Page 23 of The Senator

I worried about leaving Vani and Denver alone at the table. I wasn’t afraid he’d say something to offend her. I was worried about what she’d do to him.

“I’ll have a cappuccino with extra foam and brown sugar. Two lumps.” Vani gave me a smile and batted her lashes.

I turned to Denver, seeing a smirk I didn’t expect. “I’ll have what the lady’s having,” he announced, bold as balls, the bastard. I shook my head and walked away, hoping Vani hadn’t gutted him by the time I returned.

I ordered two cappuccinos and two regular coffees, preparing Spencer’s the way I knew he liked. The young barista handed me a cardboard holder for the drinks, so I handed over a ten-dollar tip.

As I started to return to the table, I saw Spencer standing next to Vani’s chair, looking none-to-happy at the sight of the massive man who was sitting next to his wife. Again, another red flag. Maybe he was less gay than he thought?

I hurried over, placing the cardboard carrier on the Formica to get everyone’s attention. “Spence, this is an old friend of mine, Denver Wilkes. Denver, this is Senator Spencer Brady.” I was sure Vanessa had already dispensed with the pleasantries, but I hoped my introduction would cut the tension I sensed, based on the expression on Spencer’s face.

“Yes, so I’ve been told. It’s nice that your friend stopped to see you. How did he know where to find you?” Spencer’s question came out through clenched teeth.

“Tracking software. Little brother didn’t even know I had it installed in his phone, but I wanted to be able to find him if he needed me,” Denver answered. I knew that was bullshit because I’d bought a cheap piece-of-crap phone when I went to work for Caroline so she could get in touch with me when I had a job. I seriously doubted Denver knew how to work a smartphone, much less track me from it.

Spencer stared at me for confirmation, so I nodded. I wanted Spence to trust Denver because I knew he’d be able to help us out. He didn’t know shit about technology, but Denver had told me the club had a new member—okay, he said geek—who could work miracles. I just needed to know who sent those pictures to the media back in August that led to the scandal, and then, who followed up by sending the rest of the photos to NBS which cost Blaire Conner his job.

We all sat at the table in the food court, making small talk for about an hour. Spencer cleared his throat. “So, uh, I guess we better get on the road, team, huh? It’ll be late when we get home.”

I felt Denver grab my arm. “Didn’t you tell them you’re going with me?” I nearly did a spit-take as I tried to swallow my coffee. It was news to me that I was going anywhere with Denver.

Before I could say anything, Denver took my hand. “We have some things to discuss. He’ll be in touch.” He glared at me. “Let’s get your stuff and head out. It’s a five-hour ride.” Denver’s announcement was for the benefit of our companions, I was sure.

“Oh, uh, yeah. We’ll walk with you. Here are the keys.” I handed Spence the keys to the SUV. We walked out to the vehicle, and I grabbed my duffel, slipping the strap over my torso. I was going to be riding the bitch seat for five hours to Sparta and not thrilled about it at all—especially in November.

Vani wrapped her slender arms around my neck. “You stay in touch, Nash. I don’t like this one bit, but you’re an adult. Please, don’t ghost us.” I nodded and broke the hug.

I turned to face Spencer, seeing him side-eyeing Denver. Of course, the larger man was fighting a smile, seeming to pick up on the sexual tension between Spencer and me. I couldn’t wait to hear what he had to say about it.

“I’ll call you. I owe Denver a debt, and I’m going to pay it.” I sounded cryptic, but if he knew what I was going to do to get the information I wanted, he probably wouldn’t be happy.

“Be safe. Stay in touch with Vani.” Spencer’s response was more of a demand, though he seemed to try to distance himself from me.

It wasn’t what I expected, and not what I wanted to hear from him. The previous night after I returned with a twelve-pack, the three of us played cards and drank beer, gossiping about people we knew in DC.

I had walked Vani back to her room, and she’d told me she thought I was good for Spencer. It made my heart beat a little faster but hearing Spence tell me to stay in touch with his wife had me wondering if I’d mistaken any attraction between us.

“Yeah. You guys okay to get back?” I shook his hand, feeling a tingle up my arm at the contact.

“We’ll be fine. You stay safe on the back of that rolling casket.” Spencer glanced to where Denver was waiting for me by his bike.

“It’s no more dangerous than…” I started, remembering how Clint had died. A trucker hauling a load of sheep fell asleep behind the wheel and ran Clint off the road on I-81. It was late at night and there was fog, according to Denver, but my friend was just as dead.

“We’ll be careful. I’ll be back to DC in a few days.” I meant it from the depths of my heart.

Spence pulled me in and hugged me. “We just started getting to know each other. I feel like things are unfinished, but you do what you must. Take care.” He kissed my temple and stepped back, waving to Denver as he walked to the passenger’s side of the vehicle, helping Vani inside.

I headed across the parking lot where Denver was waiting. He handed me a helmet and a set of black leather fringed gauntlets. “Here. It’s gonna be cold as fuck. Hang on and remember to lean with me. We’re not going far.” I had no idea what Denver meant, but he pulled his helmet on, and we were on the road before I could ask.

I was surprised when we drove about fifteen miles down the highway and pulled into the parking lot of a Best Western. There were three other bikes on the lot, and a couple of guys sitting outside the rooms in chairs on the sidewalk, smoking and drinking in the frigid afternoon air. “I thought you said you came alone.” There was a mic in my helmet, which surprised me. The fact Denver had Bluetooth blew my mind. I’d never call any of The Volunteers tech savvy.

“Well, you needed to track down information, and you needed it faster than we used to be able to get it in the old days, so come say hello. You and I will talk later.” His response echoed in the helmet.

I had no idea what was going to happen, but I’d set things in motion. If I wanted to help Spencer, I had to commit to the task completely.

CHAPTER 11

SPENCER

---