Page 117 of Sins of the Father

“What?”

“If you aren’t willing to do what’s right for the company, then I’ll accept it now.”

Steven stays silent, horror on his face.

“That’s what I thought.” Dudmeyer rises, pats him on the back, and walks over to another table.

I put my hand on Steven’s leg, which is twitching.

His face hardens, and he picks up my hand. “We’re leaving.”

I stand, and he leads me to the front of the room where his mom is. She stares at the tablecloth. The governor is shaking hands near the stage.

“Mom, we’re leaving now,” Steven growls, and she looks up. The governor’s wife purses her lips, and his kids, all in their thirties and maybe even forties, scowl at us.

Beth doesn’t argue and rises. She clears her throat. “Let me tell Maximillion—”

“Now,” Steven barks, and several people turn to stare.

She nods.

Steven puts a hand on my back, one on hers, and leads us out of the ballroom, ignoring the people who try to congratulate him.

When we get outside, the paparazzi are in full force, screaming his name and asking him questions. His face reddens further. He guides us back inside the doors then texts his driver.

Beth glances nervously between us.

I offer her a sympathetic smile and squeeze Stevens’s hand.

He tilts his head toward the ceiling, closes his eyes, and deeply inhales a few times.

The car pulls up.

“Ted’s here,” I say.

He puts his hands on both our backs and leads us through the sea of reporters.

When we are safe in the car, Beth blurts out, “Steven, I didn’t know. I swear I told him to keep you out of his business.” Her hands shake, and she twists them in her lap.

“Lots of good that did. Tell me, Mom, how much does a man love you when he can’t even respect your wishes regarding your children?”

She blinks hard, but tears fall. She wipes them and looks out the window. “You can’t work on his campaign.”

“I’m getting fired if I don’t.”

She turns toward him. The color drains from her face. “What?”

“That’s right. Dudmeyer just told me if I don’t, then he’s considering it my resignation.”

She covers her mouth, and tears roll over her shaking hand.

“Are you going to tell me what he wants from me?”

“I don’t know.”

“What’s he involved in?”

Silence.

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