Page 115 of State of Affairs (First Family 1)

“There’s nothing you can ask of me that’ll be too much.”

Touched by her unwavering support, he said, “Yes, there is, and I’m sure it won’t be long before I cross the line. You just have to tell me when that happens.”

“You’ll be the first to know. There’s one thing you need to remember above all else.”

“What’s that?”

“I love you more than anything, and there’s nowhere I’d rather be than wherever you are, even if you’re in the freaking Oval Office.”

“Thank you, babe. I love you too. More than you’ll ever know.”

“Can’t wait to see you at five.”

“See you then. In the meantime, be safe out there.”

“I always am.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

Nick ended the call with a big smile on his face. Only she could’ve made him forget, even for a few minutes, about the crisis looming with the secretary of State. That crisis was front and center twenty minutes later when Ruskin came in, disheveled and clearly irritated at being summoned. He was in his mid-sixties, with gray hair that could use a combing. He wore jeans and a navy V-neck sweater over a dress shirt. Clearly, he hadn’t expected to be summoned to the White House, which was surprising.

“Pardon my appearance, Mr. President, but I wasn’t prepared to be ordered to the White House and given a time limit after having only returned home early this morning. This is all highly irregular.”

Nick stood and went around the Resolute desk to stand face-to-face with the secretary. “Do you want to know what I find highly irregular?”

“What’s that, sir?”

“This nation’s top diplomat allowing himself to be put in a highly compromising position while representing the United States in vitally important meetings with one of our most challenging adversaries. You’ve embarrassed yourself and this country.”

“See here,” Ruskin huffed indignantly as he prepared to go on a tirade.

“Stop right there. I’ve been fully briefed, and I’m well aware of what actually happened. I have no choice but to ask for your resignation.”

“And if I refuse?”

“I’ll inform the American people what you were really doing while two dozen of their fellow citizens were being held against their will by the Iranians. Do you have any idea what you put them and their families through? I know, because I was talking to their families while we tried to ascertain what was happening. At the same time, I was meeting with the Joint Chiefs about our military options.” Nick produced the printouts of the photos he’d requested for this meeting. “Meanwhile, this is what you were doing.” He held up the photo of Ruskin in the middle of a group of topless women, a drink in hand and a big smile on his face.

Ruskin stared at the photo, seeming momentarily speechless.

“Is it possible you weren’t expecting them to blackmail you in some way? Because a freaking Cub Scout could’ve seen that coming.”

“I…”

“I’ll expect your resignation by five p.m.”

“What’ll become of those photos?”

“I don’t know. I’m not the one who took them.”

Ruskin clearly didn’t like hearing that Nick had no plans to try to protect him from scandal. Why should he after Ruskin nearly caused a war with his stupidity? “How will my resignation be explained to the media?”

“That a number of President Nelson’s cabinet secretaries, including the secretary of State, have chosen not to retain their positions in the new administration.”

Ruskin’s sneer turned his face ugly. “I’m sure you’re feeling all hopped up on the power of your new office, Mr. President, but I’m afraid you’re rather naïve about the way things work in this town.”

“I’d rather be naïve than cynical, and after fifteen years of working in government, I’m confident that I know how things work. You’ve wasted enough of my time and the resources of the federal government. This meeting is over. I’ll look forward to receiving your resignation letter.”

Nick held Ruskin’s glare for a long moment before the secretary spun around and stormed out of the office. “Well, that went well.”