The Winner Takes It All

by Jennifer Dawson

  Before Evan could answer, James walked in and clapped their youngest brother on the shoulder. “I thought I heard you. You finally made it. How was surfing off the Australian coast?”

  Evan’s eyes hooded, taking on a lazy, droll expression. “Twelve-foot swells and hot girls. It was a good time.”

  Penelope snorted, and Shane smiled. His brother was one of those guys who’d never really grown up. Not that he had to; as far as Shane could tell, the NFL was nothing but an extended frat party to Evan. Yeah, he worked his ass off for the game, but off the field he played equally hard.

  Evan held out his hands. “What do you have against hot girls, Pen?”

  “Nothing at all.” Her expression closed. “It’s just hard to believe you’re thirty-one.”

  Shane raised a brow. “I trust you left the Playboy bunny at home this time.”

  Evan rolled his eyes. “Dude, that was like, months ago.”

  The last woman his little brother brought around sat on his uncle’s lap and posed for pictures with him in a minuscule dress that barely covered her ass. His aunt Marie had thrown a fit. One thing led to another, and Shane had spent an hour calming everyone the hell down. He didn’t have the stamina for that. He nodded. “Just checking. I don’t want Maddie’s day ruined.”

  Evan’s gaze hardened and the laziness rolled off him. “I’m not going to ruin her day.”

  “Just keep yourself in line.”

  “I’m in line, dad.” The last word delivered with a healthy amount of sarcasm.

  A muscle under Shane’s eye started to twitch.

  James frowned and patted their youngest brother on the shoulder. “Let me show you where we’re staying.”

  “We’re not at the house?”

  “It’s a little crowded, so the Robertses are letting us crash in the apartment over their garage.”

  Evan straightened. “Hmmm . . . Gracie Roberts. Now there’s a woman that I wouldn’t mind getting my hands on.”

  James’s expression hardened, flashing with anger, his hands clenching into fists. In typical fashion, Evan was already heading into the foyer and didn’t notice. James’s face twisted before settling into his normal calm expression.

  Then he slowly walked out of the room.

  Shane turned to Penelope, who wore her own pinched expression. He raised a brow. “There’s going to be trouble.”

  Penelope raised her eyes to the heavens. “With Evan, isn’t there always?”

  “You’ve got a point.” He didn’t have the energy to deal with it right now. Not with Cecilia gone and out of his grasp. He woke his computer from sleep mode, scrolling through his e-mails. The top one was from the city planner, and he opened it with a sigh, steeling himself for whatever new obstacle the guy threw at him today.

  When he read the e-mail, Shane frowned. “Huh, that’s interesting.”

  “What?” Penelope asked.

  “Jackson, from the mayor’s office. He agreed to the terms with no further changes.” Thank God something was going his way. Relief stole through him, making his shoulders slump. Only now did he allow himself to admit how terribly worried he’d been.

  “I can’t believe she did it,” Penelope said.

  Shane’s head shot up. “You can’t believe who did what?”

  Behind her dark frames, Penelope blinked, straightening in her chair. “Huh? Nothing. That’s great. I’ll notify legal.”

  His eyes narrowed. “What aren’t you telling me?”

  “Nothing.” She was a horrible liar. He was her boss, but they were also friends.

  “Penelope,” he said in a warning tone.

  She shifted in her chair, crossing her legs and uncrossing them. “Honestly, I don’t know anything.”

  “This has something do with Cecilia, doesn’t it?”

  “Why would you say that?” she countered, giving him the confirmation he needed.

  He should push her and find out what she knew. Her first loyalty was to him. He could break her, but didn’t. If he did, he wouldn’t have an excuse to talk to Cecilia.

  Cecilia left the building, got into a cab, and twenty minutes later sat in Logan Buchanan’s office. She shifted in her chair. The man was intimidating.

