by Ivy Nelson
The guards were doing their best not to disrupt her life completely, but she felt like a caged animal. There had to be a way to convince him to cut the detail down to one man standing outside her office. The thought of how that conversation would go had her rolling her eyes. Maybe she could cook him dinner and ask extra nice. With Bradley working late that meant she had some time to plan.
22
♥♥♥
Bradley sat in his office on Friday eating a sandwich. Adara had brought it to him after he finished up his last interview to fill a deputy campaign manager position. He was pretty sure he knew who he wanted to offer the job to, but he was going to wait for Adara to type up her impressions since she also sat in on his interviews. He valued her opinion and so did the senator.
His afternoon and evening were loaded with meetings to gear up for the campaign, but he couldn’t keep his mind off the redhead he was falling for. He was enjoying their nightly routine, especially the part where he buried himself in her, and the sexy noises she made while he did. It was difficult to concentrate on budgets and legislation with those little moans in his head.
The desire to pursue a more meaningful relationship with her, including power exchange, was growing. Bradley just wasn’t sure if she was ready. Despite her hesitance to explore it again, power exchange was important to her, but he knew she still worried about his career.
Hiding her lifestyle wasn’t something she wanted to do, and while he would never admit it to her, she was probably right that dating her would raise some serious questions during the campaign. Questions were going to come anyway, it was only a matter of time before the press caught wind of his involvement with Peggy Jacobs.
The gossip columns had made speculations about their relationship status on a couple of occasions when they appeared at charity events together, but Bradley had always been careful to refer to Peggy as an associate or colleague. If he kissed her in public, it was only on the cheek, and they rarely spent the night together. Once the press found out he had been at Exposure with her the night she died, the senator would have no choice but to ask for his resignation. He needed to come up with a game plan.
He thought of his father’s job offer, and he winced. That would be a last resort. His phone buzzed, jolting him from his thoughts. Picking it up, he grimaced. His mother’s face filled the screen. He was not being a great son. He answered as cheerfully as he could manage.
“Hello, beautiful.”
“Oh stop, you’ll make an old lady blush.” He grinned at her response.
“Hi, mom. What’s up?”
“Nothing important, I just haven’t heard from you in weeks, so I decided if you won't call me, I’ll just call you and interrupt your busy day to tell you we’re in town for a few days.”
“I’ve always got time for you, Mother. Sorry I’ve been distant, work is crazy, but we should make time for dinner. Are you free tonight?” They had only just begun dating, how would Darci feel about meeting his parents? He had told her he was working late but maybe he would surprise her with dinner.
“Tonight would be wonderful. I think your father has dinner meetings the rest of the weekend anyway.”
“Would you mind if I bring someone with me?”
“Who?” she asked, curiosity evident in her voice.
“Just a friend. She’s staying with me while her apartment is being worked on.” It was close enough to the truth, he decided.
“She?” his mother asked conspiratorially. “You’ve never introduced us to a girl before.” He winced. He shouldn’t have said anything. “It’s your fault you know,” his mother continued.
“What’s my fault?”
“That your father is running for president.”
He laughed. “How in the world is that my fault?”
“If you or one of your brothers would give us a couple of grandkids, he wouldn’t be so bored.”
He groaned. “I should have known where you were going. We both know dad doesn't get bored.”
His mother chuckled. “Sorry, I had to try.”
“Anyway, she’s a good friend, and I would love for you to meet her.”
When he ended the call, Bradley poked his head into the reception area to ask Adara to make reservations for four at one of the more touristy restaurants in the city. Hopefully that would make up for springing his parents on Darci without asking.
To his surprise, he found Detective Michael Silas perched on the corner of her desk. They were staring at each other, sharing a laugh. He cleared his throat to announce his presence. Adara’s head spun in his direction, and for just a moment she seemed flustered, but she quickly recovered.
“Hey boss, I was just about to come see you. Detective Silas just dropped buy. Wants a few minutes of your time. You’ve got a half hour before your next meeting.”
Michael stood and offered his hand.
“Sorry to drop in unannounced. I just need to ask you a few questions.”
“No problem, detective. Come in, pull up a chair. Want some coffee?” Though he was acquainted with Michael from the club, he thought it was important to use the man's title for discretion.
“Coffee would be awesome.” Michael turned back to Adara before following him into his office. “Nice to meet you, Miss Kent.” Bradley could have sworn Adara blushed. Finally, he had something to tease her about. She was so quiet about her personal life that Bradley rarely had the opportunity.
Once Bradley and the detective were in his office, he went to the pot on the small table in the corner and poured them both cups of hot coffee. Michael took a drink and grinned. “So much better than the sludge at the station.”
“When I first got here, I drank the stuff in the staff break room. It was terrible. I really think having my own coffee pot is the best part of having my own office.” They shared a laugh, but the detective seemed nervous. “What’s on your mind?”
“These are kind of awkward questions, but I have to ask.”
