Page 41 of Power Switch

“I’ve been burned in the past. Let’s leave it at that. Getting to my role as AAG took a lot of long hours. Hours away from home. Hours your wife is filling with one of your old business partners while everyone else knows but has too much pity to tell you to your face.”

“Wow,” I breathe. “That’s… she sounds terrible.”

Sam laughs. Inhaling deep, he leans forward and drops his head. “You being with that agent is a bad idea, Randi, for a lot of reasons. If that gets out, your political career could be over. Think about what the media will spin. Making it seem like you’re doing nothing in your role here except sleeping around with the entire team.”

“It’s just—”

“That’s not what they’ll spin. I’m not here to tell you how to live your life or what you should or shouldn’t do. But if we figure out a plan, a plan that keeps me as your boyfriend, then I’m asking you to lie low. You have someone in your group who can out us fast if they see you with someone other than me. I can’t go through that kind of humiliation again.”

I nibble on my pinkie nail, debating what to tell him. What good would come from telling him the truth about everything? From Trey and Jessica's fake engagement, which she seems to now think is real, to me partnering with his mom. Oh, and being besties with the Russian president. None of that matters right now, which means none of it would keep me from being hands-off with Trey. At least until this whole mess is done.

“Things aren’t what they seem,” I say around my finger.Let’s see how Sam likes the ambiguous lawyer talk.“I might have a way to get the information we need, but it’s not the most legal of strategies.”

Sam tilts his head, his gaze slowly assessing. “I don’t like the sound of that. Would it hold up in court?”

I laugh and swipe my hand down my thighs. “Absolutely not.”

“Then we figure out a more legal avenue first. If worse comes to worst, we’ll use whatever connections you have, but until then, I want something we can present to the attorney general.” The light reflects off his dark shiny hair as he stretches his neck. Reaching up, he massages the tight muscles while he stares at the floor. “I think we can use the couple story to our advantage.”

“And how will we do that?”

“You’re invited to all the galas and parties in this town because of your title.”

“And because they know I won’t go.”

“We’re changing that. With you, I have an invitation to the functions I’ve never been able to infiltrate before.”

“You don’t get invited?” I ask, surprised. With the way he looks, I figured everyone would be lining up to have him as eye candy at their party.

“I don’t come from the type of family people want to associate with. Plus, no one likes attorneys, remember? This could be my way to listen in on conversations, pick up on connections and relationships. Maybe all I need is to find a few key members, connect them, and the rest will become clear.”

“I hate getting dressed up,” I whine, crossing my arms over my chest. The snug dress shirt tightens around my shoulders and elbows, restricting some of my movement. Shifting in the seat to get comfortable, I roll my shoulders, trying to loosen the tight material.

“You're either one of them or no one. Haven't you learned that yet?”

I lift a single shoulder in a noncommittal shrug. “Yeah, but I don't want to be one of them. That's the point of not going.”

A groan passes his lips, drawing my attention to them. “It's just like this fake relationship you've created. Create a fake Randi. I hate them too, but I’m willing to go if it means we gain information on the oil scheme Birmingham has going on. You don't have to like it, but to get anything done in this town, you have to pretend everyone is your friend.”

I huff in acknowledgment. Little does he know I already have fake Randi down pat. Between dealing with Kyle and Trey's mom, I've gotten pretty good at playing the game. At being the woman I've never wanted to become.

“Next week.”

“Huh?” I respond, still lost in my own thoughts.

“There’s a function next week at the White House. Some type of party welcoming several of the Middle East leaders as they converge to discuss the oil issue.” Sam's green eyes narrow. “I need you to make sure you get an invite.”

“Are you sure—”

“He's taking all this too far. Birmingham knows he's the cause of this mess, yet he’s purposefully dragging other countries into this shit to cover his own ass. We need information, any information to add to the case we’re building, before it's too late.”

“Fine,” I grumble, letting him hear the disdain in my voice.

“You wanted a plan. First step in this plan is to do something. And that something is attending these functions and galas as a couple, giving me access to a world I wouldn’t even be able to sniff at without your name tied to mine.” With a flick of his wrist, he checks his watch and slides off the desk. “Sorry, but I have another meeting I need to get to. Let me know when you get us on the list and what others you can score for the next month or so.”

Sam pauses in front of my chair, the toes of his dress shoes touching the points of my pumps. “See you later, honey.”

His light chuckle follows him through the library and out the doors.

---