Page 149 of Deceit

I gradually put some space between us and turned to face my boyfriend, wearing his cheap smile that I never noticed before.

Maybe it’s faux because I’m tipped off to some bullshit that Alexander got himself into or wanted all along. And now I’m curious about what he’s done, so I play it as cool as possible.

“Now, what is this about?” I ask, giving myself some space between us. “Who is this Chung-Ho—what was the last name?” I dawn ignorance because it’s the best policy to avoid this conversation and get my bearings.

“I was just speaking with Senator Evans this evening, and he mentioned funding his campaign while offering me a position.”

“In politics?”

“Something like that.” I don’t get to answer because he continues rambling. “My brother is a congressman in—“

“What?”

What the hell?

I didn’t know he had a brother in Congress. He just suggested he was always busy and never got to speak with him.

Maybe if you would’ve asked more questions…

“Yeah, babe, I told you. In New Hampshire.”

I shake my head. “No, I would’ve caught on to that.”

“Might’ve been when you were falling asleep.”

As reasonable as that sounds, I feel like that comment would’ve woken me up. I didn’t want my home life to be involved in politics even though Wade was governor; that’s as far as I’d let it in.

“Anyway, my brother, Warren, is wanting to be put on the Republican ballot for President in the future. So I’ve been playing nice with politicians who I’ve helped run stocks and IRAs for.”

“What does that have to do with that guy?”

“Do you know him?” He lifts a brow, and I shake my head.

“Never heard of him.”

“Damn—“ He rubs the slight stubble along his jaw. “—he’s a dangerous dude.”

I step closer. “Why? Is your brother in trouble?”

“He mentioned that he’s been approached by a group of men who wanted to sell him nuclear weapons. To get into the black market of—“

“That’s insane. You have to tell him no.”

Alexander hits me with ano-shitlook. “Emmy, I know. But he’s the oldest child. He’s an asshole. He wants alliances with many powerful people, Americans and the like.”

“But if this gets out, it’d ruin him.”

“He’s pretty adamant on this.”

“Has your family been threatened?”

Alexander shakes his head then slowly stops. “I mean…there are always threats. We’re a powerful family. You know how the rich work with their jealousy and need for ultimate power.”

I shrug. “I don’t have access—“

“No, no—“ Alexander steps closer, setting the hairs on my arms on end. “—I’m not asking you for nukes or the codes for things like that. My brother would like to speak with him.”

I would ask him why but he’s not going to tell me. He wouldn’t want me to worry.

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