“I understand. You’re just doing your job.” He shifted again but reached into his pocket for a notepad.
“Did you know Marlie Dixon?”
“I knew her in the same capacity you did. We spoke to each other at the club, but I wouldn’t say I knew her on a personal level.”
“Did you attend her foundation’s charity event a few days before she died?” He flipped through his notebook for the exact date.
“Yes, I did. So did Peggy. So did Darci. That was the second time I met Miss Sanders.”
“Bradley, look, I don’t think you had anything to do with any of this, but so far you and I are the only ones these three women have in common.” Bradley closed his eyes, understanding the line of questioning. The detective continued. “I’m doing my best to keep my connection to Exposure out of it, but the truth is I won’t be able to do that for much longer and someone else is likely to take over the case. I’m here to warn you that when that happens, whoever it is will want to question you formally. That won’t stay out of the news.”
Bradley nodded and ran a hand through his hair. “I understand. Thanks for the heads up. I’ve been preparing for the eventuality of the media connecting me to this case so I’m not too concerned. My main priority is keeping Darci safe.”
“Mine too,” Michael said. “She’s my best friend. Speaking of which, can we keep this conversation between us? She would kill me if she thought I was questioning you like a suspect and to be honest, I’m a little scared of her when she’s pissed at me.”
Bradley laughed. “This is just between us then. Though I think you’re safe from her wrath for a while. She’s not saying anything, but she’s pretty damn pissed at me about the goon squad, as she calls them, following her around.”
“Well I’m just glad you’re around to be the one to insist on it or I would have to.” Michael finished up his questions and promised to keep him and Darci informed as he continued his investigation. “One more question,” the detective said as he stood to leave. “Would it be OK w
ith you if I wanted to take your assistant out for dinner sometime?”
Bradley grinned. “What Adara does on her own time isn’t my business. You might want to ask soon though. I’m about to be working her to death on the campaign.”
The detective stuffed his hands in his pockets. “Thanks. And uh, let’s keep that between us too. Darci won’t let me hear the end of it if she knows I’m interested in a woman. She’s always trying to set me up with her friends.”
“Your secret is safe with me.”
After he left, Bradley buried his face in his hands. It hadn’t occurred to him that he had crossed paths with Darci and both of the murder victims. Marlie was a submissive at the club, but she was a heavy masochist and not someone Bradley ever would have played with let alone dated. What were the chances this guy was someone he had met? Why would they be taunting Darci if it were someone connected to him? To his knowledge, the two didn’t run in the same circles that often.
D.C. was a small world, so it was possible this was someone they both knew. Maybe he would study the list of names Michael got from Darci. That would need to wait though. Now he was late for a meeting. He stepped out of the office just as Adara was getting up from her desk.
“You OK Boss? You look a little tired.”
“I’m fine thanks, Adara.” He asked her to make the dinner reservations and again hoped Darci wouldn’t be too angry with him for springing it on her.
“I might have a date this weekend, so I hope you don’t plan on calling me in,” she said with a wink.
“It wouldn’t be with a certain police detective, would it?”
She blushed, and he laughed. “You deserve to have some fun Adara. I promise to only call you if it’s an emergency.”
23
♥♥♥
At four-thirty that afternoon, Darci was preparing to leave work and put her plan of bribing Bradley with dinner and sex into motion. She stepped out of her office to tell her detail she was ready. To her surprise, she found Bradley chatting with the guard stationed in reception.
“Bradley! I thought you were working late.”
He turned from his conversation and grinned. “I rearranged some things because I want to take you to dinner. I have a surprise for you at the restaurant, but you have to promise not to get pissed at me.”
She frowned. That didn’t sound suspicious at all. “Well, I was going to surprise you with dinner at your place, but I suppose we can go out. I’m worried about a surprise you think I’ll get pissed at though.”
He held out his hand. “Come on, it’s not bad I promise. We’re going to Old Ebbitt Grill.”
Doing her best to ignore the security guard following them, she took his hand and walked out with him.
In the car, she took a deep breath. Did she really need a bribe to ask for what she wanted? Her therapist had been encouraging her to learn how to speak up when she wanted something. This would be good practice she decided.
“I was planning to soften you up with dinner and wine before I asked this. Can we please cut the security detail in half?”
“What’s wrong with two?”
“It’s smothering. Why can’t I just have one stand outside my office building?”
“Two is better. I wanted twelve, but Michael said that was overkill.” When he winked, she shot him a withering glare. “Look,” he said picking up her hand, keeping one on the wheel. “I know it's hard on you, baby. I promise it won’t last long.”
“I just want this to go away. It would be so much easier for me to sort out my feelings for you without all of this looming over my head.”
He ran his thumb across her knuckles. “Me too, baby. But until it is over, I need to keep you safe.” She sighed and squeezed his hand. “I understand you hate the security but let’s try to forget about that for tonight. You’ll probably be too mad at me after dinner to think about the protection detail anyway.”
