Page 110 of Innocent

The breakfast and library events go flawlessly, from my point of view, and then we’re back in the car and speeding off again.

“Campaign meeting?” I mean, that’s what’s on my copy of today’s schedule.

Elliot sits slumped in the far corner and rubs his forehead. “Campaign meeting. Working on firming up the last details before I announce Sunday. We’re meeting at a temporary office site.”

I don’t make him keep talking because I can tell how stressed and worn out he is. He looks haggard and drawn, and I know once I have him alone tonight, I’ll need to get him naked and on his knees for a little while. Unfortunately, I can’t wrestle with him and pin him like Leo can. I don’t have the skill, training, or muscle mass to do that.

All I can do is creatively apply the things I’ve learned from Leo over the years and hope it’ll be enough for Elliot.

He pulls himself together. His vice president mask is once again firmly intact when we arrive in an underground garage. I step into the elevator with Elliot and the Secret Service detail, because Elliot’s already told them that I stay with him wherever he goes.

My hand brushes against his as we ride up to the ninth floor, and I feel him wiggle his fingers against mine.

Then the doors open, and we’re on the move down hallways and into what feels like an empty office suite. Three men I don’t recognize greet Elliot as we enter.

I step to the side, waiting to follow Elliot, while Secret Service fans out and takes up their positions.

Then Elliot’s being introduced to more men and women who emerge from a hallway, about ten in all, and they lead him back to a conference room as I tag along behind. When I start to walk in, the guy in the rear, an older man maybe in his early sixties, holds his hand up, smiling.

“Sorry, kid. Campaign staff only.”

Before I can react, he closes the door in my face.

I’m still trying to process that snub, and deciding how to respond, when I hear Elliot’s angry voice roar on the other side of the door.

“What thefuck, Tom?”

“Sir?”

“You didnotjust shut that door in Jordan’s face! What thehellis wrong with you?”

The Secret Service agent standing closest to me turns to the door, looking slightly alarmed, like he’s about to investigate, when it opens again.

There stands Elliot.

“Man, I’m sorry, Jordan.” He holds out his arm, indicating for me to come in, and drapes it around my shoulders after shutting the door behind me.

I make no move to step away from his side, either, because this is huge, for him.

Ofcoursethe first PDA he ever engages in with me happens like…this.

Elliot glares at the assembled group. “All right, let’s get this clearrightnow. You already know who Leo Cruz is, but Jordan Walsh is my permanent body man. Don’t youevershut him out of a room, or a meeting, or a phone call, unlessIask him to step out. He has door-knock privileges and can come and go fromanymeeting, unless I’ve asked him not to. Understand?”

Everyone nods, but I don’t think they reallydounderstand.

I’ve never heard Elliot sound so…angry.

I suspect this is a glimpse of the man who commanded troops in the desert before part of his leg was blown off.

And he’s not finished. “Jordan’s with me twenty-four/seven. I brought him up from Tallahassee, and he’s living with me in the residence now. He used to work in the East Wing for Christopher Bruunt. He’snotyour fricking coffee boy, either. He works forme, he answersonlytome, and Iwillfireeveryone of you before I’ll let him go. Everything I told you applies to Leo Cruz? Apply it to Jordan, too, and thendoubleit.”

Now I’mreallywondering what he told them. I mentally note that for future discussion.

He’sstillnot finished. “If Jordan tells you to do something—especially if he tells you I asked him to tell you—you’ddamnwell better do it. Understand?”

His arm remains draped around my shoulders. Frankly, I’m starting to get hard. There’s a steel spine in Elliot’s tone that effortlessly plucks up the edge of my mental pavement and burrows deep inside my soul.

Not very Sir-ish of me, I know, but I’m a thirsty bitch and I’d be lying if I denied it. Fortunately, I have Elliot’s messenger bag with his Duck supplies hanging in front of me, so it hides my growing chub.