State of Play: Book Two; The Candidate Read online

  STATE OF PLAY

  Book 2: The Candidate

  By

  Taylor Lee

  STATE OF PLAY

  Book 2: The Candidate

  By

  Taylor Lee

  Gia admits the problem with Logan’s commanding arrogance, in addition to annoying the hell out of her: it also turns her on.

  When her pedophile candidate crashes and burns, Gia accepts that her life as a hotshot campaign manager is over. Given the profoundly corrupt candidate who is now a shoe-in to win, Logan challenges Gia to run for the office--something she swore she’d never do. When Logan refuses to take no for an answer, for better or worse, she concedes.

  Shocked at Gia’s entry into what he’d assumed would be a walk-in-the-park campaign, her hapless political opponent brazenly labels Logan her sugar daddy. He ups the ante, claiming that Gia sold her body to get his financial support. Given Logan’s special operative background, it was an unwise move at best.

  In his former special operative career, lying and lying well was often a matter of life and death. Logan admits it’s questionable if that excuses his lies of omission to Gia regarding his current operation. He has to hope what’s usually considered dishonorable isn’t when the life and well-being of the woman he’s deeply in love with is at stake.

  Logan is an entrepreneurial genius, accustomed to ruling every arena he chooses to enter. No shrinking violet, Gia rules her life with an iron hand. It’s not surprising that occasionally in public, and particularly behind closed doors, their relationship is an explosion waiting to happen.

  State of Play is a steamy political romantic suspense. If you like smart characters, tough-talking politicos, and scorching passion, then you'll love Taylor Lee’s sizzling thrill-ride.

  Buy State of Play to get hot under the collar today!

  Main Menu

  STATE OF PLAY: Book Two; The Candidate

  Afterword

  Taylor Lee’s OMNIBUS Collections

  Books by Other Authors

  About the Author

  Contact Information

  Copyright Page

  Go back to the Main Menu

  Table of Contents

  Main Menu

  Afterword

  Other Works by Taylor Lee:

  The Trouble Sisters Saga—Contemporary Sizzling Suspense

  The Criminal Affairs Collection—Contemporary Sizzling Suspense

  The Justice Brothers Series—Contemporary Sizzling Suspense

  Ladies of the Night Series—Contemporary Sizzling Suspense

  The Man in the Arena Series—Contemporary Sizzling Suspense

  The All Fired Up Collection—Contemporary Sizzling Suspense

  The Red Rock Collection— Contemporary Sizzling Suspense

  The Blonde Barracuda Collection—Contemporary Sizzling Suspense

  The Dangerous Affairs Collection—Contemporary Sizzling Suspense

  The Grand Master’s Legacy Collection—HOT Historical Romance

  The Bad Ass Brigade—Contemporary Sizzling Suspense

  About the Author

  Contact Information

  Copyright

  Chapters:

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Epilogue

  To go back to the Main Menu, click here.

  Chapter 1

  How dare you think that you are worthy of running for office, much less representing our district in the Congress of the United States of America?”

  Gia Tremaine pinned a thoughtful gaze on the plump, flushed woman glaring at her. She knew that Gretchen Engle and her campaign staff had spent hours preparing Gretchen’s opening salvo. Gia had managed enough campaigns to know that Gretchen’s scathing question had been field-tested with every demographic group the Engle campaign was cultivating. Clearly they had determined that Gia’s “worthiness” was her Achilles’ heel. If she’d been managing her opponent’s campaign, Gia would have agreed. After all, being the daughter of a convicted political scammer was a definite challenge for any candidate. It didn’t help that the last campaign she’d managed ended with the forced withdrawal of her candidate when he initiated an illicit affair with a sixteen-year-old staffer. Even Gia agreed that “worthiness” or, in her case, “un-worthiness” was a surefire winner for her opponent. Or it would have been in any contest where Gretchen’s opponent wasn’t Gia Tremaine.

  The challenge for Gretchen was that, in addition to Gia’s obvious downsides, she had a few—make that an arsenal—of upsides. One of which was that she’d been expecting the assault and was prepared to use the insult to her advantage. Rather than take the bait, Gia drew on her political smarts and merely regarded her opponent thoughtfully. Unfortunately, Gretchen struck out, filling the silence that Gia had strategically created.

  In a voice that matched her ill-fated schoolmarm look, Gretchen distinctly went off-script when she scolded, “Really, Gia, you should be ashamed of yourself. To think that you are worthy of showing up for this debate, much less declaring that you are a candidate, is beyond impudence.” The officious woman assumed the exasperated demeanor of a mother chiding a misbehaving child who deserved a stern reprimand.

  At Gia’s studied non-response, Gretchen added to her bombast. Glaring at the moderator, she railed, “And you, sir, should be ashamed that you have allowed this woman, this unscrupulous adventuress, to share the stage with a legitimate candidate.”

  Frank Adams, the political anchor for WCCO, the most popular news outlet in the county, acknowledged her heated gaze with a nod, then said blandly, “I know you are aware of the requirements for participating in this debate, Ms. Engle. You are also aware that Ms. Tremaine has met those requirements.”

