her a call later.” Shit on toast. I should have been ready for this. “Sorry, Zach. I’ve really got to go.”

  “No ma’am, that won’t do. It’s urgent.” He put a hand under my elbow and started steering me to the suite of offices the Vice President used when at the White House.

  “I have an appointment.” I tried to pull out of his grip but his fingers tightened.

  “I’m sure it can wait. The Vice President is very busy but has made time to chat with you.”

  “Let go of my elbow and I’ll go.” I snatched my arm away and noticed the female agent that had been tailing me moved between us. “When did you get demoted to henchman?”

  “She doesn’t trust anyone else with this meeting.” He reached for my arm again and the agent stepped in his way.

  “Sir, please keep your hands to yourself.” She was my height, with brown eyes and short brown hair.

  “Jesus, Maddie. You’re making a scene.” He lowered his hand and glowered at me. “I don’t like this any more than you. Let’s just get it over with.”

  I met his stare with my own and tried to think of a plan. I pulled my phone out of my pocket and looked at the time. Desperate for help I sent a quick text to the only person other than my father that wouldn’t balk at rescuing me from the Vice President.

  “She can have five minutes.” I stuffed the phone back in my pocket and sent a covert look at my agent in shiny armor. She nodded her head briefly and stepped back. She would make sure I got out of that office in a reasonable time.

  Without looking back at Zach I took off toward the VP’s office. She was waiting in the hall, her arms at her sides and wide smile on her face.

  “Madeline, thank you for coming.” She put a hand on my shoulder and steered me inside before closing the door behind us. “I know you’re very busy.”

  “Not as busy as you are.” I frowned and rallied my defenses for her attack. She might be smiling but I knew better. I’d seen the text message she had sent Jake.

  “Possibly.” Virginia sat down at her large antique desk and folded her hands with a small smile. “I know you’re working on a bill to stop animal testing. That’s a lot of work. Certainly something new for you.”

  “It’s not something I thought I would do in my life.” I sat down in the chair across from her and was careful to not fidget with anything.

  “The greatest politicians often end up serving their country because of a calling to make things better. I’m not surprised that your father passed down his desire to change things for the better.” Her words were calm, supportive, and I steadied myself, waiting for the stab of her forked tail. “You’ll make an excellent politician.”

  “Thank you, but that’s not my goal. I just want to protect the animals, that’s it.”

  “Have you found someone to sponsor your bill?” Her smile almost glowed and I hoped she couldn’t tell that I was sweating. “I’ve been approached by several people that are interested in helping you.”

  “Odd that they didn’t come to me or my father.” Breathe in, breathe out. I’d never been in a fight, but there was a battle of wills happening in this office and I didn’t want to lose.

  She waved her hand in the air as if that wasn’t a big deal. “The President is busy. They probably just didn’t want to bother him.”

  “Virginia, you and I both know that’s not true. I have no doubt that my father’s office has been inundated with calls from people jumping at the chance to help the President’s daughter. Who wouldn’t want to be owed a favor from the President?”

  She leaned further back in her chair and cocked her head to the side without comment. I could keep explaining or I could play her game and try to wait her out. I looked down at my watch and settled back into the chair. I had three more minutes before the agent would interrupt. If she wanted to spend those three minutes playing a staring contest that was fine with me.

  “I suppose you’re right.” Virginia picked up a pen and wrote a few things on a paper before sliding it across the desk. “These are the people that I think would be the most help. They have a great deal of political backing and are interested in helping you.”

  I looked at where the paper lay on the desk and felt the slippery slope under my feet give a little.

  “What do you get out of this?” I crossed my arms and didn’t pick up the paper. “You want your name on my bill?”

  “No, the credit is all yours. It would be a great stepping stone for you. The rebellious child turned righteous before moving on to make the tough decisions so other children don’t feel they need to break the law.” She held her pen suspended between two fingers. “You’re on the brink of following in your father’s footsteps. People will flock to you.”

  “I’m not interested in politics.” I kept my voice even. “I only want to help the animals.”

  “Of course. We all want to help them. I Googled what they do to them the other day. It’s horrifying.” She gave a small shudder. “But think about it. Even if you don’t pursue politics, this bill could make you the voice that speaks for these animals. I just want to help.”

  “I’m still trying to figure out what you get out of this.” I narrowed my eyes at her. “I might not want to play the game, but I know the rules. What do you want for your help?”

  “I’ll help you with the bill. It’s going to take a lot of negotiating and in the meantime, you let me help you clean up your image.”

  “What?” The only thing stopping my eyebrows from flying off my face was my hairline.

  “If you want to date my son, then we need to make some changes.” She smiled brightly and I fought the urge to strangle her.

  “I’m not changing who I am for anyone.” I looked at my fingernails on one hand and pretended to be bored.

