Page 244 of Innocent

Ciro sits back and seems to need a moment. “My brother kept his secret for longer than I wish he had. He was afraid our family wouldn’t support him. Finally, when he met the love of his life, he realized he had to be true to himself. I will completely support you, however you choose to handle this.” Then he extends his hand and they shake.

“Then I guess I’m asking you if you’d like to run as my VP.”

The senator grins. “I’d be honored, sir.”

Leo stands, rounds the table to sit next to Elliot, and takes his hand. “See?” Leo says. “I knew he was the right choice.”

Another pang twists my heart, though, even as Leo’s gaze meets mine. I know he wishes both of us could claim Elliot, or that Leo could claim the two of us, but that’s not life.

That’s notreality.

That would be political suicide.

After Ciro leaves, Elliot and Leo and I retire for the evening. My men put me in the middle, making love to me. Even though it’s been a couple of weeks since Leo and Elliot have had one of their vicious struggle snuggles, the two of them focus on me, quickly turning my brain off so I can’t think about anything except pleasure.

Igetit.

I don’t call them out over it, either. I consider it a preview of coming attractions, once Elliot’s out of office.

A future, uncertain date I can firmly fix in my mind and aspire to reach withoutlosingsame said mind.

Hopefully.

By the time July rolls around, there’s zero risk of Elliot facing a contested convention. We’ve held off announcing who Elliot’s VP pick is until then, even though Ciro made a few of the pundits’ guesstimate lists. Fortunately, the choice is well-received, both by the convention delegates and by the public at large. Ciro’s popular in his home state and the rest of the nation seems to like him, too.

The blue voters, that is.

Even better, as far as we can tell, Ciro has zero connections to The Family. He’s been warned about them by Leo, and knows to keep himself and his wife clear of them.

Also, to avoid Grace and Stella, should they make overtures.

Speaking of the Gruesome Twosome…

Grace and Stella have apparently given up. I haven’t heard anything from either of them in a couple of months.

Honestly? I’m shocked. I was certain they’d keep trying.

There’s part of me that’s convinced this isn’t a good thing, because it makes me wonder where the next offensive will crop up. Neither of them are quitters, and they are overdue an attempt.

Boone finally shakes out on top of the GOP’s slate, which is good news for Elliot. The man is sixty-one, has had two heart attacks, was divorced three times and is currently on wife number four, is a professed “born again” Evangelical, and about as personable as a doorstop. The main reasons he made it through the gauntlet were his ability to raise money, his willingness to spout conservative buzzwords on cue, his supposed religious beliefs, and his dark-money connections.

Meanwhile, Elliot’s stress is through the roof, even if only Leo and I really see it. With every passing day, and every new poll result that rolls in…it’s starting to look like Elliot will most likely win. Boone can’t even come close to touching Elliot in terms of personality.

Unfortunately, I’m not sure what that victory will do to my boy in the long run.

You want to knowmybiggest fear?

That I might fail him, and he’ll stumble as a result and blame himself. That it’ll be a failure that haunts him for the rest of his life, when it’s becauseImissed something, dropped a ball, or misread a situation and gave him bad advice.

It’s my nightmare, because I wouldn’t just be failing Elliot, I’d also be failing Leo.

And I don’t know if I can live with myself if that happens.