by Sienna Snow
I jumped up and paced, pinching the bridge of my nose.
This was bad.
I cocked a hand on my hip. “Devin James Camden, don’t do anything to hurt your position. He’s not worth it.”
I was already about to put him in the spotlight. The last thing I wanted his actions to do was affect his job, or worse, land him in an ethics investigation.
“Stop worrying.” He tugged me onto his lap, spreading my legs to straddle him. “Ash is going to use his channels to see if he can buy the pictures before Decker sells them to Sanders.”
I gripped his shoulders as his hands slid to my hips. “What if he doesn’t budge?”
“Then Ash is going to hack him and wipe the cloud and any electronics the pictures were downloaded onto.”
“What?” I jerked; however, he held on to me so I couldn’t stand. “When did you have time to plan this? I know it couldn’t have been between fucking me four times today and mingling with potential donors.”
“I called him after our date the other night. I will break every law to make sure some scumbag doesn’t terrorize my wife.”
“Okay, Mr. Rule-and-law-breaker. What have you done with my do-everything-by-the-book husband and when can I get him back?”
“Very funny.” He cupped the back of my head. “I will do what is necessary.”
“I’m serious. Devin, let me handle this. I have a plan. I’m not going to let any man dictate my future ever again. Even you.”
He glowered at me, but before he could respond, Jacinta and Ashur rushed toward us.
“Do you two do anything other than fuck?” Jacinta pulled me off Devin then handed me her phone. “We have a crisis. Talk to him.”
“Hello.”
“Sam, darlin’. If you don’t get ahead of this, we’re up shit creek.” Clint Bassett’s voice surprised me.
“Umm. Clint. Why are you calling me on Jacinta’s line?”
“Because I couldn’t get hold of you.”
“What’s going on?”
“Someone named Spencer Miller offered me compromising pictures of you in exchange for a spot on my show.”
A lump formed in the pit of my stomach, and I looked up at Jacinta. She clenched her fists and shook her head. Ash was no better. Then I glanced at Devin who was reading something on his phone. He ran a frustrated hand through his hair.
“Did you take the offer?” My voice cracked.
“For the love of all that is good, I would never shit on you like that. I told that fucker to jump off the nearest cliff.”
“Thank you.”
“What are you thanking me for? Girl, I know what you’ve been planning, and I’m going to get you elected. Do you hear me? Why do you think I did all the things to put you in the spotlight? You needed a platform, and I gave it to you.”
I leaned against the railing of the boat and let the breeze cool the July heat from my body.
“Clint, who has the pictures? I know you know.”
He remained quiet for a second and then spoke. “The photographs went out ten minutes ago to all the major gossip sites. The fucker mentioned Sanders would pay me handsomely to release them on all my social media platforms.”
“You wouldn’t happen to have recorded that?”
“You know me well. Yes, I have that asshat recorded. Miller also had Sanders on the line during the conversation. The dipshit thinks I’m some idiot who doesn’t understand how these things are played. There is no way that fucker Sanders can pretend Miller did this on his own.”
“Will you send it to me? No, send it to Tracy. I know she’s the one who leaked my plans to you.”
I peeked over my shoulder and saw Devin watching me intently. A frown marred his beautiful face as well as worry. I wanted to reassure him, but it would be a lie. This was a new game, and I was a pawn. Well, at least that’s what Sanders believed.
“I’m tempted to release the tape. That would show Sanders’s loyal supporters what a shithead he is. I’m sorry for the language, Sam. I just can’t stand men like this using their power to hurt the women who challenge them. I have four daughters, for Christ’s sake.”
I couldn’t help but smile. The shock jock was outraged at the injustice of my situation.
“Clint,” I said, taking a deep breath, “I am going to handle this my way. If you want to help me, wait until I make my announcement. Do not do anything that will take away from the press conference I am going to have tomorrow morning.”
“You better make it good.”
