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“This is Randi,” I say. Pinching the pen between two fingers, I spin it along the desk.

“Madam Vice President, this is Senator Johnson.” Johnson. Johnson. Johnson. Which fucking one? I open my mouth to ask which state he represents, but he continues on before I can. “I've heard you're wanting to stop the voting bill that was recently passed by the House.”

“I am.”

“I'd like to help you.”

Excitement buzzes in my belly. Sitting up straighter, I twirl the pen again, the whirling of the metal against the wood offering the only sound in the office.

“I would love that. How—”

“There are a few others I think you need to talk to, help them understand exactly what this bill entails. The wording is put in a way that most aren't sure exactly what they're voting for.”

“Right,” I say, feeling vindicated. “The president wants that. He wants this bill to go through without any pushback.”

“When can you meet the others?”

Hastily I flip through my calendar, looking for an opening. “Let me—”

“How about Thursday evening?”

I bite my lip and stare at the appointment I just made with the other senator. “I already have a meeting that evening.”

“What about after?”

A sense of foreboding pricks in my gut.

“What’s the rush?”

A heavy sigh comes from the other side of the phone. “I'm sure you’re aware, Madam VP, that you’re not the only one trying to solidify votes in their corner. The president is making his rounds, and he has… formidable pull. If you want to win this, you need to get these men to your side before he does.”

I nod, gripping the phone tighter. “Thursday night. It’ll have to be late.”

“Aren’t most deals in this city made in the shadows of the night?”

I release an uneasy laugh. “I guess. Let's say eleven o'clock. That’ll give me plenty of time with the other senator. Where should we meet?”

“Charlie Palmer's Steakhouse.”

I wince at the stinging pain coming from my lip just as the sharp tang of blood slides across my tongue. “They close at ten, do they not?”

“I'm a very, very loyal patron, Madam VP. They’ll stay open for us. I look forward to meeting you in person.”

“You too,” I say, somewhat in disbelief.

“Good day, Madam Vice President. Until then.”

Pulling the silent phone from my ear, I stare at the blank screen. So odd. But also not. In this town, with all its pomp and circumstance, everything is laced with an edge of drama and suspense. Good thing I am too.

At the knock on the door, my head shoots up from where I'm detailing out my new meeting on the calendar. Trey's somber face peeks through the crack, eyes scanning the room before landing on me.

“Hey,” he says.

“Hey, back.” I toss the pen onto the desk and swivel in the chair. “You need something?”

His dark floppy hair slides along his brow with the shake of his head. “No, just wanted to say bye before I head off. Shift’s over.”

“Oh,” I say, not hiding my disappointment. “You coming back by later?”