“For giving me a chance.”
“I should be thanking you,” Meg nodded back toward where the Senator and Michelle sat drinking champagne.
“What for?”
“For helping me get through this night,” Meg winced dramatically.
Sirus couldn’t help but chuckle. He had to wonder what it was about this girl that made him feel at peace for the first time in as far back as he could remember.
Chapter 76 The Lady in Red
Meg and Sirus had spent the thirty-five minute flight talking quietly about what she might encounter at the benefit. Sirus was the guard in attendance at the most recent event, so he was very much in-the-know concerning protocol.
“Gideon mentioned something that was going to happen tonight, but never got around to telling me what,” Meg had prompted.
“He was probably talking about the nomination.”
“Nomination? For what?”
“Arkdone’s already thrown his name into the race. He’s a front-runner for his party’s nomination.”
“Nomination for what?” Meg hated not being in the know. She was so accustomed to reading everyone’s emotions and therefore thoughts. Not knowing was making her feel more than a little blind.
“The President of the United States,” he answered trying not to sound condescending.
“Oh, shit,” Meg blurted. She was glad she was already sitting down. She lost her equilibrium for a moment, probably from holding her breath in shock.
“I can see he hasn’t earned your vote.” Sirus gently teased as he reached out to touch her cold, shaking hand.
“I’m just surprised, is all. So what will happen tonight?”
“Well, the Brisbee Benefit acts like a state caucus. Arkdone’s one of three candidates that will be in attendance tonight. The party’s delegates will be there, too. Arkdone is vying for those delegates’ support for his nomination as his party’s presidential hopeful in the next election. If he wins the delegates’ support tonight, he’ll be heading the national convention.”
“I feel like an idiot. I’ve never paid attention to how someone is chosen to be a presidential candidate.”
“There’s a lot to it,” Sirus offered, “but tonight is a big step.”
“Yes, it sounds as though it is,” Meg’s voice trailed off. For the rest of the flight, she sat in silence, chewing her lip, deep in thought.
Sirus silently watched her worried profile.
Chapter 77 The Night Before
“They’re never going to believe this,” Sloan leaned her forehead heavily into her hand.
“They’ll have to once they test our blood,” Evan shrugged casually.
“What?”
“It’s bound to happen. We may as well invite them to take a sample.”
“That’s incredibly dangerous.”
“Arkdone used our resistance to coming into the public eye and our fear of the authorities to his advantage. We need to take away that advantage and play the card ourselves.”
“Please don’t use card playing metaphors. My head is aching.”
“I’ll get you some meds, you get the glass of water. We’re nearly done here.”
“How do you have so much energy?” Sloan watched him stand abruptly from his chair and walk toward the medicine box they kept in the kitchen.
“I can’t afford to be tired now,” he shrugged.
Sloan took a glass from the cabinet to the right of the sink and filled it from the large container of filtered water. Evan was right beside her, his hand out ready to drop the pills into her hand.
Sloan’s sharp doctor’s eyes took advantage of the fact that he was using his left hand.
“You have significant scarring, Evan. How is your sense of touch?” She asked bluntly. Her medical training made her feel much more comfortable asking personal questions. Getting accurate patient history was a regular part of her work.
Evan placed the pills on the counter, shoved his scarred hand in his pocket and turned away abruptly.
“Yeah, well, I guess it could be worse,” he shrugged. “Listen, I think we’re as ready as we’re going to be. I’ll meet you back here at nine-thirty tomorrow morning. We’ll take my bike to get to the embassy.”
“Okay,” Sloan nodded. It just occurred to her that she may have said something that caused Evan’s abrupt change. “Just, try to get some sleep, Evan. Tomorrow’s going to be grueling,” she had to add.
“Right back atcha, kiddo.” Evan offered an up-nod and left through the back door.
Sloan heard the motorcycle rev, and the ghost of the Evan she used to know drove away.
Sloan looked down at her watch. She hadn’t eaten dinner, opting instead to study with Evan as long as he would allow, but now her stomach was growling and it was approaching seven.
Just as she was walking to the bread box to start making a sandwich, Cole walked in, looking around.
“Am I interrupting?” he asked.