Page 48 of Accepted Precedent
“What else is there to say? We want different things. I wasted most of my adult life waiting for… I don’t know what I was waiting for, but it wasn’t this.”
“What will you have me do, Evie? I’ll burn it all down if you want me to. I never said we were over. If that’s how you took it, I’m sorry. I’m done sneaking you into my house or hiding away in yours. None of us are happy. I’ll love you until the last breath, and even then, I’ll love you in the next lifetime.”
I turn in his arms. “Then do it—burn it down. The system is broken and I… I love you, Mick, and I also can’t live like this anymore.”
“I know. I don’t know how to fix it, but I promise I will.” He holds me closer and kisses my forehead, speaking against my skin, “My father warned that love would get in the way of the work Finn and I need to do here in Washington. He was right. Loving you could destroy everything my family’s built, but I would risk it all for you. So don’t ever doubt how I feel about you again.”
“I need action, not words. But more than that, I need to be more than a housewife who warms your bed,” I blurt, my hand flying to my mouth as the words tumble from me. “I didn’t mean that.”
“Yes you did… and you’re right. I have an idea, but it’ll have to wait until the morning. Stay with me tonight?” I blow out a shaky breath and nod once, keeping my gaze fixed on his chest. “No, angel. I’m not holding you captive like one of those books you read. If you want me to have my driver take you home, I’ll do it. But if you stay, I need to know it’s because you know with every fiber of your being that you belong here with me.”
“How does this end?”
Mick tilts my chin until I’m forced to look at him. “I can no longer answer that. I hold a lot of secrets—some aren’t mine to share. With what happened tonight, the entire political landscape I cultivated is on the brink of collapse. If you really want this—want me—I won’t leave you in the dark. You’ll need to help me claw out of it.”
I slide my hand into his and lead him to the bed. I pause before throwing back the covers. Mickey and his brother are the most influential men in Washington. Maybe it’s time they had a woman’s opinion? I’m tired of sitting on the sidelines, watching Andrew, Tim, and now Chris—or I guess Alex—live their political dreams.
I’m fucking done.
Mickey’s soft voice pulls me from my thoughts. “There’s a protest tomorrow.”
“I know; in front of the non-profit headquarters who support women’s reproductive health,” I add without second thought.
“Aye. We’re going to stop it.”
“We can’t,” I sigh, guilt ripping through my soul.
“Not as Evelyn Adams or Mickey Gallagher.” My gaze snaps to him. “As two people who believe in doing what’s right. We’ll prepare like the rest of the counter-protestors with masks, eye protection, signs we made ourselves, and I’ll have my security team and the D.C. police chief on speed dial in case things escalate. I’ll never let anything happen to you, but no one will know it’s us.”
“You can’t. What about the little switch the Blake brothers did? You’re too busy for a counter-protest.”
“If you figured it out, it’s only a matter of time before others do as well. But it doesn’t matter; Finn can handle the fuckin’ twins. I love you, and you need to get your fire back. We’re going. I was wrong to let you remain married to Andrew, when you should’ve been married to me. I let you shrink to this… Fuck, Evie, I’m so sorry.”
It was only supposed to be two years. We all screwed up, and he’s right—everything is a mess—but I’m done living small. I lift onto my toes and kiss the only man I need more than the air I breathe. I’m done pretending, done being fucking arm candy, done giving the men in my life everything they want while I’m ready for more. We have one life and I’m not going to waste another minute of it.
I can’t get close enough, clawing at him as he grips my thighs and wraps my legs around his waist. He sits on the bed, and his hard cock nearly slips inside me and he chuckles, “Slow down, angel,” but doesn’t break away. “I love you, Evelyn. Let me make this right.”
“I love you too, but we’re doing this together.”
Chapter 21
Andrew
Iwake before my alarm to my phone vibrating. With a groan, my eyes flutter open, and I reluctantly check it.
Finn Gallagher
Wake up, arsehole. We need to prep.
My phone clock reads four. That can’t be right. I glance at the blinding red digits on the alarm clock—also four.
Prep what?
For your meeting this morning.
I’ve got it handled.
No, you don’t. The so-called investor who contacted you is part of the PAC who funded your opponent from the last election.
