Page 99 of Protected
“I don’t know, baby. It’s a great idea, but I’m not sure if Sean will go for it. He wants me to stay out of the spotlight, not put myself in the middle of it.”
“That’s kind of what I figured. But I thought you could at least honor Peggy. You wouldn’t have to be open about your involvement in the club, just acknowledge that you two had a relationship that was consensual but different.”
They agreed to talk about it again after the senator was back in town. But right now, Bradley told her he just wanted to get her home and naked. Darci wasn’t sure how she felt about that with the goon squad having doubled in size and Peter hanging out in Bradley’s study. It wasn’t long though until he had her squirming under his skilled fingers, and she had forgotten all about the men in the other room. The next day, she went to work feeling a little lighter. Somehow, he had that kind of effect on her.
Halfway through the day, her assistant poked her head in the door. “I have Governor Givens on the line asking for you. Isn’t he running for president?” Darci paled.Oh Shit. What could he possibly want with me?
“Um, that’s fine, Kimberly. I’ll take the call.” She picked up the phone when it rang. “Governor, good to hear from you.”
“Please, call me Steve. Listen, I was calling to tell you I’m sorry about this mess you’re having to deal with. I saw the news about your friend Elise.”
“That’s very thoughtful of you. I’m assuming you’ve read about Bradley’s involvement.”
“Yes, that’s honestly why I’m calling. I’m wondering if he’s talked to you about what he wants to do. I tried to talk to him about working for me again, but he’s still against it.” So, he had talked to his parents. That’s good. With all the sexing last night she had forgotten to ask.
“I’m not sure I’m comfortable getting involved in that fight, sir.”
He laughed. “I understand. I just want what’s best for my boy. I don’t like the idea of him being dragged through the mud for his personal life choices.”Could this call get any more awkward?
“He hasn’t exactly asked for help, but I’ve been trying to come up with ways to help him spin it since I’m having to do damage control for my office anyway,” she told the governor.
Then she told him about her idea to have an ACSL fundraiser for the victims' families with Bradley in attendance. He thought it was a clever idea. “Bradley will kill me if he knows I’m talking about this with you, Steve.”
“I’ll keep this talk to myself, but if you need my help with anything, just let me know. You’re a bright girl. If I thought I could get you to leave your place with the ACSL, I would hire you.”
She laughed. “You’re just being nice.”
“Not at all, and I’ll make you a deal. If Atleigh says no to your idea, how about the ACSL throws an early endorsement my way and I’ll do the event. It may not be as strong of a statement coming from me, but I’m Bradley’s father and I met Elise once. Just think about it.”He met Elise?Bradley’s mom made it sound like they had never met any of Bradley’s other girlfriends.
“Wow. Definitely. I have to run it by my boss, but yes we’ll consider it.”
They said their goodbyes, and Darci laid her head on the desk. It was going to be impossible to keep the phone call from Bradley. The smart thing to do was call and tell him about it now. Then he couldn’t be mad at her for hiding something from him. Last time she kept something from him it had taken a few days to sit comfortably. Thinking of that now made her wince. She sighed and picked up the phone.
“Please don’t be mad at me,” she said instead of hello.
“Well, that’s a terrific way to start a conversation.”
“I’m serious. I need you to promise.”
“I’m going to regret this but fine. I promise. Now spill it,” he demanded.
“Your dad called me.” The line was quiet for a minute before Bradley spoke again.
“Yep, I regret it.”
“Now wait a minute. I didn’t call him. He called me,” Darci pointed out.
“You didn’t have to take the call.”
“I should at least get points for not hiding it from you.”
He laughed. “You’re right, baby girl. I’m sorry. Tell me what he said.”
She recounted their conversation. He kept his word and didn’t get mad at her. She had a harder time convincing him not to call his dad and yell at him.
“By the way, he said he met Elise,” Darci said.
“It wouldn’t surprise me. She’s done a lot of charity work for charities my family supports. That’s how we wound up on our one date.”
