Page 63 of Power
Chapter fourteen
Bennett
Sittingatmydesk, I’m reading over the agendas for a few meetings I have coming up. I promised Reece that I’d pull her Secret Service detail, and I’m a man of my word, so I need to arrange that. While distracted by the agendas and thoughts of Reece, I’m unaware that there’s anyone else in the Oval Office, not until Liam clears his throat and I look up. “Liam?”
“Mr. President, there’s been a mass shooting.”
“Fuck,” I grumble as I run my hand through my hair. “Where?” I take my glasses off and place them on the table as I steeple my fingers together and tap them to my lip.
“A music festival.” He goes on to tell me the state and the county where this tragedy has taken place.
“What are we talking?”
“One shooter fired into the crowd. Police were on scene and shot him but not before he opened fire and killed at least forty people.”
“Do we know anything else about this?”
“It’s total chaos.” Liam stands and waits for my reply.
“Esther!” I call. The door opens and Esther walks into my office. “Cancel all my appointments for the rest of the day.”
“Yes, sir.” Esther leaves the office.
“Get Air Force One ready,” I instruct Liam.
“Yes, sir.” Liam walks out of my office, giving me a few moments to try and clear my head.
“Mark.” Mark enters my office and stands rigid with his shoulders pulled back. “I want Reece’s detail pulled.” I gave her my word, and I intend on keeping it.
“Yes, sir.” He exits quietly, leaving me alone.
I sit back against my chair and think about the shooting. At least forty people have lost their lives because a stranger opened fire on them. This is unacceptable. Mass shootings are happening almost daily, and they’re happening on my watch.
“Wheels up in three hours,” Liam pops his head into my office to inform me.
“Thank you.” My mind is churning with so many thoughts. “Liam, come in and close the door.”
Liam walks in and leans against the back of the armchair opposite my desk. “What do you need?”
“Do you know anyone who does private security?”
Liam’s forehead crinkles and he shakes his head. “We have the Secret Service.”
“I know that, but I want someone other than the Secret Service.”
“For you?” I lift my brows to stare at Liam. “For Reece,” he says in understanding. “I do know of someone. His family is friends with my parents.”
“Who is it?” I ask trying to think of who he’s talking about.
“Brice Lowe. He started Elite Security shortly after he graduated college.”
“I’ve met him.”
“Yep, you have. At my parents’ wedding anniversary. At the lake house.”
I smile at the memory I have. “That’s when Kathryn’s shoe got caught on the pontoon bridge, she lost her footing, and fell into the lake.”
Liam and I have a moment of shared laughter. “When her head popped up from the water, she was so mad that we were all laughing.”
