Page 174 of Incisive

“You’re both going to Hell. You know that, right? I cannotcondone this marriage and I will work against his entire legislative agenda.”

“You were already working against his legislative agenda, so cut the bullshit.” Leo’s smile turns cold as he drops his voice. “Be advised however that I’ve worked in Washington for nearlythirtyyears, honey. I have alotof contacts. Iwillpaint you to look like an evil bigot who makes the Westboro Baptist idiots seem positively liberal in comparison.”

Leo glares at her. “I can also make sure a certain GOP senator’s wife ends up with copies of pictures and text messages so he becomes embroiled in a very messy and expensive divorce that will easily derail his plans to run for this same office in four years, if he doesn’t just resign in disgrace when it breaks wide open. I’ll time it to make it look likeyouleaked everything to the press to help Ciro win because you’re secretly liberal and adore your brother.

“Who do you think the public will believe,hmm? You’ll lose your contracts, all those lucrative lobbyist bennies you’ve been soaking up, and your name will be shit in your current political circles. Every bit of cachet you seem to think you possess will evaporate. Not to mention Ellis can kiss good-bye any future hopes ofevergetting elected toanyoffice.”

I’m not sure who’s eyes are wider right now—hers, Ellis’, mine, or my parents’. Ellis looks shocked and now stares at Stella.

“What?” all of us ask, while Stella lets out a sick gasp.

It takes Stella a moment to find her voice. “You wouldn’t! Y-youcan’t! It’d ruin him! He’s got a prenup. Youcan’tdo that to him. He’ll hatemeif you do that!”

I wonder if she even realizes her husband is standingrightnext to her and listening to every word of this, because she sure seems to have forgotten that fact.

And I’ll bet Ellis is a little irritated she’s more worried about her ex-lover’s prospects than her own husband’s.

Leo evilly grins. “Then I suppose you should keep your mouth shut, shouldn’t you? Funny that you’re lecturingusabout family values when you were not only having out-of-wedlock sex, but having it with a man who was violating his wedding vows. Mind you, I’m not against people being consensually non-monogamous but that’sreallybad form, to fuck a married guy behind his wife’s backandwithout her permission. Neither of you know a damn thing about digital security, honey.”

Aw, snap.

“How’d you—I mean, where did you—”

“Thirty.Years.” He points to his face, circling his index finger. “Secret Service. Private security contractor. The swamp’s worth of shit I have and have access to would make you and all your cronies sick and send you running for cover. By the way, your college medical records proved to be interesting reading. Especially your junior year, and that not-so-secret trip you took to New York. I’ll bet that conservative organization you work for would be embarrassed to find out what you did then and are doing now, wouldn’t they?”

Stella’s staring at Leo with a look of abject horror. “How—where—”

“Doesn’t matter,” Leo says. “Ihavethem.” He leans in and drops his voice. “Feel free to trash us but after I drop the nuke on your former lover for you, someone who claims he’s rabidly pro-life, need I remind you, it’ll be interesting for the public to discover that his mistress, who works for a ‘family values’ kind of company, had an abortion in college and wastwicetreated for STIs.”

Daaaaaamn.

Leo’s still not done. “FYI, I also have a metric fuckton of garbage accumulated on several people in your organization, affiliated with The Family and others. I’ll dump all of it to the press and tie it back squarely toyouand Ellis as the leakers. Including more info on some of your ex’s past and current mistresses. If you think you were the first or only one he ever had, honey, think again.

“President’s little sister or not, you won’t be able to get a job picking up dog shit in a DC park by the time I finish ruining you. And Ellis won’t be able to wipe your stink off him even if he divorces you because I’ll make sure he’s tied to all of it. Therefore, it behooves you to keep your mouth shut. After many years, the GOP is finally starting to regain a little respect after Mango Mussolini and his fiasco of an administration ruined them and they cleaned house, and they have no interest in dealing with your bullshit. Play ball, or Iwillrender your and Ellis’ reputations completely radioactive.”

Stella’s mouth snaps shut and she goes so pale I’m seriously wondering if she’s about to faint.

Leo gives her a curt nod. “That’s more like it, kiddo. Now, smile for the cameras, including giving us a big hug in front of everyone, and remember that you and your little buddies in The Family are amateurs when it comes to me protecting those I love.” He glares at Ellis. “Feel like adding anything? You don’t even want to know everything I have onyou. Idareyou to test me. There are a few prosecutors and grand juries I’m certain wouldloveto see it.”

He looks a little green and rapidly shakes his head.

I think Leo and I need to have a talk later about that intel. I would certainly be interested in hearing it.

Leo leads us all back on stage to more applause where, yes, we give everyone the photo op of me and my family smiling and hugging.

My brain’s spinning.

Once we’re backstage again, Ellis and Stella beat a hasty retreat, leaving the ballroom while Casey-Marie hangs back with Jordan, me, Leo, and my shell-shocked parents.

“I’m sorry about that,” Leo tells them. “But I love Elliot. I know Stella’s your daughter but I will protect Elliot from any threats. Even from her.”

Dad nods and, in the most shocking development of all, he holds his hand out to shake with Leo. Mom hugs him and I step forward.

“I’m sorry I was too scared to tell you before now.”

She hugs me. “I think we’re going back to our rooms now,” she quietly says. “We weren’t going to stay late anyway and it’s been a long day and past our bedtime.”

“Pleasestill come to breakfast tomorrow. Please?” I don’t want to beg but I will, if I have to.