Page 138 of Their Property
“Good. We don't want a repeat of the last government, now do we?” I didn't dignify that with an answer, and he didn't wait for one. “Since you mention it, I've considered employing the Sons of Odin to workwithmy units. Gerardson and the surrounding areas will need protection, especially in the early days.”
“We don't work for governors anymore,” T-Bone said snidely. “Hasn't been very beneficial in our experience.” He angled his head toward me. “Well, except for that last time,” he amended softly, hand tightening around my thigh.
The touch and his words made me burn even hotter, but I had to concentrate. “The Sons of Odin can decide if they want to work with your units or not at a later date. That's entirely up to them and not pertinent right now.”
“Fair enough.” Gerard shrugged again. “Anything else?”
I took a moment to steady myself. This was the last piece I neededandthe most important.
“I need you to agree to limited powers. Checks and balances in whatever governmental structure you create, with no loopholes. I want to see those limits personally before I agree to anything.”
Gerard was silent for a long time, though he didn't seem angry. More curious than anything. I could almost hear the gears in his head turning.
“You think I'm hungry for power, Miss Vance?”
“I don't know you well enough to make that judgment. That's why I'm laying out my terms and making sure they're recorded. I would like to trust you, Gerard.” I leaned back in my seat and lifted my chin. “But I don't know if I can.”
Gerard nodded slowly, then smiled as he huffed out a soft laugh. I didn't understand what was humorous. He seemed...pleased. Like I had done exactly what he wanted, and that made me uneasy.
“I will agree to limited powers,” he said finally. “We'll create three branches that each support and limit each other, just like before the Collapse.”
“But better.”
“But better,” he agreed, smiling again. “Anything else?”
I racked my brain for something, anything else that I hadn't mulled over hundreds of times already. Something that would expose any nefarious intentions he had. But he had been agreeable to everything I said, and I had no other terms.
“That's everything.” Those two words cut through the air like the final stroke of a pen.
“Excellent. Would you like to look over the transcript before it's signed?”
“Yes, please.”
I must have read over that document at least three times before adding my signature to the bottom. The transcriber made several copies for me right then, and our business for the day was done.
“I'll have drafts of limited powers, a constitution, and a penal code for your approval by the end of the month,” Gerard said before lifting an eyebrow. “Unless you'd like to help me write them?”
“I, uh.” The reality was sinking in now, my brain swimming with what I'd just done. “I would like to be involved in the process, yes.”
“I was hoping you'd say that. How else will we find out if we work well together?” That clever, scheming look was in his eyes again. I knew in my gut there was something he wasn't telling me. “There's also the matter of planning the election.”
“Is anyone running against you?” I asked.
“Not yet that I know of.” He canted his head to the side. “But an endorsement from your father would still go a long way in gathering the people’s confidence.”
Ah, here it was. The ace up my sleeve.
I folded my hands in front of me. “Are you committed to having me as your running mate, Gerard?”
“Yes, absolutely.”
“Good, because I come with myself and my experience alone. If you were hoping for access to Four Corners’ support and resources, I’m afraid I can’t help.”
His brows knitted together in confusion. “And why not?”
“My father and I had a falling out. We are no longer speaking.” I gave him my best innocent smile. “You’re known to the people as a righteous man. I hope this doesn’t mean you’ll have to go back on your word.”
“Ah, no.” He cleared his throat, seemingly flustered for the first time. “Of course not. I wasn’t hinging anything on Four Corners but was just…hopeful.” He smiled slowly as he caught on. “You purposely withheld that from me.”
