Page 5 of An Impossible Love
“Gotcha.” He chuckled softly. “Only four more of these.”
“Yup.” She gave him a quick smile as she spotted him across the hotel ballroom. She knew Duke found these kind of close scrutiny jobs dull, but she loved them, loved trying to work out the psychology of people’s body language. She saw the Senate leader approaching President Bennett. Robert Runcorn had been a close ally of Brookes Ellis until the scandal broke, then he quickly dumped his connection to him. A weasel, Runcorn nevertheless wanted Bennett to pardon Ellis and had been very vocal about it in the press.
Orin sighed inwardly as he saw Rob Runcorn approach from out of the corner of his eye. Orin had been enjoying talking to the invited guests, particularly some young people who had served their communities and were inspirations to their peers. He really didn’t want Runcorn to interrupt them with yet another passive aggressive rant about Brookes Ellis. Orin saw Emerson Sati watching Runcorn, too, and felt a rush of gratitude. If Runcorn got too forceful, he knew she would step in.
AndGoddamndid she look beautiful in that red dress. Her long, almost black, hair fell in soft waves beyond her shoulders, and her body in that dress was…
“Mr. President? May I have a moment of your time?” Damn it. He’d lost focus, and now Rob Runcorn had seen an opportunity.
“Of course, Rob, always a pleasure,” Orin said smoothly. He shook the other man’s hand while studying him. Prematurely aged, Runcorn was only in his late fifties but looked a decade older. Too many good dinners and port, Orin guessed, but nevertheless, he stepped away from the group he’d been speaking to with an apologetic smile. “What can I help you with, Bob?”Like I don’t know.
“I know this may not be the most appropriate place to speak with you about this, but… Brookes Ellis.”
Orin sighed inwardly. “Bob, you’re right, this isn’t the time or the place. Can’t we just enjoy tonight without mention of former President Ellis?”
“You know it’ll be the first thing we bring to the table in your administration.”
“I do know, and look, I’ll be ready and willing to listen to what you have to say. Whatbothparties have to say. But, Bob, I must warn you. I don’t take these allegations lightly. There will be no soft soaping of the investigation, and if there is even a hint of President Ellis being involved, he will have to face the consequences.”
Runcorn’s face was significantly less friendly after Orin had finished speaking. With a sneer on his face, he gave Orin a humorless smile. “Well, we’ll just have to see how that investigation pans out.” He looked around the room and saw Emerson lurking beside them, listening to their conversation. He knew she was a Secret Service agent.
“Tell me, President Bennett, what was your criteria when choosing your detail? Ability to look good on the job?”
Orin’s smiled vanished. “Bob, if you have something to say, say it. My personal detail is none of your business, but I’ll say this. The agents chosen were selected for their outstanding service. Most of them are former military. Tell me, Bob, did you serve?” He knew full well that Bob Runcorn had never stepped foot on a military base in his life, let alone been on the front line.
Bob muttered something that sounded like a sarcastic “Congratulations, Mr. President” and moved away.
Orin met Emerson’s gaze. “Don’t pay any attention to him, Emmy. He’s a jerk.”
Emerson flushed. “Thank you, Mr. President.”
“Have you eaten anything?”
Emerson shook her head, glancing around the room. She wasn’t supposed to be talking to him, but she couldn’t exactly ignore the President if he wanted to talk.
“No, sir. Not while I’m on duty.” She gave him a quick smile but tried to communicate to him that she would get in trouble for not focusing. Orin seemed to understand her silent plea.
“Well, you’re all doing a great job, Agent Sati. Carry on.”
“Yes, sir.”
He touched her arm then moved away to talk to some more of his invited guests, and Emmy sighed with relief. After Duke’s comments earlier, she felt more than a little paranoid about her colleagues wondering if the president was playing favorites.
That was the stuff of fantasy, she told herself, and she should not fantasize about him while she was trying to protect him. Besides, she barely knew the man. He might turn out to be one of those sleazy guys who thought every woman he saw was his personal property—not uncommon in men of power. There must be a reason he never married.
Emmy pushed these thoughts away, and the evening progressed. The president attended all the official balls, and even some of the unofficial ones, delighting a coterie of elderly charity mavens as his presence lit up their small gathering.
Emmy saw Lucas visibly relax the further they got toward midnight. She knew his work ethic sometimes caused him significant stress—which he didn’t show—but she’d learned how to read her boss and mentor. She shot him a quick smile as she passed, tailing the president as he finally began saying his goodnights.
The team escorted Bennett back to the White House and at last, their relief took over. Before he went to the Lincoln bedroom, he thanked them. “Great job today, guys. Thank you all.”
He winked at Emmy who nodded, hiding a smile. “Thank you, Mr. President.”
“Seriously, when you’re off duty, please call me Orin.”
“Yes, Mr. President,” Emmy shot back immediately, and they all laughed. Orin held up a hand.
“Fair enough. Goodnight, all.”
