Liam scowling at me. “You’re late.”
“Sorry, Ma—Sir,” I correct myself mid-word. We’re in public and I really shouldn’t be calling him Master right here.
He arches an eyebrow at me. “He’s not happy. You know I won’t interfere, either.”
He’s talking like there aren’t people streaming past us on either side. My face feels like it’s beet red at this point. “Sorry, Sir.” I also know what he means—he’ll let Daniel punish me for being late.
My cock thickens at the thought.
“Let’s hurry.” I follow him and in a few minutes, we’re standing with a group of others watching as Congressman Effings is sworn in for yet another term.
Daniel stands on the other side of the room with a group of staffers. Today is his last day, and he’s had a hectic month making sure his replacement is ready for the job. Liam’s been busy wrapping up the last of his tasks ahead of his official final day next week.
Meaning the bulk of packing up the townhouse to get everything shipped to Massachusetts has fallen on my shoulders.
Not that I mind. We’ve been moving things there during the past six months so it wouldn’t be such a chore now, but after living there for over eighteen years, there was an understandable accumulation of things that needed to be sorted, culled, boxed, and readied for shipping.
While I did pass the bar in Massachusetts, and make sure I take care of my yearly requirements to stay licensed to practice there, my only “job” since moving in with my men has been to take care of them. I handle some pro bono cases on occasion, and volunteer my services for clients of a domestic violence shelter, but other than that, my life is relatively free of complications or responsibilities besides my men.
I’ve even managed to avoid Olivia, who still works out of DC. Not sure how she finally escaped her family’s grip. I was certain they’d be lining up a new husband for her as soon as the ink dried on our divorce decree.
As for me?
I’ve never been happier in my life.
Once the swearing in ceremony ends, Daniel makes his way over to us, arching an eyebrow at me.
I blush—I can’t help it. “Sorry, Sir,” I whisper.
But he smirks and shakes his head, meaning I’m forgiven. I’m sure there will be some sort of “punishment” in my future.
And I’m also certain I’ll likely enjoy it.
Together, we start to follow everyone who’s going to attend Daniel’s going-away party. Liam and I hang back, and he drapes an arm around my shoulders, snugging me against his side as we walk. Daniel’s ahead of us, with multiple people trying to talk to him at once, both asking him questions about office matters as well as others trying to wish him well.
We’re nearly to the conference room when I hear a familiar, grating laugh behind us.
When I stop, Liam does, too, and we both turn.
Liam’s arm once again drapes around me, but this time protectively, edging me back so he can step forward, if necessary.
There stands Olivia, a visitor’s pass around her neck. “Oh, this is rich.” She approaches. “Now I get it.” She crosses her arms over her chest, disgust in her gaze. “You weren’t just ‘roommates’ in college, were you?”
Out of nowhere, Daniel steps in front of both of us. “Problem, Ms. Callahan?”
Yeah, she kept my last name. Pissed me off, but I didn’t let on to her about that.
Her eyebrows arch. “You both fucking him? Is that what’s been going on? Wait until I tell everyone about this.”
Daniel pulls out his cell phone, holds up a finger to her to wait, and scrolls for a moment before turning his phone to show her the screen.
She literally goes white in the face, her jaw gaping.
Daniel’s voice drops to a low and deadly tone that makes Liam pull me even tighter against his side. “I hear you running your mouth, I will ruin you. That organization you’re working for, the one who loves family values? They’ll drop you faster than an eight-headed rattlesnake. Just try me, lady. I’ll take out billboards if you fuck with me or mine.”
The horror in her wide eyes makes me really want to know what’s on that screen.
“This is only one incident I have proof of. I know about many of the others. So walk away, Olivia,” Daniel says. “Walk away, and do not ever talk badly about us to anyone. You hear anything, you defend us to the very death. You understand me?”
She