Page 9 of End Game

Jillian clasped Kayla’s hand in a tight grip and smiled at the aunties. “Y’all look so skeptical.” Her free arm snaked around Kayla’s shoulders and gave her a little shake. “This is the same woman who sweet-talked us into going roller-skating for her thirtieth birthday. She changed four hard noes to yeses.”

The aunties’ expressions cleared, as each no doubt recalled how much fun they’d had, despite their many reservations.

“Speaking of votes.” Kayla returned her attention to the governor. “How’d your meeting with Representative Gladwell and Senator Orston go? Are they going to back HB821?”

The Women Entrepreneur Empowerment Act would provide each approved candidate twenty-five thousand dollars for startup or improvement expenses and access to training and mentor centers across the state.

Vicky grimaced. “We’ve run into an issue.”

“Issue?” Kayla searched the other women’s faces. None of them looked surprised by the governor’s revelation.

“Some new data has come to my attention that my office is looking into.”

“What sort of data?”

An emotion Kayla couldn’t pinpoint skittered across the governor’s features, as her gaze swept the crowded room. “Nothing I wish to discuss here.”

“But you still plan to support the bill, right?” Kayla pressed.

“I will do what’s best for my constituents, as I have always done.” Vicky nodded to the group. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I should mingle.”

A heavy silence clung to the small group, after the governor strode away. Still holding Kayla’s hand, Jillian gave it a squeeze. “Don’t let your fear win. She’ll stay the course.”

Kayla hoped so. Much was riding on the passage of HB821. She motioned to one of the four interns stationed around the room to shadow the governor. A frequent attendee at functions such as this, Gemma Niles, a seasoned fourth-year, would keep Vicky out of any political sand traps.

“Or Assembly leadership will run roughshod over her and kill the bill,” Sybil mused.

Kayla didn’t agree. Vicky had a good working relationship with Gladwell and Orston. Against all odds, the trio had managed to find common ground on several important issues. A prime example of the good that could be done for the people, when politicians put their oath to the Constitution before loyalty to their party.

“Good evening,” a familiar masculine voice said on Kayla’s other side.

She turned to find Phin Blackwell, displaying his most charming smile. An answering grin tugged at the corners of her mouth. It was difficult to do anything else when around this impeccably dressed rogue.

She placed a free hand on his solid shoulder. “Phin, are you acquainted with my mother’s friends?”

“I haven’t had the pleasure.”

After making the introductions, she asked, “Is Maddy with you?”

He shook his head. “She couldn’t make it, but I did arrive with someone.”

“Oh? Who?”

“Cameron.”

Ash.

An image of his handsome black-haired brother filled her mind, and she experienced a familiar quickening in her chest. He’d finally accepted a Krowne invitation. Excitement set her heart to racing—until she ran into a red flag. Why now?

Phin filled the ladies in on his FBI brother. Kayla half-listened, as she scanned the expansive room for the unmistakable eldest Blackwell. The man, for reasons she didn’t understand, had taken an instant dislike of her. Which made him all the more intriguing.

She spotted him at the bar, wearing a sleek black suit. Drink in hand, he turned to face the crowd and his penetrating blue eyes snapped to hers like metal to a magnet.

As it had done the first moment she’d spotted him jogging through Pack Square Park with Phin, her pulse drummed in her ears, silencing the world around her.

When he continued staring, she lifted a brow, amused despite the visual tension.

Taking her silent inquiry as an invitation—or challenge, he pushed away from the bar and prowled her way.

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