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I’m so spent after our afternoon in the bedroom I don’t have the strength to worry. I don’t know if they heard us or if I look thoroughly fucked, but I don’t even care enough to feel embarrassed about it.

“We have the name of the guy who was following her,” he proceeds when we sit down. “He’s a local criminal.”

“So, he has nothing to do with the New Jersey guys?” Raphael frowns.

“That’s the problem. We were able to track his movements, he wasn’t careful, and we discovered he met up with one of the guys we’re looking for in a gas station in Nevada.”

“What does that mean?” I blurt out.

Sebastian looks at me and for the first time I see compassion in his eyes, and it chills me more than his unreadable face. “It means they knew we’d be looking for them and they were smart enough to plan this carefully. They never stepped foot in Los Angeles. Which means they’re a step ahead of us.”

I can’t even process his words. It’s like someone slapped me in the face and my ears are ringing. It’s happening and I can’t stop it.

“You’ll be fine.Wewill be fine,” Raphael whispers in my ear. I didn’t even realize he had put his arm around my shoulder.

“No. I will not be fine.Weare not going to be fine!” I snap at him, standing up and walking back to the bedroom.

The world is spinning so fast the only thing I want is to disappear from it.

“I need your help.”

My father’s face is a mask of fury. I’ve never seen him lose control like this and I almost regret choosing his home office for this discussion. A more public place would have probably saved my life because I’m pretty sure he’s going to hit me.

“I told you to dump her!” he growls.

“Well, I didn’t so now I need your help,” I snap, taking him by surprise.

I’ve never rebelled against him, not even as a teenager, but I’m so desperate I’d do anything right now.

I didn’t sleep last night. After Sebastian confirmed that the person following Silver was most likely sent by The Hangman of New Jersey, I was on such high alert I couldn’t close my eyes. So, if my father expects to have a civil political conversation with me right now, he’s in for a big surprise.

“I’m not helping you. I’m not doing anything for that bitch. So, dump her ass end get your head in this campaign or I’ll cut your funds!” he shouts back.

I stand up from the couch and storm to the desk, slapping his laptop shut. I’m so furious his eyes widen in shock and, maybe, he sees me as I am for the first time. I’m done with him and his threats. Done with being held by the balls in order to do his bidding. Done being his puppet.

“I don’t give a shit about what you want!” I shout in his face. “Cut my funds, do whatever you want. Because if you don’t help me get rid of the people who want her gone, I swear to God I’ll retire from politics!”

He is still for a second, surprise covering his face. But then he snaps out of it and grabs me by the collar. “I will kill you! I will fucking kill you!” he hollers.

“Go ahead. Kill me and then explain it to everyone. You think the FBI won’t know it? I work with the FBI! They’re keeping an eye on me, and they’ll be right on your ass if anything happens to me. Everything you’ve worked for will crumble around you,” I hiss, and he releases my shirt.

I don’t know if it’s the confession about working with the FBI or that my threat sounds more serious than a crazy rant, but my request seems to sink in.

He points a finger in my face. “You are an ungrateful son of a bitch.”

“Well, it takes one to know one.”

“And what are you paying me for my services?” He smirks defiantly at me.

I stare him down, done feeling guilty or inferior to him. He needs me as much as I need him.

“Nothing. Because you need me in the White House. And when I’m there, you’ll come crawling to me and show your true colors,” I spit back in his face.

He takes a while to study me, his face void of emotion. It’s unnerving how he can switch from fury to…nothing, in a split second.

“Be careful when you threaten me because I could decide to get rid of the origin of the problem.” His voice is low and menacing.

Silver. He’s saying if I take things too far, he’ll kill Silver. I never thought I was capable of killing someone, but right now, I wouldn’t hesitate to take him down.