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“Hi, Mr. President and First Lady!” exclaimed the woman who had come up to the panting earlier. She gestured to Madeline’s gown. “Iloveyour red dress.”

More people agreed and tossed out compliments at the First Lady. Beaming, she loved the attention.

“Thank you. The House of Dior creates exceptional artwork, don’t they?” Madeline smiled.

“You look like a fabulous artwork!” said someone.

I wanted to roll my eyes at these people who were probably at this charity to gain favors from the First Couple.

Madeline’s face brightened. “You’re too kind.” Then she turned to everyone in the room. “Thank you for coming.” She placed her hands on her chest. “Thank you for supporting Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Look at this incredible art and place your bids before it’s gone.”

The band lowered their tune as the President and Madeline took turns with their speeches about how the charity would benefit the innovative medical research conducted at the hospital. When the speeches finished and answered some questions, everyone took a break for refreshments, and music boomed. Chatter grew in the room as more people entered the room and walked around looking at the paintings. There were no more seats available for the late arrivals. I spotted my friends in the back corner. The girls were chatting amongst themselves while keeping an eye on me. The boys spoke to a group of men dressed in dark suits. The girls must have told them everything already. Conversations about art and medical research surrounded me.

After talking to a group of people, Madeline excused herself. She grabbed her husband’s hand and walked straight to the painting of herself. They stood studying the painting, looking up and down. No one was on the platform with them.

“Darling, look at this portrait,” Madeline said. “Isn’t it gorgeous?”

The President whispered in her ear. “You’re so hot.”

“You too.” Madeline beamed. “Life is good, baby. Those fuckers are dead. I’m sure the other guys won’t be bothering us anymore. God is on our side.” Since her face was turned toward the painting—toward me and away from the crowd—the evilness in her eyes blazed to life. I wanted to sink my nails into thosedevilish eyes and rip the sly smirk from her face. She ran a hand down the skirt of the canvas dress, admiring it.

“Three guys are dead.” President Collins smirked. “The Claude family sent CIA agents and European assassins to ensure they died. Too bad someone killed them before we could. But I supposed that conclusion worked out in our favor.”

“I wonder who killed them?” she asked.

“Probably another enemy.”

“True. I hope it was a slow and painful death.” She flicked him an amused look. “To get the job done appropriately, my family sent the top officials in the CIA. Whoever it was saved them time and trouble.” She rattled off their names as though she were proud.

His smile widened. “I know. I put them in the CIA for you. Just wanted to make sure you remember.”

“I do.” She patted his cheek. “The Trogyn owns the CIA.”

“We’ll own the world soon enough.” President Collins wrapped an arm around his wife.

“We’re untouchable.” She smirked. “If only the American people knew our family caused the last two presidents’ assassinations. America has been compromised for a long time. People are so fucking stupid. They don’t even know we’re brainwashing them.” She laughed. “We can sell them shit, and they’ll buy it.”

“You die if you don’t comply.” The President grinned.

Madeline kissed his cheek. “But you’re different.” She palmed him. “You knowexactlyhow to comply.” She took his hand and shoved two of his fingers into her mouth, sucking them. “I loved how you sucked my dick before I became a woman to be your First Lady. I miss it so much.”

“I’m excellent at it, aren’t I?” He looked at her with darkened eyes. “But so are you—Ashton Claude Lindor—the best cocksucker even at sixteen.” He growled quietly. “If only the country knew how amazing you were.”

“Really?” she emphasized. “You want to share me with the country?”

“Never.”

What the hell?I wanted to puke. I couldn’t believe what they were talking about in public. The crowd had increased along with the buzz of conversation, drowning out their chatter. Still, they should have kept their sexual innuendo at home.

But I was glad their arrogance allowed the recorder and the camera to capture everything.

What did they mean by someone else getting to Attikus, Remi, and Grayson before their assassins could? If they hadn’t killed Attikus and his friends, who had?

“President Collins!” someone shouted across the room.“Do you have time for some questions?”

The couple turned, and I recognized a reporter from Musepaper. Elena and Orion were standing with my friends in the corner. Elena and Orion probably placed several of their people around the room to ask questions and help control the narrative. More men stood in the back row, probably Orion’s security team. People dispersed to the side of the room because there wasn’t enough seating.

“Of course, but after the video about the wonderful studies at Brigham and Women’s Hospital,” President Collins said, glancing around. “Wow. Look at this. We have more than a full house today.So glad you could join us to help raise money for this amazing hospital. Enjoy the food and drinks.”