Page 95 of Executive Decision
“That’s fair. As a political animal, I would do the same thing. If I were you, I’d want freedom. If you want my selfish opinion as the man who loves you and would like to love you openly, I want this wrapped up so I can finally shout it from the rooftops.”
“Cal, we still have to worry about my board prospects, the shake-up, the coup?—”
“If we can finalize this much, Daphne, we’re one step closer to me being able to let out the truth and love you in daylight. I want that. I selfishly want that above all else,” I said.
She brushed my face. “I want to love you in daylight, too, Cal Markham.”
PARTIV
A NEW DAY
33COPPING TO IT
Daphne
Cal droppedme at home for the first time—babying me as I stepped into the foyer. This morning, my entire body ached from my unceremonious booting off a cagey flight animal. It wasn’t the first time I’d come off a horse by a long stretch—but it was the worst yet. Getting old was a bitch.
Mum rushed in, frightened at my disheveled appearance.
“Oh, my goodness, Daphne Eugenia! What happened!?”
“I fell off a horse and got a little banged up. I’m okay. Or I will be.”
Standing there, I prayed she didn’t ask me why I was in a pair of scraped-up breeches and one of Cal’s shirts. My breeches got a run through the washer last night, mostly removing the stains, but my polo was toast.
“What do you mean?”
“I went on a ride with a friend and came off,” I said. “I have a couple of bruised ribs. Other than that, I’m okay.”
“Bruised ribs? Oh my God!”
I braced, as she hadn’t yet acknowledged Cal’s presence. Her eyes flitted from me to him, and I winced internally. If I were Mum, I’d havequestions. I’d want to know what was going on. While I’d feared this moment, I knew it was time to come clean. I couldn’t love Cal in any meaningful, good way without at least telling Mum. I lived with her. She was owed an explanation.
“How did you get roped into this, Cal?” Mum laughed. “Last I heard, you hated horses.”
“I still do—especially now,” Cal chuckled nervously. “It was Chloe’s horse. I took care of her following the incident. My whole family feels terrible, Lady Danna.”
“Darling, why were you with Chloe on her horse?” Danna asked.
“She… invited me out.” I looked at Cal with trepidation.
“Well, Cal, thank you for taking care of her. I’ll take it from here. I feel bad for you getting roped into this. You must have better things to do.”
“Not really. It’s a Sunday. Even I get to take a day off sometimes.” He shifted, looking at me.
It was now or never.
Breathing as deeply as my ribs allowed, I choked, “He’s sort of obligated?—”
“Because of Chloe’s mad horse?”
I could have let it go and laughed it off, but I’d deny everything.
“No,” I said sternly. “Because we’ve been seeing each other. This is the guy.”
“The one you went on the pill for?” Mum stammered. “The… the man you’ve been spendingallyour free time with?”
“Yes,” I answered.
