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“How does that solve anything?” My brows pinch, unable to follow his logic. He studies me for a minute until it hits me. My eyes widen with hope. “Alex runs for President.”
“Not quite.” Ned huffs a laugh. “There are people I work for that will never allow that to happen. So, if you want to do this, Alex continues the charade he began at your wedding. You remain the dutiful wife of the Floridian Senator. But Christopher Blake willneverbe President.”
“Why not?” I inquire. “Alex would be an amazing president, even if he’s pretending to be his brother.”
“I wouldn’t. And you’ve thought about this a bit too much, Ned,” Alex grits out, arms folded over his chest.
“Nah, I came up with this one on the fly.” Ned winks. “My mind is just sick and twisty from schlepping dead bodies today.”
Dead bodies? Plural?
“What about Jaclyn? Out of all the options, when does she get a seat at the table?” Alex’s eyes burn into me, not with the anger or sadness from earlier, but with love. “This should be her choice, she deserves”—he swallows thickly—“she deserves better than being a senator’s wife.”
“As adorable as that is, with Chris dead, the Gallaghers will probably back an extreme candidate to win the next presidential election. It’s my understanding that you’re both privy to their insistence that Jaclyn will take the White House in 2028 as a moderate?”
“Why does everyone want me to run?” I stand and move toward the window. It isn’t a pretty view, mostly office buildings and traffic, but I need my space to think; if only for a minute.
Can I do this?
“I don’t want it. I’ll arrange Chris’ vacancy,” Alex announces. “Jaclyn can have Florida.”
I spin in place. “This is your chance to make big changes there. You always talk about how you can do so much more good in the Senate than the White House. Florida needs you, just like Texas does.”
A hint of smirk pulls at his lips. “They needyou.”
“Alex,” I breathe, “I’m not ready.”
“What about Texas?” Ned offers, looking at his phone. Alex and I keep our focus trained on him. “If we fake his death, Texas will be up for grabs. I’m no political scientist, but based on what I’m reading here, they’ll call for a special election. Throw your name in the hat?”
“I don’t want Florida,” Alex seethes through gritted teeth. “I’ll step down.”
“Then do it. What you do or don’t do with Christopher’s seat doesn’t concern me.” Ned waves him off dismissively before addressing me, “Ms. Taylor, this is your call. I am beholden to no specific person, so if your parents, or even the Gallaghers, don’t agree, they can eat glass. Figuratively, but also literally for the right price. Right now, I work foryou…Within reason, of course.”
Alex crosses the room and wraps me in his arms, kissing the top of my head and speaking into my hair, “I’ve had enough loss for one day. I can’t lose you. I’ll be Chris, if you want, but in the end, this is your choice.” He keeps his voice low. “I’ll happily retire from politics if it means I get to see you as Madame President.”
“I won’t let you throw away your career. I’ve told you, I’m not ready,” I sigh and tilt my chin to look up at him. Alex’s brown-hazel eyes don’t leave mine, and part of me lets the world around us fade away until it’s just us in this moment.
Ned stands and loudly brushes at his thighs. “Okay, lovebirds, if we’re set on moving the body, I’ll arrange another room for you to stay in and hash out what happens after.”
Ignoring Ned, I tell Alex, “You can’t do this. It’s not worth it. We’ll bury Chris, and I’ll live my best widow life. I can’t let you throw away everything you’ve worked for on top of this.”
“I won’t lose you, Jaclyn. I can’t. Chris is gone. He’s fucking gone. I’m not”—Alex chokes on a sob—“I refuse to lose the love of my life on the same day that I lost mybrother. I won’t survive it.” Alex breaks his gaze from me to tell Ned, “I’ll do it. Arrange my death, we bury Chris as me, and Jaclyn will run in the Texas special election, if she wants it.”
“Ms. Taylor? Is that what you want?” Ned cautiously asks.
I shake my head, chewing on my lower lip. “What if I lose Texas? Then, what? All of these lies will be for nothing.”
“You won’t lose, you’re ready, princess. You’ve always been ready. Let me do this for you?”
Alex’s eyes are so earnest that I can’t help believing him. “I’ll need a lot more rapid-fires.”
“Oh, fuck,” Ned groans. “Don’t tell me you’re adding arson. You know that’s an extra charge, right?”
“No,” I chuckle softly, not letting Alex out of my sight. “If Alex thinks I’m ready, we’ll do it.”
Ned’s face morphs into a wide, genuine smile. “Well, consider it done. How is it that I’m able to satisfy four clients before I’ve had lunch? The stars must be aligned. I should find some astrology chick to confirm tomorrow’s plans are equally compatible… First, I’ll reach out to both of your parents to iron out a few details and make sure everything is set to move Christopher.”
“What about Chris?” Alex asks Ned. “We need to make sure he has a proper burial.”