  Gretchen drew herself up in a stance worthy of a disturbed puff adder and admonished the moderator. “Really, Frank, one would think that anyone who managed the campaign of a disgusting pedophile would not be allowed to participate in a legitimate debate for the auspicious office for the Second Congressional District—”

  Adams quickly asserted, “As you know, Ms. Engle, Ms. Tremaine was instrumental in ending the former Maxwell campaign when she learned of the candidate’s crime.”

  “Humph. So she did, which only shows how accustomed Gia is to dealing with criminals. Which isn’t surprising given that now her father and her candidate are in jail. What does that say about her qualifications to run for Congress?” As if remembering that the focus of her attack was supposed to be Gia’s worthiness or lack of it, she quickly added, “Much less if she is worthy of such an honor.”

  When the moderator moved forward, clearly intending to reiterate the requirements for the debate participants, Gia held up her hand, stopping him. “Thank you, Mr. Adams, for confirming that I have met the requirements to participate in the debate. In addition, the qualifications to run for Congress are straightforward. One must be at least twenty-five year
s old, a citizen of the United States for the past seven years, and an inhabitant of the state they represent. Both Ms. Engle and I have met these requirements. But Gretchen raises an important point. Who is worthy to run for the auspicious office of Second Congressional District representative?” She shook her head thoughtfully, then added, “In my mind, for better or worse, worthiness is a qualification that is best judged in retrospect.”

  At Gretchen’s dismissive snort, Gia stepped away from the podium. Walking to the edge of the stage, she gazed out into the audience and said carefully, “Seriously, folks, who among us is worthy of such an honored office? And who is not? Moreover, how do we judge their worthiness before we see them in action?” She paused thoughtfully as she walked slowly across the stage, continually making eye contact with members of the audience.

  “For example, who would have thought that a hard-drinking, good ole Southern boy like LBJ would be the president who finally led the Civil Rights movement to victory? Or that a screen actor with questionable qualifications like Ronald Reagan would be responsible for the fall of the Berlin Wall?”

  Stopping for a moment, Gia looked out at the audience, put her hands up in a questioning gesture, and shrugged. “I’ll be honest. I don’t know if either Gretchen or I are worthy of running for Congress. While we both meet the minimal qualifications for the office, those requirements don’t include worthiness, however one defines it. In that I can only speak for myself, let me tell you that I very much want the job and believe that I can be a consummate advocate for all of you and the other people in our district. I’d be lying if I didn’t tell you that I’m humbled by the challenges we all face. But I’m also encouraged.

  “In the last year, I have been in every city, town, and village in the district, talking to people like you. I’ve heard what closing the Brownsville plant did to the workers and their families. Proud men and women who gave their lives to the industry are now forced to rely on food stamps to buy groceries for their families. I’ve met with schoolteachers who are buying much-needed supplies out of their own pockets so that their kids can have the tools they need to learn. And I’ve listened with a heavy heart to family members who are watching their loved ones losing the hideous battle to opioid addiction.”

  Gia stopped for a moment and then said firmly, “What gives me hope is that I’m convinced there are solutions to these and other serious issues we face. But they are going to require candidates who can speak to people across the political spectrum. A candidate who can be a healer, not a provoker. Our problems aren’t Republican or Democrat, liberal or conservative problems. They’re all of our problems. And while I agree with Gretchen that the environment is a critical issue, it is but one of many that we must work on together to find solutions.”

  After Frank Adams finally managed to contain the resounding applause reverberating through the auditorium, Gia returned to her place behind her podium, ignoring the evil eye a beet red–faced Gretchen was shooting her way. Knowing that it was all over but the shouting, she dared to look into the wings. Meeting the gaze of the tall, imposing man standing to the side, whose lips quirked up in a sly smile, Gia reveled in the knowledge that she’d hit a home run. Heck, seeing Logan’s confirming nod, she knew she’d hit it out of the park.

  ****

  “Quick, everyone!” Pointing to the television screens banking the walls, Ben Knight’s exhilarated voice rang through the Hard Times and Misery Saloon. “Look at this! ABC nightly news is featuring your debate, Gia! On national TV!”

  At the clip showing Gia striding across the debate floor and engaging the audience, a roar went up from the HT&M rough-edged regulars, salted with a surprising number of upscale-looking gentlemen. Granger, the formidable barkeep of the disreputable hangout, yelled for silence as he jerked up the volume on the sets sprinkled throughout the cavernous interior.

  The commentators were effusive. Pointing to the young woman whose lovely face was filling the screen, the granddaddy of political wise men intoned, “I don’t want to predict a race that hasn’t begun yet, but after this astonishing young woman sails to victory in the primary election next Tuesday, I have some advice for Gus Underwood, Gia’s opponent in the general.” He didn’t try to hide his grin. “Buckle on a Kevlar vest, buddy. Better yet, see if you can find one that covers you from your knees to your neck.”

