Page 10 of Accepted Precedent (Love & Politics #3)

Evelyn

I should say no to this ridiculous charade.

Marrying my best friend is the least of my worries.

Spending time with Mickey, when all I want is for him to touch me like he did this morning…

I’m in hell. It was just sex, nothing more.

Or at least that’s what I’ll be telling myself for the foreseeable future, despite his declarations.

I couldn’t even sit at the same table without craving him—just like he told me I would.

After years of disappointing relationships, I’m an expert at hiding my emotions, stuffing down anything threatening to seep through the cracks.

I no longer wince at the mention of the man who took my virginity. He was a bold-faced liar, claiming he wanted to marry me when he was sleeping with my best friend behind my back. Ever since, I don’t bat an eye when a man cheats.

The first man I truly loved told me I was his forever, then proceeded to fuck anything that moved—including his now-wife, who he also cheats on.

Years later, I didn’t so much as pause when the man I thought I’d spend forever with disappeared, ghosted me after months together, only to discover he was engaged to another woman the entire time.

I’m accustomed to being someone’s second choice.

I’m either too much or not enough. Mickey is no different—he’s in love with my best friend.

This morning, I selfishly enjoyed every minute of pretending the outside world doesn’t exist, but Mickey isn’t mine, and he’d probably be no different than the others.

My default when a man pulls back is to pull back harder. No man has truly broken me, and I sure as hell am not going to let Mickey be the first. I understand my place—a fling, a good time. Nothing more.

“I already told you, Mick, you don’t need to babysit me. I’ll go to an outlet mall and buy a few items to hold me over,” I insist, but it does nothing to deter him. He grabs my hand and drags me outside to a sedan with blacked-out windows. “Hey, I said I’d take care of it.”

“And I told you I’ll take care of you . You need to look the part, angel.

This may come as a shock, but I had to do a full background check on you a few years ago to ensure nothing could hurt Andrew.

” Her mouth agape, I explain, “You aren’t like the Taylors or the Blakes.

Washington is incestuous. Everyone here loves the children of the Washington elite—a President’s daughter, a career Senator’s son…

You know the game, Evie. You’re fuckin’ brilliant, but that’s not enough.

It doesn’t matter that you graduated second in your class behind Jaclyn.

Unlike her, you were on a full-scholarship for academics.

You worked harder than the majority of your cohort, while you had to work three jobs to pay your rent.

Andrew’s going up against one of the most established families in Washington, grit won’t help him win. ”

“I didn’t work three jobs.”

“Don’t lie to me,” he growls.

“It was four.” I blow out a long breath as a small smile splits Mick’s face. “How do you know all of this?”

“Did you skip over the part where I did a background check?” He quirks an eyebrow, and I’m torn between feeling flattered and violated. “You’re magnificent, Evelyn. What you’re doing for Andrew…” His face falls, and for the first time since I’ve known him, he looks like a wounded animal.

“Mickey, I’m sorry. We shouldn’t have done what we did—it makes things complicated.

I want to help Andrew, but I don’t do well with, well, whatever this is.

” I gesture between us. “I never wanted to marry anyone in politics, but I especially shouldn’t sleep with a politician’s boyfriend.

” He lightly licks his lips, making my stomach flip.

“It was just a one-time indulgence to get it out of our systems.”

“It was more than a quick fuck, angel.” Pulling me to him by the small of my back, a small whimper escapes me, no matter how hard I try to hide it.

“It wasn’t a mistake, and if I have any say, it won’t be the last time.

I meant what I said—I’m not just Andrew’s, I’m yours too.

Even if I hadn’t touched you, I’d still insist on going out to have a bite to eat.

And you’re going to stop fighting me and let me take care of everything.

” He tucks my hair behind my ear and I hate how warmth spreads throughout my body every time he touches me. “We aren’t temporary.”

His last word brings me back to reality and I wriggle out of his hold. “Yes, we are.”

“You can tell yourself that all you want, but it doesn’t make it true.

” A low rumble festers in his chest at the sound of my stomach growling.

“You’ve barely had anything to eat or drink since last night.

I’m sorry. I’m normally better at taking care of people I’ve…

” He roughly rakes a hand through his hair.

