Page 119 of Declan

“Thank you.”

I glanced from the president-elect to President Tom Anderson and waited. As per usual with Tom, he hadn’t briefed me on why Trent Graham had requested a sit-down.

“What can I do for you, Mr. Graham?”

“Trent will be fine,” he corrected.

I eyed him, then Tom, and wondered what in the hell was going on. I didn’t know this man personally, though I voted for him after the vice president was forced to drop out of the race for the White House. Tom had supported Graham in his bid for his job, and I had a thick file on the man, but in my business that didn’t mean shit. President-elect Graham would have to prove himself.

“What can I do for you, sir?”

Tom’s deep, rumbling chuckle filled my office and I narrowed my gaze on the man.

I was going to miss the old son-of-a-bitch. He’d made it clear that the day after the inauguration, he was taking his wife and moving back to Texas and I couldn’t blame the man. The last eight years hadn’t been easy.

“Told you he was a stubborn asshole,” Tom said. “He’s bossy, too. But I’m telling you, no better man to have your back.”

Graham smiled at Tom, then turned back to me. “I wanted to discuss your future.”

What the fuck?

“This isn’t my first dog and pony show. I’ve been in Washington a long time. So I know good men are hard to come by, trust harder, and loyalty damn impossible. Tom has assured me I can find all three in you and your team. I need good men surrounding me. Gerrard is retiring and moving to Texas to continue to be Tom’s personal guard. A buddy of mine, Lucas Grant, former SEAL, will be my personal guard.”

“I appreciate Tom’s…praise. I can also appreciate your situation. However, I’m not sure if I can be of service.”

“Zane—”

“I understand,” Graham interrupted Tom. “It will take time before I earn those three things with you. And I look forward to doing just that.”

Fucking shit.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Tom glaring at me.

Then I made a decision.

“May I be frank?”

“I’d prefer it, yes.”

“I don’t know you. I don’t like working with people I don’t know when the result of that is my ass is swinging in the wind. With that said, I’ll meet with Grant. I’ll introduce you to my team. Now, here’s the frank part—you fuck my team, I’ll bury you. I don’t play games of politics, I don’t do dirty work because you wanna cover your ass and hide like a pansy.”

“Noted.” Graham’s mouth twitched.

“And I swear on all things holy, that daughter of yours ditches her detail, decides she wants to be free to be herself and not live behind gates, do not call me. Been there, done that. And I have seen pictures of your daughter, and no offense, but she’s hot. Once was enough, and Colin was lucky to keep his balls.”

“No offense taken. And I can assure you, my daughter would have no interest, your men aren’t her type.”

“No shit?”

“I might be a politician, but like you, I don’t play the game. My daughter’s sexuality is hers and not for public consumption, and certainly not for my party to pander.”

“I think I almost like you,” I told him, and Tom snickered.

“Then we’re off to a good start,” he returned. “I’ll be in touch to set up a meeting.”

“The sooner the better.”

“Is there something I should know about?”