I started to lean over and whisper in Autumn’s ear that we needed to leave—that I couldn’t take this shit any longer. I wanted to save her, and leaving her in this house with him was not something I could do. I was trained to protect, and I wanted to shield her from the hell she was living.
Before I could speak, Rich started his speech, his eyes scanning the crowd. I pulled back from Autumn. “Family and friends,” Rich began. “Some of you approached me this evening, telling me you’d thought this was a surprise party. When I agreed that yes, this was indeed a surprise party, you all looked at me as if I’d lost my mind. I can tell you,” he chuckled, “that I have not. This is, in fact, a surprise party, but the surprise isn’t for me. It’s for you.”
People started to look at each other in confusion. I just rolled my eyes. God he was a douche.
“The surprise is I have an announcement. After months of consideration, I’ve decided that I’m going to run for mayor!” He smiled a cocky smile.
Gasps could be heard all around and Autumn squeezed my hand—hard. I’d forgotten Trista had told me her boss was going to run for mayor. Was this what Autumn meant when she’d said he was powerful? Did he have cops in his back pocket? I wouldn’t put it past him to corrupt people. He was a master manipulator; I’d watched him work first hand at getting his way with everything during our time in the army.
After the crowd had stopped clapping, Rich spoke again. “Thank you, everyone. Now please, enjoy yourself this evening, and when it comes time to vote, don’t forget this face,” he said, taking his pointer finger and drawing a circle around his face.
“See what I mean?” Autumn whispered. “A lot of these people are cops, or people who have pull in the city. I’m sure they’re even on his payroll.”
“I’m not scared of him,” I whispered back.
Before Autumn could speak, Trista stepped in front of me. “Honey, let’s go get another drink.”
I gave Autumn a tight smile before I looked at Trista. “Anything for you, sweetheart. I’ll get it. You stay here and enjoy the fire.”