“Clint, I mean it. Don’t fuck this up by opening your mouth.”
He chuckled. “Yes, ma’am. That’s the bossy lady I first met. I take it your husband has fixed things with you.”
“Clint,” I warned, making him laugh harder in response.
“Good. I’d hate to have to kick his ass. Now, go show those bastards who’s in charge.”
“I’ll do my best.” I hung up and handed Jacinta the phone.
She snatched it out of my hand. “Care to fill me in or should I guess?”
Ashur walked up and sat next to Dev, who hadn’t moved the whole time I was on the phone. “So, it’s a go?”
“What’s a go?” Jacinta asked.
“Dev and Ash, don’t for one minute think to take over. Do I make myself clear?” I stood and then began to pace. “I love both of you, but this is my battle.”
Jacinta waved her hand. “Hello. Someone get me up to speed or I’m going to lose it.”
“Spencer Miller released the pictures.” Dev stared into my eyes. “And my wife is going to counter by announcing her candidacy.”
Chapter Seventeen
“I need someone to stop and tell me when I entered the Twilight Zone,” Jacinta demanded.
Dev stared at me. “You heard me. My wife is going to give you the highlight of the holiday weekend. She will announce her bid for Senate in the morning.”
“Something tells me I shouldn’t get too excited. So, spill it.” Her eyes flashed at me, giving me her “you better start talking” look.
I approached Jacinta, taking her hand in mine.
“I don’t know how to tell you this.”
“Just say it, Sam.”
I peered into her eyes, knowing my words would bring back memories she’d done so much to overcome.
“Decker arranged for Sanders to acquire the pictures. They are going to use them to discredit all of us.”
She flinched but kept her face emotionless. “I’m sorry, Sam. It’s my fault.”
“The hell it is!” I shouted. “I am convenient. I’m an easy target.”
Her voice was cold when she spoke again. “I was the one who started this. I am challenging Decker for his job. He knows I’ve made it my life’s mission to get rid of men like him and his son.”
I looked over Jacinta’s shoulder to find Dev and Ashur watching us with deep scrutiny, telling me I was going to have to do some explaining.
Hopefully, both of them would understand I’d made a promise to keep Jacinta’s shame a secret.
“Jaci, he can’t hurt you anymore. I had every piece of evidence wiped. I know people like to say there is always a trace. There is none. I even had people sweep each property for physical evidence.”
The one and only time I’d ever used my connections in the tech world was to have some of the top hackers in the world break into Decker Senior’s and Junior’s systems and destroy any and all records of Jacinta.
“You did what?” Ashur asked. “Sam, you are running for Congress. You can’t go invading people’s private files.”
“You don’t know why I did it.”
“Then explain it to me.” He moved to the railing and glowered at me.
Shit, my big brother was going to hand me my ass when we were alone.
I crossed my arms over my chest. “It’s not my story to tell. Just know I wouldn’t hesitate to do it again. Like what you and Devin were planning to do to help me, I did what I needed to protect those I love. Bu
t unlike you, I had Jacinta’s permission to protect her.”
“Samina, what if you were caught?”
“Ash, seriously? I knew what I was doing. You aren’t the only one who knows how to tinker with computers. I’ve always had the tech skills you and Papa possess. Law was Papa’s choice for my life, not mine.”
Jacinta squeezed my hand.
“Jaci,” Devin said in a soft whisper. “Come sit with me.”
He opened his arms, and a single tear fell from Jacinta’s eye as she moved to the bench and into Devin’s embrace.
“I don’t need the story, little bean.” My heart melted hearing him use the nickname he’d called her when she was little. “When did he do it?”
As she rested her head on his shoulder, she said, “Five years ago. That weekend Dad sent me as his representative to the PAC gala.”
I still remembered getting her call. I’d dropped everything to fly to her and then bring her to Seattle. At the time, Devin was on the campaign trail with his father and wasn’t around to ask questions.
“Did you hurt him?”
