Page 9 of The Deceived

“Fuck.” My assistant, Tori, knocks relentlessly and yells through the door. I know it has to be urgent for her to interrupt me here. She was given strict instructions to stay in the limo unless something urgent arises.

The staff here are well aware of who I am and after signing an NDA they’ve allowed her and one of my security team access to The Manor in the event of an emergency, so I know this has to be something I cannot ignore.

“I’m sorry my little storm,” I kiss her lips softly, “but I have to see what’s going on.”

I reluctantly step away from her and grab a couple of towels off the warmer. She looks away from me, to my outstretched hand that’s holding a towel and then back to my face as though I’ve lost my mind.

“Take it,” I whisper as I push the towel towards her. She takes it and wraps it around herself. I pull off my sodden shirt and a loud intake of breath has my eyes landing on Winter. Her gaze peruses my torso and I can’t help but smile at her before I swipe myself with the towel.

“Like what you see?” I smile smugly as her molten gaze locks onto mine. I don’t wait for an answer before turning and making my way to the door, my pants dripping water onto the pristine marble floor as I go.

When I open the door Tori stands there flanked on both sides. I can tell she is entirely uncomfortable and out of sorts because she’s had to come into The Manor. She’s no fool. She knows why I’m here. As my right hand, she has complete, unfiltered access to me.

A man dressed in a navy suit, no tie and a white shirt unbuttoned showing off his heavily tattooed flesh, stands to Tori’s right. He’s leaning against the wall as he smiles at me, “Good evening, Governor.”

“Good evening…” I trail off, waiting on him to supply me his name as he smiles before me. He’s imposing and he isn’t just some random security for The Manor.

“Lazzaro. You can call me Lazz, your majesty.” I bristle at his tone but I let it slide, for now. It isn’t important at this moment. Why Tori is here is much more imperative than punching this smug shithead in the face.

“Just walking this little lady up to make sure she and your” he glances, finding him lacking, at Steven, head of my security team, “security detail gets to where they need to be and back.”

I draw on years of pulling on this fake persona. It’s so easy now to get into the character of the Governor, like pulling on an old comfortable suit.

“Thank you, Lazz. I appreciate your concern for the safety of my staff.”

I turn my focus to Tori, my childhood friend, and the one person that I’ve always been able to rely on to have my back.

“What’s going on?”

She takes a deep breath before laying out the facts. “Landcastle in Holcomb County was hit by an EF3 tornado. It’s nonexistent now. The battery plant, the main source of revenue for the community, has been wiped off the map.”

“Ah hell. Okay. Did you bring my clothes?”

Tori snaps her fingers at Steven, and he presents me with a leather overnight bag. I take it with a nod. “Thank you, Steven. Tori, give me about twenty minutes and meet me at the car.” Tori and Steven turn to leave but that guy, Lazzaro, remains.

“Was there something else?” My tone is clipped. I don’t know what this guy’s deal is but something about him is getting under my skin.

“Yeah, Gov. I’ll need to see my girl back to her room since you’re leaving.”

Shit, he’s right, I guess my night is over. It is likely I’ll be tied up for days dealing with this disaster.

“Excuse me.” Soft fingers touch my shoulder blade, her touch a brand to my skin. She’s gotten redressed into the now dirty, torn dress and all I want to do is shut the door on this guy’s face and fuck her against it.

“I’m not finished with you yet,” I whisper grabbing her wrist as she passes.

She leans into me again, pressing her lips to mine, briefly. The moment is sweet, almost tender then I get that feeling again, familiarity.

Before I can gage it further, she breaks our nearly chaste kiss then rests her head against the door. A devilish smirk contorts her features and fuck is that sexy on her.

“I’m not finished with you either, Governor.”

“A threat I hope you intend to keep.” I laugh but I mean every damn word.

“Oh, I absolutely will.” She smirks before pulling the door shut between us.

CHAPTER5

WINTER

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