She eyed him warily as he pulled into the parking structure next to the restaurant.
“You’re starting to scare me. What kind of surprise is this?”
“I’ve invited some guests to dinner is all. You’ll meet them soon enough,” he said before climbing out of the car. Out of habit, she waited for him to come around and open her door.
When he held out his hand to help her from the vehicle, she smiled.
“Shall we go eat, Miss Sanders? I picked an extra touristy place just for you.”
Her smile turned into a grin as she linked arms with him.
“I noticed that. I’m excited about dinner but nervous about your guests.”
Inside the restaurant, Bradley led them past the hostess station as if he knew where he was going. Apparently, he did. Sitting at a table in the far corner was an older couple. Darci froze in the middle of the restaurant and pulled her arm from Bradley’s.
“You didn’t,” she hissed.
“Come on baby, I want you to meet my parents,” he said grasping her elbow and steering her closer to the table.
“I would have changed if I had known. I’m so embarrassed.”
“Stop. You look beautiful,” he whispered in her ear as they approached the table.
The couple stood and the woman threw her arms around Bradley.
“It’s so good to see you son,” she said as they embraced.
Stepping out of her arms, Bradley held his hand out to Darci to pull her closer.
“Mom, Dad, this is my good friend, Darci Sanders. Darci, these are my parents, Ailene and Steve Givens.”
Ailene immediately pushed her son aside and wrapped Darci in a hug.
“Darci. That’s a lovely name. It’s so nice to meet one of Bradley’s friends.”
When Ailene released her, Steve Givens stood and offered his hand.
“A pleasure to meet you Darci. I’m familiar with your work with the ACSL. We should talk sometime.”
Darci couldn’t help but notice Bradley roll his eyes. Serves him right, she decided. This wasn’t the sort of thing you surprised a girl with. She offered Steve her brightest smile and said, “I would love that. You know, we’re looking at which candidate for president we want to endorse in the primaries and your name comes up often.”
It was mostly true. It would be weeks before the ACSL came out with an endorsement, but they would likely endorse someone from Governor Givens party. Bradley stiffened next to her and she fought the urge to smirk. This was going to go better than she had planned.
Steve Givens didn’t miss a beat and immediately launched into a discussion about why the ACSL could be proud of endorsing him for president. Darci quizzed him on several subjects. By the time the waiter returned with wine, Bradley was obviously uncomfortable.
Ailene took the interruption of the waiter to get the conversation away from politics. “So Darci, how did you meet our son?”
Darci launched into a slightly edited version of the story, leaving out club Exposure, the murders, and anything else that would make less than pleasant dinner conversation. It was easy to go along with Bradley’s lie about her apartment being renovated, but she embellished a bit further by saying that none of her other friends had room for her. She really didn’t want Steve and Ailene to know she was sleeping with their son. Especially since it wasn’t going anywhere.
If he was inconsiderate enough to force her into meeting his parents, what else was he going to be inconsiderate about? It didn’t matter how charming he was, she had to start distancing herself from this man. An idea formed in her head and a few minutes later she excused herself from the table.
As she made her way to the restroom, she pulled out her phone and found Jim’s name. Just as she opened the bathroom door, he answered her call.
“Jim, hey. It’s Darci. I was wondering if you still needed someone to go to New York. I’d like to go if so.”
“I would love that Darci. I was going to go myself, but you know how much I hate that city. If you’re offering, I can have you on a plane tonight.”
Tha
t’s exactly what she was hoping to hear. If only she could figure out how to ditch her security. Maybe she didn’t have to.
After washing her hands, she made her way back to the table. “I’m terribly sorry, I have an emergency at work. I’m going to ask security to take me to my office.”
Bradley jumped to his feet, his expression a mix of concern and frustration. “What’s wrong? Can I come with you?”
She flashed the smile she knew would calm him. “No need. Stay with your parents. I’ll see you back at your place.” It was misleading, she knew it, but she didn’t say when she would see him at his place, so it wasn’t a complete lie.
His expression told her he wanted to object but she reassured him that security was accompanying her, and he relaxed somewhat.
Turning to his parents she said, “Governor and Mrs. Givens, I’m so sorry I have to leave. I enjoyed our conversation, brief as it was.”
Both parents stood and offered Darci a hug.
“Come visit us in Arkansas sometime,” Ailene said before releasing her. Darci smiled and offered a noncommittal nod. No way that would be happening.
Ten minutes later, she was on her way to her office to grab the overnight bag she kept there for last minute trips like this. Her flight was in less than two hours, so she was cutting it close.
Security was unhappy about her going to New York without them but said she could go if she called Bradley. There was no way she was calling him before she got to the airport, so she countered. “I’ll call Bradley before I go through security. You can walk me to the check point.” And that’s how she found herself dialing Bradley’s number outside of the security checkpoint into the terminal while an unhappy bodyguard watched.