Page 29 of Power Twist

“I… I—”

“It's a simple question, Randi,” he says with a smirk as he takes a step closer, putting us dress shoe to Uggs. “You're the motherfucking vice president of the United States, so start acting like it.”

I purse my lips to keep them from trembling, though from rage or agony, I don't know. Both twist in my chest, confusing the hell out of me.

“I'm not a quitter,” I finally grit out through clenched teeth. “Fuck you, Trey Benson. I’ve fought like hell my whole life, scrapped by day after day and kept going when everything and everyone was against me. I'm no fucking quitter, and you damn well know it, you asshole.”

“I do.” My next snappy retort falls flat as my jaw pops open in surprise. “I needed to make sure you remembered who you are, Randi. This broken, sad, defeated person you’re fading into is not you. Stop it with this crying and saying you're going home or that you're a fucking failure.” He grips my chin and tilts my face up. “You're not going anywhere on my watch, you hear me? You're here until your term is up whether you like it or not.”

I search his eyes, desperate to figure out what he's trying to say.

“You're mine, Mess.” His calloused fingers slip from my chin as he steps away. “Now, tell me what Jessica's intel says, and then we'll strategize from there. We'll figure out a way to get the votes, together.”

And just like that, another sliver of my heart melts for the mischievous, sexy-as-hell agent.

If I'm not careful, he'll have my whole heart in his capable hands before the year is over.

For the first time ever, I'm good with that. I don't know what the future holds, but if I can have this dedicated man by my side each step of the way, well then, it seems like a pretty great future to me.

Chapter Eight

Trey

Igive a tentative knock and take a step back, not wanting to overwhelm Jessica the second she opens the condo door. It's late and this visit is unannounced, but I had to come tonight. The drive over was treacherous, but at least this is my last stop.

The snap of a deadbolt unlocking meets my ears. The door opens a foot, revealing a lingerie-clad, doe-eyed Jessica.

For a second I freeze, on the brink of ditching my plan and bolting down the hallway. This has to be the craziest idea I've ever had. It might work though. It has to work. Randi can't leave DC, and seeing her in agony felt like my heart was shredding right alongside hers. I'll do whatever I have to do to make sure those sad tears never happen again on my watch. Which is why I’m here. I’m doing whatever it takes, even if it means stepping back into the life I’ve tried like hell to run from.

“Not that I'm unhappy to see you, Trey, but what are you doing here?” Her blonde hair swishes as she turns to look into the condo. “It's almost midnight,” she says, turning back, eyes wide. “What’s going on? Are you okay?” She's opened the door wider, revealing all of her scantily clad body.

I swallow and stare into the condo behind her. If Randi ever gets wind of this, I'll be a eunuch for sure.

“Can I come in? We need to talk.”

She motions me into the condo. I scan the modern living room and open kitchen. It's almost an exact replica to mine five floors up. Hers doesn't have the view of the Capitol, but not many do because of the cost factor involved for those select units.

“Wine?” she asks, making her way into the kitchen.

Fuck, why doesn’t she put on a robe or something? Not that I'm fighting an emotional response based on her nearly naked body. Nope, my dick is as limp as an overcooked noodle. Randi did that. Somehow her crazy mixed with her natural beauty have formed some kind of shield, making attraction to other women nonexistent. And amped up my jealousy a thousand percent.

Stretching left and then right, I attempt to ease my stiff muscles. “No, thanks. Can you put something else on?”

“I thought you liked red?” The clink of glass against stone sounds through the living room. I don’t turn from where I stand staring out the floor-to-ceiling windows.

Ignoring her question, I lean a shoulder against the cold glass, watching the remaining snowflakes whirl past on the strong wind.

“You have to have a guess as to why I’m here,” I say with a sigh. “After the meeting with Randi—”

“Randi, is it?” she says, surprise in her tone. “A bit personal, don't you think? You’re referring to the first female vice president this country has ever had. Are you intentionally trying to undermine her title by calling her by her first name?”

“What?” I’m shocked at the defensiveness Jessica is showing for my girl. “No, she asks us to call her that, just like you. No disrespect, promise.”

“Good, because I like her. In way over her head, but I like her.”

Interesting. Even the political ladder climber has fallen under Randi’s spell. Not surprised. If you get to know her, the real Randi, it’s impossible not to.

“She told me about the meeting earlier. I know we're behind on the votes we need in the House and Senate. I also know you're working to get more people on our side, but with Birmingham's connections and no doubt bribery and blackmail, this vote will go through unless we do something big.”

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