Page 36 of They All Own Me

I lean back in my chair, watching Tatum's expression shift from amusement to curiosity at Thomas's next words.

"There may have been some Asian businessmen from my trip to Singapore last month... they weren't exactly legitimate traders." Thomas's voice drops lower. "I may have promised them something I couldn't deliver."

Connor catches my eye across the table, shaking his head. Issac suppresses a laugh behind his coffee mug.

"And what exactly did you promise them, Senator?" I keep my tone even, professional.

"Look, that's not important right now. What matters is Tatum's missing, and if they took her?—"

"You want my opinion?" I interrupt, watching Tatum mime gagging motions. "File a police report. Get the ball rolling."

"But Singapore?—"

"Senator," I cut in again, "if some foreign organization had taken your wife, don't you think they would have contacted you by now? Made demands?"

A pause on the line. "I suppose."

"Look," I lean forward, resting my elbows on the table. "We'll look into these Singaporean contacts of yours. In the meantime, focus on playing your part. Be the concerned husband. Make those press appearances."

"What exactly are you suggesting?"

"I'm suggesting you do what politicians do best - act." I catch Tatum's smirk from across the table. "And Senator? If I were you, I'd keep your other... business ventures quiet for now. Last thing you need is attention from the wrong people."

"Fine. Just... find out what happened to her. My reputation is at stake."

The line goes dead. Tatum bursts into laughter, nearly choking on her breakfast. "God, he's terrible at this. Singaporean traders? Really?"

"Man's juggling too many balls," Isaac mutters, pushing his plate away.

"And dropping every single one," Connor adds.

"He's quite the overachiever," I say.

"More like over-complicator," she mutters. "Can't even keep his criminal enterprises straight."

Tatum wipes tears from her eyes, still laughing. "You should've seen his face when he tried lying to the press about that education bill last month. Like a deer caught in headlights."

"Speaking of press," I tap my phone screen, pulling up a news feed. "Looks like your disappearance is already trending. Your husband works fast when his image is at stake."

"Oh, let me see." Tatum leans across the table, her shoulder brushing against mine as she peers at the screen. "'Senator Cope Distraught Over Missing Wife.' Distraught? He probably had to Google what that means."

Tatum sets down her fork, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "So, what should we do next to up to ante? Should we send him some photos? You know, me tied up in my underwear or something?"

Coffee sprays across the table as Isaac chokes mid-sip. Connor drops his fork with a clatter, and I nearly swallow my tongue trying not to react.

"Jesus Christ," Isaac wheezes, wiping his mouth with a napkin. "That was… hot… the coffee…. too hot…."

"You've been watching too many low budget movies," I manage to say, keeping my voice steady despite the mental image now seared into my brain. "We're professionals, not amateur pornographers."

"Though I bet that would get his attention," she muses, stabbing another piece of egg.

"This isn't some straight-to-streaming thriller." I state firmly, pushing my plate away. "I wouldn't put it past him to sell the shit for a quick dime."

"That's a good point, but such a shame." She shrugs, a mischievous glint in her eye. "I've got this great matching set from La Perla that's just gathering dust."

Connor makes a strangled sound and excuses himself from the table. Issac suddenly finds the ceiling fascinating.

"You're enjoying this way too much," I tell her, fighting to keep my expression neutral.

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