Page 2 of Meaner Than Evil

“No. The glass is bulletproof, and I’m heavily armed. I can hold off a small army alone until the other team arrives if we’re attacked. I was just curious how you handle the stress.”

“By ignoring it.” I laugh, knowing that’s the God’s truth.

My phone begins to vibrate in my satchel, so I reach over, pull it to me, flip the flap up, and check my phone to see who it is. It’s mom.

“Hey, I’m fine.”

Her crisp voice asks, anyway. “I saw the press conference. Are you okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine. Except that I’m stuck in traffic.”

“Your father and I are concerned.”

“Don’t be. Evan is increasing my security detail. It’s a moot point.”

“Well, we think we should get together with Bradley and begin the campaign conversation. It doesn’t look like you will be wrapping this up with Morales, and we don’t want to lose the momentum. It’s time, honey.”

“Okay. Go ahead and schedule it. I agree.”

“Good. How about doing dinner tonight? I can invite a few friends over to celebrate your verdict.”

By a few friends, she means Eric Nobles. She has been trying to play matchmaker with us for the last few months, and while he’s handsome and polite and comes from ‘good stock,’ meaning he would be an asset to my Senate run, he’s not a macho man. He’s my height and thin. Perfect in pictures with me. He doesn’t dwarf me.

I look out the window and see Jack’s ruggedly handsome face and his perfect physical body. He always haunts me when I think of dating again, and especially Eric. Jack was my badass motherfucker, and try as I have to move on, somewhere during the courtship phase, every man gets measured against him and comes up too short to overlook. Eric has made it farther than anyone. Probably because I’m older and understand marriage is not about love anymore.

But Eric failed the kiss test. His tongue was thick and choking. I nearly gagged. However, he understands politics and knows how to play the game. His father was a chief of staff to the Governor back in the day, and he has a lot of contacts that would be beneficial.

“Logan, are you still there?” My mom’s quiet voice asks. She knows I still love Jack and gives me space to deal with my feelings whenever we discuss Eric. “I don’t have to invite Eric if you would rather not.”

“No, no. Invite him. He’ll be thrilled with my victory too.”

“Very well. I’ll set it for 8:30?”

“Yes. 8:30. See you then.”

“Love you, daughter.”

“Love you too, mom.”

Two

Somewhere on the outskirts of Las Vegas, NV

The Chicken Ranch

Cock Blockers, Inc. Headquarters

Inside the Coop briefing room

One month after Operation Ground Zero

April 2010

10:00 AM Pacific

Hammer

"Hammer, what are you grinning at?" Nina asks as she walks over to where I'm sitting at the conference table.

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