Page 103 of Power
Chapter twenty
Bennett
Fourfuckingdaysand I have no idea where she is. I’m going out of my fucking mind while I have to sit on my fucking hands, waiting for Brice to find Reece and Emily.
“Mr. President,” Liam says as he walks into the Oval Office.
“What?” I snap in irritation.
Liam walks over and closes both doors the office and returns to lean against the armchair. This is his way of framing us as best friends, instead of boss and employee. “What’s going on?”
I take my glasses off and toss them on the desk. “I find myself in unfamiliar territory.” I rub at the tension across my brows. “I’m angry at myself for the way I treated her.”
“The way you treated her?” Liam pushes.
“I treated Reece like she meant nothing when I should’ve protected her. And now she’s gone, and I don’t know where she is.”
“Bennett, I have no idea what to say to you. If you think this is worth salvaging, then you need to address the American public.” I look up to him. “Alison is getting hammered in the briefing room with the press corps demanding to know what’s happening. You’re going to have to address the public.”
“What happened to the asshole who was asking for ten thousand?”
“Turns out he doesn’t know anything. He was just looking for a quick payday.”
Jamie enters my office and nods to Liam. “Mr. President, Brice is here.”
“Good, show him in.” Finally, he might have something for me. “Brice.” I stand and hold my hand out to him to shake.
“Mr. President.”
“What have you got?”
“My team has found her. As you know, Reece and Tash swapped cars, and Tash kept hold of Reece’s phone. However, we’ve been tracking Tash’s phone, and found she’s been texting and calling a number that’s only recently been activated. We’ve got it narrowed down to a small town called Hope River.”
“Where?”
“Hope River, sir. We don’t know exactly where in Hope River, but Frank is on his way there now. It’s roughly a six-hour drive from here, possibly longer.”
“ETA?”
“He’s on route, should be there by three-ish.”
Even though I don’t know exactly where she is, I have the general location. I breathe a sigh of relief. “Thank you.”
Brice acknowledges my gratitude and leaves my office. “Secret Service could’ve found her faster,” Liam says.
“I can’t use the public’s money to find and protect her. Bad enough I had Mark start the process to find her; I know I need to answer for that, and I will.”
“What about the pressure Alison is getting from the press corps? You’re going to have to deal with that.”
“I need to speak with Reece first.”
“It’s best if you get out there and tell the people something. Because right now, they’re listening to anyone who’s got an opinion. They need leadership, and...”
I hold my hand up to Liam. “I’ve screwed this whole thing up, Liam. I need to speak with Reece first before I address the nation. I just need time.”
“But.” Tipping my chin downward, I silence Liam with a tight jaw and arched brow. “Yes, sir.” He nods once and pulls his shoulders back. “I’m meeting with the vice president in a few moments.” He diplomatically backs out of my office.
I stare at the computer screen, then look around my office. My gaze lands on a photo of Kathryn and I’m instantly filled with remorse and sorrow. I pinch the bridge of my nose as I close my eyes. My mind is consumed as I cycle through every decision I made when it came to Reece. Standing, I pace back and forth in my office, unable to clear the disastrous whirlwind spinning out of control in my mind.