God, I loved this man. He knew Jacinta hated anyone thinking she was weak, and his question kept her from falling apart. The last thing she’d want was someone’s pity.
“Yes, he went to the hospital.” She gave a halfhearted smirk. “I broke his nose and cracked his ribs. I guess I learned a few things in the MMA classes Sam forced me to attend twice a week for three years.”
Devin’s eyes burned with a sense of sadness that broke my heart. I knew he felt like he’d failed his sister and me.
“Jaci, I’m going to expose Decker and what he did to me. I’ll keep your name out of it, but I’m going to fight, even if it costs me the election,” I said, taking a seat next to her.
“No, Sam. He’s going to help Sanders ruin not only your reputation but your career. Thanks to you, he has nothing on me anymore. I am the darling of my party. I represent the future my party is desperate to push to the forefront. The only way to get to me is through you.”
“I’m a trust-fund kid. I don’t ever have to work. Besides, your brother can be my sugar daddy for a change.”
My joke fell flat, and she blew out a frustrated breath. “Samina.”
“Don’t Samina me. I know what I’m doing. This situation won’t be the last time a bastard like him will try to hurt us. Your father is right. This is life for women in politics. I’m not going anywhere so I’ll have to get used to it.” I stared into Jacinta’s eyes. “I love you, Jaci. But I refuse to pretend it didn’t happen, and what Miller did to me isn’t anywhere near what you and countless other women experienced.”
She remained quiet, but the pain etched on her face told me I’d hit the mark. I hated hurting her. She was my best friend, my sister. I wished to God she’d pressed charges, but she hadn’t and the asshole had gone free. At least karma caught up to him and the fucker was now dealing with the consequences of a high-profile drug arrest.
“You are so strong, Jaci. And I understand what it cost you to stay silent for your dad’s and Tyler’s sakes. I’m going to stand up to Decker and Sanders for me and for every woman like you who had to remain quiet, who had to pretend nothing happened to her in order to protect others or who were shamed into stepping aside.”
She was quiet for a few minutes thinking, then linked her fingers with mine.
“I’m going to have to reveal what he did and why he’s helping Sanders.” Jacinta said it as a statement, not a question.
“That’s up to you. Clint has Sanders recorded when he thought Miller was on hold. We can’t use the recording in a criminal investigation, but I’m sure Clint would leak the content of the conversation. We can keep any mention of what Decker’s son did to you out of the media.”
“Let me think about it. I need to talk to my campaign manager before I disclose anything that happened to me.”
I nodded. “Okay. I’ll support you, no matter what you decide. But we have to get anyone involved with our campaigns up to date, including Veer, since he has ties to both of us.”
“Sam, promise me you won’t tell Veer what happened yet.”
“Why not?”
“Because he will kill Decker. They’ve hated each other since the comments he made questioning Veer’s service in the military. This election is too important. Veer has to win.”
“I’ll win whether I punch Decker Senior or not.” Veer stood in the doorway leading onto the deck.
Jacinta stiffened. “How long have you been there?”
“Long enough.” He stared at Jacinta and me. “Carol asked me to find you before the fireworks started.”
“Do you want me to fill you in?” I asked, trying to move his attention from Jacinta to me.
“No.” He pulled out his phone. “I was notified a few minutes ago.”
My heart dropped. How was I going to face Mommy?
“Does anyone else know?”
“I doubt it. Our families and the guests are preparing for the show. Your former client sent me a message. He wanted to have me on hand when ‘the shit hit the fan.’ Those are his words, not mine.”
“Trust Clint to put things in perspective.” I studied Jacinta. “You okay?”
She had her head back and eyes closed, her telltale sign she had a raging migraine.
Veer walked up to us and stretched out his hand. “Let’s go, Ms. Camden. We’ll get you something for your headache and then you can explain the conversation I walked in on.”
Without protesting as I’d expected whenever someone bossed her about, she stood and slid her palm over Veer’s. They left without a backward glance.
