Page 243 of Innocent

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By the middle of April, Elliot’s poll numbers are higher than ever when one of the three remaining GOP candidates drops out after a marital infidelity scandal breaks wide open, along with the fact that the man apparently cheated in several of his college classes during his senior year, and committed plagiarism on research papers.

The mistress had video of him drunk and bragging about it to her.

Never piss off the mistress.

She turned on him when he short-changed her on a payout he’d agreed to give her to ensure her silence.

And then there were two.

That’s also when I tell Grace Martin that Elliot says thanks ever so much, but no, thank you.

Stella phones me twenty minutes later, demanding to speak to Elliot.

Do Ilookstupid? Of course I back him up.

I let her talk to him on speaker phone with me standing right there, and he shuts her down himself when she begins to rant at him. “Stella,stopit. You’re up to something, and I’m not screwing around and getting involved with your scheme. For the last time, knock it the hell off, or you can forget about ever setting foot on White House property, or going to the Inauguration, or anything else. I’ll leave word that any friends of yours will also be banned. You’ll become apersona non grataovernight in DC. You’ll be so toxic not even Grace Martin will want anything to do with you. Just try me if you think I won’t.”

She lets out an angry, frustrated shriek and hangs up on him.

Laughing, he sits back. “How was that, Sir?”

I offer him a high-five. “Fanfrickingtastic, Mister Vice President.”

Throughout May, I continue straddling the line between body man, Sir, campaign advisor, and Leo’s toy.

Can’t say I mind, either. I’m busier than I’ve ever been in my life, which leaves me little time to contemplate anything not currently on my plate.

We’re also sifting through VP potentials. Both Leo and I really like Senator Ciro Bardales. He’s forty-three, married with two kids, was a distinguished Navy fighter pilot, has a law degree, and is a first-term US Senator from California. So far, nothing we’ve learned about him is a deal-breaker. Doesn’t hurt he’s handsome, charismatic in a low-key kind of way, gently funny, and not an asshole.

If he’s our final choice, we feel reasonably certain Bardales won’t have any issues when we tell him that Elliot is gay. His older brother is gay, married, and has two adopted kids, and Bardales is very close to him and his husband.

Meanwhile, I set up a few dinner “dates” for Elliot with Yasmine Alvarado, the nanny for President Samuels’ children. She signed an NDA, so there’s no worries about her maintaining confidentiality. I don’t know how much she knows about Elliot, Leo, and me, but we trust her. She viciously protects the privacy of the First Family. Some of these “dates” are just opportunities for photogs to catch them sharing a quick meal together onAir Force Onewhen traveling to campaign events, or eating in his office, or something apparently impromptu. We don’t say anything publicly, because she’s not the only person he’s dined with, but it’s enough to keep the rumor mills spinning in the direction we want them focused.

In late June, Senator Bardales is brought over to the residence to talk with Elliot one Saturday evening after we’ve returned from a day trip full of campaign events. Bardales is young, politically speaking, but he’s smart, he’s dedicated, and he’s a man of honor.

He signs an NDA before the conversation takes place in the dining room. The more I hear from him, the more I like him. Leo and I sit at the far end of the table while Elliot and Ciro—as they’re now calling each other—sit at the other end and chat on a variety of topics.

I’ve heard the senator give speeches on the floor before, and I’ve always liked him, even if I don’t know him as well as I do some of the other senators. He’s funny and outgoing and has a wonderful way of playing with crowds, reading them, able to whip them up without resorting to cheap theatrics. It’s a bonus that he’s fluent in Spanish, too.

They speak for nearly two hours when Elliot finally goesthere. “There’s one other thing we need to discuss. For obvious reasons, it must stay private, and you signed an NDA.”

The senator nods. “Yes, sir?”

Elliot takes a deep breath. “I’m sure you’ve guessed I brought you here to ask you about running with me. But before I do that, I need to disclose something. I’m gay.” He motions toward Leo, even though his gaze settles on me. “And I’m involved in a long-term relationship with Leo.”

The senator’s eyes widen as he stares at Leo, then back to Elliot. I force down the sting in my heart over being left out even though Iknewthis was the plan.

Hasto be the plan.

That if Elliot felt comfortable with Ciro and decided yes to asking him, then Elliot would tell Ciro about him and Leo.

I cannot publicly be part of this. Cironeedsplausible deniability.

Ciro gently chuckles. “I’m honestly surprised, sir,” he says. “I really hadnoidea.”

Elliot slowly nods, his focus on his fingers, which now trace the pattern of the woodgrain on the table. “But will it be a problem?”