Page 34 of Power
Chapter nine
Bennett
Whilesittinginmy office listening to everyone’s debrief for today, I find myself distracted by the fact I know Reece is currently with a client. Liam and Alison are both in discussions while my Communications Director, Elizabeth, and my Deputy Communications Director, Gavin, argue about something completely unrelated. The four of them are vying for attention, and I’m not hearing any of them.
Jamie enters my office and hands me a piece of paper. I open it, and my stomach clenches when I read the words. Miss Maxwell has been attacked.
I look up at the four standing in my office and stare at them. “I have to cut this short.” My pulse races as I lower my hands under the table and clench them into fists.
“Mr. President?” Liam asks, reading my concern.
“That’s all, everyone.”
“Thank you,” they all say. All but Liam shuffle out of the room.
“Is everything okay?”
Standing, I grab my suit jacket and shrug it on. “Reece,” I say to Liam.
“I don’t understand.”
I make sure the room is secure before saying, “She’s been attacked. I need to get to her. Find out where she is.”
“That’s not a good idea,” Liam retorts.
“What?” I close my laptop and pack it away into my briefcase. “Why?”
“Think about it.”
“Mark!” I yell. He opens the door to the Oval Office and steps inside. “Where is she?”
“Grayson has taken her home.”
“What? Why isn’t she at the hospital? What happened?” I ask, completely ignoring Liam’s plea.
“You can’t go,” Liam echoes.
“The hell I can’t. I’m the damn president. I can do whatever the fuck I want.” The hair on the back of my neck stands at attention as my stomach contracts with anger.
“Bennett,” Liam says, changing from my right-hand man, to my best friend. He walks over and places his hand on my shoulder. “Please, calm down.” He takes a breath.
I stare at him for a moment. I look around the office and find Mark’s left. “Mark!”
The door opens and he stands with rigid control. “Sir?”
“Take me to her.”
“You can’t go,” Liam pleads.
“I’m not doing this with you again.”
Liam stands in front of me and pulls his shoulders back. “How do you think her neighbors are going to respond when the motorcade—including Cadillac One—shows up and closes off the entire street? I can guarantee the press will be called, and then you’re going to have to explain why the president is at an escort’s home.”
I grimace at his words, because all of them are true. “I can’t leave her all alone.”
“Grayson’s with her,” Liam reiterates.
My jaw jumps as I take a breath trying to figure what the next most logical step is. I turn to Mark and stare at him for a moment. “Mark, bring two unmarked cars. Not Cadillac One.”
