Campaign of Desire (CSA Case Files 4) by Kennedy Layne Read Free Book Online Page A

reaction to some of her past affairs, but she shoved that to the back of the long list of things her father didn’t need to know. She grabbed a napkin and dried her hand, ignoring the reddish tint to her skin.
    “Why would you ask me such a question?” Phoebe finally had her composure and turned to face her father. He was studying her reaction but she’d already decided that he didn’t need to know specific details. “I don’t ask who you sleep with, although if I were to take a gamble it would be Natalie Olson. She can’t take her eyes off of you at those fundraisers and Senate dinners. And don’t ever ask me where Kimmie gets her non-filtered mouth.”
    Her father had the decency to flush but the reaction was short lived. He pursed his lips and motioned to the men waiting outside that they could join them. A fleeting moment of panic shot through Phoebe as she debated on actually telling her father the truth.
    “Just out of curiosity, would it have made a difference if I’d said yes?” Phoebe asked as she warily watched Lach and the other man walk toward the office door.
    “Honey, you know that my family comes first and that I would love for you to settle down and give me some grandchildren. At least then I’d be assured of you remaining at home. If I thought Lach McKinnon could get you to do that, I’d shake his hand and give you both my blessing.”
    Phoebe didn’t respond to her father’s comments, as the man in question entered behind whom she presumed to be was his partner. Even from this distance, it was as if Lach’s scent surrounded her. The afternoon they’d spent together seemed as if it were yesterday and the memory brought with it the hurt she felt at being just another notch on his proverbial gun.
    She thought of what her mother would say in this moment and quickly looked down at her gray business suit cut just right over her hips. Annabelle would have told Phoebe to buck up and lift the sides of her lips as if she’d just received news that world peace had arrived and she’d had a hand in producing it. She had a feeling the total opposite was about to happen over the course of her father’s campaign—hell on earth—but that didn’t stop her from looking up with a smile on her flushed face.

Chapter Five

    L ach entered and remained quiet as Stan Dunaway made the introductions. He liked to watch and it was his experience that he learned more about a person through careful observation. Phoebe stepped forward and shook hands with Connor Ortega while offering Lach nothing more than a nod of acknowledgement. Her obviously fake smile told him all that he needed to know. She wasn’t any happier about this than he was. Hell, considering her parting words that last time they saw each other, she probably thought he wasn’t of the caliber of agent she thought he should be in order to be willing to give his life for hers. She’d certainly made her point plain, even to the most casual observer.
    “Connor and Lach will be able to explain better how they plan to oversee our protection.” Mr. Dunaway offered them coffee before pouring himself a cup. Both Lach and Connor declined and once the pleasantries were out of the way, Connor took a seat while Lach leaned his shoulder against the glass window overlooking the bullpen. Paul Mooney joined them, dragging in another chair behind him and situating himself between Phoebe and Connor. Lach could see from Mooney’s face that his action meant little in regards to her and more of a power sign to signal his need for some control. “Let’s get started, shall we?”
    “Phoebe, I’m sure your father has shared with you the threats he’s been receiving,” Connor said, starting off the conversation. Lach didn’t mind and crossed his arms, getting comfortable. It gave him time to notice the little details in her appearance, like the fact that she’d put on a light amount of make-up. The other times they’d been in each other’s presence her skin had