“My full blood Italian can kick any Irish—”
“Yes, I know, love. You’re a badass.” He grinned as he squeezed my ass.
“Didn’t Evelyn have Neal when she was young?” She had to have been sixteen or seventeen at the time.
“She had us all when she was young. My grandfather swears Sedric got her pregnant on purpose. He knew Shamus wouldn’t approve of his only living son marrying anyone other than his choosing. However, after Evelyn became pregnant, there was nothing he could do,” he explained. “We are good Catholic folk, you know,” he said in his accent.
“Tá tú ar leathcheann,” (You’re an idiot.) I said, as I got off of him.
“You love me, you hate me, make up your damn mind, wife. I’m getting whiplash.” He smirked, rising as well.
“You’re getting a whip? What kind of kinky shit are you into, Callahan?” I asked, causing him to push me up against his mirror.
His expression darkened and his lips hovered over mine. “Let’s find out. God only knows what I have in this closet.”
I pushed up against him. “You mean the cheerleading uniform for the Chicago Bulls you have hidden behind your gray suits? Or the very whorish nun outfit you have in the hidden compartment under your socks?”
His eyes widened and I could only grin.
“Keep your cock on lock, we’re late for the rally,” I said, pushing him away before leaving the closet.
“At least I get to look at your ass,” he yelled behind me and I held my middle finger up.
LIAM
“I know a lot of you don’t know me,” Olivia said to the crowd. “I know a lot of you don’t think you can relate to me, or the life I have been so blessed to live. However, I want to tell you a story. About a young college student, who was fresh faced and naïve to the world around her. Her father, the man who always checked under the bed for monsters, and who read to her in animated voices, wanted to do everything in his power to keep his daughter safe. Sadly, sometimes the world is a dark place. Sometimes, a young college student with everything going for her is given a new title: rape victim. It’s a title I have tried so hard to hide because I didn’t have the voice to stand up. I didn’t have the courage to tell my father until last night. He pulled me into a hug and said, ‘when I become President, there will no longer be a statute of limitations for rape.’”
The crowd cheered and screamed, blinding us with flashes as they ate up her words like candy.
“When people ask why do I think my father is the best man for the job, I think about moments like last night. When he held me and promised to always fight for justice. He will fight for me—he will fight for men and women all across this country. My father is a good man, and with your support, he will be a great president.” Senator Colemen hugged his daughter once more before taking his place behind the podium to give his own scripted political bullshit.
Neal held on tightly to Olivia, which I’m sure would have made a great cover photo for the New York Times.
“She’s good,” I whispered to my wife as we stood like dolls on stage.
“She is. They will love her, and those who don’t will get backlash for not supporting a rape victim,” she replied, waving into the crowd.
That was my wife, always planning and trying to figure out how to get a leg up on all those around her.
I felt like we’d been on display for hours, waving and smiling as Senator Colemen talked about how he was going to save the environment, bring down the unemployment rate, and make sure borders were secure; the same bullshit all presidents say.
By the time we were free to go to the private screening rooms up stairs, I had almost forgotten all about Shamus…until I saw the asshole already eating his lamb, in the head chair of the dinner table. Behind him stood two much stronger looking guards, who eyed my wife with both lust and fear.
A misguided fear.
Taking Mel’s hand, I pulled out her chair for her before taking a seat on the opposite side. The moment I sat down, the rest of the family took their seats as well.
“So, this is your big plan? Have the fool and his family as president?” he asked, but I didn’t answer. Instead I took a sip of my brandy.
“We do not discuss business at the dinner table,” Mel said kindly, throwing me off. I looked into her eyes and for a second I thought maybe the bodyguards were right in fearing her.
This seemed to be our new thing; the ability to look into each other’s eyes and just read them.
“Don’t be sweet, Giovanni. It doesn’t suit you.” He snickered like an old pig before turning to Olivia. “Did some men violate ya’ or was them some lies you told to the public?”