Page 73 of Power Games

"Same gun, according to the police. Nathaniel is hoping to get his hands on one of the bullets; it would help to determine the provenance. He just had pictures."

"Is she going to be okay?"

Charles didn't have any more idea than she did, but he squeezed her close to him and kissed the top of her head.

"I'm sure she is. In the meantime, perhaps we should stay here for a little while, while this calms down."

She shook her head. "Your campaign—"

"Vanessa. There could be a serial killer out there. Someone who targeted my ex-wife, and now a woman who runs in our circle. It's dangerous."

She shut her mouth and closed her eyes. It was. Just not for her.

"I want to go to DC, and start your campaign. You need to win this. No matter what.”

If only so that her toxic family didn't return to power.

30

Game Changer

Waking up next to Vanessa every morning, holding her in his arms, made for a beautiful dream. Whenever he found himself believing in it, he replayed her words in his mind.

You need to win this. No matter what.

He knew what was most important to her now, and it wasn’t him. Unfortunately, none of that changed the way he felt about her. He loved her more than anyone, anything he'd ever cherished in his life. What did it say about him that with his eyes fully open, understanding what she was, who she was, he still loved her?

He had dangerous times ahead. It could be in a year, in five, or in nine years, but she could walk away after this, when she had no further use for him. He had to harden his heart, prepare himself for that outcome. Eventually, she would cease to need him. He never would stop needing her, though.

Every night, he held her close, but come morning, he kept his distance. He avoided touching her as much as he could. It lasted three, four days tops, then he found himself devouring every part of her, kissing, licking, touching the body he'd come to know so well, as if to imprint his mark on her.

He announced his intention to run for president on TV. Many were shocked. The public was in uproar; some screamed against the very notion, others cheered for him. The campaign had inadvertently started years ago; all his deeds and accomplishments were brought forward, and put on the table for inspection. Not many found him lacking, but there were protests.

"He's too young."

"Inexperienced."

"He doesn't have as much backing as Wright or McNamara."

"What happened to his wife?"

"That affair was uncouth."

Yet his name ranked high from the very first survey.

McNamara was ahead at 37% but Charles was his direct competition, having gained an astonishing 29% of the public voters. Wright followed with 23%, and the other parties battled for the rest of the voters.

Now the real work began. He spoke publicly about his opinions on the hard issues, from the stations of their troops, to gun control laws, healthcare, and education.

Tristan was saying “withdraw our military, make new gun regulation, dramatically increase the funds allocated to education, and provide free healthcare for all” to agree with his party’s views. George said “finish the war we started, let the people have their guns, education is important but so is protecting our country, and doctors need money too” which went with the Republican’s stance.

Charles stepped in without the weight of the expectations of a party, entirely free to take the best of both worlds. He wanted to let the people have their guns and stop psychopaths from shooting school children at the same time. He wanted to continue fighting for what America stood for, but end the conflicts they could resolve with negotiations. He earned the reluctant respect of both parties and the ears of many voters.

Then there was Vanessa, who reached the audience he couldn’t tap into.

She’d been interviewed on TV recently.

“You’re back in DC! Rumors are flying around, suggesting that you’re here for the elections.”

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