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“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.”