Page 65 of Locked Down

Whiklow gestured with his head, and they began walking back the way they came. Ryker made sure he was following behind again. He wouldn’t be able to hear anything if he stood in front.

Archer commented,“You said the same side. Same side of what?”

“As I am sure you are aware, Austin Davis is being tapped to be the new Vice President of the United States. I cannot stress enough to you how much of a mistake I believe that is.”

“Agreed,”Archer responded.

“I thought as much. You know as well as I do that Davis is not what he appears to be. I understand you are aware of some of his dealings and in fact, bailed him out when he got into trouble a few times.”

What? Bailed him out?This was news to Ryker, and it rankled.

“Yes. He got in over his head with some people, which was ill-advised. I smoothed the ruffled feathers.”Archer sighed.“I have come to regret that decision on more than one occasion.”

Whiklow burst out laughing.“I’m sure you have.”He laughed some more.“No matter. I would’ve done the same thing. You and I are not so different.”He gave a final chuckle and then he too sighed. “The inner circle is afraid that the incumbent President will lose the election if he stays with the current VP. The man is just not that popular and the polls say he’s holding the President back. Bringing in Austin Davis appeals to a different…ilk of voters. A joint ticket with those two crosses party lines and will make everyone happy. They desperately want to get the current President re-elected because they want to stay in power.

“The issue is they think they can control Davis. The inner circle believes they can steer him and mold him in the way they would prefer. You and I know different. Davis will not stand for that. Once he’s in office, nothing will stop him from going out on his own, making deals and handling things the way he sees fit. The hell with the inner circle.

“Case in point; Davis had his assistant, Armstrong, order the device. I have no clue how he plans to use it but the whole idea terrifies me. Davis commissioned the bomb, but to what end? The inner circle knows nothing of this. No one knows this except McGinnis, me…and now you. I was inclined to tell them, but without proof and no idea what he plans on doing with the device it becomes…difficult.”

Archer stopped again.“You’re afraid if you tell them they’ll support whatever Davis has planned for it.”

Whiklow grunted.“Maybe. I’m more afraid they’ll come up with their own use for it.”He glanced around.“Today’s politics aren’t what they used to be. There don’t seem to be rules anymore. People are willing to cross too many lines.”

“Agreed.”Archer blew out a breath.“So, you want me to look into it and find out what Davis is up to?”

Whiklow turned to face Archer again.“I want you to find out what Davis is up to, and I want you to stop it before something catastrophic happens.”

Archer studied Whiklow.

“Right now,”Whiklow said,“you’re wondering how I could be setting you up. You are worried that I’m laying the groundwork for you to take the fall for something that would destroy you. I know this because if the situation was reversed, I would be wondering the same thing.”The big man with the dead eyes stared appraisingly at Archer.“I cannot stress this enough: I have nothing to gain from this other than the obvious. I am not trying to set you up. I bear you no ill will. You and I are different, and we rarely agree, but I think we respect each other. I am telling you now, man to man, I am asking for your help because I believe you and your people are in a unique position to solve this problem. I stand ready to offer you any assistance you might need. This is not about us but about something much greater. I believe Davis is a dangerous man and we need to fully understand what is going on before it’s too late.”

Ryker’s stomach knotted and he flexed his hands to alleviate the cramping his clenched fists caused. It didn’t matter that it was now close to midnight and the air was cool. His entire body had just gone hot.

Whiklow was right: Davis was a dangerous man with ambitions and drive, and now with access to a bomb, this was the stuff of nightmares.

TWENTY-SEVEN

Lipstick tube in hand, Vic stared at her reflection in the mirror. The dress was divine. She had to admit Marilee had an eye for clothes. Vic would’ve walked by the dress if she’d been left on her own, but Marilee had zoomed in on it and forced Vic to try it on. Damn if she wasn’t right.“It will look divine in the pictures, darling. I’ll make sure your uncle wears a matching pocket scarf. The photographer will love it.”

