Page 59 of The Senator

I was sure something would happen that would prove to him I was right.

CHAPTER 26

SPENCER

I valeted my SUV at the Four Seasons Hotel in Georgetown, and I took Nash’s hand and led him inside. We made our way through the lobby to the Seasons Restaurant. We stopped at the host stand. “Spencer Brady to meet Sean Fitzpatrick.”

The host scanned the reservation list and nodded. “Follow me, please.”

We were led to a square table next to windows that faced the outside terrace, which was closed for the winter. Sean was sitting with his back to the windows, facing the room. I expected no less. Someone like Sean didn’t like surprises, much like me.

Sean stood as the host led us to the table. “Senator. Nash. Good you could both make it.” He extended his hand to each of us, and we shook before we sat down. Menus were left for us, and the host returned to the entrance.

Sean lifted his hand, and a server stepped over. “Coffee, gentlemen?”

“Uh, I’ll have coffee, please.” I turned my cup over for the server and glanced at Nash. He appeared to be nervous, so I reached under the table and squeezed his thigh. Nash waved her off, gulping down his water.

“Thank you for coming. Senator, you mentioned in our brief call that you knew who was responsible for your outing.”

“Call me Spencer, please. If we’re going to be working together, can we be less formal?”

Sean stared at me for a moment before he grinned. “Good point. So, about your unceremonious outing?”

I sighed. “Seems my parents happily started the ball rolling by contacting Mitch Flora, my former head of communications. He confirmed that Blaire would be accompanying me to Antigua, according to the digging a friend did. Mitch’s former assistant had a brother who is a photographer, so Mitch hired the man to follow me to Antigua after Blaire told him where we were staying. There are transfers of nice sums of money through the accounts. My friend created a meticulous record of the transactions.

“Oh, by the way—I believe Mitch and Blaire are married. Vanessa saw them in DC, wearing matching gold bands. Seems we were both duped, Sean.”

“And what do you want to do about this, Spencer? Are you going to keep it under wraps, or are you willing to publicly identify them?” That was a very good question.

Part of me wanted to let the whole thing die down and let the public forget, but the part of me that was pissed at all the people involved in my outing wanted me to…

“I’m considering a press conference on the steps of the Capitol and naming all the individuals involved. If there are any other members of Congress who aren’t out, they should see that we must be strong and support each other. And those who would contemplate doing anything like what was done to me should see that there are consequences.”

“A press conference?” Sean’s expression of surprise had me second-guessing myself.

"A press conference?” I turned to see Nash was even more surprised.

“Yes.” No way was I backing down now.

“Spencer, I think it’s a gutsy move. If you’re interested in doing it, I’ve already got airtime scheduled for the second. We can flip the content and go with your story. When do you want to do it?” Sean’s head was pivoting between Nash and me.

Nash reached out and touched my arm. “Think about this. You’ll torch any relationship you ever had with your parents. Hell, not just you but Jay, too. You’ll be putting him right back in the spotlight the way he was in November when you lost the election. I’m all for going to see your parents to confront them in person for outing you to the entire country. Doing it publicly, though? You better really think through the ramifications.”

I smirked. I definitely had a type. Nash was the kind of guy who would keep me from making horrible mistakes. He had a strong moral compass, and as much outrage as he knew I had for my parents and what they did, he didn’t want me to implode my life, yet again. He was much like Vanessa, though not at all in one very important way.

“And that’s why I love you. You’re right. I can’t put my family through anymore than I already have.” I picked up Nash’s hand from where it rested on the crook in my left arm and kissed his knuckles.

Sean chuckled. “It’s good to have a conscience—even if it’s external. Anyway, I have a roundabout way of still making it happen without it reflecting on your family… well, I hope not. You can discuss it with your ex-wife and your son, but this is my need for revenge.”

“Oh, yeah? What’s your plan?” I took a sip of my coffee as Sean reached into his messenger bag hanging on the back of his chair and pulled out a folder, sliding it over the table to me.

I flipped open the cover to see the title at the top of the paper.

Interview with Caroline Bering-Turner

“No.”

“What, no?” Sean was smirking at me.

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