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“A woman’s instinct—a mother’s instinct—is rarely wrong.”
“But even that margin of error is worth holding on to.” Grayson blew out a breath of air and joined his wife on the bed. He scooped her hands into his own and tried to warm them to no avail. He held her gaze until he had her full attention. “He’s done this before. You know that.”
She did not look away. “Yes.”
“He and I had a fight the other night.”
She didn’t blink. “Yes.”
“He’s just acting out.”
She pulled her hands back. “No.”
“Mary—”
“Don’t say it like that.” She stood up and straightened the items on her bedside table. She moved them one inch to the right, then one inch to the left. Right where they had been to begin with. “Don’t say it like I’m crazy.”
“I don’t think you’re crazy.” That was the truth. “But I think you’re jumping to conclusions. And we can’t do that right now. He’ll show up in a day or two, hungry and tired and begging for money like he always does.”
“Do you even want him to come home?”
“Of course I do.” That was a lie. “Don’t you think I want my son to come home safe?”
“You told him never to come back.”
“I told him not to come back until he’s learned to control himself.” Grayson stood and paced the length of the room. “Mary, please understand how difficult this is for me. Everything is changing right now. Anastasia is working on setting me up for a presidential run. Every time he acts out, it sets us back another step or two. We can’t afford that.”
Mary froze. When she turned around, her eyes held a fury he had never seen before. “You can’t afford that. Your career can’t afford that. But this is our son. Isn’t he more important than you and your stupid career?”
“My career is not stupid. I’m trying to help people. I’m trying to build a better country for our kids. For Connor.”
Mary scoffed. “Don’t lie to me, Lawrence. You can lie to the media and your constituents and your colleagues, but not me. I know you. I’ve known you since the day we met each other. I fell in love with you because you were ambitious. You never took no for an answer. I used to think that was admirable and never stopped to consider what you’d push to the side to get what you wanted. I never thought it would be us.”
His wife’s words hurt, but they ignited a flame inside his chest that burned away the pain. “You think I’m throwing away my son for a presidential run? You think I’d be willing to lose my family for that?”
“I don’t know anymore.” Exhaustion replaced the fury. Mary sat down on the bed and held her head in her hands. “But something isn’t right. He was so angry with you.”
Grayson had to fight to keep the politician at bay. He used to struggle to spin his stories, but now it was a habit he couldn’t break. “Connor doesn’t like being told no.”
“Like father, like son.”
Grayson sat with his back to his wife. It was easier to be vulnerable that way. Easier to turn off the monster he called the Politician. “I understand he hates me—”
“He doesn’t hate you.” A soft chuckle. “He hates everything you stand for.”
Grayson didn’t even force a laugh. “The years have taken a toll on him. It hasn’t been easy having an absentee father.” He paused, hoping she would correct him. She didn’t. “I guess I hoped he’d eventually see what I’m trying to do here.”
“And what are you trying to do?”
Grayson turned to his wife. He knew what answer he’d give a reporter, but this was his wife. He couldn’t lie to her; he didn’t want to.
Before he formed a genuine answer, there was a sharp knock at the door. Mary pulled the sweater tighter around her shoulders. Grayson straightened his tie.
“Come in.”
Murphy walked through the door. He glanced at Mary first, then locked eyes with Grayson. “We found his car, sir.”
Mary gasped and clasped a hand over her mouth. She wouldn’t cry in front of the man, but Grayson knew she wouldn’t hold the tears back forever.
