“She’s like a whirlwind, but still quite the lady.” He remarked, as they both watched her Aunt’s departure, until she disappeared indoors.
“She most certainly is that, and more.” Jessica replied. “I love her dearly.”
“Lucky her.” He quipped with a smile that made her heart flip inside her chest.
She looked away and shuffled nervously.
“She’s the only living relative I have. My mom and dad were taken from me, when I was a young child. My grandmother raised me,” she added shyly, “and passed a few years ago.”
“And, your husband’s family?”
She was afraid the conversation would go down a path she didn’t want to venture. When it did, her head snapped up with surprise, and she hesitated before the words slipped from her lips.
“I … I buried him nine days ago. His family … well, they never were very accepting of me.”
His look of astonishment wasn’t surprising. She knew her Aunt hadn’t embellished on Richard’s death, the cause, or her history with his family. It wasn’t necessary, and quite frankly, she didn’t want to go there. She started to feel uncomfortable at the way he looked at her.
“Senator. You’re staring,” she scolded, and shuffled from one foot to the other.
“I … my apologies. I can’t help myself, or imagine someone like you, not being cherished.”
His words were rather unexpected, and she didn’t know how quite to respond to them and the way he continued to look at her. It was both unsettling and exhilarating. Still, she knew, if she was going to work with this man, she needed to change the way this conversation was going.
“There’s nothing I can do about the past, Senator. I’m here with my Aunt to move on with my life, and I hope your offer still stands for that vacant position in your office. Does it?”
There was no hesitation, as he replied.
“Most definitely. It’s yours whenever you want to begin.”
“How about first thing Monday morning?”
His smile was warm and welcoming as he answered.
“Monday, it is.” He reached for her hand and she let him. “Let me be the first to welcome you on board. I hope you can learn on the fly, Jessica. Elections are in a month and my opponent is well serving of my seat and a person I respect. I’m not ready to give up my seat on the Senate, just yet. I’ve got too much work to do.
“That’s what I’m hoping for Senator, to be crazy busy, with little time to think of nothing else.”
She directed their attention at the sound of the music in the distance and pointed.
“Shall we venture bank indoors?”
Her offered his arm, and she slipped hers though his, clasping his forearm. It felt good walking beside him. She liked his energy and so far, everything about him.
“Do you dance, Senator?”
“You’re asking a country boy, if he can dance?”
She laughed at his honesty.
“I’ve been known to sweep a lady off her feet with a mean waltz though.”
Just a few feet from the entrance, someone stepped from the shadows, startling Jessica half out of her wits, making her screech.
“Well, well, well. What do we have here? A tryst in the pale moonlight?”
Jessica didn’t know, who the spiteful female was. She could tell from the stiffening of Bryan’s arm, that he was put off by the intrusion. The woman’s jealously seeped from every pore, and the vehement tone of her voice clearly attested, that she may have some legitimate claim on the man at her side.
Jessica slipped her hand from his arm. The woman looked and smelled of money. The strongest aroma, however, was from the excess of alcohol she apparently had consumed. She was extremely attractive, as her long golden blond tresses swayed from her drunkenness. There was a hardness about her. Her green eyes were not soft, and resonated hatred.
The last thing she wanted, was to get caught up in a scene with a woman obviously out of control.
“I think you misunderstand. If you’re the Senator’s date, I apologize for keeping him from you.”
“Oh, how proper you are. Isn’t she darling?” She spewed, as she stumbled forward.
“Angela enough!” The Senator barked.
The woman snickered, ignoring his outburst. “In case Bryan forgot to mention during your little interlude, I am far from just a date. I’m his fiancé, and you are treading where others fear to dare.”
The Senator stepped forward, but Jessica reached for his arm and snapped him backward, surprising both he and his fiancé.
“And, who may I ask, dares to threaten me?”
“Darling, you wouldn’t need to ask, if you traveled in my circle. But since you don’t, I’ll not waste my breath.”
“That’s quite enough, Angela.” The Senator bellowed. He turned, bowed slightly towards Jessica, and stepped away. He grabbed the woman by her elbow with a vice-like grip, snarling through gritted teeth. “I think you’ve embarrassed yourself enough for the evening and owe Mrs. Wilton an apology.”
Jessica piped in quickly, as she entwined her fingers in front of her.
“No need, Senator. You see she’s right. I don’t travel in her circle, and would never lower my standards to do so.”
His fiancé teetered against his side and harrumphed loudly.
“Really? I think not, missy. My riches speak volumes.”
Her remark did not discourage Jessica and she simply shrugged.
“That’s where you’re wrong. There’s no price on class. It can’t be bought. Even with new money like yours. I would never offer someone like you my time, or my friendship. You see dar-ling, you’ll never have the pedigree, style, and grace I was born into.”
The Senator chuckled loudly, and it made Jessica smile warmly.
“So, if you’ll excuse me,” she directed her attention to the Senator, as though the woman at his side never existed. “I’ll see you first thing Monday morning.”
When she gazed at the woman, still swaying at his side, her mouth was agape from the slap down she had just received.
“Perhaps, we’ll meet again under more sobering circumstances.”
