Chapter 27 - Talon
TWENTY-SEVEN
TALON
“Istill can’t believe this worked,” I mutter, straightening my bow tie as we approach the Willard Hotel’s main entrance. “Her father actually caved.”
Mara called her father this morning and gave him the ultimatum that the OCK officers get formal invitations tonight to the dinner, or she’d throw a very public, very embarrassing fit in front of every camera during the swear in.
She’s learning from the best, and I’ve never been more proud, or more terrified.
The three of us exit the car, and head up the steps into the hotel. Everything seems to be expected—Secret Service agents flanking the doors, metal detectors, and someone checking invitations.
The agent at the door examines our invitations and then nods us through. “Enjoy your evening, gentlemen.”
“Thank you,” I say.
Inside, the Willard’s ballroom is everything you’d expect from an exclusive inaugural dinner—crystal chandeliers, white tablecloths, enough flowers to bankrupt a small country, and waiters in crisp white jackets circulating with champagne and hors d’oeuvres.
There’s even a string quartet playing something in the corner.
And everywhere I look... power.
Senators and cabinet members cluster in small groups, making deals that’ll shape the next four years. CEOs and donors laugh over private jokes.
“There’s my father,” I say quietly, spotting Senator Reed near the bar. He’s holding court with the Vice President and what looks like half of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
“Mine too.” Dredyn’s jaw tightens as he spots James Steele across the room, deep in conversation with someone I recognize as the new Secretary of Defense.
“We should split up—circulate separately. We’ll be less conspicuous that way,” Dredyn suggests.
“Agreed. But we stay in sight of each other. And of Mara, once she arrives.”
We drift apart, each taking a different section of the ballroom. I grab a champagne flute from a passing waiter and position myself near a column with sight lines to both main entrances.
That’s when I see him.
My father breaks away from his conversation with the Vice President and heads directly toward me.
“Talon. I wasn’t expecting to see you here.”
“The President put me on his special guests list.”
“He put you on the list because the President’s daughter threatened to cause a scene if he didn’t. Care to explain why Mara Black is so invested in your attendance?”
“We’re friends. From university.”
“Friends. Is that what we’re calling it?”
I meet his eyes steadily. “That’s exactly what we’re calling it. Is there a problem?”
He glances around the ballroom, checking who might be listening. “Several, actually. But this isn’t the time or place to discuss them.” He takes a slow sip of champagne. “Though I have to say, the photos were... enlightening.”
“Oh yeah? You saw them?”
“Of you walking her across campus? On a leash, Talon? A goddamn leash. Do you have any idea how many people sent those to me? How many colleagues asked if my son had lost his mind?”
“It was consensual—”
“I don’t care if she begged for it. You paraded the President-elect’s daughter around like... like some kind of—” He stops, jaw clenching. “And apparently you’re not even doing it alone—Steele and Thorne are in on this little arrangement too.”
“We’re all dating her. Yes.”
He laughs. “Dating. You’re sharing her like she’s some Omega Chi party favor.”
“It’s not like that—”
“Isn’t it? Because from where I’m standing, it looks exactly like that. Three officers passing around the same girl, making a spectacle of it. I raised you better than this.”
“You raised me exactly for this. OCK officers share women all the time. It’s practically tradition. You did it when you were an officer,” I shoot back.
His face goes carefully blank. “That was different.”
“How?”
“It was different because we kept it discreet. We didn’t walk girls around campus on leashes where anyone with a camera phone could document it. And we certainly didn’t do it with the daughters of presidential candidates.”
“So it’s fine as long as nobody sees? As long as it’s kept hidden and shameful?”
“It’s fine… as long as it doesn’t threaten your future or embarrass your family. Which this does.”
“Maybe my future doesn’t look like yours.”
“Maybe it doesn’t get to exist at all if you keep this up.
” He drains his champagne and sets the empty flute on a passing waiter’s tray.
“Listen to me very carefully, Talon. I don’t give a damn who you sleep with or how many of you are involved.
Frankly, I expect it from OCK. But Mara Black?
A girl with PTO lineage? The President’s daughter?
