After thorough discussions among everyone in the house, they came up with a decent plan for their conversation with President Warner. Edward wasn’t sure he cared anymore; he just wanted it to be over. They were all tired, sick of living together, and ready to go back to their real lives. It was time to put the mission to bed.
Warner hadn’t spent much time with any of them; directly after the fallout from the Zion fiasco, the entire Cullen clan had met with him for a debriefing. As a high-ranking official within the intelligence community, Holden knew him best, but even he admitted to having nothing more than a passing acquaintance with the man. That meant they were going in mostly blind, but with the honor of having successfully saved his life.
Through the endless security checks at the CIA headquarters, Edward kept hold of Bella’s hand. Something had not set right with him from the moment the sun came up, and despite having no idea what it was, he wouldn’t dismiss the nagging feeling in his gut. Metal detectors, body searches, and an aggravatingly high-tech facial recognition scan wore thin after the better part of an hour.
“What was all that about?” Bella asked Holden as someone finally escorted them down a long hallway.
“Can you blame them after what happened to the director?”
“We’re clearly not members of the Taliban.” Frowning, Edward adjusted his grip on Bella’s hand as others approached and they had to shift to single file. A group of senior officials wearing badges passed, whispering to each other. “Are we pariahs?”
“No,” Holden replied. “As far as I’m aware, you’re still considered national heroes around here.”
Snorting, Bella said, “That was back before Blithers went rogue trying to recruit us for operations we weren’t interested in helping with.”
“All I can tell you is that I haven’t heard anything negative about the two of you through the gossip mill.”
And yet, everyone looked at them askance as they walked by. Eventually, they came to a junction in the hallway, and the aid leading them knocked on a door to the right.
When the door opened, Vice President Barrett stood there. “Good afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. Cullen. Holden.”
Immediately, Holden said, “I was told the meeting was with Director Ingles and President Warner.”
“Certainly, agent.” Opening the door wider, Barrett showed the other two men seated behind him in the conference room.
Frustration built in Edward. They could hardly discuss Barrett’s activities with the asshole in the room. “What’s going on?”
Barrett smiled, but it looked more like a grimace to Edward. “We’re all having a meeting, aren’t we?”
Bella squeezed Edward’s hand; whether in warning or comfort, he couldn't tell. He sighed quietly. What else could they do now but plow forward with improvisations?
Holden entered the room behind Edward and Bella, hovering near the door as they made introductions. Ingles was not a new face, just someone they’d never personally had contact with, but Warner went through the motions as though they were complete strangers.
“It’s nice to meet you. I remember seeing you on the news reports a few years ago,” Warner stated.
Edward’s extra sense started tingling again. “We’ve met before,” he said with a heavy frown.
“Forgive me for misspeaking. I simply meant I recall the media circus surrounding the rescue. You two saved the world, after all.”
“It was our civic duty.” The words were curt and insincere as Edward carefully studied the president’s face.
“Mr. President,” Bella interjected, “We were hoping to have a bit of one-on-one time with you today.”
“You might actually manage to hurt my feelings,” Barrett said dryly. “I thought it might be a pleasant change of pace to speak with such a lovely and obviously intelligent young woman.”
His fists clenched involuntarily, and it didn’t surprise Edward when his wife’s grip became fierce.
“You flatter me, sir, but don't you have a campaign to run?”
“My staff is competent enough without me.”
Barrett’s gaze and tone had become steely, and Ingles finally intervened. “Surely we can speak freely in front of the vice president.”
“If you insist,” Edward responded. Meeting the president’s gaze, he went ahead and dropped his verbal bomb. “We have evidence your VP staged the coup with the intention of killing you and stealing your office.”
The silence that followed wasn’t nearly as shocked as Edward would have liked.
In fact, no one seemed surprised at all.
Ingles was the first to speak. “We’ll investigate the matter thoroughly, of course.”
Barrett didn’t jump up or deny the accusation.
Bella stuttered out a breath, and Edward didn't know what the fuck to do next.
Holden said, “I’m sorry, sir, but that’s all you have to say? Andrew Barrett committed treason.”
“Actually, agent,” Barrett said, “Director Blithers was the ringleader of those plans. He orchestrated the entire thing, and he failed. Then when he tried to replace the Russian terrorists with the Taliban, it backfired.”
Slowly, Edward met the gaze of each man in the room. He could hardly believe what he was hearing, and every single one of them wore an expressionless mask. “If any of you think you’ll continue this farce you’ve played out against the American people, then you’re mistaken.”
“Edward—”
But he interrupted Bella’s cautionary tone. “We aren't the only ones with access to the evidence, so any misguided ideas about harming me and my wife won’t fail to stop what you’ve started.”
Rising swiftly, he tugged on Bella to move her faster. All he needed to do right now was see her to safety. Anything that happened after that was unimportant.
“Agent Holden,” Ingles barked as James rose as well. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“I’ve been there and done that, and all I got for my efforts was a target on my back.” Standing between the Cullens and the politicians, Holden ushered them toward the door.
But the knob wouldn't turn in Edward’s hand. Breathing deeply through his nose, he pulled his cell from his pocket and thumbed in a code.
“Whatever you might think right this minute, I guarantee it’s wrong.”
Turning to face President Warner, Edward replied, “I highly doubt it.”
“You lack imagination, and that's why you’ll lose.” Rising from his seat, the president buttoned his suit coat as though they were concluding their meeting. “You don’t have a clue what you’re talking about, or what you think you know.”
