Page 89 of Tempting God

“It’s him.”

“Do you want me to leave?”

Grant shakes his head. “Stay.”

He answers the call on speakerphone. My stomach flutters at the gesture. Spouses aren’t supposed to know what happens within the Brotherhood, so Grant is technically breaking several rules by having this call where I can hear it. But I love that he wants me to hear what’s being said because he knows this affects my life, too. I have to take in a deep breath to get my emotions under control. We’ve got this. I’ve got this. I smile at Grant. I can do anything with him at my side.

Grant says, “This is Carter.”

“Don’t act coy. The other Elite Members are on the line,” Charles snaps.

Brooks asks, “What is this about? Has something happened?”

Grant says, “As some of you may know, I’ve dropped out of the GOP race and announced I’m running as an Independent. Head Elite Member Blanc seems to think I’ve bypassed the Brotherhood by making this choice, so I told him we’d take it to vote.”

Alessandro asks, “And what is this vote, exactly?”

“Does the Brotherhood back me running as an Independent?”

Alessandro says, “I do.”

Brooks says, “I do.”

Blanc is silent, but Jones says, “I do.”

“I do.” Grant winks at me before saying, “That’s majority.”

Brooks asks, “Anything else?”

“I’d also like to suggest changing Rule 84. The rule that states our sons become instant members of the Brotherhood and uses our daughters as bargaining chips.”

Brooks asks, “How do you want to change the rule?”

“I think it should be up to our children whether they want to be associated with the Brotherhood.”

Alessandro says, “I’d like to hear more information about this. Can you draft up something?”

“It’s being sent to your emails as we speak.”

There’s silence and then Alessandro says, “I vote yes.”

Brooks agrees. “It’s a yes from me.”

Jones says, “No. This is a terrible change.”

“I agree,” says Charles, but his tone is laced with anger because he has to know what’s about to happen.

“I vote yes,” Grant says. “Again, majority rules.”

Brooks says, “I’ll make sure the other members of the Brotherhood are made aware of the change.”

“Now, just wait a minute,” Charles snaps. “I’m still the Head of the Brotherhood, which means I have the power to veto this vote.”

“You do,” Grant agrees.

My gaze snaps to his. I didn’t know Charles could veto something. My heart races. This puts us at risk! He knows that we’re against him and he won’t sit by and let this pass without retaliation.

Grant continues, “You must take this in front of the entire Brotherhood and plead your case. If this is the path that you choose, then it’s your right.”

---