” He shakes his head slowly. “You’re playing with fire. ”
“I can handle—”
“You can’t handle this. None of you can.
Steele and Thorne—their fathers have reach, have protection within the Syndicate.
But you? You’re my son, and my influence only extends so far.
If PTO decides you’ve disrespected their princess, if the Syndicate decides you’re a liability to the President.
..” He trails off, letting the implication hang.
“Are you threatening me?”
“I’m warning you. There’s a difference.” He glances across the room where James Steele is watching us. “Your friends’ fathers can protect them to a degree, but I can’t save you from this. Not if you keep pushing. Not if you keep making this public.”
“I’m not asking you to save me.”
“No, you’re asking me to watch you destroy yourself. Break it off—all three of you. End whatever this is with Mara Black before someone ends it for you.”
“I can’t do that.”
“Can’t or won’t?”
“Both.”
“Then you’re on your own. When this blows up—and it will blow up—don’t come running to me for help. Don’t expect me to use my position to bail you out. You’ve made your choice. Live with it.”
“I intend to.”
He steps back, straightening his jacket.
“I hope she’s worth it. I really do. Because you’re throwing away everything—your reputation, your future, possibly your life—for a girl who’s been groomed since birth to be a political asset.
She’ll choose her father’s world over you when it comes down to it. They always do.”
“You’re wrong about her.”
“Am I? Or are you just too blinded by... what, love? Good pussy?” He shakes his head.
“I was young once too, Talon. I know how intoxicating it feels to think you’ve found someone worth burning the world for.
But that feeling doesn’t last, and when it fades, you’ll be left with nothing but ash and regrets. ”
“If that’s what you think love is, I feel sorry for you.”
“This conversation is over.” He turns to leave, then pauses.
“One last thing. Whatever you’re planning with OCK, whatever you think you’re going to accomplish, it won’t work.
The Syndicate has been around for generations.
It’s survived coups, investigations, wars.
You really think three college boys and a rebellious girl can bring it down? ”
He walks away before I can respond, rejoining his cluster of political allies like our conversation never happened.
“He knows—about all of it. The photos, the relationship, everything.”
“And?”
“And he washed his hands of me. Said he can’t protect me—won’t protect me—and that we’re all going to die.”
Jasper’s jaw tightens. He signs, “Fuck him.”
“Pretty much my thoughts exactly.”
Dredyn joins us, having apparently watched the exchange from across the room. “Your father looked pissed.”
“He told me to break up with Mara or face the consequences alone.”
“What did you say?”
“I told him to go to hell. Politely.”
Dredyn’s smile is sharp. “Good. Fuck these people and their consequences.”
The main doors open, and a ripple of attention moves through the room.
The Presidential family has arrived.
President Clark Black enters first, every inch the leader of the free world in his tailored tuxedo. Eleanor Black follows, perfectly coiffed in a cream gown. Behind them, Milo—
And then Mara.
She’s wearing the emerald green dress from this morning, but she changed the jewelry—gold earrings, a delicate gold chain with a small sapphire pendant.
Our eyes meet across the ballroom, and relief floods her expression. She wasn’t sure we’d actually make it—wasn’t sure her threat had worked.
I touch two fingers to my chest, right over my heart.
She mirrors the gesture.
We’re here. You’re not alone.
Then her mother guides her toward a cluster of donors, and the mask slides back into place—perfect daughter, America’s sweetheart. The role she’s been forced to play her entire life.
I watch as she’s introduced to various dignitaries and power brokers, shaking hands and smiling and saying all the right things. Every few minutes, her eyes find mine across the room, then Dredyn’s, then Jasper’s, checking that we’re still here, still watching.
We are. Always.
Dinner is announced, and guests begin making their way to assigned tables. I check my place card—Table 12, near the back. Far enough from the head table to avoid presidential proximity, but close enough to maintain visual contact with Mara.
Dredyn and Jasper are at the same table, along with several other children of senators and cabinet members. People our age who grew up in this world, who know how to make polite conversation about nothing while power brokers decide the fate of nations.
“Talon Reed,” the young woman to my left says, reading my place card. “Senator Reed’s son?”
