Page 170 of What Remains

“And my grandfather. Which leaves the third main candidate in the primary to take the lead and wind up as the nominee. But your backup plan won’t be elected president.” Gwen grabs the remote from the dresser and turns on the news. “He’s resigning from the race, and he’ll be facing charges for election interference as well as accessory to kidnapping, cybercrimes, and a hell of a lot more. Whatever you’re guilty of, by association, he is now, too.”

“I’m not letting you take me out of here alive. That won’t be happening.”

When Molly suddenly goes for the nightstand, Carter reaches around to his back and frees the Glock hidden there. He holds it up, practically taunting her. “I would have thought a trained agent would be a light sleeper.”

I tap my earpiece, barely containing my smirk. “We’re ready. You can come and get her now.” I lift the iPad, stopping the recording as she glares at each of us. “We have enough to bury you already, but recorded testimony never hurts.” I wink.

CHAPTER 62

Gwen

“You sure you want to stay here?” Dad asks from the doorway of my suite. “You don’t want to fly back to The Sapphire with us?”

“And be there to deal with Zoey’s punishment? No, thanks. I’ll leave that to you all.” Chills slip down my spine at the mere thought of her. “I also want to leave Singapore with some good memories, so . . .” Please don’t ask how I’ll be making them. You won’t want to hear that.

Easton pulls a pack of gum from his pocket, unwrapping a piece with the kind of concentration normally reserved for disarming explosives. Probably nervous my dad will know exactly what our plans are. It’s one thing for him to approve of our relationship, it’s another for him to picture his friend with his daughter in any way other than innocent.

And oh, the things I want Easton to do to me are far from innocent. The dirty words he whispered in my ear on the flight here, when we stole a quick second to make out in Carter’s bedroom, promise to be hotter-than-hot. But probably the sexiest thing he said to me was that he can’t wait to have me fall asleep in his arms.

“Yeah, okay,” Dad finally says, cutting off my thoughts before my imagination runs away even more. He points a finger between us. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

I snort-laugh, then decide to close my mouth and leave well enough alone.

Dad adjusts his jacket, seemingly more interested in the floor than me.

“Are you bothering them?” Natasha for the save, thank you. She fills the doorway alongside him.

“I wouldn’t dare,” he grunts.

Laughable.

“They want to stay. Fly commercial back in a few days,” he lets her know, securing an arm around her waist.

She tips her head, leaning against Dad’s shoulder. “They deserve time.”

Time. Right. That’s one word for it.

“Take care of my baby girl, will ya?”

Oh, Dad. Like seriously, you had to go there. It’s time for me to be Easton’s baby. I manage to keep all those thoughts trapped behind my lips—for Easton’s benefit.

“Of course,” Easton says firmly.

Dad lets go of Natasha and steps forward to draw me in for a tight hug. It’s the kind that presses the air from my lungs and says everything he can’t out loud. “See you at The Sapphire soon, yeah?”

I back up, glancing at Easton. “Actually, I was thinking maybe that commercial flight we take will be to Kansas City. Easton needs to get his stuff from his dad’s that he never had sent.”

Easton closes one eye. Guilty. Mm-hmm, knew it.

“I also promised Elaina a visit. Least I can do after keeping all this from her.” Maybe Juliette in New York, too. “Why don’t we meet you in D.C. after you wrap things up at The Sapphire?”

“Yeah, sure, I’d like that,” Dad agrees before I hug Natasha goodbye.

“This really is over, isn’t it?” I murmur into her shoulder.

“It is,” she promises.

“Until someone tries to fill that power vacuum again,” I grumble at the memory of what Molly said.