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I didn’t want to deal with this I didn’t want spendto uncover the mystery of Mel’s mother I didn’t want this photo I held in my hands to be real, because noould have to tellthe truth from her She had searched for answers only to co that I’d have to apologize for; I had Declan delete everything he’d found so that she couldn’t get her hands on it She thought she orking with hi he could to hide information from her

She’s going to fucking kill hed

Eventually, she ca to her Sadly, he wasn’t I hated when liars started telling the truth; it was bad for business Mel’s mother was alive, very much so, in fact We’d discovered that she was in the South of France right before she entered the US

“So, I have to tell her,” I said, as I pinched the bridge ofto kill my sorry ass

“Re orders I’d prefer not to die tonight,” Declan said as he frowned and adjusted his tie for this night’s gala

“Even that won’t save you” Not that I let him around Melody alone anyway She could take hi his he should have had for her were fear and respect

We both stood silently in the security room This was the calm before the storm, the break before the final wave

“Have Annaout of the room and into the study

Fixing my cufflinks as I walked, I made sure to nod at the help as I walked past Rule Thirty-Three: Respect the help, they know more than they let on

None of the, but it was still a rule to live by Entering the living room, I found my beautiful wife, her dark hair in perfectly curled waves, and brown eyes glued to the letter she finished up writing before handing it to Fedel, who stood in the corner of the room, almost as her shadow

The rest of the fa to be painted The only ones who looked out of place were Olivia’s parents, and our new political strategist, Mina Sung She and the Senator re, as if they were afraid our furniture would eat thehter and squeezed her hand

Why were they so worried? We would win by a landslide

Melody nodded to Fedel as she rose gracefully from her chair and moved over to me Declan, with his shady brown hair brushed, and black suit pressed, entered andon the arm of the couch beside her

My eyes focused on Melody and the way her sliver dress clung to every inch of her body Her olive skin begged for ed to slowly peel her dress off of her…before she cut off my hands

“You look beyond the realm of beautiful”

“Thank you,” she said “Nohat are you hiding fro odd for weeks I’ve done the wife thing and I’ve given you ti the bracelets on her arm

“What do you think I’, wife?”

“Now you’re avoiding my question” She frowned as she looked me over Then she reached out and adjusted le me with it, or she was simply annoyed at how I had tied it…it was more likely the former

“Whatever you think I’”

“But you are hiding so”

Lucky for me, my mother turned up the volume on the screen

“There you have it, America! It is official Senator Daniel Colemen is this year’s Republican Candidate and our contender for future president As the primary favorite, this news shouldn’t co his victory speech at a Charity Gala hosted by the Callahans His only child, Olivia-Ann, ht, they celebrate, tomorrow, he has his work cut for him if he wants to defeat current president, Franklin Monroe”

“Your work cut out for you indeed,” Mina said, as she muted the television, and turned back to face us

“What? They all loveat the television from his seat, “I won by a landslide”