Page 109 of Dirty Politics

“No!” Liv said. “No, not until the Political Action Conference.”

“Ah,” Steph said. “That makes sense.”

“What?”

“You were really happy after that trip, so we figured you were having a fling with someone.”

“We just didn’t guess it was Senator Sterling,” Ben said, shaking his head. “This is blowing my mind a bit.”

“I was such an idiot,” Liv said. “I think he was just trying to neutralize me.”

“Gross,” Ben said.

“That’s some really dirty politics.”

“I thought I knew him. I spent Christmas with his family,” Liv said. “They were wonderful; he was wonderful.”

“He didn’t want a real relationship though, right?” Ben said.

“No,” Liv said. “I was the one who wanted to keep it a secret. I thought it would make me look bad.”

“Huh?” Ben said. “That doesn’t make much sense. He was just using you, but he also wanted to go public? I don’t get it.”

Steph shrugged. “You can’t get into the mind of a psychopath.”

“I thought he actually liked me,” Liv said, tears rolling down her face. “I was starting to think we could have something long-term, and this whole time he was using me to get what he wanted.”

“Fuck that guy,” Steph said. “He messed with the wrong people.”

“This means wars,” Ben said.

“Absolutely,” Liv said.

Chapter Forty-Five

“Hey, brother,” Declansaid, as Will exited the plane. “Glad you made it.”

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