Page 69 of Tarek

“No. She is not pregnant. But I do need her.”

I sit on a single chair and fixed the end of my dress. “Explain.”

“Don’t tell mom about this she will freak out. I got invited to join a secret organization called the Quarter Masters.” He stops by the fireplace and awaits my response.

“Um yay? The Quarter Masters sound like men who should be on Epstein’s watch list.” I never understand what rich men in particular have with secret organizations. It’s like they have to feel special that they belong to something that only a selected few can do.

“Why do you need Mrs. Potato Head?”

Shaking his head, Archer pressed his 6’4 frame against the fireplace. “Luckily, she was on the list of women given to me to choose for marriage. It’s the first step to enter.”

A slow form of laughter erupts from my stomach. “What shit is that? They gave you a list of women who they approved, and you agreed to it? Why?”

“I shouldn’t be telling you any of this,” he replies, as he passes his hand over his Caesar cut.

“But you are. Why doesn’t mom agree?” My mom, like other mothers, tends to be over dramatic but if she is adamant about something it should be considered.

“She said she heard of the men and none of them are good. She said I should

stay away from them.” Archer’s lips fold in like he is trying to hold it all in. “If I join, there is a guarantee that I will win the election.”

I stare at my brother in disbelief. “That can’t be right. Votes dictates a winner for an election.”

He smirks, folding his arms staring at me, “Power wins elections. People are allowed to vote because it makes them feel safe, like they are part of something, when they are not.”

When I thought of politics, I never understood why my brother was so enraptured with it. I know he wants to do good but as I told him once there are other ways.

“What does Roxanne think about this?” I ask. Roxanne is my brother’s personal assistant. From the start of his career, she has been the voice of reason. Where was she anyway?

“I don’t know what’s going on with Roxanne,” His cheeks reddens when he says her name and his jaw clenches. Oh, that is new.

“What do you mean you don’t know what’s up with Roxy? Where is she by the way?” I have never seen Archer without Roxanne at his side. Even when he was on a date, Roxy would be right there in the restaurant waiting for him.

“Do you know Roxanne has breasts and legs? Oh, she also has a firm ass too. All these years—” He breaks off. His eyebrows furrow, and his forehead creases.

“I mean, she is a woman. She wears boring suits, but any fool can see she has a banging body under those clothes.”

“I guess I am a fool.” He stops to look at the books on the library shelf and continues to talk. My focus is pulled by the vibrating phone in my clutch.

My heart leaps hoping it’s Tarek.

Opening my phone, I was not disappointed.

Tarek

You know when I was in my twenty’s I would send girls a pic of my dick.

Me

Why did you stop?

I can still hear Archer talking but I have no idea what he is speaking about.

Tarek

It would end up in the girls’ group chat.

Me