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“Yeah.” We both go quiet when Jordan stirs, repositions himself a little against me, but never fully wakes up. “He only needs it during sexy time,” I remind him. “It’s not like he wants us to treat him like this all of the time. And he also knows it’ll be a rare treat once I’m out of office.”

Leo gently strokes Jordan’s hair. “I want to do it for him,” he finally says. “I’ll be okay doing it that night. Now that I know, I’ll be prepared. Don’t hold back.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah.” He closes his eyes, presses his face into Jordan’s hair, and inhales. “It did feel like he came harder.”

I snort. “He does. Just like I always come harder when a certain sadist uses his devious wiles on me.”

Leo opens one eye, staring at me. “You’re welcome.” From the way the outer edges of both eyes crinkle a little I know he’s smiling even though I can’t see his mouth because of Jordan’s head.

“You ever want to try being a subby, I’m sure we could figure it out.”

“Nope. I’m good. I like bottoming for sex sometimes, you know that, but only my body, not my brain. I can’t switch like you two do. It’s fun watching you guys do it to each other but it’ll remain a spectator sport for me. Unless you invite me in for the fun.”

I think about our talk earlier. “I’ll do what you said.” He lifts his head to study me. “Talk,” I add. “After, though.”

His sign of relief cradles my soul. If this man didn’t love me he absolutely wouldn’t be here. Neither of them would.

The least I can do is try to become the best version of myself that I can for them.

“Thank you, baby.” He eases up so he can kiss me without disturbing Jordan. “Love you so much.”

I stare into Jordan’s serene expression, the boy deeply asleep. “Love you, too. Both of you.”

Now all I have to do is make it until January 21st.

But you know life is never that simple.

CHAPTEREIGHTY-FOUR

My soul feels lighterthan it has in decades as Thanksgiving week approaches. Jordan and Leo arrange our family dinner and as the day of my final turkey pardon draws closer I take a few minutes to really appreciate these light-hearted moments. They’ve been few and far between, especially this year.

Jordan’s been running between my office and Leo’s dozens of times a day as they hammer out moving logistics, work on plans for our house, and coordinating our holiday plans both public and private.

Jordan is so busy that the few times I’ve needed to run down to the SitRoom for anything he sends Declan in his place if I need an extra person on hand. Which works out well because Declan has agreed to stay on as Ciro’s chief of staff for at least a year, possibly longer. It makes sense for him to get this experience now.

I think the length of his tenure will depend on how much George and Casey-Marie miss having him around the house. Or more accurately how tired Casey-Marie will be of George focusing all his Toppy attention on her, and her not being able to throw Declan in his path to take up the slack.

Either way I rest easily knowing the first year of Ciro’s first term is in good hands. Many of the staffers are staying on and some are holdovers from as far back as Shae’s first term. Meaning I assume this transition will go smoothly with minimal disruptions.

Which was my first mistake.

After Leo and I go through the turkey pardon ceremony, I return to the West Wing to work. Jordan remains with Leo over in the East Wing to hammer out the details about whatever they’re currently working on. I have an afternoon full of meetings with my people and Ciro’s regarding our policies on China. Casey-Marie has dipped into and out of the meeting all afternoon. Ten she returns with Angie at one point and both of them look…grim.

I don’t need a prompt from them. Especially when Declan also enters, looking equally grim.

“Let’s take fifteen,” I tell everyone as I stand.

They all rise and various choruses of, “Thank you, Mister President,” overlap each other and they start filing out.

Once the doors are closed I ask it. “What’s going on?”

Casey-Marie looks uncharacteristically hesitant to spit it out. She’s holding a folder in her hands positioned in front of her almost like a shield as Angie studies her feet and Declan stares up at the ceiling.

“We have a…situation, Elliot.”

Uh-oh.She used my name and not my title.