Page 78 of Power
Chapter sixteen
Bennett
“Ifeellost,”Liam says as he struts into my office.
“I have plenty of work for you if you want it,” I reply as I take my glasses off and relax back in my chair. “I must admit, it’s been unusually quiet. I don’t think we’ve had a day like this since we’ve taken office.”
“It feels almost like the calm before the storm.” Liam chuckles and takes a seat on the sofa in my office. His leg bounces as he reclines and places his hands on his head.
There’s a tense silence in the office making me uncomfortable. “What is it?”
Liam clicks his tongue to the roof of his mouth. “What’s happening with Reece?”
“I told you, it’s over. We’re done.”
“You do know you’ve been a miserable bastard for days now, right?”
“It’s the shooting, it...” Liam’s brows lift as he nods slowly. “You don’t think it was the shooting?”
Liam lowers his arms and slowly raises his shoulders. “If you say it was the shooting, then that’s what it is.”
Closing my eyes, I pinch the bridge of my nose. “I can’t stop thinking about her, Liam.”
“If you weren’t the president, I’d be telling you to screw what anyone else thinks and to do what’s right for the both of you.”
“But,” I add, waiting for his reply.
“I don’t need to tell you, Bennett. If this is leaked, your career is over. The people won’t be able to see past it. Regardless of what you do and what happens, you’ll forever be known as the president who was with a prostitute.” My eyes flick up to Liam, angry at his words. He holds his hands up in surrender and shakes his head. “That’s how you’re going to be remembered. Not to mention Kathryn was so loved by the American public that anyone you choose to be with after her will mean they’ll be closely scrutinized and viciously compared to Kathryn.”
I look up to the ceiling and sigh. “I don’t know what to do.”
“As your chief of staff, I can only recommend you be cautious of who you let into your life. As your best friend, I’d tell you to do what makes you happy. Does Reece make you happy?”
“I like her,” I reply.
“But, does she make you happy?”
It takes me a few seconds to reply. “More than I ever thought.”
“Then you’re stuck. Because if you go for it, you’re done in politics forever. But if you don’t go for it, you run the risk of losing Reece. I guess the question is, which one can you live without? Politics or Reece?”
“Do you think it hurts me that I’m one of only six presidents who haven’t fathered a child?”
“In this case, I think that’s what might save you if people find out.”
“Save me?” I scoff knowing I’d be torn apart by every single person who had an opinion on my personal life.
“If you and Kathryn had a child, and you brought Reece into the mix, you’d be crucified, as would Reece. At least you don’t have a child to draw into the middle of this.”
“But Reece has a daughter.” That worry has been on my mind from the very moment I knew I was developing feelings for her.
“Unfortunately, Reece and her daughter aren’t your responsibility.”
My eyes focus in on Liam. My jaw tenses as I clench my hands together, irritated by his words. “Don’t,” I warn.
“Reece is old enough to look after herself.”
“Emily is only ten, Liam. She had no idea who I was when I...”
