Loving the Secret Billionaire (Love at Last #1)(24)

I hated doing it this way and I had a feeling she wouldn’t like it, but I had no choice. The wrong person was winning this election and I knew, without a doubt, what my mission was—it was easy. Take care of my girl. Keep her safe and happy. And do whatever it took to make sure she won this seat.



* * *



Veronica



* * *



It was two days before the election and I was tired, but buzzed. I was standing in the middle of a group of hyped up four-year-olds, which added to my overall dizziness. Add to that the three events I had to attend after school, and I wouldn’t see Zach for hours. But I’d see him. I’d spent every night but one at his place for the past few weeks and, even so, I missed him.

Which was ridiculous.

And scary. Because I was so head over heels in love that I didn’t think I’d ever get over him.

But, God, he was perfect. He cooked for me, took care of me, made me feel coddled and beautiful and then, in the bedroom…

I let out an inappropriate sex-sick sigh before glancing guiltily at Betty, who was holding her favorite book up, and saying, “Weed, weed Miss Ronica. Weed Pweese.”

I grabbed the book, with a glance at the clock.

“The day’s done, Betty. Time to clean up and go outside.” I put a hand on her head. “But we’ll look at this tomorrow, okay?”

“‘Kay.” The others stampeded to their cubbies and waited for me to let them out the door.

Once the last kid was out, I pulled out my phone and turned it on.

Holy shit. Somebody’d blown up my text messages.

O’Neal, asking me to call her early this morning, which was totally unlike her. A couple from Zach, checking in, and then a slew more from my campaign manager and various friends.

Everything good? The last one was from Zach, who’d sent more than usual. Also weird. Something a little off slithered down my back.

Great. Just off. Headed to Southwood for a Meet and greet. Town Hall after that.

His response dots appeared and I switched over to O’Neal.

What’s up?

Back to Zach.

There’s a car for you outside. Blue Audi in the teachers’ lot. You can’t make it on the bus.

Could too. I smiled. God, I loved him. But thank you. I accept. This once.

:-)

I sent a kiss in response to his smiley and went back to O’Neal’s texts.

Can we talk?

Yeah. Will call in a sec.

I ran out to the car, chatted with the driver and took off, a little giddy at not having to bus it. I’d be early, for once!

I tapped her name and put the phone to my ear.

“Hey, O’Neal!”

“You got a minute?”

“Um, yeeees.” Why did this sound ominous? “Seriously, why are you blowing up my phone?”

She paused, which sent another wave of foreboding through me. Hesitation was so not my best friend’s bag.

“Okay, O’Neal, now you’re scaring me. What the hell?”

“Did you see my piece today?”

“In the paper?”

“Yeah. Front and center.”

“Oh! Congrats! That’s amazing! No, I’ve been at school since—”

“I’m sending it to you. Call me back.”

I clicked on the link and read.

Clint Riley Embezzlement Claims Rock Election

I scanned it. Riley’d been caught stealing from the company where he was COO. No charges had yet been filed, but…

Another link popped in. This headline read: Clint Riley, Jr. Drops City Council Race Handing Victory to Cruz.

I dropped the phone, my hands numb, my face, my nose, everything prickling.

The phone rang from the floor of the car and stopped by the time I got to it. Breathing hard, I called O’Neal back.

“What’s going on?”

“You won!” Her excitement sounded forced. “Congratulations, V!”

This wasn’t right. This wasn’t how it was supposed to happen. I didn’t want it this way. Victory was meaningless if my opponent dropped out of the race. I needed the voters to be behind me, not resentful of my presence there. It felt like I’d cheated.

“Who broke the embezzlement thing?”

“I did.”

My eyes narrowed. Why did she sound so uncomfortable? “Where’d you get the lead?”

“You know I can’t divulge sources to you, Veronica. It’s about journalistic integrity. That would be—”

In that moment, something switched in my brain and everything crystallized: Zach’s mystery job, his seemingly endless amounts of money, the army of college kids at his beck and call: Horde. “Did Zach have anything to do with this?”

She stuttered to a stop. “Uh, not that I know of. Why?”

“There’s a guy named Horde. He’s big in—”

“Can’t talk about this.” She was firm in her denial. It was all the confirmation I needed. “No idea who it was who got in touch with me, and you know I’m not allowed to…”

I was breathing so hard I stopped hearing her. Was this a panic attack? Oh my God, it was. I was having an attack.

“Veronica?” O’Neal sounded concerned. How long had I been sitting here, breathing hard like this? “Veronica, you okay? Where are you?”