“Fucked?” Eyes wide, my hand flies to my mouth, even if it’s only partially true.

“It was more than that, and you know it. But I failed you, Evie, and I’m sorry. Andrew’s aftercare needs are different than yours. Please let me make it up to you.”

“Aftercare?” I step back and fold my arms over my chest. “What the hell are you talking about?” Except, I know exactly what he’s talking about—or at least I know a little from what I’ve read.

It may only be from fiction or random internet deep dives, but I’m not clueless to what’s expected.

He’s right—he basically sent Andrew to take care of me.

It shouldn’t matter; it was just sex.

Mickey sees through my fib and insists, “You deserve better than what happened last night and this morning. No amount of money that will ever make up for it. Please let me try to make it up to you.”

“It’s okay.” I swallow thickly and shut my eyes tight—this is all a transaction, nothing more.

He grips my chin, and when I finally meet his bright green eyes, he admits, “You’re the kind of woman a man dreams of marrying and starting a family with once you’ve traveled the world together.

The one you grow old with, where you’re both in a nursing home, slowly forgetting family and friends, but always remember each other.

Love stories are written about women like you.

” He leans in and presses a soft kiss to my cheek as he whispers, “You’ll have your happy ending when this is over, and if I have any say in it, it’ll be with me. ”

“What about Andrew?”

“I have enough love in my heart for two people. In a few years, things will look very different—for all of us.” He opens the car door and gestures with a nod to get in. “For now, you’re going to let me do what I do best.”

I slide into the front seat and he rounds the car to get in. Once we’re on the street, he takes my hand, weaving our fingers together. He keeps his eye on the road, and I can’t help breaking the awkward silence, “So, where are we going?”

“There’s a little pub where I know the owners. The food is incredible and the staff is discreet enough I could lay you down on the table and have you for breakfast, and they wouldn’t say a word about it.”

“Mick!”

I try to pull my hand back, but he keeps it firmly in his. “I was only jokin’, love. No one gets to see that pretty cunt but me.”

“What if I want to start one of those online camgirl services for extra cash?” I tease, struggling to keep a straight face. “Perhaps I’m into a little exhibitionism.”

“I dare you. I’ll have the website shut down in less than three minutes.”

“Okay, you need to be honest with me.” I shift in my seat to face him. “You always say you’re a consultant, but what consultant can have a website shut down that quickly, or leaves in the middle of the night to return covered in blood?”

“My brother and I…” He takes a long breath, blowing it out slowly.

“Our father left us a legacy: to keep America from spiraling into chaos. We have the financial means to put anyone in power, and don’t take that responsibility lightly.

The whiskey distillery and casinos we own are legitimate businesses, not a front—Finn loves a good whiskey, and I love to gamble.

We invested in our hobbies and interests, and now our companies help us to continue the work our family tasked us with. ”

“But you fund both conservative and liberal politicians. Isn’t that like funding an abortion clinic while handing money to the protesters outside?” I cock an eyebrow. “What can be accomplished if you’re supporting both sides?”

“Balance, angel. It’s all about balance.

While I’d never give money directly to a cause that would hurt anyone, by giving specific politicians money for their campaigns, I can keep big conversations going.

Let’s say I gave away every penny I have to leukemia research.

It would never be enough. But if I give them the money to continue their work, and also give just enough money to someone who claims they want to defund the National Cancer Institute, it draws enough attention that there’s a possibility it could be shut down, the donations from businesses and individuals come pouring in.

Threaten to defund a program, and citizens rise up. ”

“That’s a dangerous game. You know my job is to fight for women’s healthcare and reproductive rights. You’re actively trying to sabotage it. What if you’re wrong and they succeed in stripping funding?”

“I’d never let it happen. I can hand someone power, and just as easily take it away.”

“Like Ileah’s security,” I mutter to myself.

“No,” he chuckles lightly. “That was Finn being reckless and had nothing to do with politics. But, yes, that is one way it’s done.

If someone doesn’t do what’s required of them, well…

sometimes we have to get creative. Once in a while it’s making someone disappear, other times it’s simply destroying their reputation.

My goal is to protect the American people. Always.”

I can’t help asking, “And if Andy doesn’t fall in line?”