Sway (Landry Family #1)(87)
“How are you, Mr. Landry?” he asks, extending his hand. We shake and I steady my features.
“Good, thank you. How are you?”
He begins chatting away about a project important to his district, just like everyone does. I try to zero in on what he’s saying, gather a fuck or two, but when Daphne’s arm lies against my shoulder and I hear her high-pitched laugh beside me, all my efforts dissolve.
My head feels like it’s going to explode and I scan the room for Nolan. Every minute that passes, every second that ticks, is another moment I’ve gone through this charade.
Looking at Daphne by my side, not Alison, it swamps me how ridiculous this is. How ridiculous I am. Is this what I’ve turned out to be?
“If you can excuse me,” I say to baldy, “I have something I need to take care of.”
“No worries, Mayor. I just wanted to extend my congratulations on a job well done. Savannah will hate to lose you to the state, but it’s with pride we watch you go.”
I chuckle, pushing back my seat. “Nothing’s definite yet.”
“It will be, especially after that glowing endorsement from Monroe tonight,” he grins. “You’re a superstar waiting to happen on the national scale, Landry. Such a man to do things your way and not let the actual politics change you. It’s an honor to support you.”
My gaze follows him, my breathing strangled, as I watch him walk away. If he only knew how much of what he said isn’t true.
Daphne’s touch brings me back to the present. When I look at her, she’s watching me with her sweetest smile.
“Need me to accompany you?” she asks, batting her eyelashes.
“Yes, actually,” I say, taking her hand and helping her to her feet. “Let’s get out of here. I’ve had enough of this for one night.”
Her grin tells me she completely misunderstands my point, but I’m not setting her straight here, not in front of everyone.
We head through the venue, stopping briefly to shake a hand every few feet, until I spot Nolan against the wall. He quirks a brow.
“We’re getting out of here,” I say, motioning at Daphne.
Nolan stands. “Typically, I’d hate for you to bow out of an event early, but considering the circumstances . . .” He reaches in his pocket and pulls out my cell. “Here you go. Have an enjoyable night.”
I immediately press the power button on my phone and go straight to my texts and shoot one to Troy to pick me up.
A scorching anger starts to boil in my gut, the feeling I’ve been trying to contain all night threatening to spill over.
“You are both complete assholes for setting this up,” I fire to the two of them, my voice a little louder than I would like.
“No,” Daphne fires back, “we remember who you are. We haven’t forgotten all the things that are important to you because we aren’t brainwashed by some piece of ass.”
“Daphne, shut up,” I hiss. Turning to my manager, I shoot him an icy glare. “I will call you tomorrow to discuss this.”
He just grins. “Well, I happen to side with Ms. Monroe. You might not have liked our tactics, but this worked. Did you see the reception of the two of you? How well you were received tonight? You play off each other seamlessly, and tonight was just what we needed. It was priceless, Barrett.”
Clenching my teeth, I say, “It might’ve fucking worked for whatever scheme you were trying to play. But God as my witness, Nolan, this conversation isn’t over. I’m just not having it here.”
Grabbing Daphne’s hand, I guide her to the front door as hastily as possible. I don’t want to take her with me, but I sure as shit can’t leave her here. That would look bad and who knows what she’d do or say.
Fuck these people and fuck this day.
It’s time I step to the plate and swing.
Barrett
The Rover pulls into Daphne's driveway in half the time it should’ve taken. I didn't need to say anything to Troy; the look in my eye must've said it all.
The sky is dark, but the glow from the lights inside the SUV allows me to see Daphne’s eyes. She peers at me, a wicked grin on her face. "I wondered how long it would take you to bring me home. Want to take bets on how long it takes you to get this dress off me? Hell, Barrett. I might just bend over and let you get inside me from behind. I need you, sugar."
I run my hand through my hair. I knew this moment was coming and the argument coming up isn’t one I can avoid. Not any longer. No matter what it does to my campaign or our friendship, the act is over. "Daphne, that’s not going to happen.”
She eyes me curiously and pulls back to get a better look. "Are you sure?" Her words are cocky, a challenge, letting me know that the choice I’m making will affect more than her ass . . . it’ll affect my career.
She’s playing with fire. She thinks she can strong arm me into doing what she wants—her. What she failed to realize is that I’m past the point of giving a shit about her or my career. I just need Ali.
"I’m absolutely sure,” I say, keeping my voice level.
Her grin turns into a smirk. "Is this about the girl?"
"The girl has a name,” I bite out. “But it doesn't matter."
"Oh, it does matter. It matters a lot, and I'm sure you understand that."