Page 35 of Locked Down

Joyce struggled to keep her composure, but her face had turneda shade of bright red that nearly matchedher lipstick and earrings."I'm sorry, sirbuthe's in a meeting."

Vic debated going over to help the other woman out, but she wasn't sure what she could do, and chances were good Joyce would hate her more for interfering.

Harris wasn't accepting any excuses. He pivoted toward the door and was reaching for the knob when it opened. Ryker blocked the entrance."Congressman Harris,"he acknowledged in a clear, authoritative tone."The Senator cannot see you now. But he will be able to see you later today if you care to make an appointment."

"Not good enough."Spittle flew from Harris's mouthandhe tried to push past Ryker.

Rykeractuallyput his hands on Harris's shouldersandfirmlymoved the congressman back a step and then closed the door behind him."I'm sorry, sir, but itwill have tobe."

Vic's stomach knotted, and her breath shortened. Touching the congressman was a bad idea. Harris was known for having lots of friends in law enforcement. She'd brought Ryker into this.Ifhe got arrested and it damaged his career, it would be her fault.Archer Gray would kill her for sure.

Harris was livid. His face turned a darker shade of red, which Vic hadn't thought possible. He poked a finger into Ryker's chest."You laid your hands on me. I will sue you for assault! I will have your job for this! I demand to see Davis now!"

Ryker stepped forward until he was inches from the congressman and then spoke.He spokein a voicesolow,noone on Vic's side of the office could hear him.She glanced at Tracy, who shrugged and shook her head. Everyone in the office leaned toward the exchange as if to betterhearwhat wasbeing said, but it was impossible from this distance. Even Joyce leaned slightly, but by thewayshe had her face screwed up in concentration, she couldn't hear the conversation either.

Harris's face had gone from red to pale to an ashy color. The tremors shaking his body were visible from Vic's seat. He clamped his lips shut and stormed to theelevatorwhere Tony was holding the doors open as if waiting for the congressman's exit.

Arms crossed, Ryker watched until the elevator doors shut, and thenwithouta glance at the rest of the staff, he turned and went back into Austin's office.

Vic leaned back in her chair and let out a pent-up breath.

"What the hell was that about?"Tracy asked.

"No idea."Vic shook her head. The phone on the side of her desk buzzedandshe jumped. It was her uncle's line. Her hand trembled as she reached for the receiver."Y-yes?"she answered.

Floyd's voice filled her ear."Please come into the senator's office."

"Of course,"she said as she got to her feet.

It sounded like Floyd slammed down the phone, but maybe her nerves were just so on edge.

As gently as she could, she dropped the receiver back to thecradle,and hurried to the restroom off to the right. She leaned against the counter and took a moment to calm her nerves. It wouldn't do to go in there with shaking hands. Her uncle would noticeandthen he'd lecture her on composure. She did some quick breathing exercises and then thrust back her shoulders. Exiting the bathroom, she went toward her uncle's office. When she reached Joyce's desk, the other woman snarled,"What do you think you're doing?"

"Going to speak to my—Austin."

Joyce stood up."He does not want to be disturbed,"she said in her haughtiest voice. It was like she was making up for the fact she'd been unable to block Harris, so now she was stopping Vic.

Vic felt the weight of the staff's stares. She knew if she turned to look, they'd all be watching.Joycewasn't wrongin what she was doing.Her job duties included being a literal gatekeeper.Normally, it was Joyce who beckoned Vic for her uncle. It was odd that Floyd had bypassed her, but it didn't change the situationany.

Vic barely held back a scream.Not because she was in the wrong but because hernextwords would humiliate the other womanandshereallydidn't want that.She kept her voice low."Floyd called my phone and said Austin wanted to see me."

A dull pink hue filledJoyce's cheeks, but she nodded."Fine,"she said in an equally quiet voice.

Vic went toward the door when it flew openwithFloyd standing in the doorway."Oh, there you are. What took you so long? Austin wants to see you. There's work to do."He glanced over her shoulder and barked at Joyce."Bring us muffins."Then he ushered Vic into the office, closing the door behind her.

Vic's chest got tight. Floyd had deliberately humiliated the other woman. And Vic would be Joyce's target as the one to bear the brunt of it.God, please let this day get better.At thisrateshewasn'tgoing tomake it until her birthdayandthen where would she be?

SIXTEEN

Ryker's shoulders tightened as Vic walked into Davis's office. Her eyes said she was nervous, but her face was otherwise a mask of neutrality. If Davis had a go at her, Ryker would make him regret it. The senator hadbeen crazedall morning, demanding Ryker call the head of the CIA to look at satellite footage from the previous evening. He was determined to find out how the intruder got in and where he'd come from.

"Invicta, sugar,"Davis said as he stood up and moved from behind his desk. His tone made the hair onthe back ofRyker's neck stand up.

"I know you heard all kinds of silly rumors, and I wanted to put your mind at ease."Davis was laying it on thick. His accent was out in full force.

"Of course,"she looked perplexed but gamely accepted the older man's embraceifa little timidly.

"I'm just fine, sugar,"Davis continued."A man broke in and tried to shoot me, butit was handled."

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