Dev cleared his throat, bringing my attention to him, and then lifted a brow.
I shrugged my shoulders and then said, “Don’t ask me. I have no idea what that’s about. I was only kidding about them when I made the comment at the house.”
Ashur pushed me toward Dev and then sat beside me. “So, little sis, I guess you’re going to announce tomorrow.”
“Yep.”
“How do you feel about it?” He leaned over and smirked at Devin.
“I like my privacy, but I love her. There’s no contest. I’m with her all the way.” Devin picked up my hand, kissing my fingers.
“This puts our plans on hold. The dirt is now public. I’d still like to put a virus on Decker’s, Sanders’s, and Miller’s systems.”
“Not happening. I’m going to have enough trouble without you two adding to it,” I informed my brother. “You should be thanking me for keeping you from doing anything that hedged the law.”
“What we planned wasn’t hedging, it was full-on illegal.”
I stared at Devin as if he’d lost his mind. “How can you be so casual and nonchalant about breaking the law?” Then I glared at Ashur. “You too, Mr. War Hero and Defender of Those Who Were Wronged.”
“It’s not like I’m running for president. When have I cared about image or what others thought of me?”
Ash was known for speaking his mind, never worrying if someone agreed with him or not. He also had this ability to insult someone to their face without them realizing it.
“Point taken. If you had the stomach to handle the nonstop socializing and ass-kissing, you’d be the one running. I guess you’ll have to leave it to those of us with the stamina.”
“Hey, squirt. Did you just insult me?” Ash pinched my shoulder.
“You should know. You’re the master of the subtle insult,” Devin interjected, resulting in me giving him a fist-bump and then laughing.
“Who’s going to run the campaign? You need someone with a straight head on their shoulders and the fortitude to handle the chaos.”
“Ash, are you volunteering for the job? That would require you to move to Seattle.”
“Not happening. I cannot ever have you as a boss. You’d make my life a living hell. Although, the idea of living near you is tolerable.”
I elbowed him. “Good save.”
�
��There’s only one choice,” Devin said. “Tara Zain. She is brilliant, organized, and takes no one’s bullshit.”
Ashur remained quiet but I saw him stare into the distance.
“You still haven’t forgiven her, have you?”
“I got over it a long time ago.”
“For the record, she loved you.”
“That’s not how I saw it. Tara dropped me the second she found out she got accepted to Harvard. She was looking for a bigger fish.”
I shoved Ashur. “She isn’t like that, and I resent you implying something so stupid.”
“Then pray tell me why she broke up with me.”
“Papa forced her to end it with you or her parents would lose their jobs. She loved you, but her family isn’t from the same economic or social standing as ours. Why do you think they moved to Washington? It was a place where Papa had no reach.”
He was quiet, lost in thought for a few seconds, then he shook his head.
“It isn’t important anymore. I’m over it. All that matters is that you have someone competent to head your campaign.”
I smirked. “Yes, that was so convincing.”
“Shut it, squirt.”
“Stop calling me that. Squirt is what you call a ten-year-old kid. I’m a grown woman about to run for Senate.”
“I can attest to the grown woman part,” Dev interjected. “I’ve studied every part of her in great detail.”
Ashur groaned. “I thought you were a conservative judge with strict morals. Why is sex the only thing on your mind?”
“Because your sister puts out in the best way possible.”
“Dev, man. Do you have to go there? I think I threw up a little in my mouth.”
This was fabulous. After all these years, Dev and Ash were friends again and back to the back-and-forth banter I remembered from long ago.
All of a sudden, I felt a wave of nausea and anxiety, and my joy evaporated as did that of the men next to me.
We remained silent for a few minutes, taking in the night before I spoke.
“We’re not going to be able to do this for a long time. Are we?”
“It comes with the territory. In a few hours, even the little bit of privacy you’ve managed to enjoy will disappear.”
