Page 10 of The Fixer

“People normally begin this shit way before now, Raithe. You’ve basically dropped this in my lap weeks before you intend to announce your bid for the presidency. The competition isn’t going to just come out and announce their running. At least not those who are serious about running for the presidency,” I muttered with pain beginning between my eyes. Rubbing my forehead where the ache was the worst, I considered everything I’d need which was overwhelming with the limited time he’d allowed me to smear the competitors.

“You’ve not had anyone else beginning your campaign, which leaves me spiraling in a nose dive to play catch up and getting ahead of the others who’ve started already. You should’ve already had someone picked, and working as a campaign manager. There’s too much shit that should’ve been collected before now.” Pausing, I chewed my lip. “Most of these assholes will play coy and state they’re not running so they can get a feel of voters’ opinions before doling out the cash to run. That’s where it gets tricky because, if they wait too long to announce it while earning donations, it’s illegal. Which side are you leaning?”

“Independent,” he replied, forcing my eyes to round as my eyebrows pushed up on my forehead.

“No independent candidate has ever won the presidency,” I warned.

“Yet,” he corrected with a dark glint in his stare. “For the last fifty years, this world has been a tailspin, and it’s only getting worse. Someone has to step in and pull the country out of it. America is the giant of most markets. When we sink, everyone else rises around us. I won’t let that happen.” He’d spoken with conviction, but it would be impossible.

“You’re asking for the impossible,” I whispered. My mind was already running every scenario, watching each one crash as swiftly as the one before it. “We would need to find people willing and able to financially back your bid and donate for your campaign. We’d also need to find senators, and other influential people to endorse you for the campaign trail.”

“It isn’t impossible, Elle,” he purred with a dangerous glint glimmering in his stare. “You have the influence needed to gain backers, as well as your little black book of blackmail you keep hidden for rainy days.” Standing, I began pacing in front of him. He was freaking nuts! “I’m fully aware of how powerful you truly are, and how you win so easily. You’ve kept tabs on the elite, and your little filthy ledger of their crimes has yet to be used against them. To win, you’ll need to finally bring it out and use it.”

“I didn’t keep ledgers to use against them for you. Those ledgers are to use in the event I overstep, or make powerful enemies. It’s my get out of jail free card, Mr. Dravyn. It’s not intended for blackmailing political adversaries.”

“It wasn’t, but I’m certain you’ll be using it against those who seek to ruin my reputation. It will come in handy considering the shit you’ve collected on those in powerful positions, which includes the current sitting president himself,” Raithe stated with a smile curving his deliciously full lips. “When you and I are finished winning, you’ll have the most powerful and influential man to get you out of any issues you find yourself in.” His eyes dared me to argue, which infuriated me more than the smug, arrogance simmering in his persona.

“I have a question,” Atlas said softly, causing Ransom to snort in his direction. Turning toward him, I waited. “How do you choose who to hire? Because I’ve watched you enter a room and stand in the shadows completely unnoticed. You’re reading the room, but I don’t know how you can do it. It’s as if you’re waiting for something, and the moment you find it, you head directly for it. So, how do you know which one to choose?”

I considered how much to tell him before saying, “Reading a room is the easiest part of my job. I’m looking for key players who aren’t afraid to make powerful enemies. Most of the people assume that, to win, you need the most powerful and richest man or woman in the room on your side. That’s a false narrative. The person with everyone around them seeking approval is the mark and usually a lost cause. Chances are his funds are locked up in offshore accounts, yachts, and properties. That type of man is normally one poor decision away from being bankrupt. You can’t count on him because of it. He’s only in it for himself and doesn’t care about anyone else. There’s also the fact that you can’t tell him anything because he believes that, since he’s rich, he knows everything already. Those around him aren’t worth bothering with, either. They crave to be him or are trying to fuck him for a chance at a golden ticket baby shake they can cash in on. They are vultures, seeking a chance to better their own lives. There’s no one in that crowd who can add or bring anything worthwhile to the table. When I read a room, I’m looking for a few things on the faces of those who aren’t crowded around the richest man. Bitterness, because it’s a sickness I don’t want around me. Curiosity because of their openness to learn is welcomed. Annoyance is another one. If someone is annoyed, they likely have the balls to snuff off the richest man in the room, and I love people with balls who aren’t afraid to piss people off.” Grinning at holding his attention captive, I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.