“Bitch!” The Senator’s fiancé screamed, as she departed.
“You know what?” She heard him reply. “Each day I become more aware of your imperfections, and I don’t like what I see. I’ve had just about enough of your antics and outbursts. Grab a cab. I’m done with you.”
When Jessica entered through the double French doors, she stepped to the side and shielded herself behind the curtains. She felt bad for the Senator, and somewhat afraid of what his inebriated fiancé might do. She watched and listened, as they drew even closer.
“Bryan, wait!” His fiancé called after him. “Please, darling, wait. Don’t leave like this.” She caught up to him, pulling at his arm, forcing him to face her. “Stop! Please!”
He huffed heavily. “Angela, you’ve gone too far, too many times. What we once had, is gone. I can’t do this anymore.”
“Tread lightly, darling. Daddy wouldn’t like the way you’re talking to his princess.”
Her threat did not fluster him and, he kept on walking, but turned in another direction and took a path that led to the front of the building.
“You’ll be sorry, Bryan. Nobody walks out on a Dalton. Do you hear me?” His fiancé screamed at his retreating back.
Jessica scooted away at that moment and headed for the ladies’ room. She didn’t blame him for just leaving and not coming back inside. She couldn’t help but be curious about the woman, and who her father was. Her remark made her wonder, if her father financed his election. Then, as quickly as the thought entered her mind, she dismissed it. She knew it wasn’t true. Her Aunt knew him for the man he truly was. He had a good reputation in the Senate. He was the type of man, who wouldn’t allow himself to be someone’s pawn. He would never bargain his soul for a favor.
A woman like her, wouldn’t let this all end without repercussions. Jessic
a just knew it. Things could get ugly, especially now that she would be joining his staff. She sighed heavily and shook her head in discontent.
“What am I walking into?” She said aloud.
Only time would tell.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Jessica had never slept so soundly, despite how the evening had turned out. As she rose from her bed, she noted the time on the digital clock on her nightstand at nine-fifty-four. She could not remember the last time she had ever slept in that late. She hurried with her toiletry and went in search of her Aunt.
She found Florence outside on the patio, enjoying a light breakfast poolside.
Florence looked up from reading her morning paper and smiled warmly, as she stepped onto the tiled patio.
“Good morning,” Jessica offered, sighing softly as the warmth of the sun’s rays greeted her. “I’m sorry I rose at such a late hour. Did you sleep well?” She bent to place a tender kiss upon her Aunt’s cheek.
“I did. Quite well, dear. Thank you. I’m sorry your evening was ruined by that crass woman.”
She took a seat across from her Aunt and reached for the carafe of coffee sitting atop a hot plate.
“I rather enjoyed the exchange to be quite honest,” she smiled. “I have to admit; it was good for my ego. I can’t remember the last time I stood up to anyone, except Hal, before I left. It was fun.”
Cora entered and placed a warm plate of eggs and bacon before her, patted her head tenderly, and exited.
“You know, I really wanted to pop that woman.”
“Does my heart good to hear you say that, despite how unladylike it sounds.” Her Aunt replied happily. She raised her glass of orange juice in salute. “That’s the niece I remember. It’s nice to have her back.”
“That scared little girl is gone. You, this house, my freedom these past few weeks, are exactly what I needed.”
“How about a quick refresher course on state government?”
Jessica shook her head in the negative and swallowed a forkful of eggs.
“I don’t think that’ll be necessary, Aunt Florence. I couldn’t shut down my brain last night and bored myself to sleep researching just that topic and what my responsibilities might be for the position I’ll be filling.”
“And, what did you find?”
She took a sip of coffee, before replying.
“It’s going to be challenging, that’s for certain. I’m excited though. I look forward to promoting his agenda, leading his media campaign, acting as his press secretary, overseeing his social media sites, helping his constituents and answering his correspondence on his behalf, and whatever else there is I don’t know of yet.”
They heard the house phone ringing in the distance and shortly thereafter, Clora appeared in the doorway.
“Excuse me, Mrs. Newcombe,” she interrupted. “Sen. Gallagher is on the line and requesting to stop by some time this afternoon to meet with you both.”
“Poor man. He probably feels as though he needs to apologize for that debacle of a fiancé.” Her Aunt offered. “Clora, please tell the Senator to expect to join us for lunch at noon.”
“Certainly,” Clora nodded and turned to do so.
“He needn’t apologize for anything.” Jessica shared.
“I agree. Bryan’s a gentleman though. I hope he has the good sense of breaking ties with the woman, for his own good, regardless of who her father is.”
“Just who is her father?”
Florence waved the question off with a sniff.
“Second generation steel. But, more of a loud mouth thug than anything else. I’m afraid Bryan has been hood-winked by Miss Dalton’s beauty, rather than the true she-devil, who dwells beneath that porcelain skin.”
Jessica nearly spurted out the coffee she just sipped and laughed. “Say what you really feel, why don’t you!”
Florence sent her a miffed look, making her laugh even more.
“I have to admit, I agree. The little time I’ve spent with him, made me believe he wasn’t the type to attach himself to such a woman.”
Her Aunt nodded, as she pushed her plate aside and refilled her coffee cup.
