Page 105 of The Cinderella Secret
“It’s a good opportunity—if she’s at all interested. You can learn a lot about politics and government that way. It’s not the same as legal experience, but it teaches a lot about how the law gets made in a very hands-on way. If Jackson is recommending her, I’m sure Grandma will listen.”
Nowitsky nodded. “I like the idea of sending her with your grandma. All thisme toobullshit… Every other senator sounds like he’s sending dick pics to people. I mean, I made sure Hannah knows where to find the off switch for guys, but how am I supposed to protect her against online bullshit like that?”
Aiden nodded. “People like working for Grandma. Jackson does all the staff vetting. And neither of them stand for shit like that. I worked on a bill she was writing one time and there was an after party and like three people told me what a relief it was that they didn’t have to worry about any after-hoursmisunderstandingswith co-workers or bosses because Eleanor didn’t hire people like that.”
“OK, yeah. See? I think this is a good plan. Hannah said she was interested in interning in DC over the summer and I started to freak out. Those fuck-heads on the hill can’t seem to keep their hands to themselves. You’d think they were running some sort of capital sleep-away camp for horny teens up there. But I like the sound of this. This sounds like a safe environment.”
“Well, it’s still DC,” said Aiden. “I can’t promise that one of the other fuck-heads won’t say something.”
“She’s a big girl. She can handle herself. But it’s a lot harder to handle something when you’re in it every day, all day. As long as there’s a safe place to work from, she can take on the world.”
“And you think it’s your job to make sure she’s got a safe place from which to take on the world?”
“Yeah. I’m her dad. That’s pretty much the definition of the job.”
Aiden laughed and Nowitsky looked surprised.
“Sorry,” said Aiden. “But I think your definition of parenting needs to be put on little cards and passed out at hospitals upon birth. I think there’s a lot of people who may have missed that memo.”
Nowitsky shrugged and then looked at Aiden appraisingly. “You have any specific people in mind?”
“One or two,” said Aiden with a shrug. “But it doesn’t matter. How long until we worry about Ella and Jackson?”
“At least thirty more minutes,” said Nowitsky. “And really, it’s Jackson, so it’s not like we’re really going to worry anyway.”
“Excuse me?” demanded Aiden, bristling angrily. “I think I would prefer that the NYPD worry about my cousin’s safety.”
Nowitsky stiffened, his face hardening. Then he seemed to consciously force himself to relax. “I meant that Jackson is a guy who can roll with whatever punches get swung his way. I’m not worried about him because he’s a tough kid.”
“Right,” said Aiden. “Right. Slight deviation into the rude dimension there. Sorry.”
Nowitsky laughed. “Don’t sweat it. Although, I have to say I didn’t really see the family resemblance until just now. I guess you two really are related.”
“Don’t let the hair color fool you,” said Aiden sourly. “We’re all Deveraux.”
Aiden’s phone rang, and he tried not to jump. “Shit,” he said, looking at the face on his phone. “It’s Evan.”
“Isn’t he supposed to be with Bai Zhao?” asked Nowitsky.
“Yeah, he is.” Aiden thumbed the phone to green and felt the coffee churn in his stomach. “Ev—”
“Get them out,” said Evan, cutting Aiden off. “They’re fucked.”
“What?” asked Aiden, knowing it was a stupid comment, but he was unable to have another thought. Nowitsky was leaning in, clearly listening to every word.
“Bai talked to MacKentier,” continued Evan. “Get them out.” There was the sound of someone on the other end, speaking angrily in Chinese.
“Evan?” There was the sharp and, to Aiden, unmistakable sound of a fist hitting flesh. “Evan!” Then he heard the sound of footsteps and a door slam. “Evan!”
“I’m fine. Get Jackson and Ella out of there. Bai thought Jackson was working a double-cross on Ella. He ratted them out to MacKentier. I’m on my way.”
The line went dead, and Aiden stared at the phone. His first instinct was to sprint the few blocks to the DevEntier building and grab Ella… His plan petered out there.
He had sent Ella in there. He was supposed to protect her, and this was what he’d done. He thought about throwing up, but that wasn’t going to be productive and he didn’t have any gum. He needed very much to get her the fuck out of there. What was going to make that outcome happen?
He looked at Nowitsky. Who was now yelling at some of the other police officers to report. Yelling was about as productive as throwing up. Who could help him? What assets did he have? Where was Jackson when he needed him? Jackson was right where Aiden had told him to be—next to Ella.
“Nowitsky,” he said, and the detective turned around and looked at him. “Shut up. I need to call Jackson and they can’t hear you.”
