Chapter Twenty-Nine
Thaddeus
“Pete, I want you to be on your best behavior today for your new mother,” I said as I buttoned his shirt. He ignored me and continued rolling the toy car down my arm.
“Vroom!” he exclaimed, shoving the car in my face.
Yes, vroom went the car over your mother.
“Pete, I need you to focus, son,” I said, gently lowering the car from my face.
“You must behave long enough for her to sign on the dotted line. I will ship you off to boarding school as soon as the law allows if you mess this up for me,” I warned, checking his nose for boogers.
“Technically, it doesn’t matter, I guess.
I can pursue her romantically if she turns down the nanny position, but it’s more entertaining this way. ”
Our heart-to-heart was interrupted when I was alerted of Kiyah’s arrival by my head of security, Desi.
I watched the security footage as she parked her Expedition in the driveway.
I’d expected her to arrive on that wretched motorcycle, but was glad she thought better of it.
Riding a motorcycle would be unbecoming of the First Lady of Texas.
She’ll have no choice but to get rid of it.
“Remember, be cute and cuddly like I know you to be, and everything else will fall into place.”
I eased him off the table, grabbed his hand, and led him to the foyer, where Kiyah waited. No matter how many countless hours I spent poring over her photos or watching her through surveillance, she still managed to take my breath away—violently so, as if I were punched in the gut.
Her curly crown was in a twisted updo, with a few escaped tendrils framing her face.
Her makeup was minimal, but I could barely take my attention away from her plump, glossed lips.
Her outfit was business casual—a welcome surprise compared to her usual fashion choices: cutoff t-shirts and shorts, leather, and boots.
She wore a sleeveless black top tucked into a flowy white pleated skirt.
She added a pop of color with pastel-pink patent-leather slingbacks that matched her designer bag.
“Kiyah, welcome to our home. Thank you for coming,” I commented as we approached her.
“Thanks for having me,” she replied, immediately reaching for Pete, who was trying to launch himself out of my arms.
“Hiiii,” Pete said once he was in her hold.
“Hi, Pistol Pete! What do you have in your shirt pocket?” she asked. He pulled out the black car and proudly showed it off to her. “Oh, wow! I love it! I had a car like this once.”
“What happened to it?” I asked, feigning curiosity. I knew she stupidly wrapped it around a tree, pretending to be Paul Walker, but I wanted to see how truthful she’d be about her past.
“Ugh, just being young and dumb. I was racing and crashed, and that was the end of that.”
I raised a brow. “I don’t have to worry about you speeding with my son in the car with you, do I?”
Her mouth dropped in shock as if I were a piece of shit for even fathoming that she’d do something to endanger him.
“I wouldn’t do anything that would jeopardize Pete’s safety.”
You better not, or you’ll be six feet under like my wife.
I flashed her a practiced smile and felt amused when her tense shoulders visibly sagged. “Relax, Kiyah. I’m just having a little fun at your expense,” I remarked gently. “May I take your bag?”
“Sure. Thank you.”
Before she could offer it up, I reached out and unhurriedly eased it down her arm. My fingers briefly caressed her skin, and I wished at that moment that I could spend all day touching her. I’d start from the top and lazily work my way down, repeating the cycle until I had my fill.
I bet she’d enjoy it just as much as I would.
“Did you have any difficulty finding the place?” I asked, leading her through the living room and kitchen until we reached the screened-in back patio, where an elaborate meal awaited us. She hadn’t answered my question because she was too fascinated with scoping out her new surroundings. “Kiyah?”
“I’m sorry. What did you say?” she asked, finally giving me her attention.
“Did you have any difficulty finding our home?”
“No, not at all. Traffic was a pain as usual, but the drive was easy. I don’t wish to be ignorant, but I’ve noticed an overwhelming presence of security. Has there been a recent threat against you?”
No, my dear. They’re for you. I can’t have you running away.
I pulled out a chair and motioned for her to sit.
She did, and I caught a whiff of her hair moisturizer that smelled like vanilla and honey.
I was familiar with the scent because I purchased it after she set a task reminder in her phone to replenish her stock.
Curious, I ventured to the store and bought it myself.
I spent the night in bed, inhaling the moisturizer while pleasuring myself to my go-to porn—the picture of her cum-filled pussy.
“No, nothing of the sort, but you can never be too careful. Does the security presence make you uneasy?”
