Some of the amusement left her face. “That and the fact you made it possible for me to be elected.”
“I don’t like blackmailers.” The memories shuffled in his head. The men who tracked down those old photos didn’t care that she’d been a freshman in college when they were taken or that the photographer had been a vengeful asshole of a former boyfriend. They just wanted her out of the race and were willing to ruin and embarrass her to do it. Wren hated men who shit all over women. “Your opponent was also an idiot. I don’t live in Maryland, but I have a low tolerance for people who wave the Constitution around without actually reading it.”
“Unfortunately, that’s not an odd occurrence on Capitol Hill.” She set down her mug. “So, to business. I know why I wanted to see you, but why did you insist on seeing me?”
With the mindless chatter out of the way, Wren dove in. “Why is Emery Finn looking for me?”
“Maybe it’s your sparkling personality?”
Part of him actually wished an attraction to him was the answer. “Here I thought she was just nosy. Dangerously so.”
“You’re using that threatening tone right now. In my office.” Sheila pointed at him. “Knock it off.”
“Some people are afraid of me.”
“Those people don’t know you. They’re actually afraid of some shadowy figure who hides behind a curtain.” When he just sat there she smiled at him. “Do you not get the movie reference?”
“What movie reference?”
“I see.” She rocked a bit in her big chair. “We—meaning you—need to deal with the Emery issue.”
“I’m trying, but I need more information about her angle.”
Sheila’s smile widened. “It’s convenient you came in, then.”
She seemed far too amused all of a sudden. “Excuse me?”
“I think we should ask her.”
That sounded simple enough, but no. “I tried.”
“I meant in a normal way, preferably without scaring the hell out of her. Maybe with a smart, eloquent third party present.” Then Sheila sat there, not moving and looking far too pleased with herself.
Wren saw the trap. A friendly one, but still, he’d been maneuvered. Sheila seemed determined to deal with this Emery situation and drag him out into the light. His preference was to ignore all of this until Emery went away . . . or it had been until he met her and an unexpected bit of interest sparked.
“What did you do?” He set his mug down nice and slow, careful not to crack it from the force of his grip on the handle.
“You’re not the only one who insisted on seeing me today.” The senator’s words jumbled together as she spoke faster than usual. “She keeps contacting me.”
There was more to the story. He read people for a living, and she was not immune to his skills. “Sheila.”
“I know. I’m sorry.” She held up her hand. “You can say no, but keep in mind I do have constituent work to do. I can’t referee forever this strange relationship you two have brewing.”
He stood up. “Right.”
“Huh.” Sheila played with the handle of her mug. “I didn’t think you’d pick running.”
Blow landed. Sheila didn’t dance around. She went right to the ego shot. He would have done the same thing. He was just not used to being on the receiving end of the offensive maneuver.
“She’s here now?” he asked, knowing the answer.
“Right outside. Should I send her away?” Sheila’s finger hovered over the intercom button on her phone.
He could leave out the side door and through the room where the staffers sat. She was giving him the out and any other time he would have taken it, but Emery’s dogged pursuit had him intrigued. He admired the determination. The idea she hadn’t given up or heeded his warning should have pissed him off. He seemed to have the exact opposite reaction.
“No.” This one time he would break his rules and give in to his curiosity. He really didn’t have an explanation for the change other than he sensed Emery wouldn’t stop even if it meant walking through the halls of the Capitol shouting his name. His gut also told him it was time for this showdown, and he rarely ignored his gut.
The senator reached for the intercom, giving him every chance to call this off. When he didn’t say anything, she hit the button. “Show Emery in.”
“Good.” He didn’t realize he said the word until it echoed through the room.
“This is your last chance to duck out.”
He sat back in the chair again. “I’m not exactly the type to go into hiding.”
“I’m familiar with your private life, but I’ll ignore that comment anyway.”
He was too busy staring at the door to respond. “I’m going to regret this.”
“True, but it will make my life less difficult.” She moved the mug around on her desk.