Page 57 of Secrets We Fight

“Shit. Of course, my dad would have a fucking no electronic devices rule. I’m already not wearing my watch. Can’t I keep my phone in my pocket?” he all but whined.

“I doubt your father will be thrilled if your phone goes off while you’re sitting with President Durand.”

“I’ll put it on silent.”

“And if you get a call or text, what will you do?”

“I can be discreet and check it under the table or something.” He stuck out his tongue, and I resisted silencing him with my mouth.

“I think you can manage a few hours without it.”

“Fine,” he groaned. “Stupid rules.”

I chuckled. “Some rules are made to be broken, but I think this one you can handle.”

“Says the man who doesn’t have to spend all night listening to political talk.”

I reached for the doorknob. “I’m sure you’ll find some way to entertain yourself.”

“I know exactly the kind ofentertainmentI’d rather have.”

I opened the door instead of responding. If we continued flirting, we would both be naked in seconds, and we couldn’t do that for a number of reasons.

At the entrance of the State Dining Room, President Donnelley and his wife waited with Finnegan and Faye for Fallon to join them. The second I caught sight of Finnegan, my fists clenched as I remembered the danger he’d put my boyfriend in during our trip to Atlantic City. I hated to think what would happen if Fallon hadn’t had his security detail with him. That was probably why Finnegan was still hitting the card tables hard. Maybe he assumed he was untouchable since he had the Secret Service watching his back.

After the asshole approached Fallon at the blackjack table, I reported the incident to Agent Tanner. Within a short time, the team had managed to get an ID on the guy. He had a few misdemeanors, but nothing that caused concern. And since no actual threat was made, we couldn’t go after him. Still, I made it clear to Fallon he needed to confront his brother about the incident. He promised me he would handle it, and while I trusted him to keep his word, I was going to use my time during the dinner to do a little investigative work of my own.

Before I could say anything to Fallon about my plan, he was called for by the press so they could capture a few photos of the entire Donnelley family together. I stepped back, making sure I didn’t appear in any of the pictures.

“Agent Davis, how’s it going?”

I glanced to the side and found Agent Ramos from Finnegan’s protective detail making his way toward me.

Perfect.

“Just the man I wanted to see.” I stuck out a hand for him to shake.

His brow furrowed, but he clasped my hand anyway. “Really? Why’s that?”

“Let’s move away from all these cameras,” I suggested.

President Donnelley’s agents were covering the inside of the dining room while the rest of us were expected to monitor other locations throughout the White House, and that provided the perfect opportunity for us to slip away undetected.

I led Ramos into the Red Room to give us some privacy and closed the only open door.

He crossed his arms over his chest. “What’s up?”

“I need to ask you a few questions about Finnegan.”

“What about him?”

“Back at Thanksgiving, you mentioned he plays poker at some sketchy places.” He nodded, and I continued, “Do you know if he owes anyone money?”

Ramos shook his head “Not that I know of.”

“No one has approached him while he’s been playing?” I pressed.

“I haven’t seen anybody. Why?”