Page 307 of Innocent

Chapter Sixty

Inauguration Day Eve

I know life is about to get infuckingsane in a way that will make mewishfor the serenity of the campaign trail.

Iknow, right?

This time around, I have the benefit of having already survived two inaugurations, and I know the routine and all the key players. Everything I needed to handle for Elliot is completed ahead of schedule. The movers for Ciro, Elliot, and Shae are all arranged, and for the sake of appearances, Elliot and I are staying at Blair House on Inauguration Eve, along with Elliot’s parents and Stella.

Unfortunately, Elliot and I are occupying separate rooms. Tonight, he’s having dinner at Blair House with Ciro and with both their families, and it means I’m not really needed.

Which is why I took a couple of hours this evening to head to Leo’s apartment.

In less than twenty-four hours, he’ll be sworn in as president.

There’s so much insanity, and Shae’s on everyone’s radar, so I’m careful to arrange for the ride-share to pick me up several blocks from Blair House, and then exit the car two blocks from Leo’s and head the wrong way on foot for another block before circling around to approach from a different direction.

No one’s watching me, no one’s following me.

Leo will spank me if he finds out I did this without Secret Service protecting me.

Yay.

I don’t know if Leo’s home right now and I haven’t checked to see if he’s coming home soon. I could’ve coordinated this with him, but I didn’t want to risk anyone else catching wind of my plans.

Even if he’s not home, I need to lie in his bed and wrap my arms around his pillow and justbreathefor a few minutes.

Idesperatelyneed that.

When I unlock the door, I immediately know he’s not home because the lights are off and the alarm’s set toawaymode. Disappointment fills me but I tamp that down. It also means he’ll be alerted that I’m here, because it’ll send him a notice.

Okay, that’s fine. It’s not a secret. Not fromHim.

I lock the door behind me and reset the alarm tohomemode, because Leo will beat my ass in abadway if I don’t reset it. He wants me to take every precaution. To stay safe.

Because he’s terrified someone might hurt me.

A nervous giggle burps free. If only Leo knew what I did to Grace…

Well, he’d understand his boy can take care of himself when called for.

Without turning on any lights, I shed my overcoat and blazer and drape them over the back of his sofa, kick off my shoes, grab my personal and work cells, and walk into the bedroom.

I’ve missed living here with him, our quiet building, his quiet strength. Coming home, even if he wasn’t here, always felt like shedding all stress and swaddling myself in his love and security.

I climb into his unmade bed, face-plant, and deeply inhale.

His pillow smells like him.

I grab one of the other pillows and wrap myself around it with my eyes closed and just…breathe.

I breathe inHim.

Already, I feel a little calmer. This isn’t as good as having Leo here with me, but I’mhere.

Not much longer.Leo will be able to visit the White House at will, because Elliot’s told Secret Service that Leo still gets full, unlimited access. That means I can take him up into the residence during the day without a member of the detail shadowing us.

Even better? I’ll be able to do that with LeoandElliot sometimes. Kick all staff out and have a midday struggle snuggle.