Then, an idea suddenly hits me, and it’s like I’m filled up with hope again.
I can’t push aside and forget what happened last night. And since the police never showed up, there won’t be any justice for the two men’s violent behavior. But that doesn’t mean I should keep quiet about it.
For some reason, the first person I want to tell my idea to is Cannon, not my campaign manager, which is ridiculous.
Even still, I head down the dark stairs with my cell phone in my hand like a lifeline, intending to make some coffee and check emails while I wait for the biker to wake up.
When I see the glow from the refrigerator light illuminating the top of golden hair, my heart starts to race, thinking that maybe he’s already up too and couldn’t sleep. But then the person stands up and I realize it’s a woman’s ponytail and not Cannon.
When I remember that she’s pregnant, I flip on the kitchen light, so she won’t think I’m sneaking up on her. Still, that startles her, and she turns to look at me with a big, green pickle in her fist.
“Shit!” she gasps as she blinks her eyes at the sudden light and then at me. “Who are you?”
“I’m Madison,” I respond. “Madison Monroe. Sorry if I frightened you. I didn’t think anyone else would be awake.”
“You must be one of Cannon’s girls. I’m Hannah, Conrad’s girlfriend,” she says as she eyes me up and down before taking a chomp out of the pickle. “Mmm. So good. Why can’t pregnant women crave chocolate instead of these damn things?”
“No clue. And no, I’m not one of Cannon’s girls. He brought me here to keep me safe.”
“Oh, right! You’re the one running against my father.”
“That’s right,” I agree. “Lucky me.”
“I’m sorry. Did something happen last night, or is this all a preventative measure?”
“Oh, something happened. Two men were waiting for me when I got home. They held me at knife point and tore my shirt open as they told me to drop out of the race by today or they would come back and kill me.”
“Jesus Christ!” she says. “What are you going to do?”
“I thought about dropping out. I hate it, but I did,” I admit to her. “But instead of being terrified, I think I’m going to use this against him.”
“You should. Call him out. No one ever does,” Hannah says before she bites into her pickle again. “I would offer you one of these, but I’m guessing I’m the only person who eats them for breakfast.”
“I think I’ll just make a cup of coffee,” I tell her as I go over to the Keurig machine and find a row of five cups of my Cinnabon flavored coffee lined up in front of it. It was really sweet of Cannon to grab them. I should’ve shoved some in a bag before we left my place, but I wasn’t thinking about comfort food or beverage at that moment in time. In fact, I can’t believe he was. It’s a much-needed comfort for me.
“Everything okay? I would offer to help, but I don’t know how to work that thing yet. I’m not a coffee drinker,” Hannah says.
“Oh, no. I’m fine,” I respond. “Could you tell me where the coffee mugs are kept?”
“Cabinet right above your head,” she says.
“Great, thanks.”
“I’m not sure if you’ll find any K-cups, though. If the guys drink it, I think they use the old-school coffee maker with grounds.”
“Oh, it’s fine. Cannon grabbed some from my place.”
I get the cup made and then take a seat at the table with Hannah, who has finished her pickle and washed her hands since she apparently hates the smell of them and just likes the taste.
“Since you’re not dropping out of the race for mayor, I hope you’ll tell me if there’s anything I can do to help.”
“You could go vote on Tuesday, March third,” I say with a smile.
“Done. I’ll be in line when the doors open,” she promises. “No one wants my father to lose as much as I do.”
“Cannon told me about how Conrad got into a fist fight with Bailey, and then Bailey had all of the Savage Kings businesses shut down.”
Hannah nods. “It’s all so messed up.”
“That reminds me – I should talk to him about the explanations they gave to shut them down. Maybe I can help get them overturned or take them to court.”
“You’re an attorney?” Hannah asks.
“I am. Haven’t had much practice other than a few internships, but I’m licensed in North and South Carolina.”
“Wow. That’s impressive. I can already tell you’re a helluva lot smarter than my asshole father.”
“Thanks,” I reply with a smile.
“Use that brain of yours against him. He’ll try to strong-arm everyone into getting out of his way or voting for him. I’m sure you can find a more decent way to win.”
“I hope so.”
Chapter Fourteen
Cannon
Waking up is usually a slow process for me. I hit the snooze button a few times and sleep an extra hour or so before I make myself roll out of bed.
Not this morning.
For some reason, I’m in a hurry to get up and get a shower.
No, not some reason.
Madison.
Knowing she’s in the house and probably already awake, I hop up as soon as my eyes open. She’s like my own pot of coffee that gets me going.
I want to make sure she’s okay after last night, and I figure she’ll be ready to get to her office as soon as possible. At least I hope she does. If those assholes last night have made her change her mind about running, then I am definitely going to track them down and kill them.
By the time I come out of my bedroom, fresh from a