“Guilty. And you are?” I ask, flashing my most charming smile.
“Madison Porter. My father’s the new Chief of Staff.”
“Ah. Congratulations... to him. And to you, I suppose, for surviving the campaign.”
She laughs. “It was certainly an experience. Do you work in politics?”
“God, no. I’m still in school. Ashen Grove University.”
“Oh, I’ve heard of that. Very prestigious. What are you studying?”
Across the table, Dredyn makes stilted conversation with someone’s daughter while Jasper stays mostly silent, communicating through nods and the occasional sign that only we can read.
That’s when I notice movement near the service hallway. Kade slips through the door marked “Staff Only,” moving with purpose.
I nudge Dredyn under the table, tilting my head slightly, toward the hallway.
He follows my gaze, frowns, then looks back at the head table. Milo Black has excused himself, standing and moving toward the same service corridor Kade just used.
“Bathroom?” Madison asks politely, noticing my distraction.
“Actually, yes. Excuse me.” I stand, placing my napkin on the table
Dredyn and Jasper both start to rise, but I shake my head. One person leaving is normal. Three would be suspicious.
I make my way across the ballroom, nodding politely at people I don’t know, until I reach the service corridor.
The hallway is quiet, lined with closed doors leading to smaller meeting rooms and private dining areas. At the far end, I hear voices.
I move closer, staying quiet.
A door stands slightly ajar, light spilling into the hallway. Through the gap, I can see them.
Kade has Milo pressed against the wall, one hand braced beside his head, the other gripping his waist. They’re close... too close for friends. Too close for casual conversation.
“You can’t keep doing this,” Milo says, but his voice is breathless, strained. His hands are fisted in Kade’s jacket. “If anyone finds out... If my father finds out—”
“I don’t care. I’ve been watching you all day, sitting next to him at that table like the perfect son, smiling for those cameras, and all I could think about was getting you alone. Getting my hands on you.”
“Kade—” Milo’s protest dies as Kade’s hand slides from his waist to his hip, fingers digging in possessively.
“Tell me you don’t want this. Tell me you want me to stop and I will. But we both know you won’t.” Kade leans in, mouth hovering just above Milo’s.
The air between them crackles with tension so thick I can feel it from here. Milo’s breathing has gone ragged, his chest rising and falling rapidly, eyes dark with desire and fear in equal measure.
“I can’t—we can’t—”
Kade’s other hand comes up to cup Milo’s jaw, thumb stroking over his bottom lip. “Yes, we can. We can do whatever the fuck we want. Right here. Right now.”
Milo’s answer is to surge forward and kiss him.
And holy shit.
It’s not gentle. Kade groans deep in his throat as he angles Milo’s head for better access.
Milo melts into it, hands releasing Kade’s jacket to slide up and thread through his short hair, pulling him closer, deeper. His hips roll forward, seeking friction, and Kade responds by pressing him harder against the wall, one thigh sliding between Milo’s legs.
Kade bites down on Milo’s bottom lip hard enough to make him gasp, then soothes it with his tongue. Milo’s head falls back against the wall, exposing the long line of his throat, and Kade immediately attacks it.
“Kade, please—”
“Please what?” Kade’s hand slides down from Milo’s jaw to wrap around his throat. “Tell me what you need.”
“You. I need you. I’ve needed you all fucking day.”
I should look away, should give them privacy. But I’m frozen, watching as Kade’s free hand trails down Milo’s chest, over his ribs, coming to rest at his belt buckle.
“We have maybe five minutes before someone notices we’re both gone. Tell me how you want to use them.”
Kade pulls Milo’s zipper down with his teeth, and the purely masculine sound Milo makes goes straight to my dick, despite my confusion about watching two men together.
I’ve never... I mean, OCK doesn’t care who you fuck, but I’ve never been with a guy. Never really thought about it. But watching Kade’s obvious worship of Milo, the way they touch each other like they can’t get close enough—
It’s hot. Undeniably, confusingly hot.
I should leave, should give them privacy. Should—
Movement in my peripheral vision makes me tear my eyes away from the scene before me.
A flash of emerald green disappearing into a door further down the hallway.
Mara?