AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It looks delicious,” I said, smirking right back at her at my first lie after promising honesty.
Well, I’d only promised to answer whatever questions she asked. I shoveled in a mouthful of runny eggs, hoping she wouldn’t ask what I thought of them. Unlike her sister, who was practically a master chef, Jenna couldn’t cook.
It didn’t do a thing to douse my feelings for her, and as she anxiously looked at me for approval, something twisted in my chest.
“It’s the best breakfast I’ve ever eaten,” I said, this time completely honest. Maybe not the most tasty, but the most appreciated. “Since you’re dressed for work, how do you feel about going to a councilman’s campaign office today?”
Councilman Hardy had made it clear when he was apprised of who I was that he was on board with whatever my plans were for the city. At least as long as I helped him win his reelection. The men I had who were keeping their ears to the ground had reported to me that trouble might be brewing on that front, with another rival faction trying to gain his favor. Now that he thought he had choices, he was getting too big for his britches. A little visit would put him back in his place where he belonged.
Jenna’s eyes lit up, and she asked me what Hardy stood for, and why I’d chosen him for my lobbying firm to back.
The lobbying firm was a perfect cover, since I’d originally only meant to keep Jenna involved with my legitimate businesses. She was dead set on keeping a squeaky-clean reputation, and I only wanted to make her happy. Wracking my brain, I came up with a plausible reason why the firm might take Hardy on as a client.
She practically yanked me out of bed, wanting to get going as soon as possible. When I slyly asked if she wanted to join me in the shower, her jaw went slack as her eyes nearly crossed. Then she scurried out of the room like a mouse who’d just spotted the cat hiding out in the corner, calling that she’d be waiting in the living area.
At the campaign office, her eyes shone with excitement. I introduced her to the manager, who offered a tour. Jenna glanced at me, all but drooling, and I nodded. I couldn’t deny her anything, and it was better to have my conversation with Hardy without her present.
Fortunately, I didn’t have to lean on him too hard. The unexpected visit clearly shook him, and he stammered that he didn’t have any idea what I was talking about when I mentioned what I’d heard.
“As far as I know, we’re still on track with our plans,” he said, smoothing back his remaining strands of hair to his scalp, quickly growing damp with nervous sweat. “Our numbers are great; thanks in no small part to your contributions, and I can’t wait to go ahead with everything once the campaign is over.”
I nodded but said nothing, letting him ramble on, hoping he might trip up and admit something. But he was wily, if not overly intelligent, and by the time Jenna’s tour was finished, I was convinced Hardy wouldn’t stray from our alliance.
“This is my new assistant,” I said, waving at Jenna with as much indifference as I could muster.
It was a stretch to say I succeeded, but at least I remained professional and didn’t give away my true feelings for her. The day everything came to light was going to be a shit show of epic proportions, but after that, I wouldn’t have to hold back anymore. My arm could go around her shoulders, and I couldsmile with all the devotion I felt. For now, she was merely a disposable employee, for her own safety, and to keep up our ruse.
“Councilman Hardy,” Jenna gushed, shaking his hand. “I’m so impressed with the playground cleanup initiative you started. That’s exactly the kind of thing I’m interested in doing one day.”
Hardy was entranced by her. How could he not be? It didn’t keep me from wanting to knock his head off his shoulders as he put his hand on her shoulder.
“Are you interested in public service work, young lady?” he asked, his smarmy politician smile creasing his jowls.
“I hope to run for office one day,” she said. “I’m majoring in poli-sci at Berkeley right now.” She glanced at me like she was just remembering my existence. Damn. Was I actually a bit jealous of old man Hardy? “And learning a lot from Mr. Volkov, too.”
“I love seeing young people getting involved with the community,” Hardy said. His eyes cut to me, and his smile froze in place as I aimed a death glare his way.Remember why I’m here, I signaled with my dark look. He coughed, covering it with a forced laugh as he turned back to Jenna. “If you ever need a mentor, I’d be delighted to help.”
While we ate lunch at a nearby deli, she continued to rave about all of Hardy’s achievements, too excited to eat her ham and cheese on rye. I grimaced, barely refraining from an eye roll so strong it might tear them off their stalks. Despite that idiotic twinge of jealousy I’d immediately squashed, I liked seeing her so happy and animated. She even thanked me for taking her.
“I learned so much. I could probably even write something for extra credit if I asked,” she said, finally takinga bite of her lunch. “Oh my gosh, this is amazing. Thanks for taking me here, too. Oh, and did you know about the new statute that Hardy is going to push through?”
I listened patiently as she returned to all the PR stuff the manager had told her about on the office tour. How could I burst her bubble by informing her that her new hero was completely in my pocket and one of the most crooked men in San Francisco? That would only wipe that beautiful smile off her face and make her remember all the reasons she had to be pissed off at me.
“Yes, Hardy does do some very good things for the community,” I said. “Or at least he sees that they get done because it’s good for his image. Not everything is black and white, Jenna.”
Her brows furrowed, and her lip jutted out as she thought up a rejoinder. Before she could speak, I reached across the table and swiped a sesame seed off her lip. “Since you made quick work of that sandwich, how about a slice of their famous cheesecake?”
She looked relieved at the change of subject, as relieved as I was that she was smiling again. “I can’t even say no to cheesecake that isn’t famous.”
With two big slabs of creamy goodness in front of us, I grinned at her, holding out a bite of mine, with strawberry topping. Her eyes rolled back as it touched her tongue, making the front of my pants uncomfortably tight. I’d made her eyes flutter like that, just the other night. It seemed like years ago, and I wanted to get back to that.
In return, she held out a heaping serving of her chocolate and caramel monstrosity, but I happily choked it down, making her laugh at my obvious distaste.
“Just say you don’t like it,” she teased.
“I liked it because it was from you,” I said.
She snorted. “Like breakfast?” I only shrugged and she looked around the deli and out the windows, sighing at the typical San Francisco sky. “It’s nice to be out and about.”
