Chapter 2 #2
“Then why would either party worry about an independent running?”
Amanda sat forward. “Merritt leans too far to the right with his stance on abortion and limiting women’s rights, and Benton leans too far to the left, wanting to shut down mining and the pipelines, taking away what few job opportunities are available in the state.
” She grinned. “Liliana is leading in the latest polls, with enough of a lead to make both parties worry.”
“If she wasn’t leading in the polls by a significant margin, the republicans would be worrying she’d take votes away from them and give the democratic candidate a shot at the seat.
” Stone tapped his fingers on the tabletop.
“As it stands, she’s leading by a lot more than they had anticipated and could steal the election from their candidate altogether. ”
“Wouldn’t that make the GOP candidate and his party the prime suspects in the attacks?” Dax asked.
“Seems logical,” Stone agreed. “Or that candidate’s corporate backers—the ones contributing the most money to Merritt’s campaign.” Stone tipped his head toward the empty chair across from Liliana Lightfeather. “Have a seat.”
Dax glanced down at his dusty jeans and scratched his beard. “I’m dirty from riding.”
“Is that what I smell?” Moe laughed.
“Sit,” Stone insisted. “The seats can be cleaned. We want your input on how to handle Miss Lightfeather’s situation.”
“I would’ve thought you’d come up with something by now.” Dax dropped into the seat, a frown forming. “Shouldn’t she lay low until you figure out who’s behind the attacks?”
Miss Lightfeather shook her head, her jaw firm, her fists clenched.
“Laying low is the last thing I need to do at this point. I can’t let them think they’ve won.
I can’t back down and make the voters think I can’t stand the heat.
If anything, the explosion will have given me even more exposure in the news.
I have to show my opposition and voters that I’m uninjured, ready to take the fight to the next level and that I’m stronger than ever. ”
Amanda clapped her hands. “That’s the spirit that will get you elected.” She glanced around the table. “So, how can the Brotherhood Protectors make sure she stays alive through the election and into office?”
Stone turned to Liliana. “She needs protection.”
Liliana’s mouth twisted. “A bodyguard? Won’t that make me appear weaker like I can’t handle this election standing on my own two feet?”
“So many of our elected officials have bodyguards,” Stone pointed out, “that I don’t think it makes you appear weaker.”
Her frown deepened. “I’m not opposed to having a bodyguard, but do we have to be so obvious about it? Couldn’t I have someone follow me around like he’s my aide or something?”
“We could. But you need closer protection than someone following you around during the day, like an aide. What you need is twenty-four-seven coverage. Someone who goes home with you at night and stays in at least adjoining rooms in whatever hotel you’re staying in.
If our guy isn’t physically close, he can’t protect you. ”
“I’m a single woman, which requires that I be very aware of my reputation.
If I keep the bodyguard thing under wraps but have a man following me into my hotel room, the press will accuse me of sexual harassment, having an affair with my aide.
” Liliana shook her head. “I can’t do that, and I don’t want to parade around with a bodyguard like some celebrity.
I’m a candidate of the people. I can’t get close to them if they think I’m above them with my bodyguard. ”
Amanda laid her hand on Liliana’s arm. “But you can get close to them with your fiancé.”
Dax’s gut tightened. He should have known a woman as attractive as Liliana would have a fiancé. Not that it should matter to him. The knot in his gut meant nothing. Certainly not disappointment.
“I don’t have a fiancé.” Liliana frowned.
Amanda smiled. “You know that and the rest of the people in this room know that, but the press and the voters don’t know that.
The explosion shook your secret boyfriend and made him realize just how much you mean to him.
He spirited you away from Riverton and proposed to you.
You accepted, and now, you’ll have him with you for the rest of your campaign.
” Amanda grinned. “And your voters will be happy that you have the appearance of a stable homelife.”
Liliana’s brow dipped. “I can’t lie to the people of Wyoming. That’s no way to serve them. And what happens when the election ends and my fiancé disappears?”
“You can make a public statement that your fiancé wasn’t prepared for life in the public eye, and you parted amicably.” Amanda sighed. “Or you just admit you needed a bodyguard. No one will hold it against you.”
Liliana stared at her friend for a long time without uttering a word, as if working through the two scenarios.
“If you choose to have our protector as your bodyguard, wouldn’t you have the same issue you’d have if he was your aide?
” Kyla pointed out. “Wouldn’t the press make something of your bodyguard staying in adjoining rooms and sleeping in your house?
You’re a target of the press as much as you are a target of whoever is behind the attacks. ”
“Kyla’s right,” Stone said. “You can’t think of it as lying to the public. You’re guarding your reputation and life by having your protector go undercover. When the campaign is over, you can own up to that fact. Your voters will understand.”
“And if your protector is your fiancé and not a highly-trained former special operations fighter, whoever is targeting you might get sloppy and expose himself for the sneaky bastard he is, and you’ll have your fiancé to take him down.
” Amanda clapped her hand on the table. “So, who’s Liliana’s lucky guy? ”