Page 61 of Caught By the Chief of Staff
“Hey,” he says softly, drawing my attention. “It’s not wrong to ask.”
“Okay.”
“Someone wants this bill to pass badly,” Rick points out. “It’s the only thing I can think of.”
“What bill?” Wes asks.
“Specifically, HB 2250,” Rick answers. “It’s the ‘Spread the Wealth’ bill.”
“The one that would send US money and weapons overseas?” Wes asks.
“The one and only,” Rick answers, and I think I should start paying more attention to the news. “Not only that, but it places huge limitations on the US government and what we’re allowed to do to protect ourselves and our people. Essentially, it ties the hands of the US military.”
“But why would anyone want that?” I ask, feeling stupid. Why don’t I know these things? I feel like I should know these things.
“Power,” Rick answers my question with so much gentleness packed behind his words. I can tell he’s trying to show me it’s okay I don’t understand these things. He’s not judging me for my lack of knowledge of the political machinations of men with too much power.
“Power? I don’t understand.”
“The United States is the most powerful nation in the world,” he replies. “If you take that power and money away and you distribute it equally under the guise of ‘leveling the playing field for all nations,’ you weaken the strongest player but you also leave them ripe for the picking.”
“What does that mean?”
“They’re trying to create a one world nation,” Wes adds.
“Someone else would have control over the US,” Rick finishes.
“That sounds…”
“Terrifying?” Wes finishes for me. “Yeah, I agree.”
“Yeah,” I say. “I think I liked it better when I had no idea what was going on in the world.”
“So what were you doing before the kidnappers contacted you?” Wes asks me, effectively changing the subject. Rick shoots him a look I don’t quite understand, but I think they could see I was beginning to panic.
“I was styling Grace for her events this week.”
“And what events were those?”
“She has a few community outreach visits and a state dinner,” I answer.
“So I’m guessing Jake cut her schedule?” Wes asks.
“No, actually, we decided this afternoon that everything should go as planned, and we’ll see if we can’t ferret out the perpetrators,” Rick says. I guess this is what they hashed out while I was sleeping the day away. I hate that I’ve missed so much.
“So are you guys going to pretend you’re still at odds?” Wes asks, and I can’t help but think it’s a valid question.
“Fuck no,” Rick answers, startling me and making Wes smile.
“Do you think that’s wise?” I ask. I don’t agree or disagree; I just want to know his reasoning. Also, the thought of forcing the hand of the people who have our only child scares the shit out of me.
“I don’t care,” he says, making me bristle at his callous tone. “Hear me out. They have taken enough from us. I am done pretending I don’t care about you.”
“Okay,” I reply quietly. He says hecaresabout me. Before, Wes was sure he still loved me. I can’t help but feel a flush of disappointment flow through me.
“And I want the perpetrators to show their hand. I want them to lead me to Rachel.”
“Sounds like someone’s going to a State Dinner.” Wes smirks, looking directly at me.