Page 75 of Power Term

Him and Vlad, it seems. Vlad has called every day to check on my recovery progress and sent over enough Russian vodka to keep me drunk for decades. He says it’s a cure-all, though I haven’t had the time to test out his theory just yet.

“And stopping by to make sure I still plan to announce we’re running for a second term.” Amusement lightens my tone.

“Youareknown for making surprising statements to the media, so yeah, I want to make sure you're still on board.”

I grin around the nail between my teeth. “No need to worry. I’m in this, and I’m ready to let the world know.”

Shoulder against the bedpost, Sam surveys the room. “I can’t believe Rosen was dirty.”

“I can.” Shock registers on Sam’s face. “It was little things here and there.” I shrug. Little did I know the extent of the dirt on Todd’s hands, of course. That fool had his hooks in just about every dirty transaction in this city, wheeling and dealing to keep the money coming his way. Vlad was right about him, he did sell his loyalty to the highest bidder—and paid the price for it with his life.

“I’ll have to find his replacement,” I grumble. Massaging my temples, I focus on calming breaths.

“Let me work on that for you, Randi. Let me take something off your plate for a little while.”

I shoot him a grateful tight-lipped smile that doesn't reach my eyes. “Thank you. Oh, and you’re not too far off on typical Randi announcing shocking things to the media.”

That puts his full attention on me. “I’m scared to ask what bomb you’re planning to drop on them today.”

I cringe at his choice of words. “Let’s not say it like that when I actually hold the authority to drop real bombs on people, okay?”

“Touché. What will you—” He waves a hand like he’s searching for the perfect word. “—expose to the media today, Madam President?”

A soft snort escapes me. I don’t know why, but when he says it, I always laugh. Maybe because he knew me back in law school, or because we plotted Kyle’s demise together. Or maybe it’s because his own eyes hold a bit of humor when he says my title. We’re a good team, Sam and me. And we will be again for another four years if the voters agree.

“I’m announcing today about—”

“You should be resting.”

Sam and I turn to the owner of that deep, commanding voice. My heart does a little skip at the sight of Trey in a form-accentuating suit. Arms crossed over his chest, he shifts his displeased expression from me to Sam and back again. The two guns holstered near his chest peek out, drawing my gaze. “Give us a few, would you, Pierce?”

Sam dips his chin and shoves off the bedpost. “It’s nothing crazy, right?” he asks, alluding to what I was about to reveal before Trey slipped into the room.

I shake my head, more of my dark hair falling over my shoulders and tickling my cheeks. “Nothing crazy. At least now you’ll be as surprised as the rest of the world,” I say with a wide grin. I’m sure it’s eating him up not knowing.

He huffs, tossing his hands in the air, making his dress shirt sleeves slip up his arms and expose the bright inked skin beneath. Grumbling about something, Sam exits the bedroom, leaving Trey and me alone.

“You okay?” he asks, coming to where I sit and crouching low to put us at eye level.

I force a reassuring smile. “Yeah, just nervous.”

He blinks, confusion clear in his eyes. “Why? You’ve done this a hundred times before.” Something dark flashes over his face, making his features harden. “You don’t have to tell them shit about what happened, Mess. Tell them there was an incident and it’s over, handled by your very capable Secret Service team.” He winks at the end, but it lacks the lightness he’s attempting to create.

I chew on the tip of my pinkie nail. “It’s that and….” Trey’s gentle fingers grip my tender wrist and lower the hand from my lips. “Everything is about to change, Trey. Are you ready for that? Are you really ready to stop being an agent, to be the first First Husband? What if you resent me for making you give it all up? What if—”

He cuts me off with a hard kiss, making me swallow the next words. Callused palms cup my cheeks. I give in to the kiss, relaxing into him until it’s only his hands holding me upright. All the stress, worry, and fear slip to the background. He hasn’t taken them, just moved them aside to remind me of the only thing that matters.

Him.

He pulls back an inch, leaving me panting for more. I lean forward to seal our lips together again.

“Breathe, Randi.”

Closing my eyes, I do what I’m told, inhaling as deeply as my still healing ribs will allow before becoming unbearable and then releasing it slowly.

“I was going to do this after the press conference, but, well, I think we both need this now. Just know I had a whole thing planned.” His words go in one ear and out the other as I continue my deep breathing. “Open your eyes, Mess.”

After one more exhale, I lift my lids. The smile that was pulling at my lips freezes on my face. I blink once, twice, expecting the image to change. But it doesn’t. Nope Trey, my Trey, is still on his knees with a small red velvet box held out between us.

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