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“Because whoever sentthey’d release the video if I didn’t get my father to retire by Monday”

Froin to consider all the reasons someone would want the senator to retire It doesn’t add up I’ve known the man since he and ood seventeen years before Winters became a senator He doesn’t have a corrupt bone in his body, leading me to believe someone must perceive him as a threat But who and why remain out of my reach

Before I can say as much, she cocks her head and asks, “Did the video sent to e, too?”

“No, but I iet to your father It probably wasthat we are to take this threat seriously I don’t doubt they kneould be diverted before getting through to him” Which only confirator—knows the security I have in place for the senator And that’s a disconcerting thought “I’ll need tiate the corruption he’s told me about, to see if anyone stands out But for noe need to keep focused on the video”

She pauses Then asks, “Can you make the tape disappear?”

I want

to strangle whoever is behind this at the desperation in her eyes “I’ll try my damnedest to erase itdown into her stunning green beauties “But that can’t happen here And you can’t keep anythey may be”

“I’lances away to her hands on her lap “You did see the video, right?”

“Not yet”

She cringes but recovers quickly and looksit?”

“I’ll only watch it if I need to” I shovethe clench of my fists I don’t want to watch her with otherher, we both know I have to see it “Fro withsure she seesthat particular e us both know and accept that slight twinge of jealousy that I know I’ to suffer if I have to see her with other men “But you need to tell me who the ht be behind this”

She flinches “Well, there ht be a problem with that”

“What problem?”

“I don’t knoho they are”

Chapter 5