LOGINCATHERINEThe entire ride back, I was in my own head, trying but failing to convince myself that my actions weren’t coming back to haunt me. But luckily, the elections took up so much space I didn’t even have time to take a breath. I was grateful for the distraction and now, standing in front of all Ronald’s supporters and my team, my heart swelled with joy.This was the moment we broke ourselves for. I’d bled for this campaign in all the ways no one ever saw… made contacts, sucked up to senators and assholes just so this could work. We had this in the bag, more than half the city felt Ronald’s presence.I took in a deep breath, smiling for the cameras as they shuttered.The moderator tapped the mic, “The final results are in for the district.”My heart was in my throat as I anticipated the announcement. I tensed when Richard’s hands slipped smoothly into mine, tightening gently.“With nearly ninety eight percent of votes counted, the electoral commission thereby declares…” he paused
CATHERINEThe hospital smelled the same as always, antiseptic and cleaning agents clung to the air. I felt a hand slide to my bobbing knee, Ronald offered a small assuring smile.“Everything will be fine,” he whispered.My stomach turned into knots. “How do you know that? She’s been in there for longer than usual and I don’t-“He cut me off with a kiss. It was quick, light, I would have doubted it even happened if not for the eyes of the nurses that seemed to bulge out of their sockets and their hushed chatter. My cheek heated.“You said we should take things slow,” I reminded him.He shrugged, pulling me closer. “Maybe I changed my mind. Why would I want to hide you just because of what people would say?”I let out a harsh breath. “It’s not just that, Ronald.” I said, “It's about my job too. My life. I don’t want to be the girl that got the promotion or the job because of a big strong man.”He grinned. “You think I’m big and strong,”I checked breathily, snaking his arm. “I’m serious
CATHERINEFor a moment my mind went blank. I’d forgotten my hysteric call to Ronald. He’d listened to every word, of course he did. My brain scrambled for an answer.“The letters.” I said way too quickly before taking a break. “You know ever since things like that have been happening I’ve just felt so unsettled.”Not an entire lie.I squeezed his hands before he could see through my lies, forcing my voice to be even. “I was just scared they’d escalated and found a way in.”His eyes bounced between mine, searching for something. My heart slammed against my chest. I could see the skepticism dancing at the edges before his gaze softened and he sighed, pulling me close to plant a warm kiss on my forehead.I could never get used to it. Like he was claiming me all over again.“Let me stay,” he finally stayed, he could feel me go still in his arms but didn’t dwell on it. “Just for the night. I’ll sleep on the couch and you won’t even notice I was here.”I pulled back. “Ron-“His grip tighte
CATHERINERonald’s touch lingered long after he left. Jed dropped me off, watching me until my door shut close behind me.But as soon as I stepped in, I felt it. Something was wrong. My skin crawled with nerves, I moved slowly, dropping my things on the couch.“Ellie?” I called out.A second passed, then another. Silence. My heart sank immediately. My legs carried me to her room and I shoved the door open, my heart pounding.“Ellie, are you in here?” My eyes squinted in an attempt to adjust to the darkness. Her curtains billowed with the wind, I let out a shaky sigh when I caught her frame curled up under her duvet.I perched at the edge of the bed, willing my pulse to steady. My fingers brushed against the sheets but when they tightened to grab her, there was nothing. A make shift of sheets and pillows.My heart kicked into overdrive.I shot up the bed almost loosing balance as the world tilted. No, no, no!Fuck!I scattered the set up, making sure she wasn’t underneath the sheets.
RONALDEverything that has led up to this moment didn’t matter anymore. The fighting, the blood, the lies, the secrets. They didn’t matter. What mattered was who was in front of me, Catherine.I dragged my eyes back up to her and something in my chest fluttered. She looked perfect. Her black hair cascaded down her shoulders, her green eyes that always seemed to pierce through my very being were locked on me, her pouted lips open as she took in shallow breaths. It was all too perfect and she was mine.I brought my head back in between her legs, hanging them over my shoulders. Taking a deep breath of her, a deep growl rumbled in my chest going straight down. I pulled her closer, ignoring her surprised yelp but it was caught off by a moan. I feasted on her like I was left in a desert without any water and she was my salvation.Her hands flew to my hair, gripping tightly as I flattened my tongue at her entrance and then pushed it in. She shivered under my touch, her hips bucking. I sucked
BETHANYThe next three weeks went by quickly after the little run in with Jayden and true to Ronald’s word, I hadn’t heard anything from Jayden. No tantrums, no texts… nothing.I was supposed to be relieved. But instead there was this growing pit in my stomach like something was wrong. Still, I didn’t have the luxury to think about it. The office had been swarmed with work, the workers buzzed with excitement for the upcoming elections, which was now two days away. Finally, all my efforts were coming into play and I had the confidence that we were going to win this. We’d practiced every line, gone through every commissioner, minister and made sure that victory was certain. The only thing that remained was for Ronald to step in like the man he always was, strong, confident and take the title.The glasses clinked as Ronald stumbled over the rug, then a sly smile crept up his face. “Oops.”I laughed, shaking my head. “I thought you said we needed to keep a low profile, Ronald.”He dropp