  He looked like the ex-military man he was, dangerous and lethal, even in a custom-tailored navy suit. His eyes were a piercing ice blue that looked straight into her. She swallowed, nervous despite herself.

  “How did it go?” His voice was low and deep, like maple syrup trickling down a tree.

  “I showed him the pictures, and he agreed. Now we wait for confirmation.”

  He smiled, and it was pure sin. “Can’t imagine he’d refuse with those pictures. His wife is a good Christian woman, real pillar-of-the-community type. He’ll do what needs to be done.”

  She nodded. “I’ve been in politics a long time; people will do almost anything to cover their ass.”

  “Amen to that,” he said, amused.

  “And Miles, do you have anything on him yet?”

  Expression inscrutable, he shook his head. “Nope, nothing.”

  Dread pooled in her stomach. “What does that mean?”

  He shrugged. “It’s only been a few days, but usually there’s a thread of something. When you know where to look, people aren’t very good at hiding. If I had to guess, he’s probably clean.”

  She bit the inside of her cheek. She’d been so sure. So positive. She clutched her briefcase. “Everyone has something to hide.”

  He raised a brow. “What are you hiding?”

  She lowered her gaze and pressed her lips together. The only things that could be used against her were the things she’d been doing with Shane. But she’d been preparing for a public life since she was old enough to talk. Even as a teenager she’d never done anything that could come back and bite her.

  “Some people are just clean,” he said, his voice soft.

  “And you think this is one of those times?” It was what she’d feared. While she believed she’d secured Shane’s contract, she had no guarantees Miles and the senator wouldn’t publish the article anyway. They could still do considerable damage to Shane’s reputation. She couldn’t allow that. Which left her with only one option.

  “I’ll keep looking, but yes. So far, there’s nothing.”

  “Okay, thank you.” She stood.

  He got to his feet and held out his hand. “I’ll see you at the wedding.”

  She snatched back her hand mid-shake, as though she’d been burned. “You’re going to be at the wedding?”

  His lips quirked. “Shane’s a good friend. I’ve known Maddie for years. Of course I’ll be at the wedding.”

  She blinked. “But our . . . arrangement . . . it’s private. Confidential?”

  His gaze narrowed. “You don’t want Shane to know.” It wasn’t a question.

  She shook her head. “He can’t know.”

  He crossed his arms over his broad chest, looking like an immovable object. “Can I ask why?”

  “It’s a long story, but it’s for his own good.”

  “We have a signed contract, and I wouldn’t be in business for long if I didn’t abide by the confidentiality clause in the agreement.”

  A tiny easing of relief. “Then I have your word?”

  “You do.”

  She turned to leave, but stopped when he said, “Cecilia.”

  She looked over her shoulder, asking the silent question.

  “You know when he finds out he’s not going to be too happy about this.”

  “I know.”

  “Then I trust you have a good reason.”

  The very best reason. “I do. I understand Shane is your friend, and I promise if I pull this off, he won’t stay angry for long.”

  “Good,” he said with a sharp nod.

  Down in the lobby, she sat on a bench and called Mitch. He picked up on the second ring. “What’s up?”

  “He didn’t find anything on Miles.”

  A pause over
the line. “It’s still early.”

  “I know, but he said he thinks Miles is clean. He’s almost certain.”

  Mitch sighed. “Then you don’t really have a choice, do you?”

  “No, I don’t.” She hung up.

  She’d been dreading this moment. The reckoning. She’d hoped to deal with the situation through Miles, but in her heart she’d known it wouldn’t be that simple.

  If she wanted to save herself, she’d have to turn on her father. She’d known it was coming, had been committed to the choice that day she’d talked with her mother in Gracie’s backyard. But now that it was here, the finality gave her pause. Once she did this there’d be no going back. Her relationship with him would be ruined. She’d have no career to fall back on. At thirty-three she’d start her life over from scratch.

  She’d be starting her business without a safety net.

