Page 35 of They All Own Me

Dom drops into a chair, loosening his tie. "Story's running on all major networks. 'Senator's Wife Missing - Foul Play Suspected.'"

"And?" Tatum sets fresh plates in front of them.

"Your husband's secretary called the police this morning when you didn't show up for some charity breakfast." Dom takes a bite and his eyes widen. "Holy shit, this is good."

"Told you." I smirk at Tatum, who rolls her eyes.

"Thomas gave a statement," Connor says between bites. "Real tearjerker about his beloved wife. Oscar-worthy performance."

Tatum snorts.

"Speaking of Oscar performances." He pulls out his phone, tapping the screen. "You should see this."

He slides the device across the counter. The video shows Thomas, his perfect hair slightly disheveled for effect, standing at a podium outside our state capitol building.

"My beloved wife..." Thomas's voice cracks perfectly. "Tatum means everything to me. To whoever has taken her, please..."

"Jesus." Tatum's laugh holds no humor. "He had to have practiced that in the mirror."

"The tears are a nice touch." I lean closer to the screen. "Though he might've overdone it with the trembling lip."

"So what's next?" Tatum starts loading dishes into the dishwasher, her movements sharp and efficient. "How long before you make your demands?"

Dom wipes his mouth with a napkin. "We wait. Let him sweat it out for a day or two. Make him think something's gone wrong with whoever took you."

"Meanwhile..." Connor's fingers fly across his keyboard. "The press continues to eat this shit up."

"Perfect." Tatum slams the dishwasher shut harder than necessary. "Right up until he finds out I helped orchestrate my own kidnapping."

"About that." I cross my arms, studying her. "You sure you're still okay? You're taking this whole… thing like a champ."

She turns, leaning against the counter. "What can I say? Stockholm syndrome works fast."

"That's not funny." But I'm fighting back a smile.

"Neither is being married to a man who checks his hair more times than he checks on his wife." She grabs my empty coffee mug. "Now, who wants seconds?"

Chapter 20

Dominic

We're finishingthe food network worthy breakfast Tatum has prepared when my phone vibrates against the wooden table. Thomas Cope's name flashing on the screen. I hold up a finger to silence everyone and press the speaker button. Tatum's eyes go wide, but she nods in understanding.

"Senator," I say, keeping my voice neutral. "What can I do for you?"

"My wife's missing." His voice crackles through the speaker, more annoyed than concerned. "You wouldn't know anything about that, would you?"

I catch Tatum rolling her eyes as she takes another bite of her eggs. "That's unfortunate. Have you contacted the authorities?"

"Don't play games with me, Dominic. If this is about our arrangement?—"

"Senator," I cut him off, drumming my fingers on the table. "If we had any grievances with you, you'd know about it. We're businessmen, after all. Not some group of mobsters."

Tatum nearly spews orange juice out of her nose.

"The press is already calling. This looks bad."

"I see that. I watch the news."

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