Page 27 of Shadowed Agenda
“I didn’t expect her to be a fan, given our different views on politics and women in the workplace,” Regan said, taking a sip of water from her glass.
“We all recognize brilliant writing regardless of the difference in our political views,” Gage replied, sidestepping beautifully. “The Senator is, of course, disappointed but understands.”
Pavlo felt Regan tense. She needed to let it go. Gage wouldn’t give her anymore information.
“They must be telling people to take their seats,” Regan said, looking around the room.
The small groups of people chatting in the room had broken up, and people were moving toward their tables. The banquet would start shortly.
Regan’s fishing had filled in some blanks but left them with more questions. If Palmer’s presence at the animal sanctuary fundraiser had been unexpected, Isla would have used the opportunity to pitch her services. Pavlo could see her suggesting the private book signing in return for a chance to speak with the Senator. However, he could just as easily see Palmer deliberately attending the event and approaching Isla to set the whole thing up. The big question would be why.
Pavlo had heard that the Senator doted on his wife, and he went to great extremes to keep the much younger woman happy. The threats made toward Regan were like those made to others targeted by the Senator’s hard-core supporters.
“Isla showed me a couple of pictures of your daughter. She’s a cute little thing.”
“Thank you,” Regan said, the honey tone back in her voice. “I think so too, but I’m her mother, so I’m completely biased.”
Pavlo didn’t like the direction Palmer had turned the conversation. Neither did Regan, judging by the smile that didn’t reach her eyes. He hoped the others at their table would join them soon and draw the attention away from Regan’s personal life and back onto her books.
Palmer laughed at her response, and then his expression became serious. “Before I could confirm the book signing with Isla, security had to check your background thoroughly. I’m certain you understand.” Regan inclined her head slightly to show she understood. “The Senator was quite distressed when he read about your daughter’s heart condition and the upcoming surgery.”
Pavlo would ask Drake to up the security at Mackenzie’s place. He wouldn’t put it past Palmer to leak Emmeline’s photo and her heart condition to the media. If that happened, every journalist and paparazzo would be determined to get a photograph of Regan and Emmeline together.
“I appreciate his concern,” Regan replied. Pavlo reached for her hand under the table and gently squeezed it. “Emmeline has an excellent surgeon. She’ll be fine.”
“I heard it was an expensive procedure, and the waitlist for the surgery is long.” The sympathetic expression on Palmer’s face didn’t match his cold eyes. “I know the Senator would be upset if something happened to Emmeline, and there had been some way he could have helped prevent it.”
Son of a bitch. Gage Palmer had just bribed and threatened Regan in one sentence.
Chapter thirteen
ApplausefollowedRegantoher seat. At least one thing this evening had gone well. Both she and Pavlo had been a hit.
Regan had been looking forward to dessert—liquid nitrogen sundaes. She was willing to skip the experience to escape Gage Palmer’s presence.
The man’s concern for Emmeline’s health had been laced with a thinly veiled threat. While Regan prided herself on personal integrity, her daughter’s safety was more important. What people thought of her agreeing to a private book signing no longer mattered.
Of course, she could always tell the truth and reveal she’d been threatened, but the last thing she needed was an all-out war between herself and the Senator’s supporters. She’d seen how that had turned out for those who had tried previously. Nope, not an option.
“Wonderful speech,” Isla gushed as Regan took her seat.
Thank goodness she’d printed it out. Usually, she jotted down a few main points and loosely followed them. Regan liked to read her audience as she spoke, taking cues from them to adjust her planned presentation to keep everyone engaged and entertained. This evening, she’d read her speech word for word.
“Well done,” Gage added. “I saw a few people pull out pens and paper when you listed the advice you gave your students. Nice touch.”
It wasn’t meant to be anice touch. Regan had wanted to give the writers just starting their careers solid advice. She knew if someone had given her that advice, her journey would have been much smoother.
Gage Palmer was a threat, one she couldn’t fight right now. Regan needed to leave before she said something she’d regret. Once she’d found a way to accept the Senator’sinvitationwithout compromising her principles, Isla could take care of the details.
“If you’ll excuse me,” Regan said to the people at her table, “I’m going to make a trip to the restroom.” She stood and added, “They’re setting up the sundae stations. It’ll be a first for me. I can hardly wait.”
The table erupted in conversation after Regan mentioned the dessert.Good. No one would notice if she snuck out of the ballroom and went to her room. She just wanted this day to end.
Regan quickly scanned the room as she went to the restroom, intending to veer off to the exit without anyone noticing. Her chest tightened as she saw Nicholas standing beside the cash bar. He had some nerve coming here. If he thought his presence intimidated her and would wear her down so she accepted whatever deal his lawyer threw on the table he was wrong.
Regan strode toward the bar. The gorgeous woman beside him tapped his arm and tilted her head toward Regan. And to think it was just yesterday he asked her to remarry him. A leopard never changes his spots.
Her anger increased as she thought about the flowers he’d sent. Of course, he’d help his mentor scare her into agreeing to the book signing. Intimidationwashis style.