Page 52 of The Senator's Wife

“What are you drinking?” Fred asked, raising his hand to their waiter, who was there in an instant.

“I’ll have a Jefferson’s straight up,” Whit said, glancing at the other drinks on the table. “How about you two? Are you ready for another?”

“We’re good,” Fred said.

Madelyn had yet to say another word or even look at him. Whit regarded the two of them, fascinated as always by their unlikely union. Even in the obviously custom-made suit he wore, Fred managed to look sloppy and coarse, his face beefy red like raw meat, his reptilian eyes disappearing into fleshy cheeks. Madelyn looked smashing in an emerald-green dress that hugged her body, her raven hair swept back in a bun and her makeup flawless. Itwas almost comical to imagine them having sex, although he knew they both found their pleasure outside of the bed they shared.

In minutes, the waiter set Whit’s drink before him and withdrew.

“Cheers.” Fred lifted his glass and drank, smacking his lips in satisfaction. “Before we get on to the reelection committee, let’s talk about the other properties coming up. They’ve been checked out? Is Peterson sure this won’t happen again?”

“Everything’s under control with Peterson. Don’t worry.” Whit took a long swig of bourbon and leaned toward Fred. The man spoke in rapid-fire bursts, in a long-winded summation of what he expected in return for his weighty support. Whit had heard it all before. Every senator and congressman had. No one was going to give millions to your campaign and get nothing in return; that wasn’t how it worked. His mind wandered as Fred droned on. He almost jumped when he suddenly felt something push against his crotch but managed to maintain his composure. It was Madelyn’s foot, warm and teasing. He gulped. When he looked at her, she smiled, licking her lips seductively.

Whit sat back, trying to distance himself. What the hell was she doing? This was the last thing he needed right now, especially with Fred sitting inches away from him. From the corner of his eye, he could see Madelyn’s mocking expression.

“Gotta hit the head.” Fred grunted as he pushed his chair back from the table. He pointed to his empty glass. “Order me another, won’t you?”

As soon as he was out of earshot, Madelyn spoke. “I thought he’d never leave.” She looked around the crowded restaurant. “If we were somewhere more private, I’d use this time to give you a little handy, but I guess this will have to do for now.” She pulled out her phone and tapped. Whit heard the whoosh of an incoming text on his phone. He glanced down. A video.

“Play it. There’s no sound. Fred will be a while. His prostate doesn’t make peeing easy.” She made a disgusted face.

“Madelyn, this isn’t the time…”

“Don’t make me make a scene.”

She was nuts. He hit play. It was Madelyn, although you couldn’t see her face. But he knew her body. He watched in fascination as she stripped, then opened her legs and began to touch herself. Heat spread to his face, and he became aroused. He had to turn it off. When he looked up at her, she licked her lips slowly. “Watch till the end, lover.”

“Madelyn, please.”

“Put your damn cellphone away.” Fred’s voice boomed behind him.

Whit swiped quickly and put the phone into his jacket pocket.

Fred shook his head. “I’m so sick of those damn things. All everyone does is stare at those tiny screens all day long. Worst invention ever. I’m starving. Let’s order.”

“Darling, I’m not feeling so well. I’m getting a migraine. Would you mind if I had Derek take me home?” Madelyn smiled sweetly.

“He’s running an errand for me. I told him we’d be here at least two hours.” Fred grabbed a roll, buttered it, and stuffed it into his mouth, then pointed at Whit with his knife. “Let’s eat and then you can run her home. I have to meet someone later anyway.”

Shit. What the hell could he say? He was sick and tired of being Fred’s errand boy, but now was not the time to assert his independence. “Sure, Fred.”

They made small talk until dinner arrived, and after they were finished, Fred nodded toward Madelyn. “Why don’t you drop her home now.” He waved his hand in dismissal.

Madelyn kissed Fred on the cheek and stood. “Thanks, baby doll. See you at home.”

As they exited the restaurant and rounded the corner to Whit’s car, Madelyn gave him a seductive look. “My headache’s gone, surprise, surprise.”

He bit the inside of his cheek, trying to remind himself of everything at stake. Madelyn never made things easy.

- 41 -

SLOANE

Sloane opened the app on her phone and watched in anticipation. She’d sent Athena to her office after lunch, ostensibly to pick up three files. She’d reminded Brianna to give Athena unfettered access and to leave her in the office alone. Athena would need to open the file cabinet to retrieve the files, and Sloane wanted to see if she would complete the task and leave, or if she would nose around. She watched as her office door opened and Athena entered. She flicked on the light and walked to Sloane’s desk, then opened the bottom drawer. Interesting. Athena shut the drawer right away and looked over to the file cabinet. She moved to the bookcase against the wall and stopped, leaning down to look at the books on the bottom shelf. What was she doing? Sloane wondered. Athena crouched down and took two books from the shelf, but Sloane couldn’t see which ones. She pinched the screen to get a close-up. Athena put the books back, but in reverse order. Sloane couldn’t help but laugh. Sloane had arranged the titles alphabetically and those two were in the wrong order. Next, Athena turned back to the filing cabinet, opened it, and pulled out the three files, one by one. She flicked off the switch and shut the door. Sloane’s shoulders slumped. How anticlimactic. But good, she supposed. She closed the app, put the phone down, and picked up the newspaper when she heard the chime ring.

The bedroom door opened, and Emmy stood there. “Are you up to a visit?” She smiled, closing the door behind her.

Sloane felt her spirits rise instantly. “Emmy! What are you doing here?” She held out her arms to her daughter. “How wonderful. Come give me a hug.”

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