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“I never meant for this to be an issue,” I said, glancing at Bill. “I really am happy with how things turned out. I can find another job.”
I hoped. Preferably before the last of my savings disappeared in a few weeks.
“No,” Roman said and walked to Bill. “Creating a stipulation so that Amy specifically loses an opportunity is no better than giving her one based on the same pretense.”
“It would look bad,” Bill said, the same way he said it to me yesterday. Apparently this was the phrase of the week, but it was wearing thin. “We’re hanging on to this campaign now, but one wrong move and we could lose it. Then what? It won’t matter what the hell this woman does for a living, or how many times she’s seen on your arm, because you won’t be governor.” Bill calmed his tone and cleared his throat. “We need to focus on what is important. The election is in three days. You need to announce your support for the house seat and—”
“I’m not supporting Warren Cunningham.” Roman said. “I told you that before.”
“Jesus Christ,” Bill said, pinching the bridge of his nose. “A Cunningham vote on the house floor would give us the majority over the next four years. It’s the smart move, and you’re pissing it away because he dated your girlfriend!”
“I’m not supporting him because he’s inexperienced, untrustworthy, and doesn’t know a damn thing about the state budget. He wants the chair because he believes it’s his right. He hasn’t earned it.”
Roman looked ready to massacre Bill, and I took a few steps toward the door. I didn’t know what to say, if anything, but this seemed like a conversation to which I shouldn’t be privy.
“If you don’t give Cunningham your support, he’ll go to the press about your girlfriend’s…transgressions,” Bill said, all his distaste for me obvious in his tone.
“What the fuck did you just say?” Roman was talking between clenched teeth, and the temperature of my skin skyrocketed to a thousand degrees. Whether it was from Bill’s accusation or the venomous exchange between the two men, I didn’t know. But my blood felt like it was turning into wet cement, and my stomach was getting queasier by the second.
“Cunningham came to me yesterday about her,” Bill glanced at me. “Telling a story about her having a part in her sister’s death.”
Everything I’d been holding on to, the positive outlook and faith in something better, rushed from me. All I could do was glance frantically between Roman and Bill, shaking my head. I wanted to defend myself, but how? Why? I’d told Roman the truth, but I’d never actually thought this would happen—that Warren would take this kind of step.
“Accomplice to a teen death caused by drug overdose is not flattering,” Bill said. He looked directly at me and I’d never felt so small—so dirty—in all my life. “You fucked this up from the beginning. How long has Cunningham known about this? How long have you been hiding it?”
“I…I didn’t—” I started.
“That is total bullshit,” Roman cut me off, putting himself physically between Bill and me. “That’s not what happened, and it’s disgusting that you or Cunningham would have the gall to spin such lies.”
“Spinning is what I do!” Bill yelled. “It’s also what your opponent’s campaign does. You think the details matter? No. What matters is how it comes out, and trust me, it will come out.”
My heart dropped into the bottom of my gut. Warren was a son of a bitch, but I hadn’t known he was this low. Blackmailing me was one thing, but the governor and his staff?
Roman looked at me for a long moment.
“I’m so sorry,” I whispered. My voice cracked. It hurt so terribly all the way down my chest.
Then, a kind of calm came over Roman, and he smiled at me before facing Bill again.
“He wants a story? Then I’ll give him one. I’m supporting Mayor Stanton for the house seat. Cunningham can go to hell.”
“God damn it!” Bill threw his hands over his head.
Tears came to my eyes. Roman stood, collected and not the least bit concerned, at my defense. Never had anyone done such a thing.
“I told you at the gala,” Bill said, pointing at Roman, “that pursuing this woman was a bad idea. She has fucked with your mind!”
He then turned that angry finger on me, but it was the look on Roman’s face that struck something deep in my soul.
The look of pure horror.
Bill’s words sank in. Surely he had misspoken.
“The gala?” I asked. “The night we met? But you…you didn’t know who I was until later.”
Bill scoffed, and Roman instantly paled.
“Wake up, Amy,” Bill said. “You really think he didn’t know?”
