Charity's Secrets by Maya James Read Free Book Online

You must see that. You have to know that, and what people in our
position would be willing to do to protect themselves at that point,"
Austin says. Just as Justin had him practice over and over, his eyes are wide
and honest, almost scared for him.
    "You
guys know this is more than I need. I'm sure that you considered that when you
were planning it."
    Austin
and Cattie both nod.
    "There
won't be a problem," Lewis promises.
    "Problem
with that is you're bound to get used to the freedom of the higher limit real
quick, and that's when you'll trap yourself. Don't let that happen!"
Franco's voice managed to grow even more menacing. "My advice, don't get
close to the limit when you play. Use the balance on something else; the kids,
your wife, something you can feel safe about."
    Lewis
nodded. "You said to think of it as half my salary, what did you mean by
that?"
    "I'm
glad you asked," Cattie said, taking over. "There's an entire team
behind you now, more than those in this room. Campaigning for you going forward
is just a PR event. Financing is taken care of. Crisis management, marketing,
press, research, security—it's all handled."
    "Your
political career just got the biggest boost you could have ever hoped
for," Austin agreed, holding out his hand to Lewis, who smiled and shook
it, laughing nervously.
    "Just
tell me how it works," Lewis says. "Am I working directly with all of
you?"
    "Not
really," Austin replies. "I'll be your POC for nearly everything. You
could hear from one of the others from time to time, but most everything will
go between us. I'll tell you who to meet, what to say, how to vote—whatever
needs to be done. And you contact me for anything you need. We'll have strategy
meetings once a month, which will be the people here now, give or take. And get
used to that quiet one back there." He pointed at Justin.
    Justin
doesn't make any effort to come forward. He wants Lewis to expect him, but not
know him. He simply nods his head slowly as Lewis does the same nervously.
    "Mr.
Collins is our security and intelligence department. If we need to know
something, he'll get the answer. If we need something done, something or
someone taken care of, Mr. Collins is in charge."
    "So
he's my security?"
    Austin
winces a bit. "Not really. He's our security. He watches you as
much as he watches out for you. I just want to be honest. You deserve to know.
He works for the group, not you. He'll do things you need done, but don't
misunderstand where his loyalty is. If you turn against this group, you turn
against him, and that—that would be the worst mistake of all."
     
     
    JUSTIN HAD TEXTED ME that he was on his way up, so I went to wait in his
office. Sylvester paces back and forth while we wait together. We had important
information to give him, but it could wait a few minutes.
    I miss
him so much. It hasn't been long, a single night so he could be in DC early.
Then a flight back on the Hawker this afternoon. But it was long enough. I
heard the same need for release in his voice on the phone earlier.
    The
door clicks and he comes in, finding me leaning back in his chair, my legs
spread to expose a hint of red fabric under my Donna Karan voile skirt. His
smile still stops my heart and makes me gush. When he closes the door, he locks
it and heads for me.
    "You
guys watched the entire meeting?" he asks as he approaches.
    "We
did," I reply easily, turning the chair so that I will be facing him when
he comes around his desk. "It went perfectly."
    "Everyone
did their part. That always helps."
    I run a
slow hand between my legs, teasing him. I pull my legs wider, lifting my full
skirt higher toward my waist. "You should do your part now," I tell
him.
    "I'm
going to do my part. My part is to love you with all I have, and I do. I love
you more than life itself. My part is to make you happy, and I'm going to make
you happy right now . I'm going to use my fingers and my tongue, and I
promise you, when I'm done there's going to be nothing