Page 64 of Billionaire's Dangerous Desire

“You made sure of that didn’t you.” I say and she gives me a sly smile.

“Just doing my job as a concerned citizen. Don’t judge me too harshly.” She says and I roll my eyes.

“I called you in here today to have a civilized conversation with you Stella, not because you deserve it, but because your children don’t deserve to see their mothers face splattered all over the news and tabloids.”

Luca hands her a file and I know what she sees in it.

All the evidence we’ve gathered against her, confessions, pictures, recorded conversations. It’s all in there, clear as day. I watch the voy look on her face turn to fear then morph into anger.

“What is this? Are you going to threaten me? Make me give up the race? Is that your big game Luca? I didn’t take you too o be a cowering coward.”

There’s so much venom in her words I wonder how she has managed to hide it all this time.

“I’m not clearing, I’m giving you an out, an opportunity to save yourself, and your family, leave this town, this state, this tucking country even. You are poison and I will not stand by and watch you destroy this place.” Luca says and I see he’s barely succeeding in keeping his anger at bay. So I jumó in.

“We’re offering you a deal Stella, drop out of the race, leave town, go wherever you want, do whatever you want, just don’t come near us again because then it will get ugly. You have that mightily successful bakery right?

How about you focus on that huh? Make a good honest living for yourself”

I know for a fact that her bakery is collapsing, neglect will do that to a business.

“So this was your plan all along right? To drive me out of town?”

She says standing up.

“Fuck you, fuck the race, fuck this stupid town. I don’t want any of it. But don’t for a second, think that you’ve won because you haven’t”

Luca and I watch her storm out of the office and for the first time, she doesn’t look as glamorous to me. A huge fucking win if you ask me. Luca and I share a smile. Then he says,

“Let’s go home baby.”

* * *

It’sthe day of the elections and Ryan is positively freaking out. He has changed his tie three times and was just about to change it again when I cornered him in his dressing room.

“Hey sunshine, what are you doing?”

“Changin my tie, what does it look like I’m doing Evelyn? He snaps and I shake my head.

“Your tie is not what everyone wants to see Ryan, that’s not what determines if you win or not.”what the hell are you talking about? Of course it matters, these people are vultures. I am going to go out there and I’ll die and they will pick on my very dead carcass.” He says and I can tell he’s spiraling.

“Hold on big guy.” I say and I pick out another tie for him, a plain black tie.

“No one can ever have a thing against black” I say and knot it around his neck.

“Ryan, you’re an openly, very gay man running for mayor, that alone is historical. You’re making fucking history, what you do today opens the door for many others to follow after you. Today you give true meaning to democracy. You should be proud of that because I am, I am so proud of you. I have seen you give this thing your best these last months and it’s inspiring, I know everyone out there is going to see that. You’re great and I know you know that, you just have to make yourself remember.”

I Pat his tie down and by the time I’m done he’s calm.

He bends and engulfs me in a hug that is so him,

“Thank you, thank you so much, for coming to this time, coming into my life. I could not have made it this far without you.” I smile at that and fight back my tears. It’s not the time for tears, this is a happy occasion.

“Go out there and bring us our mayorship buddy.”

ChapterTwenty-Nine

He won. Ryan won.

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