“You’ve chosen well. Bryan Gallagher is an exceptional young man, and you’ll make a good team. He just turned thirty and the youngest member, you know, to ever be elected Senator in this state.”
“He wasn’t always a politician though, right?”
She, too, set her plate aside and settled back to await her Aunt’s reply.
“I met Bryan through an acquaintance of your Uncle’s. Sen. Walt Markham, was Chairman of the Codes Committee, which basically has jurisdiction over all aspects of bills that protect crime victims and punish the criminals. Walt reached out to him after a series of murders plagued the capitol some years back. Bryan was a Lieutenant on the Vice Squad for the City of Albany. They worked on legislation together pertaining to the death penalty. Walt died unexpectedly from a heart attack. Bryan was making quite a name for himself, and the party reached out to him to fill Walt’s chair.”
“The more I learn of him, the more I like what I hear.”
When she noticed the look of approval on her Aunt’s face, she waved her point finger at her.
“Don’t go reading anymore into that statement. My interest is purely platonic.”
Her Aunt smiled knowingly and replied.
“Whatever you say, dear.”
She could tell from the look on Florence’s face, her Aunt was thinking she had a crush on Bryan. She didn’t. She admired him. She found him rather charming and witty, and yes, he was a hunk of burning love, by any woman’s standards. The man exuded sexuality for Pete’s sake. So much so, she had stirrings of desire she thought would lie dormant forever. Even now, the thought of him left her damp between her thighs.
She shook the idea from her mind. She had to go into this job with the mentality, that Bryan Gallagher, was her boss. Nothing more. She needed this job to help her start a new chapter in her life, a life of independence and purpose. She needed to prove her worth to herself first and believe it.
“What are you thinking, dear?” Her Aunt’s question interrupted her thoughts.
“I just hope this whole thing with Angela settles quietly, that’s all. Everything I read on the internet last night, after I got home, tells me he’s a very controversial figure.”
“You’re talking about the death penalty bill?”
Jessica nodded.
“The courts have been battling the constitutionality of that issue for nearly two decades now. The members on both sides of the aisle have voted every year to reinstate it, only to have the bill vetoed by the governor.”
“But, haven’t a lot of police officer’s been killed in the line of duty, and hundreds heartlessly murdered in his state over the past two years. You would think the man, would care enough to want to do more?”
“Yes. I agree. I think his judgment is more personal. He’s not listening, to what the people of this state want. He’s a devout Catholic and lead by those beliefs.”
“But, wasn’t a family member of his family, also a victim of such a crime? I could have sworn I read that somewhere.”
“A second cousin, dear. Perhaps, for him, it wasn’t personal enough. I know Walt is considering not seeking re-election. There’s been talk he’s looking at something in the private sector. If that happens, the party is seriously considering throwing Bryan’s name into the ring.”
“Isn’t he kind of young and inexperienced to hold a position of such power?”
Her Aunt responded assuredly.
“Quite frankly, no. Young blood is needed. We’ve had one pompous ass after another using that office as a stepping stone to the White House, Walt MacDonald excluded, of course. He’s a good man and has made some monumental changes during his term. We need another man like him, who cares about this State, and its people.
I believe Bryan is just that man. This isn’t conjecture, dear. If Bryan’s death penalty bill becomes law, it
will be a vital ticket to the Governor’s mansion. Mark my word. We will see that happen.”
The certainty of it all, was a little hard to digest. Just to think the job she would beginning shortly could lead straight to the Governor’s office, was a little unsettling, to say the least. She swallowed nervously and reached for her coffee cup, emptying it of its contents.
“Don’t let Bryan’s good looks fool you, Jessica,” her Aunt continued. “Behind that handsome exterior, lies the mind of a felicitous young man. He’s attained many honors in his thirty years. He’s a Master in self-defense and weaponry, can debate the best of them on the Senate floor, graduated Cum Laude from George Washington University, is bilingual in Spanish, which makes him appealing to a very large minority; and, he was awarded a Medal of Valor from his stint with the Marine Corp’s Special Operations Command. The young man is one hell of a catch.”
They were so engrossed in conversation, they not only lost track of time, but completely unaware that their lunch guest was standing at the threshold between the back parlor and patio.
“Who’s one hell of a catch?” Bryan asked, scaring them both out of their wits.
Florence popped to her feet with a started yelp.
“Oh! Dear me. You startled us.” She moved to greet him with open arms. “Don’t you know it isn’t proper to listen in on a lady’s conversation,” she scolded, as she hugged him tightly, “especially when one is talking about you,” she whispered softly in his ear.
“I hope it was good,” he whispered back, before placing an affectionate kiss upon her cheek.
“I’m afraid that Jessica and I have been languishing here and so enthralled in catching up, that we clearly let time slip away from us. We truly didn’t mean to greet you, still sitting in our loungewear.” She apologized, as they made their way back towards Jessica.
He raised his palms to emphasize his point. “Please, don’t change on my account. Very seldom do I have the chance to luncheon with two ravishing beauties poolside.” He directed his attention Jessica’s way and nodded. “Hello Jessica. It’s good to see you again.”
A Pawn for Malice Page 6