Page 77 of Release

I’m all innocence. “If you don’t want to sit next to me, Governor Forrester, then sit wherever you’d like,sir.”

I watch his line of sight, as he studies Declan seated behind me and already belted in. I’m sure my boy is head-down over his phone right now, giving him the perfect excuse not to engage in this showdown with George.

George leans closer. “Point proven,” he grits through a tense jaw. “Whatever the fuck it is.” He points again to the port side.

I remain cool. “You need to take your seat,Governor. Anyvacantseat. We need to take off.”

I know tension is ratcheting to near-panic levels among the EPU team watching this play out, because they allknowthis isnotSOP. From the corner of my eye, I watch the head of the detail staring at me, where he’s holding everyone else back and waiting for any signal from me to clear the cabin so I can speak to George alone.

George sets his jaw and finally takes the seat next to me. I nod to the head of the detail and he allows boarding to resume. Everyone else quickly fills in the other seats so we can take off.

I start going through my phone, but George’s hand settles over it, forcing me to look at him.

He glares at me. “Don’teverfucking do this to me again,” he whispers.

“Do what?” I ask. Inside, I’m glad he’s angry. I need him willing to fight for Declan. I’m also hoping his anger overrides his panic this morning.

“Youknowwhat, Casey.”

I tip my head to the side. “Governor, I chose a seat. If you had a seating preference, you should have spoken up. I didn’t think you cared where yourstaffsits on these flights.”

He literally winces as that point strikes him straight in the balls, and he withdraws his hand.

Could I, as chief of staff, played musical chairs and made people move and restored the status quo?

Sure, I could’ve done that. In a heartbeat.

But I’m going to train this damn Dom to march to the tuneIset for him. Especially where Declan’s concerned.

He made my boy cry. I’m going to extract my metaphorical ounce of flesh from George for that today. The man is going to realize exactly how badly he fucked up, and how much he needs Declan.

When we take off, George has a death-grip on both armrests and I don’t offer to comfort him. I pretend all is well and open my laptop to go over the day’s schedule with him despite him not speaking to me.

I’ve trained the campaign staff not to speak to George during flights unless he talks to them first. I simplified the issue, reminding them flying stresses him out. They’re supposed to talk to me, or Declan.

Which is usually easy, because, normally, we’re sitting in aisle seats.

Except today, they all have to speak over George to get to me or Declan.

Needless to say, I think George is feeling an emotional death from a thousand cuts.

It’s a two-hour flight.

By the time we touch down in Memphis, George has spoken about ten words total, and those were to the flight attendant taking his beverage order. I stubbornly don’t move from my seat before we land, despite how I usually go through the cabin during flights and talk to people, or to use the lav, because I know damn well George would immediately take over my seat and not give it up.

He’s going to learn to submit tome, in some ways.

I need him to, if a lasting peace will ever be brokered for the three of us.

On the ground, and at the event, George does a damn good job of being his usual, likable self. He charms people, makes them laugh, and Declan and I hang back while I push Corene and Cassidy in there to tag along with George and handle him up close and personal.

Because I want George to not only get a preview of what life could be like without Declan by his side, I also want him to get a taste of it withoutme.

* * * *

By the time we depart the event late that afternoon, George is absolutely fried. His jacket comes off in the car, he unfastens his collar, loosens his tie, and rolls up his sleeves.

I still have Declan sit in the seat in front of us. I’m impressed, because my boy’s mask didn’t slip at all today. In fact, despite being finished for the day, he keeps his jacket and tie on and is once again head-down over his phone as we ride to the airport.