Page 113 of Whiskey and Regret

“To be honest, Nicki, it’s going to have to be a really nice number because this person already has a lucrative job. They also have notoriety, which is why I’m not telling you who it is.”

“I can bump up the offer based on name. Is it someone famous?” She quizzed.

“Not in a celebrity sense. He’s very well-known though. I’m not sure he’d want his name connected to his work because of what his job is.”

“Ooh, it’s a he. Is he a politician or a pastor maybe?”

“You’re close. So, you can see why I can’t give you his name.”

“Right. Let me see what I can do, Xari. I’m willing to make it work to get my hands on this client.”

“I’ll try on my end too. Thanks a lot.” I ended the call and looked at Evander’s laptop. It was time to push him towards what he loved.

…

TWENTY-THREE

“Senator Freeman, you have a visitor,” Navy’s voice was quiet when she called into my office.

“Okay,” I sighed. I minimized the window on my computer and pinched the bridge of my nose. Work was overwhelming. Everything was a fight and everyone was out for their own agenda. I could have made more of a difference being a community leader. “Navy, who is it?” I asked into the sleek black intercom system on my desk.

“Your father, Senator.”

My back went stiff and my hand dropped to my lap. Why the fuck was he here?

“Send him in, please.” I minimized everything on my screen that didn’t have to do with work. It felt like the principal was stopping by my classroom to check my progress.

I stood to my feet and smoothed out my shirt, then swept my eyes around the office to make sure everything was in its place. My father had a way of making off-hand remarks that cut fast and deep. I wanted to avoid those remarks as much as possible.

“Van, how are you son?” My father stood the same height as me with identical caramel skin and brown eyes. He had freckles scattered along his cheeks and strands of silver in his hair but those were the only indicators of his age. Otherwise, he looked like my twin.

“I’m good, Dad. What brings you up here?” We shook hands because he wasn’t the hugging type. I offered him a seat then I sat behind my desk. It gave me a false sense of security. I knew that even though I was in charge, he’d always come in and try to own whatever situation he was in even in my damn office.

“I wanted to personally see to it that you declined to sponsor the bill that I know is on your desk today.”

“How do you know what’s on my desk for the day? You stalking my assistant?” It was only half a joke.

“No. Your assistant would have to be phenomenal for me to stalk her. She’s rather dowdy if I do say so myself.”

My nostrils flared. I said, “Navy is phenomenal and why would I hire her based on how she looks, Dad? Is that what you did when you were a senator?”

“I certainly cared about what my assistant looked like. She was a reflection of me. Your assistant looks like she shops at Target for sales and hasn’t ever set foot in a country club.”

“If you came here to insult my assistant, you can get out.” I lowered my brows and glared at him so hard my head started to throb.

“She’s not important. You declining that bill is though.”

Every muscle in my body felt like lead. I was laden with expectations and I was sick of it. I shook my head and ran a palm over my face. “Dad, I don’t feel like dealing with you medaling in my job right now. If that’s all you came for, the door is right there.” I pointed then focused on the computer screen again.

“You’ve been thinking with your bleeding heart a lot lately, Van. It’s not a good look.”

“Well, I’m not thinking and deciding based on how it looks.”

“You should be. You’re going to burn bridges if you keep this shit up. Our family has worked hard to create these connections and you’re spitting on them.”

“I’m doing this the way I want to and there’s nothing wrong with it. I’m trying to help people.” My words fired out like bullets. I was tired of him griping about keeping money circulating in the affluent communities. I was tired of him always steering me toward decisions that didn’t benefit anyone in middle or lower-class living situations. I wanted to step away from my family name and do what made me happy.

Shit, not being a senator at all would make me happy. Dad would never hear of it though.