Page 20 of Escalating Alpha

“I’ll talk to Galvin and handle all of this as best as I can, my love.”

I nodded but walked away. I hadn’t felt that I was ‘his love’ or his love for me in so long. I’d felt his lust or his chore. I’d felt his annoyance that I didn’t do what he wanted or just his frustration.

I just never felt my Dain anymore. Even the rare times he doted on me, and for that short time it was like we almost had a glimpse of what we’d been.

It turned to smoke, and it hurt worse to remind me of what was gone.

I took the migraine meds and went back to my office, mopping up my face and focusing on what I had to get done immediately since now my day was on its head.

I got a text from Galvin that no one in DC could agree how to handle this and now that we were out of time to just do the best I could and to please help the FBI save face if I could. If possible, even if it wasn’t fair. Just as he was holding back the dam, I was too, and we were needed.

He was right and I would eat shit—always did—but I was also working on some ideas on how to spin things. What to do in other ways.

I texted Councilman Enzo Dubois that I might have some hunting fun for him and games that I would have to turn a blind eye to. That I couldn’t pay out in the way he might want with what was going on in my life, but I hoped it would show where I stood.

I was ready when Summer landed and I had to get to the studio. Luckily, their people quickly redid my makeup and Dain brought a different suit and shirt for being on camera.

“Lovely to see you again, but I really wish it was under different circumstances,” I greeted Summer once we were rolling.

“I bet,” she sighed. “I’m so sorry you’re going through something horrible again.” She nodded when I snorted. “Okay, so the story hasn’t broken yet—thankfully. Tell us in your own words what happened so we have it from the source.”

I did. I told her the truth about the Valentine’s Day madness—my first one as Alpha. How I got into the spirit and even wanting to be cute with my gifts and thank-yous. The shoot for the lingerie was going on and I got into the spirit.

“I’m not ashamed of what I did,” I said firmly. “I honestly wish…”

“What? To do it again?” she asked, studying me.

“Yes, but also I wish every woman could experience what I did that day,” I told her honestly, nodding when she couldn’t hide her surprise. “It was liberating and so—I grew up being stuck in rigid foster homes or being dragged to church. Being told I was demon’s spawn for seeing things as a partial clairvoyant.

“I was a dork in school. More than that, parents wouldn’t let their kids play with me because I was an abused foster kid and it was the worst secret never kept. Then, I was years ahead and… I was a dork. A dork who never got a valentine. Never had a boyfriend. Didn’t have sex until college.” I kept nodding when her jaw dropped open.

“Wow, you’re really getting personal here,” she chuckled nervously.

I shrugged. “Apparently saying nothing is going to keep meaning everyone is going to make lies up for me. Some of this I’ve said before.” I waited until she nodded for me to go on. “I only dated a little after college and not while in the Navy, but that day I feltsexy. I felt empowered and it was my body that could model and—every woman should experience that.

“I get why women pay for those kinds of photo shoots and it’s becoming popular.” I chuckled when she didn’t seem to believe that. “I’ve heard it more and more. I’m never on social media, but I’ve heard it around me. I think it’s great and that day was great. I had friends whistling that I looked hot and my makeup made me a sex kitten.

“I never had that. I never thought I wanted that, but even if I never do that again, I’m really glad I got to experience it.” I let out a shaky breath. “That’s why I’m pissed. I don’t care that people will see the pictures.” I shrugged. “So what? I’m mostly naked. Screw them. I’m pissed that this is being weaponized against me. I’m pissed they are trying to take that day away from me.”

“That is hard,” she agreed. “How—does the FBI know?”

“Oh, of course. I reported it right away when I was warned.”

“How are they taking it?” she worried.

I gave a half shrug, chuckling when she clearly didn’t buy it. “They’re seriously pissed someone is blackmailing one of their division chiefs for ten million dollars. They’re all over trying to find who is doing this and to someone so decorated. I run one of the biggest offices. I have one of the highest case closure rates and amounts.”

“You are their rockstar,” she agreed. “Still, I find it shocking.”

I sighed. “I’m sure someone is going to have an issue or be sexist about it. That’s the world we live in, but—I talked to someone in Internal Affairs in DC to get the temperature over there. He laughed. He said I didn’t send dick pics to a minor like a certain congressman who is still in office.”

Summer coughed to cover her reaction, but I just smirked.

“Nor did I send naked photos and try to use my position to threaten someone’s job if they didn’t get in my bed like a senator… Who is still in office.” I snorted when she let a chuckle slip out. “Yeah, it seems ridiculous compared to that, right? But I’m a woman, so we have to worry about that.”

I pretended to clutch my pearls.

“I sent the men I’m in committed relationships with nakie photos on Valentine’s Day. Howscandalous!Will the country recover? I mean this has to be the most important topiceverand nothing else is going on that’s more important.” I snorted. “It’s not even the most important thing that’s happened to metoday.”

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