Ruthless Heart

McKenna sighs. “Be careful, that’s when the problems start. When you’re so crazy for her, you get sloppy.”

I pause. It’s a weird thing to say from a man who’s been married fifteen years. But before I can dig deeper, there’s a scratch of static on the walkie-talkie, and a voice comes.

“Approaching.”

We all lower our rifles as an ATV drives up, and an earnest looking guy climbs out. “Councilman.”

“Keith?” McKenna looks surprised. “What are you doing out here? This is my chief of staff,” he adds, introducing him.

“I’m sorry,” Keith says. “But you’re needed back in the city. The mayor just saw your housing report, and, well… He wants to meet at four. I have a car ready.”

McKenna sighs. “Fiona’s just going to love this,” he tells me ruefully. “Sorry to bow out early, gentlemen. Enjoy the rest of the trip.”

He climbs onto the ATV, and then he’s gone. Back to the city—and away from any chance to bond with the guy.

Dammit.

I stickit out another hour before calling it a day, too, and head back to the lodge. My temper is growing. This whole damn weekend has been a bust. Nothing but an exercise in futility.

And blue balls.

I find Lily sitting at the pool with the other women. I notice she’s talking to some other young woman, laughing and chatting as she lays out in the sun. It looks way too much like she’s really on a weekend retreat. It’s like she belongs here and is having fun.

Is this all just a game to her?

When she sees me, she must read something in my expression because she cuts her conversation short and comes to join me.

“What’s going on?” she asks. Her hand starts to reach out for me, but she stops before making contact, closing her fist and lowering it to her side.

She can’t bring herself to touch me, even to keep up appearances in front of the group.

Ice settles in my veins.

“We’re leaving.” I growl.

She frowns. “Why?”

“McKenna’s gone. Heading back to the city.”

Her face clears. “Oh, that must be why Fiona disappeared.”

“So, game’s up,” I say curtly. “No point prolonging this bullshit for no good reason.”

She swallows, looking away. “Fine with me.”

The staff pack our things and take us out to the helicopter pad to meet out ride. We climb aboard and take off, making the short ride back to the city without another word.

Without me even glancing at her.

I can sense Lily’s confusion. A couple of times, she even makes a comment, looking to me for a response. I don’t give it to her.

I can’t.

Because this is a dangerous game I’m playing, even keeping her close. I’m risking my power and position just keeping her alive. What happened last night can’t happen again. It was a moment of weakness, and I won’t be weak again.

Lily doesn’t belong in my world. My bloody hands have no place on her body.

She’s good for one thing, and one thing only:

To get me McKenna’s vote.

And after that?

She’s nothing to me again.