Page 199 of Bona Fide

“I’m here now. I just hopped a plane and—”

“You’re going to Camp David.”

“What? I can’t go there. That’s for—”

“You’ll go there because I fucking said so.” I open my mouth to apologize but refrain, cupping her face before closing my eyes. “Please go so that I can deal with all of this. It’s going to get ugly. I don’t want you near me or any of this.”

“I can help,” she retorts. “I can be there for you when—”

“Please stop. We said goodbye, nothing has changed besides the fact that I’m still in love with you. I’m not going to yank you back into my bullshit. I don’t want you like this.”

“It doesn’t matter what you want.”

“It’s always mattered what I want, and with those decisions came this.” I give her little head a shake. “Your life was destroyed because of me. Your mother almost died. Your career was decimated over things Demi did. You might care for me, but I don’t want you to anymore. If you need to fuck half the population to move on, then I wholeheartedly support—”

She jerks out of my grasp. “Stop. Don’t talk to me like that.”

“It’s the reality, baby. Something we both don’t want to face, but it’s a grotesque fact that we both have to accept. There is no place for you in my world.”

Her eyes bore into me before her face twists in offense. “I’ve told you a million times...you don’t run my life. I’m a big girl, and if I want to help and support you, I will.”

“Remember who has bigger dogs,” I retort. “I’ll show you nothing but what power stands behind me as president. Don’t make this harder.”

“You’re...serious?”

“Yep. You’ll leave for Camp David immediately.”

“Are you going to take me there?” I close the small space between us, brushing away the scattered strands of hair from her face before I clasp both sides of it with my palms.

I squeeze it softly. “No. You’ll be safe there. Demi hates it, and she’s not allowed anywhere near me right now, so I’ll keep her focus on me for now and what I have planned next.”

Her brows furrow. “Why?”

“Why what?”

“Why isn’t she allowed near you right now?”

My lips quirk into a smirk. “You came here knowing that you had the chance of running into her? You’re insane.”

“Still doesn’t answer the question.” I groan and sweep her cheeks again with the pads of my thumbs. It’s not in her best interest to know or worry.

“Protocol,” I deadpan. She studies my face, looking for more than what I just gave her, but it’ll never come from me. Not today, not until later. I need one simple-ass thing, and that’s her safe and sound. “I’ll have Marty and your mama sent there too. I need you to stay there...promise me that you’ll stay. I can’t do everything else when I know you might leave.”

“I’ll stay but my business needs—”

“Sadie can handle it. I know she’s there.”

“How—” Realization dawns on her face. “—I don’t want to know.”

“No, you don’t. It’s not very flattering on my character.” Her fingers come up to wrap around my palm.

“I’ll stay.”

“Promise me, Sox.”

She nods. “I promise, Yank.”

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