Betrayal Read Online Free

advisors.
    After they shook, Stuart continued. “Meanwhile, it’s no secret that Mills will top the other ticket. And I’m ninety-five percent sure that he will select either Anders or Metcalf to run as his VP.” Stuart gave an open-palmed shrug and settled back in his seat, implying with tone and demeanor that Wiley could easily fill-in the rest.  
    Wiley drew a blank, but he was not about to let the smug SOB get one up on him. Not here. Not in his own house. He took a long sip of latte, inhaling deeply to maximize the punch of the nutty brew. He tried to think. Anders was the two-term Governor of Georgia and Metcalf was a four-term Florida Senator. Both had solid backgrounds, but neither eclipsed his two terms in Congress, four years in the Virginia governor’s mansion, and current service as Director of the FBI. Both Anders and Metcalf were married … Was that it? Wiley wondered. Did Stuart want him engaged? No problem. Why had he gone through all the drama to ask? Stuart was hardly the sentimental type, but then everyone has his quirks. Apparently marriage was the one thing besides power that was sacred to the man. Wiley found that nice to know, and tucked it away for future reference.
    Having discovered his reptilian campaign manager’s soft underbelly, Wiley changed his tactics. He wanted the satisfaction of hearing Stuart vocalize his feelings. “Go on, Mister Slider.”
    Stuart gave him a direct, icy stare. “Anders is six-foot-four, Metcalf six-five … and Cassi is six-one. You however are a relatively puny five-ten-and-a-half—in heels. You cannot run on a power platform while appearing substantially shorter than everyone else in the game. Try it and you will become a caricature, a political Chihuahua, a late-night joke.”
    Hearing those words, Wiley felt as though he had been sucker punched.
    Stuart did not give him time to breathe. “I can deal with Anders and Metcalf. You won’t ever have to stand right next to either of them, although I’m sure their campaign managers will try shamelessly. But Cassi … there’s no way to avoid that money shot. The comparative picture of you will have longer legs than hers. ‘Which Proffitt wears the pants?’ ‘Who’s really on top?’ ‘Wittle Wiley Wannabe.’ The tabloid headlines will be your deathblows.
    “It all comes down to this, Director. Either you forget about Cassi Carr, or you forget about the Oval Office. Those are the only two options.” Stuart folded his hands across his chest.
    But there weren’t two options. They both knew that.
    Wiley closed his eyes. He would have to leave Cassi.
    Stuart said, “I’ll give you until Monday to do it.”
    When Wiley finally opened his eyes he found that Stuart had vanished. For once he appreciated the man’s magical talent.
    Checking over his shoulder more than once, Wiley walked over to the wall safe, spun through the combination, and withdrew a small box. It was robin’s-egg blue and approximately two inches cubed. He untied the white silk ribbon, tilted back the lid and stared. It was beautiful, he thought, as unique and flawless as the woman for whom it was intended.  
    Wiley had found the perfect engagement ring a month ago. For weeks he had enjoyed the anticipation of a spontaneous proposal. Holding that joyous secret in the palm of his hand made him feel like a Christmas-morning kid. In fact, he had cradled it hopefully in his pocket on six separate occasions, ready to take a knee. But the moment had never been just right. His latest plan was to propose at dinner tomorrow night. He had picked the perfect restaurant and even dropped a few hints. Tomorrow was now out of the question, of course. As was the next five years …
    For a fleeting second, Wiley wondered what Stuart would have done if he had already proposed. Then he remembered that Stuart had violated Cassi that very night. He had drugged her in her sleep just so that he could deliver his news with panache. Wiley decided not to pursue