Page 37 of Go Deep

“Oohh, the season kickoff,” Kim says, leaning down so her lips can graze my ear. She squeezes my knee under the table. “How about a plus one?”

“I’ll be calling the game. There’s really no extra room in the booth.”

Her expression deflates, and she slowly risesback up. “Okay.”

The din of the restaurant patrons behind me drowns out whatever the hell Bob is saying. As Gabe Kelly moves past the hostess stand and enters the dining room, camera phones flash and my eyes track his every step.

My breath hitches when his shielded gaze latches onto mine. His lips curl up the slightest bit, and he slows down before passing me. He gives me a quick nod and a tight smile before heading to his table in a corner.

“They’ve ruined this restaurant for me,” Bob growls.

It’s only then that I recognize who Gabe is sitting with.

Bruce Hayes, my father’s biggest opponent, and one of the most liberal politicians in the country. Ohio is usually a red state, election after election. But this guy Hayes has a cult following, and if anyone can turn the tides, it’s him.

My father equally despises and fears him.

“They’ve completely taken over.” Bob does an about-face. “I refuse to eat here with them. Vince, you need to distance yourself from people like Gabe Kelly. He shows up to your events, now you’re in the same restaurant together. The party won’t like you being affiliated with him.”

Yeah. Well, it’s a good thing I don’t give a fuck what the party thinks.

It sounds good in my head, and my lips itch to speak the words. Eva widens her eyes, staring at me. Waiting for the shoe to drop.

“I don’t answer to the party, Bob. I answer to my clients.”

“If you want to keep the clients you have, I suggest you rethink your roster.” Bob’s eyebrows furrow, his dark eyes narrowing, daring me to argue.

I push my chair back and stand up, forcing Bob’s head upward since I have about five inches on him. “You know what I think? Maybe it’s time we draw up a separation agreement. It’s been years, and I’m sure you don’t want to keep yourmoney tied up in my business anymore when it could be working harder for you somewhere else.”

Bob recoils, his jaw crashing onto the floor. “You do realize that I’m your father’s biggest benefactor. Do you really want to cut me off? Do you know what that will mean for your father’s campaign?”

“I do.” I lean toward him. “Absolutely nothing. And do you know how I know that? Because you need someone like my father deep in your pocket. That’s the real reason why you’re backing him. You want control of anything you can get your hands on, and he’s your insurance. A guy like Bruce Hayes will cut off your balls if he gets the chance. You need my father to keep Bruce working as a community organizer in his home state of California.”

Bob isn’t the type of guy to be struck speechless and fuck, the silence is music to my ears after listening to too many years of his bullshit. Even Kim has no words.

“I’ve got to make a call. Excuse me.” I push past Bob and Kim and stalk toward the men’s room. The hallway is empty. I slam my hands against the door and push it open. At least the place is empty. My fist itches to punch a hole in the mirror, the wall, Bob’s face, all of the above.

I lean forward, my hands on either side of the sink.

Everything was fine up until a couple of weeks ago. I have everything I could possibly need. My business is thriving, my career booming.

I could ignore the little voice inside of my head that kept needling me, begging for more.

And then Gabe Kelly walked into my conference room, and ever since that day, the voice will not shut the fuck up.

Because I don’t care about what I have anymore…only what Idon’thave.

What I desperately want.

Freedom…andhim.

Chapter 16

Gabe

Ilisten with half an ear to the group of men surrounding me at the table. The rest of my focus is on the gorgeous brunette sitting across the restaurant.

Alone.

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