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“If we're supposed to be together, then yeah, it's a good thing. So what’s the plan now that Birmingham thinks we’re together?”

My hand lifts halfway to my mouth before I think better of it and tuck both hands beneath my thighs. “I haven’t actually gotten that far. I was hoping you could help with that.”

“Seriously?”

“Unfortunately.”

Sam groans and crosses his arms over his chest. “Well, at least you bought us some time with him. Maybe if we go through with the charade, make him believe we’re together, then you can still work your angle on gaining inside information for the investigation. This could work.” Stepping around the chair, he moves to perch on the edge of the desk. Fingers wrapped around the dark wood, he flicks a glance to Trey. “And how do you feel about this? Anyone can see there’s something going on between you two.”

The soft material of my black slacks slides along the worn leather cushion of the chair as I turn to gauge Trey's response. Hands shoved into the pockets of his navy pants, shoulders against the hard spines of the endless hardback books, Trey keeps his focus on the opposite wall.

“It's fine.”

“Wait.” Sam leans back, eyeing him. “Didn't I read something about you being engaged?”

Trey dips his chin in a clipped nod.

“Oh fuck, Randi. What have you pulled me into? You made me out to be your fake boyfriend while you're screwing around with some other woman's fiancé? Hell no, I will not be made to look like a fool. I’ll find some other way to get the information we need.”

I remain silent. What is there to say back?

There are too many balls in the air, too many lies I'm juggling, and here I go adding Sam into the mix. I'd probably be pissed at me too.

“We're over.” Trey's words, the uncaring tone with which he says them, are like a knife to my soul. I hold in the whimpering gasp, my shock and hurt. Still, Trey doesn't look my way. “Nothing to worry about, if you want to keep Randi in on whatever you need her help with.”

“A little overprotective for it being over between you, don't you think?”

I feel Sam's gaze burning the back of my neck, but I don’t look away from Trey.

“It's my job. It's all it's ever been, just with side benefits.” Trey's unfeeling gaze slides over me before meeting Sam's. “Have you seen my fiancée?” He smirks. “Why would I want to mess that up?”

T coughs from the corner of the room. “Benson, a word.”

Without another glance, Trey stands straight without removing either hand from his front pockets and strides across the room. T whispers something to Trey, who nods and then leaves.

“Is it really over, Randi?” Sam asks.

Tearing my wet eyes from the empty door, I wipe the corners with the back of my hand.

“It’s complicated, let’s say that. But it's fine. I'm fine.”

“Say it one more time and I might believe you.”

“Trey’s one piece in this damn game I’m forced to play for this role. Honestly, I can't tell if I'm winning or losing any more.” My voice cracks with the lump of emotion clogging my throat.

“You won't know until the end of the game.”

“And when's that?”

“When Birmingham is impeached and you're sworn in as president.”

“It won't stop there.” I know it won’t. This is only the beginning. The storm before the tornado. I hope I survive the damage once it's all done.

Damp lashes flutter as I try to keep the remaining unshed tears at bay. “So what can we do now with this new kink in the plan? I need something to focus on. A plan of action that I can follow. It needs to be more than me trying to overhear conversations, because that won’t happen. Kyle's a manipulating prick, but he's smart. Too smart.”

Sam leans back on the desk, supporting himself by hanging on to the hard edge with a tight grip. “So you're my girlfriend now, huh?” A devious smile spreads across his face. Something about it urges me to smile back. “Not a hardship to endure, I’ll give you that. But I won't be made a fool, Randi. If we're going to pretend to do this, then I need you to keep your distance with that agent and anyone else. It doesn’t seem like you're too concerned with your reputation in this town, but I am. I won't look like the idiot who doesn’t know his girlfriend is sneaking around behind his back again.”

“Again?” The word’s out into the world before I can stop it. I snap my mouth shut hoping he didn’t hear me. But I am curious.