  Her chest tightened. As much as she hated him, she’d still spent a lifetime adoring him. Working to make him proud. To prove she was worthy. It wasn’t simple like in the books or movies. One epiphany didn’t wipe out all those years of wanting him to love her.

  All her life she’d chosen him.

  And now, it was time to choose herself.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Decision made, Cecilia didn’t waste any time calling Julie, her father’s admin.

  “Where have you been?” Julie asked as soon as she picked up the phone.

  Cecilia ignored the question. “I need on his schedule. Today. Now, if possible.”

  In the background, her e-mail dinged and her heart leapt in her throat. Right on time.

  “He’s got Paul in there.”

  “Good. I’ll be right over.” She hung up, strode from the lobby and out onto the Chicago streets.

  Fifteen minutes later, she walked into his office without knocking. Paul was still there. The two of them sat at the war table where Cecilia had spent years of her life.

  The senator’s head lifted. “Cecilia.”

  “Dad,” she said, and turned to Paul. “Please excuse us. I need to speak to my father alone.”

  He looked at Nathaniel for confirmation.

  He nodded, and Paul gathered his things and left.

  “To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?” He looked old and tired, the skin under his eyes bagging. “Your mother already told me I’m not invited to the wedding, if that’s what this is about.”

  “No, it’s not.” She sat down at the table. “I’m done being the liaison between the two of you.”

  His skin turned pink, but she was pretty sure it was out of anger instead of embarrassment. “Fine. Is this about your campaign?”

  “No, I’m not running for office.” Just saying the words brought a huge sense of relief. Like a thousand-pound weight lifted off her chest. “Oh, and by the way, I quit.”

  The words brought her freedom. Like chains falling one by one from her body, leaving her naked and vulnerable, but alive.

  He blinked, looking stunned, but then his face cleared. “I assume that makes sense, considering you’ll need to devote your time and energy to Miles and your life together.”

  On a roll now, she scoffed. With every word she spoke, she grew stronger. Determined. Powerful. “I’m not going to be doing that either.”

  “Then what?” he asked, his tone careful and controlled.

  She tilted her head to the side. “I’m going to start a little PR firm that specializes in damage control. You’re the one who always said that’s my strength. You’re right. I like it and I’m good at it.”

  Just saying the words out loud made them real, and she experienced a bolt of excitement. She could do this. She had contacts and connections. She could build it from scratch and it would be something to call her own.

  His brows furrowed. “I’m not sure how Miles will feel about that. You’ll have to discuss it with him.”

  She shook her head. “I don’t see why, since I won’t be marrying him. You two will have to make it to the White House without me.”

  His expression turned to fury. “You may be my daughter, but I suggest you don’t force my hand.”

  She folded her hands on the table. A stillness came over her, filling her with a calm sort of peace. He, not she, had drawn this line in the sand. “Is that what you’re calling it these days? Call it what it is: blackmail.”

  “Incentive.”

  She smiled and waved a hand. “Whatever.” She picked up her phone and pressed the e-mail app. The message from Mitch sat in her in-box and she pressed the icon to begin the download. “I went to the mayor’s office today.” She clucked her tongue. “It turns out the city planner has a schoolgirl fetish, so he’s going to be signing those contracts, regardless of any press releases.”

  Nathaniel gaped at her.

  She held up a finger. “One problem down, but what to do about you and Miles? I don’t trust you to not hurt Shane and, see, I’m not going to let that happen.”

  His complexion turned florid with rage. “Cecilia, what have you done?”

  “Incentive. Just remember, Dad,” she said, the word full of scorn, “you started this. I’m the woman you created. I fix messes, and I’m fixing this one.”

  “I only want what’s best for you,” he said. “You can’t give this up to start a silly little consulting firm.”

  It wasn’t going to work this time. She swiped through the first part of the download to find what she wanted. “I’m sure it’s hard to believe this right now, but I do love you. I believe there was a time you were a good man. I tried to find something on Miles. That’s proving difficult. Unfortunately, that leaves you.”

