Dangerous Secrets (Tall, Dark & Deadly #2)(72)

Flinching, she finally looked up at her father, watched as he scrubbed a hand over his face. He was exhausted. The election campaign was taking a toll on his health and mental state. She wished she could comfort him, give him a hug and whisper she was sorry.

But he would just push her away like he always did. He wouldn’t believe her. In his eyes, she always screwed up. Always made a mess of things, and this latest endeavor was no exception.

He still hadn’t forgiven her when she graduated from college with a degree in political science and instead chose to work in a museum. She’d earned that degree only to make him happy, obtaining her minor in art history to please herself.

She was working on her father’s campaign because he asked her, trying yet again to please him. How she hated being in the public eye. The attention, the photographers, all of it made her agitated, withdrawn. Many believed she was a snob.

At least the media wouldn’t call her the ice queen any longer. Now she was the new party girl.

She didn’t know which moniker was worse.

“The president called a meeting with the immediate staff. We’re creating a plan of attack—all because of this cover.” James Hewitt stabbed the magazine with his finger. “I can only hope we’ll be able to salvage the last few weeks of the campaign. We’re going to have to work extra hard now.”

Despair filled her. The president had become involved? The very last person she wanted to offend. “I didn’t know this was going to happen. It was just an innocent moment, some fun by the pool with friends,” she said, feeling stupid. “I’m sorry.”

Her father glared but didn’t say a word, ignoring her apology completely.

Disappointment flooded her. No matter what she said or did, she could never please him.

“You’ve gone too far, Blake,” her father finally said, his voice low as he watched her, his expression stony.

“They must’ve used a camera phone. I never noticed anyone taking pictures.” She glanced at the offending photo. The quality wasn’t that great. The angle was awkward and slightly out of focus. “Why would anyone sell pictures of me anyway?”

Okay, she knew why. Easy money, plain and simple. A seemingly innocent, fun evening had turned into a huge deal. A giant mistake.

One she could never repeat again.

“Honey, everyone cares about what you do these days. You’re young, single, pretty and in the public eye constantly. They make pointless reality stars into the next biggest thing, so why can’t they do the same to you?”

Her father had a valid point. One she didn’t like to face.

“Just send me away,” she said, her voice soft, pleading. “I’ve done more harm than good, and I’m sorry. I know you don’t want me here.” It hurt to admit that, but she spoke the truth. He didn’t want her around, not really. When was she going to get it through her thick skull?

Her father didn’t care about her. He was obsessed with his campaign, his career, his public appearance. Garnering his attention resulted in his disapproval, no matter what she did.

“And where the hell was Russell?” her father asked, startling her from her thoughts. “Why didn’t he stop you from making a mockery of yourself?”

She couldn’t help the warmth that suffused her at the mention of Mason Russell’s name, despite her father’s insulting tone. She barely contained the shiver that stole over her.

“He was there.” Oh yes, he’d been there, in the shadows, always discreet. He’d stood outside, his big hands clasped in front of him, sunglasses hiding his spring green eyes. She had no idea if he’d watched her since he always wore those damn glasses.

But she swore his gaze had followed her every move that afternoon. Felt the hot, ravenous stare of the Secret Service agent assigned to her protection like his hands had literally touched her. Drop-dead gorgeous, the man was one-hundred-percent off limits. Besides, he never seemed to notice her anyway, despite her constant, pitiful attempts trying to get his attention.

The overenthusiastic political zealots who trailed after her family during the campaign were the reason she’d been given extra protection in the first place. An official executive order had come down six months ago.

She was glad for the protection. People went a little crazy over politics, especially considering the current economic climate. She certainly didn’t think her life was in danger, but she did feel safer having Agent Russell watching over her.

He had no idea she had a crush on him—and she wasn’t about to tell him, either. It was her dirty little secret. Her father would kill her if she was caught fooling around with the help.

“I know he’s not your babysitter, but he should’ve contacted me,” her father muttered, shaking his head.

Irritation filled her. “He doesn’t tell me what to do. He’s there to make sure I don’t get shot or abducted by some psycho.” There was no doubt her father did consider Mason Russell her babysitter and it made her nuts. His entire staff thought Mason was her keeper and she hated it.

Hated it and savored it all at once. Maybe she wouldn’t mind Mason being her keeper—in bed.

Irritation filled her. She really needed to stop thinking of him like that. It was pointless.

“I don’t appreciate you using that tone with me,” James admonished, his voice cold. He shook his head and leaned back in his chair, the springs creaking with the movement. “I want to talk to Russell.”