37. Jaclyn

Chapter 37

Jaclyn

" T rust me, princess. I love you."

Can I trust him?

Alex opens the door and checks both ways down the hall to make sure no one is lurking. He presses a chaste kiss to my cheek as I step out of his room, and I inwardly chastise myself. I shouldn't have kissed him, but the moment I saw those brown-hazel eyes, every single fiber of my being begged me to.

My plan was to ask him to not do the auction. When our eyes met, all the air left my lungs, and I lost complete control of the situation. But it's over; I need to cut myself off cold turkey. It worked when he left Hawaii. I'll do it again. There is too much at stake.

As I approach the elevator, there's a man waiting, rubbing his hand behind his neck as he checks his phone. I stand next to him, watching for the numbers to climb from three to our floor, but they don't move .

"It's been stuck for a while. I think it's broken," he grumbles. After waiting in uncomfortable silence for at least three minutes, he looks up from his phone, and does a double-take. He offers a wide smile, one that meets his sparkling, emerald eyes. Even with my heels, he still has several inches on me, and I'm woman enough to admit he's an incredibly attractive man.

Find me anyone—doesn't matter if they are a man, woman, or anything in between—who doesn't love a green-eyed man, impeccably dressed in a designer suit. He's built like he could rail you on any surface, without breaking a sweat…

I sense a ruggedness beneath his tuxedo—this man has seen things. There's also a familiarity about him, and I'm struggling to place where we might know each other.

"Ms. Taylor. What are the odds that I'd run into you here?"

"Oh, I… um…" I'm not sure why I'm so flustered and stammering. Quickly squashing the spell I'm under, I offer a version of the truth, and reply, "I needed to deliver something to one of the bachelors for the auction."

"Ah, Mr. Blake, I presume? It's always fun to watch that one each year."

"No. Well, yes, actually. His brother is participating this year. My husband is no longer able to, for obvious reasons." I huff a small laugh, lifting the back of my hand and wiggling my fingers to show off my wedding ring .

"True, it would be inappropriate; Alexander shouldn't do the auction this year."

My breath catches at the mention of Alex. Who is this guy? "I'm sorry, you're mistaken. I'm married to his brother, Chris . Historically, he's done it, but Alex is in the auction this year, instead."

"Is that so?" He sighs a hum, then lowers his voice. "It's curious that the heart attack didn't take Christopher out hours before the wedding. Maybe Cara got the dosage wrong?"

Cara? Dosage?

I glance around and lean in to whisper-shout, "What are you talking about?"

"Forgive me, I've never properly introduced myself. Finn Gallagher." My eyes go wide, my heart coming to a halt. "Ah, so you've heard of me? Pleasure to finally make your acquaintance." He offers his hand, and I hesitantly take it. "Though it's a pity I missed your wedding. I heard it was beautiful." I offer a faux bright smile, and as I'm about to agree, he keeps his voice low. "Secrets always have a way of coming out, Ms. Taylor."

That little sentence feels eerily familiar, and it takes me a moment to place it. Blood drains from my cheeks at the realization that he could be the author of the cryptic text I received. Finn Gallagher, the Finn Gallagher.

The elevator dings, and when the doors open, he gestures to the empty space. "After you. "

Keeping my posture rigid and my expression emotionless, I clear my throat and ensure my voice is light and airy. "That's all right, I'll catch the next one. Have a great time at the gala!"

"I insist, Ms. Taylor," he purrs.

I square my shoulders. "As you're aware, it's Mrs. Blake, now."

"Is it? I wasn't sure since your marriage license never left Hawaii." I look back down the hall at his challenge. Alex's door is still shut. There's no way I could make a run for it in this dress; I can hardly breathe in it as it is. "I can assure you, your safety is my utmost priority. We have much to discuss."

"Perhaps I should still seek a chaperone?" I jest, and as the doors begin to close, he forces them to remain open. "If you intend for us to take a turn about the room, you should make your intentions known." While I know the reference is lost on him, I can't help giggling to myself.

"I don't have time for Regency advice." On their own volition, my eyes nearly escape their sockets. "You, Ms. Taylor, are the future of our country. And if that weren't enough, my heart belongs to someone else. I have no desire to upset mo rúnsearc by her finding out I touched her friend."

Mo rúnsearc? What the hell does that mean?

Reluctantly, I step inside the elevator, choosing to believe this man who knows entirely too much about literature… an d me. I'm unsure who was loose-lipped about everything. How could he possibly know?

The hotel staff?

Alex?

