UNSHAKABLE (Able Series Book 4) by Gigi Aceves Page A

that. After many months of stressing over my relationship with Damien, I feel lighter and less sad. After quickly doing my morning girly chores, I step out of my room armed with my Prada shades that serves as a barrier between Damien and me.
    However, to my surprise, I’m greeted by Luke.
    Where is he? He’s not your concern anymore, remember.
    “Morning, Soph.” Luke’s familiar voice goes in one ear and out the other.
    I answer him with a nod and walk purposefully toward the elevator, shielding my face from Luke’s scrutiny. Why? Because surprisingly enough hurt radiates across my entire being with Damien’s disappearance, not even a ‘see ya later, brat’. What did I really expect? Though, there’s a small part of me that thinks . . .
    No, I can’t think that. I won’t. I’m crushing that hope before it blooms again.
    Beginnings —they’re a part of life. They’re less hurtful yet more unnerving. I guess it depends on how one looks at life. I love beginnings, it’s the endings I don’t care for so much.
    Endings —they’re a part of life, too, and the more painful of the two. The chances of recovery, especially if they’re a bitter end, are slow at best because ache is harder to forget. But it’s only hard when you don’t believe there’s a beginning with each ending.
    DAMIEN
    Armed with my conviction, I drive toward the house that holds my Wildflower. I can’t undo that oath. I’m just merely changing the status quo. Where there’s a will, there’s a way. There’s always a way. The way from here on out is a gamble though. I’m hoping it’ll pay off in the end because I’m not only gambling with my heart, I’m also gambling with hers.
    Gamble . . . I’m all in as always. I’m ready to roll the dice and let the chips fall where they may. So, I buck up and march toward the Oval Office with a purpose. I can only hope it plays out the way I want it to, with less tears shed and my balls intact.
    I knock on the door of the study. When I open it, I face the man I choose to protect over the one I truly want to be a shield for. I’m walking away from her, not by choice but by pure necessity because my heart can’t withstand the torture of not having her. More so, her heart can’t—and that’s something I’m not willing to gamble anymore.
    “You want to talk to me?”
    “Yes, Mr. President.”
    “So . . .” He points toward the chair directly in front of him while he remains standing.
    If he’s standing, I will too. Not as a challenge, but as proof that I’m in this to win the girl . . . to win my Wildflower. I won’t cower, cover, or hide behind someone else.
    Nodding he continues, “Alright, we’re playing who has the longest dick? Is that how you want to play this with me, Damien?”
    “No, Sir. It’s not a challenge or disrespect, Mr. President. I just want you to know the level of commitment I have, and how seriously I’m taking this.”
    With another nod, he states, “Your standing in front of me is enough testament of how seriously you’re taking this. So, Dan tells me you want to be transferred to my detail because. . . .” He stops and cocks his head to the side, waiting for me to finish what he started.
    I give him a nod of my own after locking eyes with him. “Because I love Sophia. There’s no reason other than that. It’s both simple and complicated at the same time. But I thrive in complicated, and I desire simple. Your daughter gives it to me in spades, Sir.”
    He leans against his desk, crosses one leg over the other, and folds his arms across his chest. “This is an election year, and your time will be consumed with my campaigning. How can you juggle that and have a relationship with my daughter? Assuming, she’ll accept you.” He stops and walks behind his desk, leaning against his chair with his forearm resting on it. “It will be a stressful situation between the two of you. Are you prepared for that? Is she? Have you considered all the problems that