“So, that’s it? You just pick the people who look annoyed or curious?” Atlas actually looks a bit confused, so I take pity on him.

“No. I actually look for the second richest man in the room. He’ll be the one watching the mark but isn’t interested in worshipping at his feet for acknowledgement. He wants to be him, so I promise him that and then he and I collect the others of his mindset. We become the richestgroupwithin the room, and it’s our call what we do from there. By the time I’m ready to leave that room, I’m the most powerful one in it. I hold money, power, and best of all, I hold the influential like-minded men with similar goals.”

“That’s smart,” Atlas stated, leaning forward and smiling. “Is it true that you’re a walking lie detector? Or that you house the ability to read minds?”

“Wouldn’t that be neat?” I asked, concealing my shock.

“That isn’t an answer,” Raithe rasped with a warning in his tone.

“Is it true you’re an immoral demon from the bowels of hell who seduces maidens? Or that you’ve been alive longer than the land you claim to want to help has been named? Is it true that, once you seduce a maiden, she becomes yours for eternity?” I rattled on, somehow concealing the gasp of surprise as he rose, closing the space between us swiftly.

Our breath mingled as he trailed his nose down my cheek. “I guess you’ll figure those questions out once I have you screaming my name to the rafters.”

“You just made me your campaign manager, Mr. Dravyn,” I whispered with a heavy tongue. “That means we’re not fucking.”

“We’ll see about that,” he purred as his finger trailed down my cheek. “I’ve never been one for rules, but I enjoy breaking them.”

“I’m a professional,” I said, uncertain why my voice was quivering. “Give me the same respect you would your men. In fact, treat me like I’m just another one of the guys.”

His lips jerked up to reveal his dimples, but the dangerous look burning in his eyes was terrifying. Dropping his hand, he stepped back and lowered his head with a predatory visage sending my innards into a frenzy of confused emotions.

“What do you need from me to get started?”

“I want my shit back. I’ll need the book, my phone, and also my computer so I can access my clients, files, and I need all of my team here,” I answered, fighting the rapid beat of my racing heart.

He withdrew his phone from his pocket, ran his thumb over it, and slid it away again. Stepping toward me once more, he gave me a withering look before speaking in a cold, merciless tone, causing the hair on my nape to rise.

“Your team is not to be told why you’re really doing this job. One whisper about what I hold over your head, and I push the kill switch. You don’t want to be an orphan, do you?” Shaking my head once, I felt my heart-rate spike as anger shot through my center. “Good girl.” The dark, smoky scent of bergamot mixing with whiskey crowded my space, easing my fear. “The less your team knows about how I secured your employment, the better.”

“If you expect them to follow me blindly, you’re not as smart as I assumed you were. I built my team from people who are the best at their craft. I’ve earned their loyalty, but I don’t force them to follow me. If they wish to be on this assignment, so be it,” I purred breathily.

“See that they fall in line, or they’ll end up chained in the dungeon until we’ve concluded our business. I am not someone who makes idle threats, Miss Reed. I am the monster you’ve been warned about and so much more.”

Swallowing hard past the thickness in my throat, I nodded. “I’ll do my best to achieve what you’ve asked of me. The moment I have, you will release me.”

“I said I’d release you once you’ve done what I require of you. I am a man of my word, after all.” Licking my lips, I watched the sinister fever igniting in his turbulent gaze. “I will taste you before you leave here, though. One way or another, I will know how you feel beneath me, whimpering in pleasure. Before I free you, I shall know all of your darkest, filthiest secrets.”

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