  “Then we have a small problem.” The Vice President sat up a little straighter.

  “And why is that?” Deliberately I lifted my hand and gnawed on a hangnail.

  “I’m running for office, Madeline, and you’re not an appropriate partner for my son. He needs to be with someone that has unquestionable integrity and class.”

  Ouch. Score one for the she-devil.

  “You lack polish and grace. Your familial ties are good enough, of course, but after that stunt you pulled . . .” She tsked. “I was hoping to make this beneficial for both of us. I help you and in turn you do a few simple things that I ask. Nothing big of course, I don’t want you out speaking for me. But, quietly supporting me in the wings wouldn’t hurt. The press seems to love you, but you can’t stay with Jake the way you are now.”

  I stared at the woman as if she had grown a few extra heads. “Jake is a grown man. You don’t get to say who he invites into his life.”

  “You’re smarter than that.” The friendly mask dropped a
nd she practically spat venom at me. “I’m going to be President, Madeline. As a woman, that means my house has to be impeccable. There can be no dirty laundry, nothing out of place, and no whispered comments about my son’s wild girlfriend. Everything. Must. Be. Perfect. You’re not going to fuck it all up when I’m so close.”

  There was a knock at the door and I clenched my hands.

  “Come in.” Virginia’s smile was back in place.

  I looked over my shoulder at my father’s fierce publicist, Reese. She nodded at me but said nothing. Neither did she come all the way in the room or close the door. She did however motion to her watch as if reminding me of something.

  “I have a meeting.” I stood up, careful to not look at the list of names she had bribed me with. “Excuse me.”

  “Of course.” Virginia stood up and walked around the desk to place a hand on my shoulder. “I don’t have to tell you that this is strictly confidential. If you don’t want my help it’s going to cost you in some way. Just remember, Madeline, I always win. You can play with me or against me.”

  I ground my teeth so hard I wasn’t sure I’d have teeth left by the time I got out of the office.

  “I’m not playing anything, Virginia.” I smiled and patted her hand on my shoulder. “It was so nice to see you. Have a great week.”

  Turning on my heel I left the office and headed for the residential wing. I wanted as much space between me and that vile woman as possible.

  “Thank you.” I darted my eyes in Reese’s direction. She might be a bitch to deal with, but she’d come through for me when I needed her. Maybe I’d been too tough on the woman.

  “No problem. I never turn down a chance to needle that woman.” Reese frowned at the stack of paperwork in her arms. “I have to say, it sounds like you have a bigger problem than getting out of her office.”

  No shit, I thought.

  The Vice President had just declared war. If I didn’t get in line with her ideas, I’d have to choose: my animal rights bill or Jake.

  Chapter 14

  Maddie

  “You truly think we can get the bill passed?” I looked up at Senator Fletcher as she moved around her office.

  “Oh, yes. With what we’ve outlined we’ll have a good chance.” Senator Fletcher poured me a glass of water and walked around her desk to sit in one of the seats next to me. “I’d like to tell you that the bill will definitely pass, but I want to make sure you know that it’s not guaranteed. This also isn’t a fast process. We may be able to cram it through the House quickly, but the Senate is much slower.”

  “I know.” I took a sip of my water and tried to not grimace. From the outside it could look as if bills were passed quickly, but it was an agonizingly slow process from the inside.

  “Maddie, if you start this, are you going to see it through?” Senator Fletcher watched me carefully and held up a hand when I started to respond quickly. “I know it’s important to you, but this could take years. In essence, you’re marrying this bill and the process.”

  I frowned and chewed on the inside of my cheek. That was a scary way of looking at the whole process. Yes, I wanted to better the world for the animals and for everyone else, but did I want to hitch myself to the cause for eternity? I was young. Who knew what life would throw my way in a couple of years.

  “It’s okay to take some time to think about it, but if you’re serious we need to form an exploratory committee. That can help us set up a plan to move forward, give us a feel for how people will respond to the idea.” She sat back in her seat and took a drink from her own water glass. “Big Pharma is going to fight us tooth and nail. No one likes change, especially when it’s going to cost them a lot of money.”

  “Yes, I’ve thought of that.” I frowned down at my glass. “I hadn’t really thought about how long it could take to get the bill passed. I knew it would be an uphill fight, but wasn’t thinking about it in terms of time.”

  It could very well take more than two years to get it to the Senate. My father would be long out of office by the time it reached the President’s desk. If against all odds it actually did reach the President’s desk.

  That thought made my frown deepen.

  “Of course not. You’ve still got a year of college left.”

  “It’s not just college.” I set my glass on the table between us, careful to use the frilly coaster. “I want to be very up-front with you.”

  “Oh?” The other woman narrowed her eyes. “Please do.”

