Page 60 of The Senator's Secret
“Christ, you’re as stupid as they say you are,” he bites out, and I think my patience has run thin where he’s concerned.
“Your presence is unnecessary at my engagement party,” I inform him in my most haughty tone. “Please feel free to leave at any time.”
“You don’t know who you’re messing with, little girl. I could see you ruined,” he says, and my mind flashes back to the blackmail letter.
I never heard from them again, and I can’t believe I put it out of my head. Could Jeffries be the blackmailer?
“You could try.”
“Or you could stop being a dumb bitch for two seconds and tell me how much it will cost for you to get lost and clear the way for my daughter to be the next First Lady of the United States,” he snaps.
“That’s what this conversation is about?”
“Yes.”
I want to laugh. Poor Mr. Jeffries wants me out of Jake’s life so his daughter can step into my very expensive shoes. All the while, I’m being blackmailed into being here in the first place. The whole convoluted mess is absolutely ridiculous. One thing is clear though; I can strike Mark Jeffries name off of the “who might be blackmailing me” list.
“I would if I could,” I tell him, and as soon as the words are out of my mouth, I wish I could reel them back in.
A month ago, I didn’t even want to reach out to Jacob Chancellor for help, even though the pictures that were delivered to my office on that long-ago day involved him too. But now… now, I’m in love with him. And I’m so in love with him that I want to scratch Ashley Jeffries eyes out every time she looks at him. There’s no way in hell I’ll trade places with her.
Although, she currently has her body—in a very skimpy dress that leaves little to the imagination—plastered to my betrothed’s person. I let out a sigh. She’s going to be a thorn in my side. I can just feel it.
“If you’ll excuse me,” I say, turning back to him. “I have other guests to greet.”
And then I walk away. I don’t walk toward Jake, but that’s neither here nor there. I find Jules in a corner of the bar, talking to a man I have never seen before. He’s handsome as hell, but their conversation looks anything but friendly.
“Darling!” Jules says, putting a bright smile on her face and turning away from the man in question. “How is the woman of the hour?”
“Good, I think.” I laugh.
“Well, if you’ll excuse me,” the man inserts. “Nice party.”
“Thank you.”
And then he stalks through the crush of people like a man on a mission.
“Who was that?” I ask.
“No one of importance.” After a moment of silence, she caves a little. “So, are you having a wonderful time at your fabulous party?”
“I’m having a time,” I answer. “Do you think we could run away and grab a burger?”
“That terrible?”
“This is not my idea of a fun time.” I shrug. “Mark Jeffries wants me to clear the path for his daughter to be Jake’s FLOTUS.”
“Ew. What a lunatic. Sometimes I really hate people,” she admits before changing the subject back. “And your idea of a fun time is pajamas and a good book at home with your seven hundred cats.”
“I don’t have seven hundred cats.” I roll my eyes. “I have eight. Eight cats and a giant dog.”
“Semantics.”
“So, are you having a good time?” I ask her, hoping someone is at least having some fun. I stop myself just short of crossing my fingers before she answers.
“Yes!” she says excitedly. “I met that FBI agent who married the police detective in New Jersey. The one with the mysterious past. And I have them this close to doing an exclusive interview with me.”
“That’s awesome,” I tell her. “I didn’t know they were here. I hear she’s gorgeous.”