Page 44 of Escape into the Night

“Ja. But loyalty is such a…flexible thing, is it not?”

Caleb forced a brighter smile. “Only for those who need it to be.”

The chancellor let out a quiet hum. “Your husband is a very bold man. It will be fascinating to see where his ambitions take him. Whether he finds himself riding the tide or sinking beneath it, well… that remains to be seen.”

Caleb’s pulse spiked with the warning. Granted, it was a subtle, polite warning wrapped in diplomatic vagueness, but it was a warning nevertheless.

“You have always had a way with words, Chancellor.” Caleb was already planning to demand a gold star for how silky smooth and serene he kept his voice, even as a slow coil of dreadtightened in his gut. “I suppose time will tell how a lot of things unfold.”

“It always does, Mr. Cohen-Williams. It always does.” Silence stretched for a few beats too long as Bahrenburg’s gaze bored into him through the screen. “Be well, Caleb.”

The line went dead. The screen went dark. And Caleb stared at his filmy reflection in the matte surface of the screen for entirely too long as the conversation replayed in his mind. There was no explicit confirmation, but he knew he wouldn't hear any outright damning words or admissions of complicity. He didn't need to. Because he knew. At the very least, Bahrenburg was playing this game right alongside the people pulling the strings and if Elias won the nomination, their relationship wouldn't be one of camaraderie and ease. It would be a relationship of power and control. One wrong move…

Caleb shuddered and ran a damp palm over his face. He’d thought he had made it to the big leagues when he got the job in the White House Chief of Staff office, but damn, was he wrong. That was like T-ball compared to what they were embarking on now. And they were running out of time. That knowledge left him feeling hollow and empty and painfully unprepared, but most of all, it left him feeling utterly inadequate for the task.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Elias

Morningsunstreamedthroughthe large windows of the kitchen, turning the granite counters into streaks of gold light and silver shadows. The scent of fresh-brewed coffee lingered, mingling with the faint trace of Caleb’s cologne, something spicy laced with something unmistakably Cay. It was quiet, a bubble of serenity and solitude cushioning the home now that Parker was out at school, leaving the two of them to talk freely about the monumental weight of it all.

Despite the homey perfection, tension hung thick in the atmosphere, like a storm cloud threatening on the horizon. Caleb stood at the sink with a faraway gaze, his shirtsleeves rolled up to reveal the light dusting of hair along his forearms. It was one of Elias’ favorite looks on his partner. He could do without the troubled expression on his husband's face, though. Cay’s typical confidence and effortless competency was absent. Elias had seen this before and his heart ached in his chest as he slowly circled the island. This quieter, reserved, uncertain version of Caleb inspired every instinct Elias had to try and make it better. The man who spent years as the unshakable foundationfor others was now standing on uncertain ground himself, and that simply wouldn't do. Elias continued his slow approach, waiting and watching. With a slow exhale, Caleb set his coffee mug aside, the quiet clink of ceramic on granite echoing too loud in the space.

“I don't know whether to be impressed or terrified.”

“What about?” Elias closed the distance between them, his hands settling on Cay’s hips as he drew up behind him.

“Bahrenburg.” Caleb leaned back with another sigh, his head resting against Elias’ chest. “He didn't confirm a damn thing. He didn't deny it either. It was all smoke and mirrors. Ridiculous political bullshit doublespeak diplomacy that makes it obvious he’s involved, but not in a way we can do something about.”

“Which means he’s not all in. Not yet, at least.” Elias let his hands drift higher over Caleb’s sides. A soft sigh escaped his lover’s lips as he melted into the touch.

“Meaning?”

Elias’ fingertips tiptoed even higher, aimlessly traveling over Cay’s chest. “Meaning he's keeping his options open. If we secure the nomination, he’s willing to switch sides. It's self-serving for him, but that’s leverage for us.”

Caleb huffed quietly, a soft scoffing sound as he shifted under Elias’ tender touch. “Leverage doesn't mean trust. He might back us in theory, but he’ll be looking for ways to control the narrative, the terms. The second we become more of a liability than an asset, mark my words, he'll turn on us too.”

Elias shifted, bringing his lips to rest against Caleb’s temple as he spoke. “Then we have to make sure that he needs us more than we need him.”

Caleb’s breath came out wispy and wavering as Elias slowly undid the top button of his shirt. “And how do we do that, baby?”

Elias smiled, the curve of his lips pressed against the soft skin of Cay’s temple. “We play the game, my love. The way we always do—together.”

He squirmed in response, but the doubt and uncertainty were still palpable, hanging heavy in the air like the static electric feel of that approaching storm. Elias stepped back, his hands gentle as he slowly turned Caleb to face him before encroaching again. “You're worried.”

His eye roll inspired a grin in Elias. “Duh. Of course I'm fucking worried. This is your campaign, El. Your future. Meanwhile, I don't know if I should be by your side, or ten steps back making sure no one touches you.”

The ache in Elias’ chest increased as he studied the insecurity playing over his partner’s face. The pressure mounted as he shook his head. “Nope. That's bullshit. We’ve never worked like that. You don't belong in the background.”

“I just…” Caleb sighed and lifted his hands to rest on Elias’ chest, his fingertips tracing absentminded patterns over the soft fabric as he looked anywhere but up at him. “I keep wondering if I'm doing this right. If I'm helping or making things harder. If it would be easier for you if I wasn't part of this at all…”

Cay’s voice was quiet, stripped bare of the charm and bravado that usually came so easily to him. A possessive, protective surge flooded Elias, his lips twisting into a frown as he clasped Cay’s chin between his fingers and forced him to make eye contact.

“Don't ever say that.” Elias’ voice came out gruff and firmer than he intended. He gave a little shake of Cay’s chin to emphasize his point. “Never say that again.”

Caleb’s breath hitched softly as his pupils dilated and his lips parted. He loosened his grip, trailing tender fingertips over those cherubic cheeks he adored so much. The uncertainty was still lingering in Cay’s eyes, but a hunger grew alongside it asElias searched his face. “I can't do this without you. I won't do this without you.”

“Jesus, El,” Caleb whispered, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed.

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