Page 20 of A Man of Power

“They want to give me campaign money. They are also trying to merge with another big pharma company. I’m just curious what you think about them, as a doctor and all.”

Aiden shrugs. “I mean, I guess they are fine. I know they have a lot in research and development right now. I had one of their reps telling me about some products that she thinks they’ll have on the market in a few years. Sounds cool, very cutting-edge stuff that manages pain for patients during surgery.”

He stops and frowns before continuing. “Just be careful, I know you want to work with these companies but not all of them are well-intentioned. It’s a business, after all.”

“I know,” I agree as I put my phone down.

“You want me to look into them some more?” he asks with a raised eyebrow.

“Maybe, just put out some feelers,” I say as I sip my drink. My entire life is about who I know and who people I know are acquainted with.

“There’s a gala coming up for that robotics company that Bradley is repping,” Conner grunts as he looks at his phone.

I chuckle. “Better swipe right on someone, then.”

I watch him swipe right and shake my head. There’s always something to do for the brotherhood. The ties are thicker than blood. When our brothers need us, we are there. This means we have obligations nearly every week. In three weeks, Paul and Paxton’s firm has their annual charity event. Kevin does a fundraiser for a program at the FBI each year for disadvantaged youths. Hell, I’ve sponsored at least a dozen kids at the camp every year.

“Have you asked Jason what he thinks?” Aiden inquires.

I shake my head. I do what I have to in order to support him and I certainly did my fair share to get him elected, but I wouldn’t reach out to him directly. I’m surprised Aiden asked me that.

Aiden shrugs. “I mean, if he wants you to win the Senate seat, then he probably would make sure your donors are on the up-and-up.”

Conner starts laughing and I soon follow. Aiden groans. “You know what I mean. He wouldn’t want some scandal being leaked.”

I know full well what Aiden meant, but I can’t help teasing him a bit. No one is on the up-and-up in this city. Not even Aiden.

“Maybe you should bring Alexis to the gala,” Conner interjects after our laughter dies down.

I turn away from him and stare out at his pool. Its lights are on, making it glow blue in the vast darkness of his yard. He’s not wrong. It’s a good place for Alexis to meet many elites. She could network with other staffers who might be attending. However, normally, I’d bring an actual date to the event. Of course, normally, I’m dating someone.

It’s been a few months since I broke it off with Monique Princhard, a model who I met at a party in New York.

Her father is also a senator. I got tired of playing her games. She needs a man who will do what she wants, a boy to boss around. She didn’t like my need to control and dominate.

“I guess I could bring her,” I mumble as I finish my drink. “I should go. I have work to do.”

“Seriously, you just got here,” Conner argues. “We haven’t even played yet.”

Conner typically has a standing poker game in his game room. Our nights together usually end in there with each of us wagering more money than we should. Sometimes others join us, but many nights, it’s just the three of us. In many ways, it’s been just the three of us since the beginning.

“Not tonight. I have emails to read,” I note as I shove my phone in my pocket. “But you two enjoy.”

“Fucking asshat,” Conner mutters under his breath.

“Takes ones to know one, Pound,” I reply as I exit the way I came in and head back to my home. Time to dive into the research Alexis has pulled for me. Time to find out if Confervo is the right match for my campaign.

Chapter10

Alexis

Workingon a Friday night isn’t for everyone, but I still haven’t finished a project. So, after doing my law school homework, I head back to the office. I shut my door and start researching Confervo again. I’ve sent my initial research to Sebastian, yet I want to dig deeper. My intuition tells me something is off about Jared and Confervo, but I’m not sure what.

A news alert pops up on my phone and I glance over at it.

Missing College Student’s Body Found in Rock Creek Park

I click on the link, ignoring my work as I push back from my desk. This is the second woman under the age of twenty-five that has gone missing in Rock Creek Park over the last month. This woman was a year younger than me. She should be getting ready to graduate, not lying in a morgue.

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