took to fight for us.
Pushing to my feet, I grabbed my wallet and phone. “I’ll be home as soon as possible. Don’t wait up in case it’s late.”
She gave me a wistful smile as I headed for the door.
Leaving her alone after baring my soul felt like the hardest thing I’d ever done.
Phoebe and I sat in the car holding hands until it was time. I’d only just gotten to know her, but already we’d bonded over these strange set of events. Both of us had so much to lose, but if it worked, we’d be truly free.
Damien would have made it to the Fairmont Hotel by now. He’d be schmoozing with all those high-brow types. If he found out what I was doing, I feared it would mean the end of us.
With that thought eating my brain, I repositioned my short-bobbed wig. A few days had passed since I’d met with Galante, but should he see me I needed to look different. If he saw me, it would mean everything had gone wrong.
I could change my mind. Let those who’d found themselves on Galante’s list fight their own battles. But my dad was on that list, as was Phoebe and Madeline and her lover from all those years ago. Even a potential President was on that list, his first term hanging in the balance.
It made me wonder about all the women in history who’d played their part in American politics, but had gone unrecognized.
My mind went around and around assessing if this risk would be worth it. If I succeeded, careers would survive, lives might even be saved. If I failed, the damage would be irreparable. I, too, would end up as a name on Galante’s list.
“Are you second guessing yourself?” Phoebe threw me a wary glance.
“The consequences…”
“I’ll get my life back.” She turned to face me. “Your friend will be protected.”
She meant my dad, but she’d never know his identity. She probably suspected I was doing this for the Godmans, too.
“Could we could end up in prison?” She squeezed my hand.
“What?” I hadn’t thought of that…
The alarm on my phone signaled it was time.
Phoebe saw it and reached over to pull me into a hug. “Let’s do this.”
We embraced like two sisters, full of hope and fear, clinging to one another as though waiting for the other to see reason and call it off.
I wondered if we’d remain friends after it was all over.
Phoebe got out of the BMW and walked toward Galante’s home.
If I could just calm my racing heart a little, slow my breathing, this would all be bearable. My hands wouldn’t stop trembling. I hadn’t made my way into his impressive home yet and I already felt guilty.
In the duskiness of evening, I regretted getting Phoebe involved and encouraging her to be a part of this crazy scheme. But deep down I knew this was the only way for her to ever be free of Galante.
There was no choice, not really.
On foot now, I made my way toward the house knowing security cameras would capture a person of interest in sweatpants and a hoodie making her way around the back of his property. I hoped this disguise would help me buy some time at least.
I huddled on the back step of Galante’s home, waiting. Galante was important enough to have a high-tech security set up but I knew he didn’t have security guards patrolling his property.
By now, Phoebe would be set up in the massage room.
Chewing on a fingernail, I thought through the different scenarios. Phoebe being too scared to break away from the room to sneak to the back door to let me in. Or worse, her telling Galante about my plan to garner favor with him.
What would Damien say if he found out what I’d done? He’d blame me personally if his father lost the election because of one girl’s mistake—mine.
Minutes felt like hours.
Finally, the back door clicked open.
My heart hammered painfully against my chest as Phoebe ushered me in. Pausing briefly, I stepped inside and looked around to make sure this wasn’t a trap. Maybe I wouldn’t know until it was too late.
I followed her down a hallway.
She grabbed my arm. “Make sure the iPad has no sound. No beep, or anything.”
“I know, I’ve got it.”
She pointed. “His office is the last door on the right.”
So far, Phoebe had come through for me. She really was brave, proving how much she wanted to get out of her dilemma. I needed to come