Page 115 of Magnetic God

“Thank you.” I look him over. “You never said why you were here, in Miami.”

“Fundraising,” he answers, untying his black tie. “It’s getting down to the wire and Senator Ryans is proving to be a tougher opponent than expected.”

“Well, you have my vote, if that makes you feel better.”

“It does.” There’s a long pause. “Tell me, Hannah. Does it change your opinion of me, as a voter, that I’m unmarried?”

“I guess I haven’t thought about it much.”

“I didn’t think it would matter, but I’ve been told by my team that it does, indeed, matter.” He gestures to the short man and tall woman in the room's corner who are huddled together. “They’ve reminded me repeatedly.”

“It shouldn’t matter,” I say.

“No, it shouldn’t. But I have a feeling it’s going to become my main obstacle before too long.”

“Did Brooks tell you what Senator Ryans said to me?”

He shakes his head, so I give him the short version.

“Why on earth does he think you’re planning my wedding?”

“That’s what I said, but he must have gotten his information from somewhere.” I pause delicately. “Brooks said the Brotherhood likes their members to be married. Could someone higher up be planning something that you are unaware of?”

“Fucking hell. Yes, that is very possible. It’s also possible that my team is in on it, too.”

“I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news.”

“No, this isn’t your fault. I should have seen it coming.” He straightens his shoulders. “I’ll do my duty for the Brotherhood and for my country.”

I’m about to respond when there’s a knock on the door. The room goes silent as a security guard looks through the peephole.

“It’s Mr. Henderson and Mr. Moretti, sir.”

A sob works its way up my throat as the door opens and Brooks and Alessandro walk in.

Brooks rushes to me, pulling me into his embrace.

“Are you hurt, Angel?”

“I’m fine, Brooks.” I look up at him. “Are you okay?”

“Never been better.” He brushes his lips against mine. “Let’s get the fuck out of here, Hannah.”

Brooks suggests finding a new hotel, but I want to go home. So, that’s what we do. On the jet, Brooks fills me in on everything that happened, though I think I get a very watered-down version.

“And you swear that bastard didn’t hurt you?”

“Brooks, he saved me. You didn’t see the look in my mother’s eyes. Or hear what she said to me before Pastor Sullivan called. She was going to kill me because they lost everything.”

A dark look flashes across his face.

“I’m so sorry that I wasn’t there. I should have never sent you off alone.”

“No. We’re not going to do this.”

His eyes widen. “Do what?”

“We’re not going to blame ourselves for this. We had a plan, and it was a good one. Thank god Gabriel was watching, too, and could save me and Isa.”

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