Page 33 of Judas

She sighed, watching Judas' tight ass as he pulled together ingredients for more coffee, "Yeah, Dad… I'm listening. But… I don't think we have much to talk about. I meant what I said last night…either pay Georgia what she deserves or you can find yourself another coordinator."

"Elizabeth Catherine! Don't you dare threaten me—"

A mix of shock and anger poured over Judas's face at Paul's bellowing. He stepped forward with his hand out; to do what, he wasn't sure. The reaction felt naturally reflexive but Eliza shook her head gently, pursing her lips in a look that told him'I've got this.'

"I'm serious, Dad. Put in the paperwork this minute or I'm finished. I'll end my leave of absence and go back to mysalariedcareer. It's a good deal, Dad. Because you won't find anyone that will take over my responsibilities for the amount I'm compensated." She disconnected the call.

Judas stood in shock. He watched this woman cater to, placate, babysit, and manage her father for weeks but never to the level he just witnessed. It was impressive.

"He's already typing the pay adjustment. I'll check with payroll after I get there to make sure they back-pay," tossing the phone on the bar, Eliza turned on her heel and walked to the bedroom.

Judas followed, "What was that with your father?"

He leaned on the doorframe, watching her dress.

Sighing, Eliza plopped on the end of the king-sized bed to button her shirt, "I was looking over the campaign accounts from last month. I noticed something weird with the payroll, soI did a little digging. Turns out, Georgia, the intern that…caughtus…"

She looked up just as Judas's cheeks flushed.

"She's being paid three dollars less an hour than the other intern… who, of course, is a guy. I confronted him about it, which just devolved into an argument about how my worldview is skewed because of my liberal college education," jumping from her seat, she pulled on her jeans. "Among other things." Her voice trailed off.

"What do you mean, other things?" Judas retrieved a towel from his walk-in closet, wrapping it around his hips.

She tucked her blouse into her pants, and rolled her eyes, "Just shit he always says. I don't understand how the world really works. She should be grateful that she even has a job. If she were more of a 'good Christian girl'’, she could find a good man to marry her and she wouldn't need to work."

Judas was taken aback. Paul's words seemed to be not just insults about Georgia but about his own daughter as well. Judas himself came from what could literally be called old school thinking and he never— in his exceptionally long life— thought the same way as Paul did. Her father's attitude was at best, wholly disrespectful of all human beings and at worst, dangerous in the worst ways. Why would anyone want a person like him in charge?

Why? Because a lot of people were just like him. They hated women because they feared them.

Looking at Eliza's fierce expression and knowing her unwavering dedication to serving those around her, Judas thought to himself, if he were Paul he would fear this woman for certain. This woman was dangerous in all the right ways.

Chapter twenty

"Good afternoon, Miss Lydia," dropping the carry-out cup next to her computer mouse, Judas' bright smile was glowing. "Thought you could use a pick me up."

The older woman's cheeks were brightening with color, "Well, now Judas…isn't that just thoughtful of you." She took a sip, "Oo! My favorite…Earl Grey."

"Even remembered the lemon," he winked, and Lydia's face was beaming pink. Heading around the curve of the desk, Judas stepped toward the hallway when he heard the receptionist's voice trailing after him.

"You be careful back there, sugar. Mr. Arthur is on one with Eliza right now."

"Perfect," Judas muttered under his breath. He had to wonder if whatever argument they were having now had anything to do with the phone call this morning. He rounded the corner of the hall, hearing the voices rising as he got closer to the door.

"I don't appreciate my daughter berating me like a child! You need to remember who is in charge here young lady," Paul's fervor hung in the air.

Pausing for a moment, Judas quickly took notice Beau wasn't outside the room. He rapped two hard knocks on the door before slipping inside, and it was just in time to hear Eliza's daring retort.

"Oh, I'm always clear on who's in charge…Dad. God forbid that you would take any advice from me… someone who studied political theory… or is it because I'm a woman? I'm just supposed to be at your demand when you need me or just when you need a mess cleaned up?"

The vitriol was almost tangible.

Paul's face boiled and he flew around the mahogany desk, his finger wagging, "I'll take no more of your sass, do you hear me, Betsy?"

The pair were statues as they stared the other down. Judas watched Paul's chest rise and fall in fury. For a split second, he thought the man was going to strike his daughter.

A thought roared in Judas' head, ‘It would be the last thing he ever did.’

Paul's eyes widened suddenly, as if Judas appeared out of thin air, "Judas. Good, you're here. Betsy was just telling me that the plans for the next week's fundraiser have changed." Turning on his heel, he returned to the large executive chair. "The Associated Republicans have secured a larger venue for us, which means you're going to need to put a few more on your staff."

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