indelible I’d have a book to add to my history collection about us.
The Godmans’ speeding train had left the station and there was no getting off. On Tuesday, the polls would open, and our family would gather to watch the number of votes coming in, right alongside the American people. Soon after, the calls would pour in from leaders around the globe congratulating my dad and welcoming him to the world stage.
I’d worked tirelessly right alongside everyone else on my father’s staff. I knew the privilege of this position—excitement should be the resounding emotion rushing through my veins. Yet all I could think of was her.
Another sip of Macallan did nothing to soothe my emotions.
Oh, hell no.
Helen King was making a beeline for the bar.
I spun around and gestured to the barman for a glass of water. I wasn’t in the mood to talk with the bitch. She’d already ruined my year. Though when the hairs on the back of my neck prickled, I knew she was behind me.
“Damien,” Helen said, determined to grab my attention.
With my back to her, I tried to erase the grimace on my face. It took a few seconds to school my features into a mask of friendliness.
I pivoted to face her. “Hello, Helen.”
“How are you?”
“Fucking fabulous.” I tried to smile but it crashed and burned on landing. “You?”
Her fingers seemed to be gripping her glass a little too tightly. “I’m totally fine.”
That statement made me wonder what other devastation she was about to unleash. Or maybe she was just here to flaunt her betrayal.
She smiled weakly. “Damien, I want to apologize for slowing down the construction on your building.”
Wait…she’s admitting it?
“You can be reassured it will resume first thing tomorrow.”
I studied her face. “But I suppose it will have your name on it?”
“No, it will have yours.”
“My father managed to persuade you, then?”
“We haven’t spoken.”
That was confusing. “What were you going to build there?”
“Doesn’t matter now. Damien, I’m asking for your forgiveness.”
What the fuck.
I’d stepped inside the Twilight Zone. I was speaking with the most ruthless woman in Washington. She’d slashed budgets that could have saved lives, cut salaries, wiped out pensions, and had always proudly taken the sickeningly large bonuses offered after the fallout. Body snatchers had grabbed up Helen King’s soul. This couldn’t be her.
“Do you have a twin?” I asked, sarcasm dripping from my tone.
“Excuse me?”
“I don’t know what to say, Helen.”
“I’m glad it all worked out in the end,” she said.
Perhaps my father’s people had worked their magic behind the scenes, keeping my father out of it to protect him. Though that didn’t quite add up. I’d not broken things off with Pandora yet, and that was the deal, after all.
Her breath stuttered when she saw someone across the room. Following her gaze, I tried to see who’d rattled her. The evening was getting stranger by the second—Helen was staring at Pandora.
My lover approached us, looking dazzling in strappy heels and the shortest dress I’d ever seen her wear, showing off her beautiful bare legs. She was oozing sensuality, her golden locks curling over her shoulders.
She clutched a silver purse, and upon her elegant throat rested her silver key pendant.
At first I thought my inebriated state may have produced a mirage—was I really seeing this vision of loveliness? I was like a man in the desert who was desperate for sustenance. All I wanted was to taste her lips and hold her in my arms.
Wait.
She was meant to be back in the apartment where I’d hidden her away.
Pandora walked toward us with an easy grace, drawing the attention of everyone in the vicinity. She always looked striking but tonight there was something different in the way she carried herself. It was more than confidence…self-assurance, that’s what she exuded tonight. I’d seen a glimpse of it back at the apartment but for some reason beneath these glittering lights it was exaggerated.
Pandora stopped a few feet away from us.
“Hello, Helen,” she said with a nod.
“Ms. Bardot,” said Helen respectfully.
“You two know each other?” My eyes darted from one to the other.
“We’ve only just met, actually.” Pandora gave her a smug little smile. “We had a lovely chat a few minutes ago, didn’t we, Helen?”
Helen snapped her attention back to me. “It was lovely to see you again, Damien. I wish you all the best with your project.” She glanced at Pandora. “It was…nice meeting you, Ms. Bardot.”
I blinked in disbelief at the impossible statistical occurrence of Helen King looking shaken. She walked