Page 79 of Tempting God

“Mrs. Carter, would you like to say something at the end of the rally?”

My eyebrows lift. “Me?”

She smiles. “We have two different statements drawn up for you, if you’re interested. No pressure, of course. The people will be just as thrilled to see you standing on the stage.”

I glance at Grant, who nods.

“Sure, I’d like to see them.”

She shows them to me, and I find myself in awe. The statements are both along the same line. I’m supporting my husband and I hope the good people of Denver will, too. The crazy thing is the statements are worded as if I wrote them myself.

I tap the second piece of paper. “I like this one.”

“Excellent. I’ll make sure it’s sent to the teleprompter.”

Grant asks, “Have we seen any numbers yet?”

“No, sir, but I’ll let you know as soon as we do.”

Grant says to me, “I was down in the polls after the rally in Miami, but the team seems to think we can recoup today.”

“Jeez. No pressure.”

He pulls me close. “No pressure at all, baby. We’ve got this.”

The rally lasts about three hours and I’m floored when people cheer for me after I give my speech. Grant comes to my side as soon as I finish. Hand-in-hand, Grant and I exit the stage, going behind the red curtain.

Somya and Corbin wait, smiles on their faces.

Corbin says, “Numbers are up, and the public responded positively to Mrs. Carter.”

Grant winks at me. “Of course they did. What’s next?”

“We’d like to go over some plans tomorrow. We’re getting down to the wire, and it’s worrisome that Senator Ryans hasn’t dropped out yet. At this point in the election season, you should have already been named the Republican candidate.”

Somya adds, “We keep hearing murmurs that Senator Ryans is about to be backed by a large organization that will change the game.” She makes air quotes around the last three words.

I meet Grant’s gaze. There’s only one group that has the power to change the game.

The Defiant God Brotherhood.

He says, “We’ll do what it takes to win.” To me, he says, “Let’s get out of here, baby.”

He’s trying to appear at ease, but I know this has to be eating him up.

In the SUV, I say, “I’m here if you need to talk.”

“I know you are.” He pauses. “I just need to figure out what in the fuck I want to do. I promise you’ll be the first person I talk to when I come up with a plan.”

I don’t say anything, because there’s nothing I can say that will make him feel better. Instead, I hold his hand all the way to the hotel.

18

Grant

Sleep doesn’t come easily to me, even with Greer at my side. I toss and turn all night, thinking about what Corbin and Somya said after the rally.

Ryans is about to be backed by the Brotherhood. That’s the only thing that makes sense.

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