Page 69

“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.”

“I know, Ash. They’re going to be on everyone, you included.”

“I’m an asshole so no one will bother me. I’ll just growl in their direction and the media will scatter.”

“Thank you.” I took hold of each of their hands. “I love you both so much.”

“We love you too.”

“Speak for yourself,” Dev said as he ran a thumb along the vein on the outside of my hand. “I know for a fact I love her in a different way than you do. One that is much more intimate.”

“Devin! Really? She’s my sister.”

I rolled my eyes. Seeing this goofy and a bit pervy side of Dev was always fun.

“You both are crazy.” I stood. “Let’s go and pretend to enjoy ourselves for the next hour. As soon as we dock, all hell is going to break loose.”

Before I finished my statement, a set of lights flashed on and a helicopter descended toward the boat.

Devin jumped up, shoving me behind him.

“I think it already did.”