Page 4 of Swan River

“You’re only five and half years older than her, Lan,” Fee said.

“Exactly, and there’s no way I could make a permanent relationship work.”

“You’re not her, Lan,” Adria said. “Just because it isn’t what you want or need, doesn’t mean it isn’t right for Little Bit.”

Landry groaned and headed for the door. “I’m going for a run around the pond to clear my head before Ronan’s crew and Nikki’s mom shows up. I’ll meet you back at the farmhouse.”

As Landry and her bodyguard disappeared through the studio door, Leya’s phone rang. It was with a twist of pleasure and dread that she saw her mother’s face on the screen. Her parents were concerned about what was happening with the creepy notes. While they seemed aimed at Jonas and Paisley rather than just the band, no one was sure. Not with the hate group, For Greater Tomorrows, spewing gross rhetoric toward her dad and their entire family in an attempt to sway the public away from the Matherton-Singh ticket.

When Leya had first joined the Daisies in high school, everyone in her family, including Leya, had thought it would be temporary. It had been a way for her to honor her grandmother and the Indian instruments Nani had taught her to play. But then it had become home…a place for her to truly be herself in a way she rarely was around her genius family.

“Mom,” Leya answered, drifting over to the side of the room for a bit of privacy.

“Leya, we need you here.” Her mother’s voice was firm and demanding, whereas her father’s would have been soft and cajoling.

“I’ll be there tomorrow night, just like we planned,” Leya said with a confused frown. She was going even if she was dreading putting on a suit and closed-toe pumps and wearing a somber face.

“The plan was to have you here for your father’s acceptance speech, but now we need you earlier for interviews with the entire family.”

“I can’t come tonight, Mom. The documentary crew is shooting some final scenes,” Leya reminded her.

Her mom huffed. “It isn’t even being released until January, with the album, right? This is happening right now. We can’t put this off.”

She sighed. Even though her mother didn’t understand Leya’s career choice, she’d never asked her to quit. Not even when it could have been a detriment to her dad’s political career. They’d just asked to see and be able to veto any marketing or publicity beforehand. What none of them had predicted was for the success and attention her dad had garnered in his first six years in Washington D.C. to lead to a nomination for vice president.

When she didn’t say anything, her mom pushed. “This is important, Leya. We need you. I’ve arranged for a helicopter to pick you up.”

Her family rarely asked her to be there anymore, so denying them this made her stomach twist. And the truth was, she was really proud of her dad. She was proud of all her family. Her mother and brother were saving lives with their surgical knives and her Dad had the chance to change the world. To truly make a difference.

“Fine. I’ll come,” Leya said, giving in while grimacing at the thought of telling an already upset Landry she was bailing on the filming tonight.

“Thank you.” Her mom’s voice was filled with relief, and Leya knew she’d made the right decision. “The helicopter will be at Grand Orchard General Hospital in thirty minutes.”

“Okay, I’ll see you soon.”

In her normal fashion, her mom hung up without saying goodbye.

Leya turned around to where Adria, Nikki, and Fiadh were still in deep discussion about Landry and Paisley’s blowup and the boy who was coming between them all. Leya’s chest hurt at the thought of leaving them like this, but at least Nikki would be there—the peacemaker of their little group.

Leya joined her friends and said, “I’m not going to make the bonfire.”

“What?” Fee demanded.

“Dad needs me at the convention earlier than planned.”

“Maybe we should just reschedule the entire thing,” Adria sighed. “We don’t want them filming Landry and Paisley going at it again.”

Leya felt torn in a way she’d never been before between her family and her friends. Remorse and worry filtered through her, and Nikki seemed to read it, saying, “Go be with your family, Leya. We’ll figure this out.”

Fiadh looked like she was going to protest again, but the look Nikki sent her had her closing her mouth. Leya wrapped her arms around Fee, but held them open and waved the other two women into her embrace. The four of them hugged, and Leya whispered into their ears, “Make sure they remember how much they love each other.”

Then, she let them all go and walked out the door of the studio with two of the security detail following her onto the street. One of them was a Secret Service agent who’d joined her with her dad’s bid for Vice President. Holden Kent was a tall wall of muscles who screamed typical American boy?everything Leya had never been attracted to?and yet, for some ungodly reason, her body seemed to not agree.

This made Leya extra prickly with him. She hated the way her nerve endings tingled whenever he was close, but she refused to give in to his magnetic lure. Not that he’d even think twice about kissing her the way she sometimes found him doing in her dreams. He’d never once sent her a look that was anything but professional.

Holden turned to the other bodyguard. “Miss Singh and I are taking a helicopter to the convention. The Secret Service will take over her protection. You won’t be needed.”

Her annoyance sparked even more, partly because he’d already known about the helicopter, but more because he was dismissing her security team without her okay or approval.

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