Page 122 of Power
Liam takes a frustrated step back and runs his hand through his hair. “You know what I mean, Bennett.”
“I do, but we didn’t sign up to leave problems to the next guy. We don’t know what the next guy’s agenda will be, and we need to do what’s best for our country while we have the chance.”
“There are things we can’t deal with. This presidency is hanging on by a thread, if you don’t go out there and renounce Reece, you can kiss a reelection goodbye.”
I lean my hands on the kitchen counter and stare at Liam. “You want me to say there’s not a problem in children selling their bodies to survive? Or do you want me to say prostitution is the cause, and not the cure?”
“No!” Liam lowers his chin and closes his eyes. “This is a fucking mess.”
“Yeah, it is. But it’s my mess.”
“You don’t get it, Bennett, it’s all of our messes. If you’re out, we’re all out, and everything we’ve sacrificed has been for no reason.”
“You’re worried about your job?”
Liam lifts his gaze to look at me. “We all are,” he admits. “We have so much left to do for our country, but we won’t be able to if you lose the election. Right now, the polls aren’t looking favorable, regardless of the good you’ve already done.”
I reach for the milk I’ve taken out of the fridge, but slow before leaving it and looking to Liam. “You ran a poll?” I arch a brow and click my tongue to the roof of my mouth.
“Discreetly. Look, we have to know where we stand, and right now it’s not looking good at all.”
“When did you run the poll?”
“The day after her mother’s spectacular TV performance.”
“What did the poll say?”
“That you can’t be trusted, and people wouldn’t vote for you again.”
This changes so many things. “Right.” I lean back against the sink, crossing my arms in front of my chest. “Have Elizabeth and Gavin finished with the speech?”
“They’re polishing it.” Liam steps forward and sighs. “I’m sorry, Bennett, but there’s no other way. You know what you have to do. You need to lead the country.”
A massive hole tears through my chest. I simply give Liam one small nod before abandoning my breakfast and walking out of the kitchen. Liam heads toward the elevator, leaving me the time I need to wrap my head around this.
If I don’t do this, my entire staff will be out of a job, and I have no idea if I get to keep the girl, because we’re apart.
If I do this, I lose any opportunity I may have had with Reece.
In all my life, I’ve never feared both options as much as I am right now.
I sit back in my chair and stare at the open laptop. Reaching for my glasses, I hesitate before grabbing them off the desk. Jamie walks in with my coffee in hand. He places it on my desk and quietly leaves. Not even ten seconds from walking out, he opens the door again. “Elizabeth?”
“Send her in.”
Jamie stands to the side, and Elizabeth walks in, holding several pages out to me. “Mr. President, your speech.” She proudly hands me the papers.
“Thank you.” I stand and walk around the desk and glance over the papers. “My eyes,” I jokingly say as I turn for my glasses. Leaning against my desk, I skim through the pages.
“The speech will be uploaded to the teleprompter and will be emailed directly to the press once you’ve finished.”
Standard procedure. “Okay.” I look up over my glasses to Elizabeth. “We have...” I look at my watch, then back to Elizabeth. “Eighteen minutes before Alison starts the daily press briefing.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Thank you.” Elizabeth leaves, giving me time to go over the speech more in depth.
I walk around to sit and see an email has come through, with the phone number of May from Hope River. Placing the speech down, I pull my phone out of my pocket and dial the number.