Vic grimaced as she swiped the color on her lips, then snapped the cover back on the tube. She hated the idea of a photo shoot of sorts in the middle of the party, but it wasn’t like she had a say. Besides, Marilee was right; the pictures would be fabulous. The plum-colored dress clung to her curves. The halter neckline not only would keep her cool, but it displayed her chest off in fine fashion. The drape of the fabric accentuated the sweep of her hips and fell to the floor in soft folds. It wasn’t until she moved that it became obvious that the dress had a slit all the way to her hip on her right side. The whole effect was one of classy elegance that was indescribably sexy at the same time.

She put on the amethyst earrings that she’d bought herself on her birthday one year while she was in boarding school. She added an armlet high on her bicep. It spiraled around her arm three times, with the three large amethysts set in a zigzag pattern. She held up the matching necklace and wondered if it would be too much but decided why not. This was her last evening in D.C. She could afford to go out with a bang.

She fastened the necklace and then slipped on a pair of sky-high black heels. Glancing in the mirror one last time, she knew she looked good. Better than good. She looked amazing. Her hair fell in soft curls around her shoulders. She’d done her eye make-up to make sure her eyes looked large and more green than brown tonight.Take that, Ryker.

Vic frowned. She needed to let it go. She knew she did. He’d been honest with her from the start in terms of what he wanted, if not in terms of what he’d done. It wouldn’t work between them anyway, not that he wanted a relationship. And neither did she, she reminded herself. Not in a million years. What was important now was that she was going home.

Ryker played in the darkness, and she, well, she was looking for the light. But if a relationship between them was hopeless, why did it hurt so much? She gritted her teeth and blinked back tears. She was being stupid. She sucked in a calming breath. She wasn’t ruining her makeup by shedding tears over a man. who wasn’t worth crying for. They’d had their fun. The sex had been amazing, and he’d been everything that she’d hoped for in a man. Intelligent, articulate, well-educated, and attentive. So damn attentive in bed. But he wasn’t open. Not really. Everything she knew about him could be counted on one hand. She wouldn’t deny he made her feel safe, and she enjoyed his company, but was that enough to foster a relationship? Besides he’d lied to her. She needed to keep reminding herself of that.

She sniffed and then squared her shoulders. She glanced at her watch. Ten minutes and then the show began. The‘Vic is so happy to be celebrating her birthday with her uncle’show, starring Austin Davis, with an appearance by Invicta Carlyle. God knew she wouldn’t be the star. This little dog and pony show was all about Austin Davis. When had her life been relegated to what amounted to being a prop? Her birthday gave him the excuse he needed to throw a party that everyone who was anyone would attend. The optics would appear in poor form if he threw the party for himself. Especially since the sitting Vice President announced just today that due to illness, he was stepping down. Davis had tried to appear angered by the announcement because he complained the news would overshadow her birthday bash, but Vic knew behind closed doors, he’d crowed. If her uncle had thrown a party to announce that he’d been asked to run as VP, it would be considered in poor taste.

However, since he happened to be throwing a huge party to celebrate his niece’s thirtieth birthday, it was okay if he confirmed the rumors. Just the thought of walking out the door made her sick. She really didn’t want to go through with this but what choice did she have? At least she could point to the pictures on social media as proof that not only did she have a job but she was also the toast of D.C., even if it was only for one evening, and realistically, she was a side stage act as well.

She glanced around her apartment. She would miss this place. It was comfortable, or at least it used to be. Now every inch of it reminded her of Ryker. Of what she’d missed out on by not going after him when he’d left the last time. She’d been cursing herself as a useless idiot for what she’d said. He was more than just a good time in bed. Way, way more. Their time together had been short but intense. Good thing she no longer had to live here.

Butterflies rioted in her stomach. Maybe she should check on the solar farm. What if it was a disaster? She had already planned to go and there was no going back, not really. She would send her uncle an email just before she got on the airplane tomorrow. It was cowardly but to be honest, she couldn’t take any more of his abuse. And he would be abusive about her decision. No question about that, but maybe he’d be so excited about the VP thing that he’d be gracious instead. She snorted. Not bloody likely. Still, there was a chance.

The solar farm wouldn’t be a disaster, she reminded herself, because no matter what she found she would figure out a way forward. She would finally be in charge of her own life. She wouldn’t owe anyone anything ever again.

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