Page 99 of Killer Love

“Looks clear. Maybe Daddy Dearest will let you out for the night?”

“Doubtful.”

“Well, give me a call if he changes his mind. There’s a great new place on Vine that just opened up. They’d kill for an A-list appearance to put them on the map.”

“I’d love to, but… wouldn’t hold my breath.”

“Let’s go, Roxie!”

Dad calls from down the hall and Lena drops the foundation into her bag. She takes a step back and studies me from my long, blonde hair down to the uncomfortable heels on my feet.

“You look lovely,” she says, smiling. “Go knock ‘em dead.”

“I always do.” I wink at her and spin on my heels to follow Dad around the corner.

“Remember, Roxie…” He places a hand on my back. “Just smile and nod. You don’t have to give your opinion on anything — and for heaven’s sake, don’t. The last thing we need is real politics.”

“Got it.”

“And try and dodge questions about you-know-who, all right?”

He grabs the doorknob and pulls it open before I can respond. Cameras flash, instantly blinding me. Hands comes together in thunderous applause. Every eye in the glistening ballroom falls on me.

“Roxie Roberts!”

I turn toward the old man’s voice, fighting the auras clouding my vision. “Senator Lamb,” I greet, recognizing his weasel-like tone from television interviews.

He slaps his hand into mine and shakes it with a furious whip. “Big fan! I just love those Night Trials movies!”

“Thank you very much, sir.”

“It’s so nice to finally meet you. Cora speaks so highly of you.”

I glance around the room, smiling wide to please the cameras. “And she just adores you. Working on your campaign has made her so happy, Senator.”

“You, my darling,” he shouts in my ear, “you can call me Ronnie!”

I chuckle awkwardly, nearly losing my balance. I catch sight of Lena standing by, firing a sucks to be you glance at me. “Okay, then… Ronnie,” I say.

He pinches my cheek between two wrinkled fingers. “You’re the golden star of my campaign, after all!” He swings his arm around my shoulders. I immediately smell the potent aftershave on his face. “Ronnie and Roxie! It’s like fate!”

“Well, I’m happy to help.”

My cheek muscles burn. There’s only so long I can hold this grin on my face, but I have to keep my shit together here. It’s not every day you’re invited to stand beside the next President of the United States, should his current poll numbers be any indication.

“It’s for a good cause,” I add.

“There’s no better cause than supporting our troops!” he shouts, his voice stiff from rehearsing the line in front of a mirror. The general public may not notice, but I’ve done the same on many occasions and I’ve developed an ear for the tone. “And I’m sorry for your loss, Roxie.”

I wave a hand, hoping to dismiss the remark. “It was a long time ago, but thank you.”

Lamb leans in closer and cups my hands inside his. “I can’t imagine the pain your family must have gone through…”

I lean away, glancing around to make sure my father can’t hear this. “Really, it was—”

“For a member of your family to be killed in action like that. It must have been so devastating.”

“Right, but—”

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