  He held up a hand. “Are you doing this because of Shane Donovan?”

  “You brought him into this, not me. I suggest you don’t say another word about him.”

  He blew a hard, irritated breath.

  “Now where was I? Ah yes, incentive.” She trembled a bit from anger and loss. The loss was there, and she let herself feel it, because it was true and honest. That was the woman she wanted to be now. Real. “I have the pictures. I don’t want to use them, but if I have to, I will.”

  “What pictures?”

  “Of you and the intern.”

  His expression cleared and she could see the relief wash through him. “Everyone knows I was drugged. There were prescriptions to prove it. Their scheme was exposed, Cecilia. It poses no more threat to me.”

  This was it. Once she did this, she’d be free. She swallowed and dove into the deep end. “No. I have the other pictures.”

  A flicker crossed his face, but then it was gone. “I don’t know what you mean.”

  Filled with disgust and sadness, she slid her phone across the table. “I must say, I’ve seen far too many dirty photos today.”

  He looked at her phone, complexion paling to an ashy gray. The photos the blackmailer had sent to her father last year had been a warning. But Cecilia now had the real ones, the ones he’d been really worried about. Pictures that showed her father and the intern locked together in an embrace, his eyes open, his hands participating. Pictures her mother would never forgive.

  Weariness settled into Cecilia’s bones. She shook her head. “I didn’t want to believe it. I wanted to trust you. Believe in you. Even though I’d seen you together and knew you slept with her.”

  “Cecilia,” he said, his voice a croak. “Have you shown these to your mother?”

  “No. Mitch and I agreed we wouldn’t show her unless we had no choice.” She wouldn’t ever hurt her mom like that. There was no need.

  “Your brother?”

  She nodded. “He’s had them all along. I think, like me, he hoped you’d do the right thing and redeem yourself.”

  His fingers tightened on the phone, his knuckles going white. “How could you do this to me? Your own father?”

  “I learned it from you. Never show weakness. Never break. Isn’t that what you always taught me?”

  He dropped the phone
and it clattered on the wood table, the sound seeming to echo in the silence of the room. “What do you want?”

  “Nothing much, certainly nothing that means anything to you,” she said, feeling sad. “Just my freedom.”

  She took her phone, closed the offending pictures, and tucked the cell into her purse. “I trust you’ll take care of Miles and any fallout from the engagement being called off?”

  He nodded, then looked at her. He’d aged twenty years in the last few minutes. “I didn’t sleep with her.”

  Even now he lied. Because with him, it was never about what was right, but about protecting his ass. Chest heavy, she gathered her things. “It doesn’t matter much, does it? As you’re fond of telling me, perception is reality.”

  The bar where Mitch and Maddie met had been transformed for the rehearsal dinner and Shane barely recognized the dive. Sophie, Penelope, and Gracie had strung lights all over the place, casting the room in a golden glow. They’d pushed together several tables to form one big square, covered in white linens, filled with flowers and sparkling candles. The girls had gone over the top with decorations and the place looked incredible. A party befitting his baby sister.

  As they milled around the bar, Maddie was radiant in a yellow sundress with her soon-to-be husband at her side.

  At least he wouldn’t have to worry about her anymore.

  Shane was happy for her. Everyone was having a great time.

  Except for him.

  Cecilia was still gone. Disappeared without a trace.

  He’d wanted to ask where she’d run to, but had kept his mouth shut. These next couple of days were about Maddie and Mitch, so he’d put on a happy face and act as normal as possible. Because that’s what his sister deserved.

  Sunday he’d be back home, and he’d go about forgetting Cecilia. In time, the memory of these two weeks would fade. When he saw her again, summer Cecilia would be gone, and she’d be back to being someone he might want, but could resist.

  At least that’s the story he sold himself.

  He couldn’t believe she hadn’t shown up. Nobody had even asked about her. It was like she’d vanished, only existing in his own mind.