Sucker Punch (First Fangs Club #3) - Kristen Painter Page 0,62
years. I’d say he’s got a good shot. Or maybe the governor of Hawaii. She’s also close to three hundred, but typically the council picks someone in the contiguous forty-eight states. The oldest governor is Governor Kitka from Alaska at nearly four hundred years, but he could have been king before Artemis and turned it down. I doubt he’ll be asked again because of that. In fact, he might be why they only ask governors in the lower forty-eight.” She shrugged. “But he might get a second chance. You never know with the council.”
“You really know your governors.”
“It’s my job.”
“I’m glad, because that’s all great information. Where’s Fitzhugh in that ranking?”
“He’s a possibility, but a very distant one. Not as distant as you are, however.” Charlie smiled as she went back to her desk. “You have nothing to worry about as far as being chosen. You’re far too new.”
“For once, that’s a positive. Speaking of sires, I should probably get in touch with Will. See how he’s doing.”
“Daisy called this morning to say he’d had a good night. They’ve been keeping him well fed so there’s no danger of…you know.”
“Yeah, I do. What about the psychic connection that’s supposed to exist between a sire and their…child? Is that the right word? Seems odd to think of that burly biker as my child.”
“But he is, in a way. And yes, that’s the right word. The psychic connection should be there. It’s very possible he hasn’t used it because he knows you’re also recovering. He probably doesn’t have a reason to use it either. I can definitely let him and his daughters know you’re up and about now, though.”
Donna nodded. “Do that. I’d like to go see him soon. I do not want to leave him dangling like Claudette did with me.”
Charlie’s smile was small but sweet. “I don’t think you have to worry about that. Will and his daughters know as much about vampires as anyone. I doubt anything about this turning will surprise him.”
“I guess that’s a good thing.” Donna gestured at the phone. “Go ahead and get Fitzhugh. I want this dealt with now.”
Charlie picked up the phone and dialed. “Charlene Rollins calling on behalf of Governor Barrone. Is Governor Fitzhugh available? Very good. Transferring to Governor Barrone now.” She gave Donna a nod.
Donna picked up her phone. A little click could be heard, then Hawke Fitzhugh came on.
“Calling to apologize?”
“You’re a broken record, you know that? No, I’m not calling to apologize, because I haven’t done anything that requires an apology. Instead, let’s jump right to the elephant in the room. Why are you filing charges against Pierce? You earned that punch, and you know it.”
The other side of the phone went quiet. And stayed that way. Being called out apparently made him speechless.
Donna was happy to fill the silence. “If you think you’re going to earn sympathy votes from the council and get yourself on the short list for king, you ought to rethink that. Getting punched by a human is one thing, but reacting to it so poorly that you file charges, to quote my daughter, that’s weak sauce.”
He finally responded with a derisive snort. “It’s not my fault that you can’t keep your assistant under control.”
“There was nothing to control. He was protecting me. Your drunkenness, combined with your loutish behavior, was rightly perceived as threatening. How about you just man up and accept that you made some errors that night?”
Charlie cringed, and Donna wondered what she’d said to trigger that reaction.
Fitzhugh huffed. “You’re a train wreck, Barrone. You and your whole administration. You should have never been made governor. Never.”
“Well, I am, so—”
He hung up.
“He’s such a jerk.” Donna put the phone down.
“No argument there.” Charlie had turned back to face her computer screen and was typing away.
“What did I say wrong that made you pull that face?”
“Nothing wrong, exactly. But I’m sure the ‘man up’ comment rubbed him the wrong way.”
“He’s fussier than a teething baby. I’m done with trying to coddle him and play nice. That goes for everyone who wants to cause trouble for me and my team. Done.”
Admiration brightened Charlie’s expression. “I hope it’s not too forward of me to say I love you. If Claudette had had half of your strength—” She laughed. “Forget I said that. I much prefer working for you.”
“I appreciate that, Charlie. I’m very glad you’re my admin. Now, bring me up to speed on everything else that’s happened. How is Ishalan?”