Finn presses the button for the mezzanine level, and the doors close. It was incredibly reckless to get in an elevator alone with this strange man, but despite his reputation, he's given me no reason to fear him hurting me.

Except for the fact that he knows about the license, believes Cara tried to give Chris a heart attack, and is hinting that he knows about my fake wedding…

He wants something.

Pivoting the conversation away from me, I inquire, "I'm not sure which friend of mine is your ‘ mo rúnsearc ' or who you are worried about upsetting. All of my friends are married."

"She's the love of my life, but I wouldn't expect you to be privy to that information. She isn't exactly forthcoming about me, even with friends." Finn smiles with a twinkle in his eyes, tiny lines forming at the corners. It's almost sweet the way this ruthless killer lights up at the mention of a woman.

I rack my brain, trying to figure out who he might be talking about. Is a friend of mine being unfaithful to her husband? With him? Curiosity gets the best of me. Keeping my eyes fixed on the numbers counting up to our floor, I dare to mildly accuse him. "I don't recall your name on the guest list. Did you receive a personal invitation to the gala? Or are you attending as someone's plus one?"

"I was invited by your mother."

"My mother?" I suck in a breath and my head whips in his direction. "How do you know my mother?"

Finn whispers, "I know both of your parents, as well as the Blakes. You need to speak with your husband . The one you promised yourself to." He gives a knowing look. "The three of us have much to discuss regarding your political future."

"You sound like Alex." My hand flies to my mouth as the words slip out.

He chuckles, more wrinkles forming around his eyes at his genuine smile. "Would you prefer to start at the state level? Or jump right into a congressional seat?" The elevator dings, making me jump. As he steps out, he suggests, "You may want to take a ride back up to his floor. He'll have the answers you're looking for. While his brother is apprised of the situation, I don't expect he'll enjoy being pushed aside. You'll need allies in your corner, Ms. Taylor."

Finn walks away as if he didn't just word-vomit an evil plan on me. I don't know what to make of it and head toward the gala side door.

As if my day couldn't get any more screwed up, an all too familiar woman sprints toward me .

What the hell is she doing here?

"Jackie! I'm so glad I ran into you. Chris is finishing up a meeting with a… donor . Is there anything I can help with?" I'm dumbfounded, and if Lisa's smirk is indication, she damn well knows it—may as well be written all over my face in marker. "I work for Christopher now."

The fuck you do…

And, donor, my ass.

After my run-in with one Gallagher brother, I'm inclined to assume the other is talking to Chris. I don't know their angle, and that scares the shit out of me. Things have gone sideways, and I'm not sure who I can trust—it sure as hell isn't Lisa.

I was supposed to be a trophy wife, guaranteeing I'd have a ticket to any political post that would have me.

First, Alex was hinting at me in the Oval.

Now, the Gallaghers are asking me to run?

The coincidence is too much.

Is it all connected? It has to be. What the hell am I going to do?

It's said you should play the hand you're dealt. Unfortunately, my hand is absolute trash—Alex knows more than he's letting on, this shitty event planner has somehow weaseled her way in, and now, I'm strangely tied to one of the biggest mob families in the United States .

Nothing is going to plan…

"Can I help with anything, Mrs. Blake?"

I snap back to reality. "Sorry, no. Thank you. It's so great to see you," I finally reply, attempting to brush past her, but she grabs me by my forearm. Anger boiling inside me, I grit my teeth and snap, "I had to deal with you at the wedding. This is my event. If you touch me again, I'll make sure you'll never work in this town again."

"Oh, Mrs. Blake." Her grip tightens, but I don't flinch. "If I didn't make myself clear, I'm now one of your husband's aides. We'll be seeing so much more of each other."

"Oh? Did you suck his cock, too, just like the others?" The words tumble from my lips, making her loosen her hold as she lets out an audible gasp. It's all for show. She's not the least bit offended. Though, neither am I, with her insinuations and accusations.

I wouldn't put it past Chris to sleep with her at some point, even with his attempts to win me over. She's pretty, he'll fuck her.

"Don't worry, Leslie . You won't dislocate your jaw. But he's thick, so you might gag a little."

"It's Lisa , and I've never?—"

"Fucked my husband? No. I don't think you have. Not yet, anyway. If you dare to try and threaten me again, I can assure you, you'll have more than just that stick up your ass. "

Her irises blown, she nods vigorously. "Understood, Mrs. Blake."

"It was so great seeing you again," I say sweetly, moving past her, spotting Finn within ear shot leaning against a post.

Fuck, I'm an idiot.

As I walk past him, my chin is held high until he whispers, "You're ready, Ms. Taylor."

For what? The Presidency? No, absolutely not.