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“I’ll be back as soon as I can then,” he said trying to keep the worry from his voice.
“Yes, Sir.” She paused. “And sir? Good luck.”
Oh geeze. This would not be good. Had the senator found out he was a member of Exposure? Or that he was dating Darci? Bradley made his way to the senator’s office.
On his way, he thought about his years working for the senator. It had been a good run. He hoped he wouldn’t get fired, but he honestly wasn’t sure what other options the man would have. Bradley’s involvement with the BDSM community would be a stain on the campaign, and if Atleigh wanted to be president that had to be addressed. A feeling of dread settled on his shoulders as he approached the senator’s door. His hand felt like lead as he raised it to knock.
“Come in,” the older man said. Bradley stepped into the room. “Sit down son.”
Bradley took a seat in the plush visitor's chair across from the senator’s desk.
“Care to tell me why we don’t have a research team together for my bill yet?” Bradley groaned. He had been holding off on that hoping the senator would back away from the idea. Apparently, that wasn’t going to happen.
“I apologize, sir. The team has been busy getting ready for you to hit the campaign trail next week. If it’s still on your priority list, I’ll get Cassie to put something together today. But as your chief of staff and soon to be campaign manager, I have to say I don’t think this type of legislation is something you want your name attached to right now.”
“I want it done Bradley, and I want it done yesterday. The police aren’t doing anything to catch this killer, and I want people to know I give two damns and want to prevent this sort of thing from happening again.”
Bradley sighed. “Yes, sir.” He wondered if he should tell him that he was dating Darci. It would probably be better coming from him.
“Sir, in the interest of full disclosure, I need to tell you my girlfriend is head of media operations for the ACSL.”
“Is that the redhead I spoke to at the benefit last night? She’s a spitfire.”
Bradley grinned. “Yes, sir. That she is.”
“I don’t care who you see outside the office. Just remember that everything you do here is confidential.”
“Yes, sir,” Bradley said.
He planned to ask Darci for some advice later.
“Is everything else OK, Senator? Some of the staff said you seemed upset when you came in this morning.”
Atleigh frowned. “I’ll have to apologize to your assistant. I might have taken her head off. It’s personal business. Nothing to be concerned about.”
“I’m here to help with anything you need, Senator. We can’t have you taking heads off on the campaign trail.”
“It will be OK, son, just keep doing the excellent work you always do. Now let’s get this day started. I need to be in the Senate chamber in a little while for some debate.” Bradley rose and shook the senator’s hand. He was grateful that his worst fears hadn’t come true yet. There was still a chance something could get out, especially if the killer struck again but for now, Bradley could breathe easy. He headed back to his office to clear the way for the senator to smooth things over with Adara.
“Adara, the senator says he didn’t mean to take your head off this morning. He’s dealing with some personal things that were clouding his mind. He’ll probably apologize himself later I just wanted to give you a heads up.”
“That’s a relief, boss. I sure am glad he wasn’t calling you in to fire you. But the way he was stomping around I had to wonder.”
“Adara, I didn’t know you cared so much,” he said with a wink.
“Oh, I don’t. I just don’t feel like having to train a new boss right before the campaign gets going,” she tossed back with a smirk.
“I see how it is.” They shared a laugh before Bradley explained what the senator wanted.
“It would be insubordinate of me to tell you to use the lousiest researchers we have, but I’m not going to tell you to use the best either.” Adara grinned in understanding.
“I’m bringing my girlfriend in later today to see if she has any advice.” His assistant scowled at the mention of Darci. “Give her a break please Adara, I promise she isn’t the enemy. I think the two of you would really get along if you wanted to.” The frown remained in place, but she nodded, and they moved on.
“I’ll need to talk to Charlie and Sandra too. Find a time all three of them can meet me here today.”
After she had written everything down, Bradley headed to his own office to get started on his day. Bradley looked over his schedule and winced when he realized he was going to need to work very late tonight. So much for finishing what he had started with Darci last night.
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