he air, heavy and

sudden violence of the room. He looked at the phone again, the evidence of his betrayal gl

hands raised in a pathetic gesture of surrender. "It... it w

out a small, wounded sound

nal instinct kicking in to protect her investment. "It's that Vance girl's fault. She

fixed on Edward. "My brother is drafting a press rel

ted tapping furiously. "Adams Corp pulls funding. Effectiv

drunken haze. "My Senate campaign! I need tha

re you unzipped your pants," Lucas mu

hysterical, Annette. Look at you. Every powerful man slips up. It's part

rself when Edward had his affairs with his secretaries? Is that how

went deat

ike a fish. That was a rumor, a dark whisper in D.C. ci

rnadine to silence her. He turned to Annette.

e picked up a piece of paper-a bla

. A strict one. If she breathes a word about us, about this nigh

iding to the doorway where Elena was

linked. "Where?

want her volunteering somewhere far away. Somewhere dusty, with no c

. "You can't do that. S

is fists clenched at his sides. "She called us a cash c

rked at Elena. "Or I disown you, Hank. I swe

dine looked away, her mind already calcu

red with his lust, and ambition won in a he

rned to run, but Lucas's b

signs," Annet

nnette with a mixture of fear and confusion.

heckbook," Annette replied. "

l your lawyer. We need to

sed a button on the intercom.

eating calmly, steadily. The grief she had expected to feel for the end