Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 134654 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 673(@200wpm)___ 539(@250wpm)___ 449(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 134654 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 673(@200wpm)___ 539(@250wpm)___ 449(@300wpm)
My high heels pinched as I moved forward, itching for information. “And what is the goal?”
Why do I feel as if this has all been there … in the background, only I’ve been too blinded to see it?
Samson placed his tumbler on a glass side table. “The one that’s about to be put into execution due to the recent events, that’s what.” He waved at the extra chairs. “By all means, have a seat.”
I turned to the locked door. “What about your party?”
Samson snorted. “Screw ’em. Only here for the free booze and to kiss my ass. They can do that without me in the room.”
Arthur placed his hand on my lower back and guided me forward. “Sit, Cleo.”
The atmosphere in the room thickened with mystery. These men were schemers. Meeting in their private rooms, concocting plans as if they were princes rather than a politician and biker.
What the hell is going on?
Obeying Arthur, I sat stiffly. Biting my lip as the scratchy tulle of my skirts puffed around me in a loud rustle.
Arthur glanced over, settling into his own chair. His eyes trailed to my tattooed and burned legs, and for a fraction of a second they blazed with lust, then business and plans hijacked his mind and the lust was gone.
Spreading his thighs, Arthur leaned forward and nursed his drink between his knees. “Has the bill been drafted?”
My ears perked.
I’d been thrown in the deep end and left to swim in whatever information these two conspirators divulged.
Senator Samson nodded. “It’s been drafted and delivered. I’ve enlisted the help of some local and stateside politicians. I see no reason why we won’t be able to launch our attack full force.”
“And the campaign? The advertising is all planned like we discussed?”
I kept quiet, nursing my warming bubbles.
Samson grabbed his drink, finished it, and discarded the empty glass. “The one-minute television advertisement is in place and ready to air. The radio, newspaper, and online targeting are also done. However, if you wish it to run frequently with a lot of impact to ensure people’s attention, then we need more funds.”
Arthur didn’t hesitate. “Done. Email me the figure and I’ll pay it. I told you before money is no object.”
My mouth hung open. Only a few years ago this man had been a boy swatting me for incorrect decimal placement on my math homework. Now he was in league with millionaires and men who ran our beloved country.
I’ve been left behind.
My heart panged to think I might not be enough anymore. That soon Arthur would find me a novelty rather than precious treasure. What exactly could I contribute to this strange new world?
What exactly is this strange new world?
Samson ran a finger over his mouth, deep in thought. “In that case, I believe we’ll be staring at a politically unrest nation by the end of the year.”
Arthur shook his head. “I don’t want unrest. I want reform.”
Samson shrugged. “You can’t have reform without unsettling them first. We need to make them think. Use their brains for once. Show them alternatives. Promise better solutions. Only then can they be open to new suggestions.”
Arthur grunted in agreement, his mind taken hostage with whatever complications and issues he might foresee.
“Once we launch and offer transparent data on what we propose, then it’s up to the public. We can only do so much before it’s all up to them.” Throwing me a glance, Samson pursed his lips. “The law can’t be changed overnight.”
“No, but it does need to be changed,” Arthur grumbled. “And fast. I’m sick of living with the level of corruption. It’s fucking insulting to think we don’t see the level of cover-ups and bullshit they spread.”
I swallowed, dying to ask questions but unwilling to interrupt. Am I even privy to ask?
Technically, I was in the private meeting at Arthur’s request. Surely, I could ask—otherwise, what was I doing here?
Opening my mouth, I tried to formulate an intelligent question. But what could I say? What were the television campaigns on? What transparent data would they reveal?
However, just like so many times in the past, Arthur sensed my curiosity and twisted to face me. The simple act of turning his body to mine welcomed me into the conversation. “Cleo, I need you to understand what is about to happen. I need you to be on board because this rests on you, too.”
I gripped my nearly dry glass. “I would like to understand.” What rests on me? “I want to know.”
Samson steepled his fingers, looking from Arthur to me. “What you’re about to hear is top secret. I don’t need to ask if you can be trusted.” Pointing at Arthur, he smiled fondly. “He’s proved himself time and time again. So I know you will as well. But until this begins you can’t say a word, understand?”