“No, I was just curious.”
“Good,” I said, taking my seat beside her. “They will be traveling with us often, and one or two will accompany you when you’re out and about with Pete. You understand, don’t you? I’d be devastated if something happened to either of you.”
She smiled appreciatively. “I understand. Especially after what happened. Has there been a breakthrough in your wife’s case?”
“Which one?”
“The hit and run.”
“Unfortunately not. The case has gone completely cold and will be wrapped up as such.”
“Are you serious?” she asked, appalled that such a high-profile case would be closed.
“Yes, they’re closing the case.”
At my insistence, of course.
“I’m not upset. They did what they could with the limited information available. One day, karma will catch up to the animal responsible for killing my wife.”
“Amen,” she mumbled as our conversation lulled.
“I hope you’re hungry,” I proclaimed brightly, motioning to the brunch spread.
“You didn’t have to do all this, but I appreciate it.”
“Nonsense. I knew you’d probably be too nervous to eat breakfast this morning.”
“You think of everything,” she expressed.
“Hm. Some might claim I tend to overthink, but being mindful and prepared is crucial, which is ironic considering that I forgot to bring out Pete’s highchair. Please help yourself while I’m gone.”
I returned a short time later and found Kiyah making what appeared to be a child’s plate with finely cut fruit and pancakes.
“What else do you want? Point to it. Yeah, no, I don’t think the peppers are the move. How about a little bacon?” she pressed, holding a strip out for him. He took it and bit into it, giving her a toothy grin of satisfaction. “Awesome. You love bacon. I think we’ll get along just fine.”
Yes. We will get along just fine. As long as you follow the rules….
Kiyah
“This is… intense,” I expressed as I browsed Todd’s schedule for the following week. We’d finished brunch and had a tour of his magnificent home. Pete was down for a nap, leaving us to complete the interview without any distractions.
“Hm,” he hummed as he drank his tea from a teacup my grandmother would kill to add to her collection. “Unfortunately, this is what my lighter schedule looks like.”
I scoffed and held up the tablet. “This is light?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Jesus, how are you even functioning?”
He laughed faintly and stared into his teacup. “Some days, I don’t even know myself. I’ve operated at this pace for so long that it feels natural. Typically, I don’t know what to do with myself when I have a day off. That’s where you come in.”
I blew a raspberry and sank against the couch. “I hope you enjoy sleeping in and watching movies all day in bed,” I joked.
“Is that something you do often?”
“No, it was something my uncle and aunt did when we were younger. If we spent the night or weekend with them, Uncle Ant would wake up before everyone else and make a breakfast buffet to feed all nine of us. We’d file into the kitchen half awake and disheveled, and he and Ms. Simone would help us fix our plates and pour juice and milk into sippy cups or cups with lids and crazy straws before taking us to their bedroom.
Their bed was huge—it was bigger than a California King. ”
“Wyoming, Texas, or Alaskan King?”
“Texas King,” I confirmed.
“That’s a big bed.”
“There were a lot of little bodies. Our pillows and blankets would be waiting for us when we arrived in their room. We’d all eat together while watching cartoons or movies all day in bed.”
“I assume Ms. Simone was in charge of lunch?”
“Dinner. We’d be too stuffed from breakfast to eat lunch.”
“Well, I’m open to trying anything once,” Todd commented with an easy smile. “Not the seven children in my bed part, but a day of cartoons doesn’t sound half bad.”
“I agree. I don’t know how our parents did it, handling all of us, but they did.”
“It’s simple; they have a lot of love to give.”
I nodded. “They do.”
“Do you have any plans of having a big family?”
I was taken off guard.
Can he ask a question like that during an interview?
“I’m sorry. I don’t feel comfortable answering that question.”
His eyes widened a little before he replaced his teacup on the saucer. “I am so sorry, Kiyah. I didn’t mean to offend. I didn’t mean to step out of line,” he apologized. He looked so remorseful that I felt like shit and wondered if I made a big deal out of nothing.
“It’s fine. We were discussing family and—”
“No, it’s not fine, Kiyah. I made you uncomfortable. Again, I apologize and don’t feel bad. You did the right thing by correcting me. We are in the midst of a formal interview.”
“Let’s forget it ever happened. Back to your schedule, I see you travel often, and some of these events have asterisks beside them. What does that mean? If you don’t mind me asking, of course.”
