Page 57

As if on cue, a door in the back of the room swings open and a waiter enters, offering me a big smile. Blond-streaked hair, perfect teeth, fabulous body—an actor or model for sure. "Good morning," he says. "Welcome to the Gentry."

"Good morning..." I leave the sentence hanging, asking for his name.

"I'm Steven," he says with a small bow.

"Morning, Steven. I’m Angela.”

He blushes slightly. “Yes, I know who you are. May I offer you coffee?"

"Please, with half and half, if you have it."

"Of course." He leaves quickly, and Tabitha points to the table. It's got one setting at the head and one to its left. I take the seat at the head, and her face pales.Thought so.

A guy who thinks he's going to be president also thinks he gets the head of the table. But he made me show up; I’m not going to make this easy for him.

The door opens, and Reginald Grand himself enters in a swirl of cologne. Only about 5’ 8” with the jowls of a mastiff, and his bald palette glowing under the overhead lights, the nominee is smaller than I thought. Spotting me, he breaks into a grin, revealing capped, overly white teeth. I stand and he comes at me for a hug.Seriously.He embraces me, and Archie squirms under the pressure. A wet smack of lips against my cheek leaves a trail of saliva. "Such a pleasure,” he says, stepping back and running his eyes down to my tits.

Is he kidding? Could the guy be more of a freaking cliché.

"Tabitha, coffee and—" He turns to her, keeping a hand on my arm. "Get me some of that coffee cake they had yesterday." He turns back to me. "It's fabulous, you'll love it."

He squeezes my arm, and I move away, settling back into my chosen seat.Do I look like I eat coffee cake?

His lips press together at my retreat, but he doesn't say anything, dropping into the seat next to me. "You look great. You’re a really gorgeous girl…great style too."

I give a small nod, the compliment somehow sounding like an insult. I'm also a talented actor and secret agent, but yeah, I am hot as hell.Thanks.

Steven comes in and pours us both coffee. "Thanks," I say, catching his eye. His brows are lowered. Not a fan of Mr. Grand. Could it be his running mate's stance on gays? That they are an affront to God and should all go through conversion therapy?

"Mr. Grand,” I say. "You requested this meeting. I don't want to be rude, but I do have another appointment at eight. I hope we can get down to brass tacks."

He laughs and picks up his coffee cup as Steven leaves the room. Tabitha still stands in the corner. Grand looks over his shoulder and nods, dismissing her.

Once we are alone, he sits even further back in his chair, spreading his legs out…taking up as much room as possible. Part of me wants to scrunch down and make more space for him. But I force myself to maintain eye contact and to keep my body language neutral.

"What you did with Vladimir Petrov…very impressive."

I drop eye contact and bring a hand to my chest. “That was horrible——the seizure was so sudden and powerful,” I say. “I have no idea what happened afterwards and have not been able to find out.” I bring my eyes back to his. “Is he okay?”

Grand licks his lips, leaving a shiny trail that turns my stomach. “Don't worry, I know. I've got clearance,” he says, ignoring my question.

"I'm sorry, but I don’t know what you're talking about."

He leans forward, his face suddenly way too close, and I can't help but lean away. "I want you to do someone for me."

“Do someone for you?” My voice is low, and I inject a note of confusion into it. What couldIpossibly do foryou?

"I've got a lot of enemies. People who don’t want me in the Oval Office.”I can’t imagine why. “And I need your help with that."

My brows go up.Is he serious?Holding his gaze, I realize that yes, he is serious. "I have no idea what you're talking about,” I say again.

The door opens before he can answer, and Steven places a piece of cake at Grand’s elbow. The man who hopes to be the leader of the free world doesn’t glance at him.

“Thank you,” I say as Steven sets a matching plate next to me.

Grand picks up the piece of the cake and shoves a bite into his mouth, moaning with pleasure as Steven makes his exit. "Have some," he says, pushing the plate in front of me.

"No, thank you.” I pause to wrest control of myself.This conversation has gone from nuts to coffee cake crazy."I came here as a courtesy, and now I'm leaving." I stand up. He moves quickly blocking my exit.