  The raucous cheers from the HT&M crowd drowned out the other prognosticators jumping on the bandwagon to register their heartfelt agreement. Gia leaned into Logan for support. Tilting back her head, she met his gaze and, not able to hide her excitement, asked almost in wonder, “Was I really that good, Logan?”

  He held her close against him. “Princess, in a word, you were brilliant.”

  Several hours later, when the ebullient crowd had consumed more booze than Granger swilled during the Super Bowl, the hardcore politicos convened at a table in the back of the saloon. Not surprisingly, Gia and her two young organizers, Emma York and Kaila Dalton, were the only women at the table. In addition, the three women and Gia’s long-term partner and now campaign manager, Ben Knight, were the only participants under thirty. The rest of the chosen team was a kaleidoscope of men representing different backgrounds, ages, and financial wherewithal. What they shared was a passion for politics and a commitment to the black-haired, emerald-eyed Irish lass sitting in their midst.

  After ensuring that everyone’s glass was full, Logan Fowler, the acknowledged leader of the assembled team, turned to Gia. While his voice was serious, he didn’t try to hide the laughter in his eyes. “I could spend the rest of the night, Gia, listing the things that you did right in the debate. One of the most impressive was how you let Gretchen hang herself.” Nodding to the other men who were muttering in agreement, he said, “I don’t know about the rest of you, but as a kid, I promised myself that when I was old enough to fight back, I would make every chubby, flaccid-faced teacher I had rue the day that she did everything in her power to undermine my confidence. Accomplished politician that you are, Gia, you let Gretchen be Gretchen. Which was the last thing her team wanted her to be.”

  Waiting until the laughter died down, Logan continued. “Among the myriad things that you did right, the seminal action was when you stepped from behind your podium and spoke to the audience directly. You were gutsy enough to walk to the front of the stage, a solo figure meeting the people you wanted to serve. You left your opponent and even the moderator hovering in the background, mere pawns in your mastery of the stage . . . and the debate. With that courageous move, you not only won the race but you established yourself as a phenomenon that will soon take over the political world.”

  Logan rose to his feet and lifted his glass. “To you, Gia Tremaine. The next Second District Representative to the Congress of the United States of America.”

  The cheers and shouts of agreement from the assembled team were deafening.

  Chapter 2

  Ben could barely contain his excitement. His dark brown eyes behind his trendy, square-shaped Gucci eyeglasses were shining. After dragging his hands across his cropped, sandy-brown hair, he held up his phone. “Look, everyone. Can you believe this?” Thumbing through a long list of texts, he crowed, “Honest to God, since we left the debate, especially after the ABC spectacular, I’ve had a total of fifty-seven requests for media interviews! Seriously, Gia, you and I have never seen anything like this. Damn, in Aiden’s campaign, we were begging for interviews. Now they’re chasing after us.” His voice rose as he added, “Even, or maybe especially, the national media is going crazy. God, here’s another one from CBS in New York. Of course, all the locals are going nuts trying to confirm one-on-one interviews. Damn, girl, I don’t know where you want to start.”

  Before Gia could respond, Logan stepped forward. “How about you give that list to Syl, who is slinking over in the corner, doing his best to focus on his latest League of Legends battle.” He grinned. “The advantage of having a high-tech gamer on board is that if you can pull them away from th
eir obsessions, they can do in minutes what would take the rest of us hours, if not days. Give Syl your phone, Ben, so that he can categorize the list according to importance. Give me five minutes with him to design the criteria and then we’ll get back together to discuss next steps.”

  Gia met Ben’s questioning gaze and shrugged. Without speaking, it was clear that they were both surprised at Logan’s easy assumption of a role that in the past had been hers. But then, in the past, everything that happened in the campaigns she and Ben managed had been decided by her. Ben was always at her side, but there was never a question as to who was the decision maker. Having managed multiple campaigns, Gia admitted that she didn’t know a damn thing about being a candidate. In fact, she still marveled that she’d actually acceded to the coup that Logan had engineered. After all, she’d repeatedly declared that she was an organizer, a manager, not a candidate. And until the fiasco with Aiden, she’d been a renowned kingmaker.

  Before she could make it clear to Logan that she needed to decide which interviews she would do and when she would do them, he was at her side. Tugging on her hand, he led her over to the table where their de facto campaign brain trust was seated. The four accomplished men had never played a role in any of the numerous campaigns she’d managed. But here they were, not only giving their time and advice but also their money, simply because Logan had asked them to. Gia was once again struck by the skill of her primary backer who, coincidentally, was also her lover.

  She’d known Logan Fowler was a heavyweight even before she threw herself at him, practically begging him to support Aiden Maxwell’s campaign. In what should have been the flaming end of their incipient relationship, Logan refused to fund the campaign. He insisted the only thing the Maxwell campaign had going for it was Gia, and he didn’t fund campaign managers. Especially when their candidates were as weak as Aiden Maxwell was. That Aiden turned out to be despicable to the core confirmed Logan’s negative assessment. The problem was that while the imposing man had seen through the disreputable candidate, he’d been more than taken with Gia. And not surprisingly, she’d returned his fervor.