“I’m glad that you asked. The events with asterisks are events that I plan on Pete attending, which means your presence will be required on the trip.”
“That’s more traveling than I anticipated.”
“Will that be a problem?” he questioned with a raised brow.
“No, not at all. But I do have a question.”
“Go ahead.”
“Some of these events are out of state,” I mentioned, scrolling through his calendar. “And one of your upcoming events is international. If you’re running for governor of Texas, why are you traveling elsewhere?”
“Some of those are private venture trips.”
Private venture trips?
“You seem confused; I’m also a businessman on top of being a political leader.”
That’s right. Todd comes from old money and mentioned his father leaving behind his legacy.
“Of course.”
“When traveling with us, all your flight and lodging expenses will be taken care of, and you’ll receive per diem at the rate of $250.
00 a day on top of your salary. Also, you will be required to formally attend some of the events where I want Pete to be present for photo ops.
Did you have the chance to look at the salary and benefits section? ”
I flipped to the end of the contract and found the section mentioned.
This can’t be right….
“I know what you’re thinking—it’s astronomical, but I’m willing to pay top dollar for my son to receive the best care. Plus, there’s a little extra for your event coordinator position.”
“The salary is very generous, along with covering health insurance and paid vacation time; however, I don’t see FMLA.”
“FMLA?”
I glanced up and caught how his relaxed expression hardened briefly before returning to neutrality.
“My grandfather will be placed on hospice soon, and I have no idea when he’s going to go. I need to know I can take time off to attend his service and be with my family while I mourn his loss.”
“I’m sorry. It completely slipped my mind. Of course, I’ll have it added to the contract. Would a week be appropriate?”
“Two weeks is preferable.”
“I can make that happen. What else?”
“The contract is not clear on when I’ll have dedicated time off. From the wording in the contract and your extensive schedule, it seems I’ll be on duty nearly 24/7. When would I have time off to visit family or run personal errands?”
A faint hiss escaped his mouth as he geared up to let me down easily.
“Kiyah, I will not lie to you; 24/7, seven days a week, will be your reality for the next four months until the election is over. I promise that once the election is over, your workload will lessen. We just need to get to November.”
“Are you giving me a politician promise?”
He snorted and shook his head. “I’m giving you a Todd Branson promise.”
He’s a smooth-talker—no wonder he’s leading in the polls by a mile.
“Okay, Todd Branson. I need that in writing. The contract must specify the days and times I’ll be free after the election.”
“Yes, ma’am. What else?”
“Hypothetically, if I want to spend the weekend with my family and you’re out of town, but neither Pete nor I are required to accompany you, am I free to take Pete with me when I visit?”
“You are not permitted to take Pete outside of Austin city limits without my presence. Your family is more than welcome to visit you here as long as you clear it with me first. I hope you understand.”
“I do. I just thought I would ask.”
“Is there anything else you require in the contract?”
“Your contract is missing a sexual harassment clause.”
The room fell so silent that you could hear a mouse piss on a cotton ball.
If this man has a problem with putting a sexual harassment clause in the contract, then we may as well wrap up this interview now. He’s charming, polite, and friendly, but that doesn’t mean I’m willing to ignore a glaring red flag.
A heavy sigh escaped him as he reached for his contract copy. “It’s not in here?”
“Not from what I can tell.”
“I had a suspicion that I was forgetting something, and because the thought of doing something so vile never crossed my mind, I unintentionally left it out. You have my deepest apologies. I’ll take care of it.”
“Don’t apologize. You have a lot on your mind. My attorney will handle it.”
“Can your attorney get it back to me in 48 hours?”
“I’m sure he can.”
“That’s great. Because if you accept the position, we need to be wheels up in 72 hours.”
“That soon?”
“I know it’s not the most ideal turnaround time, but as you know, I’m a busy man.”
“I understand. I just didn’t expect to be onboarding so soon.”
He smirked. “Does that mean you’ll accept the position?”
“As long as you agree to the contract modifications.”
“I agree.”
We conversed for a few more minutes about minor details when he received an emergency work call.
“I’m sorry, but I must take this call in my office. Let me walk you out.”
“Go handle your call; I can walk myself out. Thanks again for this opportunity.”
“No, thank you. You’ll love being here with us so much that you’ll never want to leave.”