Page 23 of Aydin

“You're right.” I felt as if every single muscle in my body was on fire.

“I know I am.”

“Where did she go?” I asked her date.

“She needed to use the restroom,” David answered.

“All right, when she comes out, tell her I need to speak with her.”

“She doesn’t want to talk to you.”

“David, right? Look, you’re trying to protect Amelia, but you don’t have to worry about her with him.” He didn’t like Nasir’s statement, and the hard grimace across his face gave away the attitude, so we left him alone to continue monitoring the scene.

“Where’s Addison?” Nasir probed.

Nasir and I looked around the room.

“She knows not to leave without one of us.” I eased through the crowd and talked to more of my men, and Jimmy pointed to the bathroom.

“Thanks.”

“After tonight, Addison and her family will have to find another security team,” I stated and watched her father get on the stage to give a speech.

“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming tonight. My daughter is determined to work for the people, and her goals align with mine.” Senator Edgar talked to the crowd, and they applauded.

“How much do you think he’s stealing from them?” Nasir challenged, and I knew they were corrupt, but I didn’t get too involved in their business affairs.

“There’s Amelia leaving with her date,” Jimmy discreetly spoke into his mic and I looked up and saw her hold hands with him, strolling out of the ballroom.

“Aydin! You’ve been ignoring me all night long.” Addison planted her hand on my chest, and I could tell she was a little tipsy.

“Addison! Come up here, dear,” Senator Edgar said.

I removed her hand from my chest, and Addison strolled over to the stage to take the mic from her dad.

“I can never live up to my father’s legacy, but I want to make sure I put in a good fight!”

The audience cheered and clapped.

“I’m running for an open seat in Chicago, and I would do my best to make you proud and continue the legacy of the Chatsworth name.” Addison hugged her father, and the crowd loved each moment.

AMELIA

Thirty minutes earlier.

“What do you mean he fired you?” Dani inquired, and I paced the bathroom in frustration.

Aydin fired me, and I hadn’t even been there a month to even mess anything up.

“He pulled me into some office and told me I’m fired.” I picked up the napkin off the counter and dabbled tears away before they fell.

“Calm down. Where are you?”

“In the bathroom of the ballroom.”

“Maybe you misunderstood what he said.”

I raised my hand up in the air.