foresaw. “I don’t think so. It’ll irritate him more to not know. Besides, your night isn’t up yet. You don’t know if I’ll accept.”
Liam cracked a smile. “That’s right, I’m not the only one with daddy issues. Very well. You can be my good luck charm.”
Mallory closed her eyes briefly before the door to the private room opened. She pulled her shoulders back and plastered the smile that Southern women had practiced for generations when they had to meet with people they didn’t like. One that said I’m a better person for doing this, but I’ll knock you down a peg . . . or ten, if you push me . Her grandmother would be proud.
She saw Ambrose first, at the bar. He was talking to Governor Graham. His eyes widened in surprise before narrowing into a look of hatred. Ambrose Childs wasn't told no often. But she had told him, and he clearly hadn’t forgotten.
The wooden bar in one corner was polished to a high sheen. The entire back wall was filled with windows overlooking the historic city. Eight rich brown leather chairs sat around a green felt table. Identical stacks of poker chips were in front of each chair.
“Mallory, it’s good to see you again. I was trying to get your attention while you danced to say hello.” Mallory turned to see her father. It was always painful for her to see him. He’d aged since she’d talked to him last. Not that he was old, but he had gotten older . Gray hair and wrinkles had appeared. She fought the childhood urge to run and give him a hug. Instead, there was nothing but heartbreak between them.
“Hello, Father. How is Mother? Is she here or did you bring your mistress?” Mallory asked coldly.
“Brandy is not my mistress. She’s just my assistant. Your mother is well. She was disappointed you were away from town during Christmas. She was hoping you would come home to celebrate. Home, with your family,” he said quietly.
Mallory smirked. “Father, we haven’t had a family since I was old enough for you to leave at home. Right around eleven, when I was no longer cute enough for campaign ads.”
“Senator, would you like a drink? I have had the finest bourbons and vodkas brought up here for our game,” Liam cut in.
“No, thank you. It is good to just see you again. I would like to talk to you before I leave tomorrow.”
Mallory smiled noncommittally and headed for the bar. One awkward situation down, one more straight ahead.
“You said no guests, Prince,” Ambrose snarled as he downed another drink.
“Mallory is not a guest; she’s my intended. Good luck at the game, Mr. Childs.”
Ambrose slammed his glass on the counter and headed for her father. She nodded at Easton Graham, a current governor and her father’s political opponent, and allowed Liam to introduce her to two other men.
“This is Mr. Jonak and Mr. Black.” Liam introduced her to the men whom seemed to be around her own age.
Mallory tried not to act surprised, but it was hard. These men were clearly Eastern European goons. Their suits were too expensive and their tattoos were mafia symbols. Mallory smiled dumbly at them. She needed to get pictures of them to pass to the CIA. They had to have a connection to the group Liam was in bed with.
“It’s nice to meet y’all.” Instantly she saw the men relax as they heard her sweet Southern drawl. It was her secret weapon. She even threw in a giggle and an eyelash bat. Some men were so very stupid.
“Ma’am,” one said, bowing his head. Definitely Eastern European.
Mallory smiled inanely and looked toward the bar. “I’m going to get myself a drink. Would any of y’all like something?”
Mr. Black shook his head and murmured to the others. Mallory tried to listen but only caught snippets. It wasn’t English, but it wasn’t Russian either. Mallory poured her drink and ambled back to Liam’s side. They were in an animated conversation and didn’t notice her sipping her drink while looking absently around the room. She
Liam cracked a smile. “That’s right, I’m not the only one with daddy issues. Very well. You can be my good luck charm.”
Mallory closed her eyes briefly before the door to the private room opened. She pulled her shoulders back and plastered the smile that Southern women had practiced for generations when they had to meet with people they didn’t like. One that said I’m a better person for doing this, but I’ll knock you down a peg . . . or ten, if you push me . Her grandmother would be proud.
She saw Ambrose first, at the bar. He was talking to Governor Graham. His eyes widened in surprise before narrowing into a look of hatred. Ambrose Childs wasn't told no often. But she had told him, and he clearly hadn’t forgotten.
The wooden bar in one corner was polished to a high sheen. The entire back wall was filled with windows overlooking the historic city. Eight rich brown leather chairs sat around a green felt table. Identical stacks of poker chips were in front of each chair.
“Mallory, it’s good to see you again. I was trying to get your attention while you danced to say hello.” Mallory turned to see her father. It was always painful for her to see him. He’d aged since she’d talked to him last. Not that he was old, but he had gotten older . Gray hair and wrinkles had appeared. She fought the childhood urge to run and give him a hug. Instead, there was nothing but heartbreak between them.
“Hello, Father. How is Mother? Is she here or did you bring your mistress?” Mallory asked coldly.
“Brandy is not my mistress. She’s just my assistant. Your mother is well. She was disappointed you were away from town during Christmas. She was hoping you would come home to celebrate. Home, with your family,” he said quietly.
Mallory smirked. “Father, we haven’t had a family since I was old enough for you to leave at home. Right around eleven, when I was no longer cute enough for campaign ads.”
“Senator, would you like a drink? I have had the finest bourbons and vodkas brought up here for our game,” Liam cut in.
“No, thank you. It is good to just see you again. I would like to talk to you before I leave tomorrow.”
Mallory smiled noncommittally and headed for the bar. One awkward situation down, one more straight ahead.
“You said no guests, Prince,” Ambrose snarled as he downed another drink.
“Mallory is not a guest; she’s my intended. Good luck at the game, Mr. Childs.”
Ambrose slammed his glass on the counter and headed for her father. She nodded at Easton Graham, a current governor and her father’s political opponent, and allowed Liam to introduce her to two other men.
“This is Mr. Jonak and Mr. Black.” Liam introduced her to the men whom seemed to be around her own age.
Mallory tried not to act surprised, but it was hard. These men were clearly Eastern European goons. Their suits were too expensive and their tattoos were mafia symbols. Mallory smiled dumbly at them. She needed to get pictures of them to pass to the CIA. They had to have a connection to the group Liam was in bed with.
“It’s nice to meet y’all.” Instantly she saw the men relax as they heard her sweet Southern drawl. It was her secret weapon. She even threw in a giggle and an eyelash bat. Some men were so very stupid.
“Ma’am,” one said, bowing his head. Definitely Eastern European.
Mallory smiled inanely and looked toward the bar. “I’m going to get myself a drink. Would any of y’all like something?”
Mr. Black shook his head and murmured to the others. Mallory tried to listen but only caught snippets. It wasn’t English, but it wasn’t Russian either. Mallory poured her drink and ambled back to Liam’s side. They were in an animated conversation and didn’t notice her sipping her drink while looking absently around the room. She
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