Page 50 of Divine Sense

When the crowd erupted in claps and cheers, my attention was pulled towards the sidewalk and street once more. I recognized several men who were part of our security detail, sent here to make sure everything for the rally went off without a hitch. I made sure to be on my best behavior all morning not for my mother’s sake but for theirs. I’d actually chatted with one of the guys, Parker, before the rally started, catching up on his life and family. He was always one of the men who came to the campaign events and over time, I’d learned he had a wife and two kids. I wrote their youngest’s birthday down in my planner as a reminder to send a gift. I know I had given him and the other men a hard time when they first started working for our family but the more I got to know them, the more I started to like them.

“Miss Sinclair, this way please,” a voice called from the street. It was a reporter wanting to catch the image of the picture-perfect family for everyone around the city to see. Coming out of the web of thoughts I was in, I looked towards the man standing just off the stage and clasped my hands politely in front of my skirt. I leaned closer to my father who had a firm hand on the small of my back and gave the camera a wild smile. The photographer counted down and snapped the photo, saving this moment to history forever. Once he pulled the camera down from his face, he gave us a quick thumbs up and disappearedinto the crowd that was quickly dwindling. Our show of perfection now over.

“For a girl who went to a big fancy school and got a very expensive education, your head is truly full of air sometimes,” my mother hissed as we exited the stage. A few men in suits filed in behind us as we walked towards the company suburbans they had driven us here in from our plantation.

“Not now, Susan,” my father pressed firmly through a smile, waving towards the lingering onlookers and reporters who were watching us exit stage left. My mother pursed her lips together and gave me a look that chilled the deepest parts of my soul before stepping into the oversized SUV with blackout tinted windows. Parker was standing at the door as my parents slid in first and gave me a look as if to say,I’m sorry.I nodded my head at him and blew out a breath because at this point, I was used to the passive aggressive—okay obviously aggressive—remarks my mother liked to hurl in my direction.

Once he closed the door, Parker jumped into the driver’s seat and pulled away from the curb. As we made our way out of the city, I pulled my phone out of my purse—which my mother had demanded I leave in the car—and started to scan over the messages that were waiting for me. I tucked my lips around my teeth to stifle the smile that threatened to give me away when I noticed I had several missed texts from a certain secret someone.

Jack:

I think you’re at the rally, remember to be on your best behavior for my guys angel. You know you have to follow my rules or face your punishment for breaking them later.

I’m watching the rally on TV from my office. I like those shoes.

You should wear those the next time you come over. Keep ‘em on while I bend you over my knee and have my way with you.

How are you seriously so perfect? I haven’t heard a word anyone has said because I’m too distracted by you.

God you’re beautiful. I can’t wait see you again.

Finally making it to the end of the thread, my thumbs move feverishly across the screen.

Hey there handsome. I’ll happily wear the shoes the next time I see you

How did things go? You all looked great on the news.

It was fine. My mother only made me feel like a failure twice in the last three hours but that’s pretty good for her.

Wait, what?

I could just picture his strong brows pulled to the center of his chiseled face, looking at his phone with concern.

It’s nothing, I don’t want to talk about it anyway. Parker is driving us home and then my ‘daughter of a potential senator’ act is on pause for a few weeks.

Thank god.

My eyes flicked up towards my parents who were both on their phones. My mother, no doubt looking at the news headlines about our family and my father yammering away with his campaign manager. I loved my parents with everything I was, I just wish I felt like they loved me back in the same way.

Well here’s something that will hopefully make up for it.

I read his message in anticipation. Anything I got to do with him made me happy. Just thinking about him made me feel a level of happiness I hadn’t felt before. I’d come to realize this as we left his family home two weeks ago after he took me there for Sunday brunch. The way they welcomed me into their family with open arms and not a shred of judgment. Something I’d never experienced growing up with my own family.

Thursday through Sunday. Next week. You’re mine.

What if I already have plans?

I know that you don’t.

What are you, stalking me?

Stop being a brat about it and just do what you’re told.

I’ll pick you up in the morning. Be sure to pack an overnight bag.

Pack a bag? What the hell is he doing?

You’re really bossy.

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