Page 68 of Power Surge

“Have you not spoken to your military advisors, informed them of what you know, and work together on how to stop war from coming to the Middle East and dragging your country into the conflict?”

“Kind of?” I squeak. “That’s what I asked the CIA to dig up, the names—”

“The names of those responsible are only part of the problem. The attacks are hurting civilians, taking away homes and loved ones, yet you are doing nothing about it?”

“I am. I’m working with the leaders of the countries affected and calming their—”

“Do you know what I keep hearing?” I shake my head. Edging to the edge of the chair, I hold my breath. “You’ve said ‘I’ several times.”

I purse my lips. “Well, Iampresident.”

With an air of disappointment, Vlad sighs and shakes his head. “Your role, my role, cannot be done alone. You are trying to manage a situation on your own, which is impossible. It is why we have advisors, why we put people in place who we trust to help guide us. We cannot know everything there is to know about military strategy, or economic growth, or foreign relations. Being president is a group effort.”

“You don’t understand. I’m trying to protect everyone. This isn’t me just trying to be the hero. No, what I’m doing is keeping this to those who know what’s going on and protecting my country. The less people who know, the better.”

“You are wrong.”

I slam the wineglass to the table. The plates rattle with the force. “I’m doing the best I can.”

“More people will get hurt if you continue to think so narrow-mindedly, my friend. This will escalate, continue to escalate. You cannot handle this situation alone. It proves those who believe you cannot handle the president role correct.”

“Excuse me?”

Glass to his lips, Vlad gulps the remaining liquid from his glass and sets it on the table. “I do not mean to insult you, but you are not acting like a president in this matter.”

“All I need is the names,” I say through gritted teeth.

“You need to learn to lean on other expertise or you will fail.”

Fail. The word rattles in my head. Failing at this level would be… world altering. I’ve never failed, and I sure as hell don’t plan to start now.

“I’m tired. If you’ll excuse me.” Shoving from the table, I stand and make to leave. “I’ll do this on my own, Vlad, and you’ll see you were wrong. I can do this.”

Halfway to the door, he calls my name, pausing my retreat.

“When depending on only yourself fails, know it is not a reflection on you. You have worked alone for so long that it is nature to think single-mindedly. Before you go, I need to warn you about that man.”

“Kyle’s dead.”

“Your secretary of state. He serves the highest bidder, not you or your country.”

Not surprising. Maybe that’s why the Saudi king hates him so much. Hell, why most of the world doesn’t like him. They see it, and if I’m honest with myself, I see it too. But who would I replace him with? I know no one in DC, no one with the qualifications to take on that role. So instead of agreeing with Vlad and admitting to the weakness in my administration, I simply cross both arms over my chest. “Noted.”

“You are taking this too personally, friend. I only offer to help.”

A comforting hand presses to my lower back. I lean into the touch.

“Maybe, Vlad. Maybe I am, but it is a little personal when you say I’m setting myself up for failure. That’s not really something anyone wants to hear over dessert.”

“I tell you because no one else will. I tell you because we work together for the better of those we serve. Your success is mine. We are a team, yes?”

“I’m doing the right thing, Vlad. The more this is contained, the better. I appreciate you trying to help, but I’m respectfully declining your opinion.”

His chin dips. “That is your choice. Good night, my friend. Rest well knowing you are safe here in my house.”

I take in my strange friend. Really look at him. There’s an aura of power around him. I’ve seen it before, but it’s magnified here, in his home country. I want that. Want people to see me as a true president, not some worthless pawn or self-serving prick like the assholes before me.

So what if I want to do this on my own?

---