  “Virginia invited me to her office today to chat about the bill.” My fingers squeezed into a fist. “She had a list of people that would help get the bill passed.”

  “I see.” Senator Fletcher raised an eyebrow. “And what did she want in return?”

  “For me to fall in line.” I sighed and sat back in the chair deflated. “Either I shape up or ship out when it comes to Jake. She made it quite clear that I wasn’t welcome with her son unless I make some big changes. How did she put it? If I wasn’t playing with her I was playing against her.”

  “That’s a lot to ask of someone. Especially if your relationship is as new as I expect it is.”

  “New is an understatement.” I shook my head. “I’m not going to change who I am to make her happy. If I change who I am so she will be happy, I’ve lost much more than I’ve gained.”

  “And you have no definite proof that she won’t decide to vote in a different direction if it suits her needs in the end.”

  “Good point.” Leaning forward I propped my arms on my knees and cradled my forehead. “I could do everything she asks, but still end up screwed. Of course, if I don’t even make an effort to stay on her good side, the bill is as good as dead no matter what.”

  “I wouldn’t be so sure about that.” The senator sat forward and patted my knee. “The VP has some sway in things, but not enough to deny the public what they want. This is where you have more power than she does.”

  “How can I have more power?” I dropped my hands and looked at Fletcher with surprise.

  “She has to cater to those people that helped get her to the top. Virginia owes people favors as well and I assume that list will grow as she fights for the Presidential nomination. On the other hand, you are debt free, politically speaking. You can rally the people to pressure their representatives to vote in favor of your bill. After all, we’re supposed to vote the way our constituents want.”

  “I sure don’t feel like I have the upper hand.” I grimaced.

  “Oh, it’s not going to be easy. It’s going to be a fight, but I think we can win.” She smiled and her eyes lit up. “After all, we have Good on our side. We’re fighting for the underdog, literally. And if there is one thing I’ve learned about America and its voters, it’s that they love a good underdog story.”

  Hope filled my chest and I took a deep breath for the first time since I’d left the Vice President’s office.

  “Let’s do this. Let’s form the exploratory committee and save the underdogs.” I sat up and smiled. Yes, I was ready to fight for the rights of those animals that couldn’t do it themselves.

  “Put on your armor, my dear. We’re going to war.”

  It was dark by the time I left Senator Fletcher’s office. My back hurt from being bent over a table and going through papers for hours. My eyes were scratchy and stinging from reading countless resumes and searching on the internet. A lot of work went into forming an exploratory committee. I only wanted people I could trust; people that I knew would really care about the animals.

  My stomach grumbled as we drove through the dim streets and I asked them to go through a drive-thru. I was too hungry to wait until we got home and I could make something.

  As I devoured the reheated burger in the backseat, I pulled out my phone and decided to text Jake.

  ME: Fletcher is in. We’re forming a committee and I think I got married.

  JAKE: Seems a little sudden.

  ME: She said I had to commit to the bill long term, tha
t it was a marriage of sorts I’d have to see through. So I’m married to a bill.

  JAKE: Congratulations to you and Bill.

  ME: What if the Bill wants to have little bills and amendments one day?

  JAKE: You probably should have discussed that before eloping.

  ME: But it was so beautiful. There was tons of paperwork and a dry erase board to act as our witness. Everything I had dreamed!

  JAKE: Lucky woman.

  ME: LOL. Seriously, I’m just glad I have someone that knows what they’re doing in my corner.

  JAKE: I knew she would help. She loves animals.

  ME: I’ve got to hire a secretary. There’s so much to do.

  JAKE: A secretary? Look at you, Ms. Fancy Pants. Make sure she’s hot.

  ME: Don’t worry, he will be.

  I giggled when he sent back an emoticon with big eyes.

  ME: Now that I think about it, all the guys working in Fletcher’s office were hot. It’s probably a requirement.

  JAKE: It’s good to be at the top. I wonder if they wear loin cloths and feed her grapes.

  I giggled thinking of the serious expressions of the men working in her office. They would look angry and determined to feed her only the best grapes while planning exactly how quickly they should move their palms leaves while fanning her.

  ME: What are you doing?

  JAKE: Watching Puz try to chase his tail. Want to come over and eat? Dinner and a show!

  ME: Tempting, but I just ate. I need to get back to my place so I can take care of a few things.

  JAKE: Damn. I tried.

  ME: Watching a three-legged dog chase his tail is one hell of a temptation.

  JAKE: Are you saying my cooking isn’t a temptation?

  ME: Let’s just say it’s a good thing you’re pretty.

  JAKE: LOL. Not pulling any punches, huh?

  ME: You like it.

  JAKE: I think that makes me a masochist.

  ME: Not surprised.

  JAKE: You’re on a roll.;)

  ME: I’m in a good mood.