“Then educate me.” Gently, subtly, Edward moved until Bella stood behind him and James beside him. “Tell me all about how you knew there was a plot to murder you and yet you don’t care about the identity of the perpetrator.”
“I was the perpetrator, Mr. Cullen.”
Stilling completely, Edward tried to take in his words.
But it made no sense.
“Why would you intentionally ask Russian terrorists to kill you?”
“You know nothing.” The president took another step closer, and Edward felt Bella clutch the back of his shirt. “All you have to do now is keep your mouth shut.”
“Apparently, I really know nothing.” Shaking his head, Edward glared at Barrett. “What the fuck is going on here?”
His response was astounding, and yet . . . expected. “We were trying to create something better than what exists, that’s all.”
“Are you batshit crazy?” Edward asked, just shy of shouting. “Murder and treason are not better than what exists, especially when you and your man here are the ones elected to be in charge. If you don’t like it, change it legally!”
The grin on the president’s face was creepy enough to make Edward shudder. “Actually, Drew here doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”
Barrett frowned. “What do you mean?”
“See? Gentleman, time to leave. I need to have a frank discussion with the infamous Cullens.”
James and Edward glanced at each other.
“I’m warning you now, if you so much as touch a hair on my wife’s head, it won’t matter to me who you are. You won’t survive it.”
The serene smile didn't change at Edward’s threat. Instead, he opened the door on the opposite side of the room and insisted Ingles and Barrett leave. The three clustered together didn’t separate. Edward’s phone vibrated, but he wasn’t prepared to take his eyes off the president long enough to check it. Easing it down by his side, he swiped his thumb across the screen and hoped he’d connected the call.
“Sit, sit.”
“We’ll stand.” Edward folded his arms across his chest, dearly hoping this wasn’t the way their story ended.
“Suit yourself.” Warner sat at the conference table, his hands steepled in front of him. “Listen, it’s kind of adorable that you thought you could come in here and warn me away from my vice president.”
“Adorable?” Holden sneered.
“I know more than all of you combined, including the two dipshits who were just here.”
Bella moved out from behind Edward. “Enlighten us.”
“I like you.” Sitting back in his seat, the president began talking. “My name is Cameron Warner.”
“But—”
He continued before Holden could finish his thought. “My brother, Brandon, is the man you met.” Snorting, he said, “Have to admit, it quite disappointed me when you managed to save him.”
“What the fuck are you talking about?” Edward snapped. The instinct that had warned him from the start grew into a boulder in his gut.
“The plan was to erase my twin from the planet and step into his shoes. He always had everything handed to him on a silver platter, while I had to fight for any scrap of recognition. Well, not anymore.”
Bella’s hand on his back was the only thing keeping him grounded at the moment. Sickness swirled with the boulder, and he had to breathe carefully to keep the contents where they belonged.
“I told Drew the idea was to wipe out the other countries and install the two of us as world leaders. Of course, this is nearly impossible, so he predicted the plan would fail.” Tapping a pen on the table, the crazy in his eyes made Edward scowl. “In reality, I wanted my brother killed so I could take his place. Since he made it out alive, thanks to the two of you, I made sure to rectify that mistake.”
“Why are you telling us this now?” Bella asked softly.
“You’ve gotten too close to the truth.”
“We’re not the only ones who know something is wrong,” Edward reminded him. “Our entire household is listening in, and they won’t let you get away with whatever this scheme is.”
Nodding in acknowledgment, Warner replied, “I don’t intend to kill you right here in these offices.”
“But you do intend to kill us,” Bella guessed.
“Well, I can’t have anyone messing up what I’ve started. Look at what happened to Director Blithers when he fucked around—he found out.”
“Trite sayings are a lot less funny when you’re talking about taking human life,” Holden said.
“Ah, but didn’t you intend to kill him yourself?”
No one responded.
“You’re welcome.”
“What now?” Holden asked.
Edward wanted the answers to that question too. If his term was over and there was nothing left for him in D.C., then what were his plans?
“Oh, I have plenty of irons in the fire. Barrett will make a fine president, one who will continue all the same goals he and I have set in this magnificent term we've served together.”
“He hasn’t figured it out?” Bella wanted to know. “You’re very different from your brother, from what I can tell.”
“PTSD.”
It was a simple enough excuse.
“He thinks I changed after the trauma I suffered. He does need a new running mate, though.”
The way Cameron stared at Edward made his eyes widen. “You’re out of your goddamn mind!”
“All I need is a puppet, Mr. Cullen, and you are that.”
“Fuck you.”
“Honestly, I’d rather fuck your wife, but I’ll take what I can get.”
All the lunatic did was laugh as Edward leaped over the table and grabbed his tie. Bringing them face to face, Edward snarled, “Shut the fuck up. I’m done doing your bidding.”
“We’ll see.”
Edward shook him, but he still didn’t react or do anything to defend himself. “I don’t need an imagination anymore, you disgusting piece of shit. I have the truth, and the world is going to know it.”
“You don’t scare me, Cullen.” Laughing, he said, “What, do you think you’re Baba Yaga?”
“I’m your worst fucking nightmare.”
There was a knock on the door, and Edward released the man with a shove.
“Are we ready to be escorted out?” a shiny-faced aid asked, rather obliviously.
“Yes, we are,” James hurried to say.
“Edward, let’s go,” Bella urged.
Glaring at the man falsely claiming to be the president, he backed away without breaking eye contact until he had no other option.
“We have to do something,” he started to say once they were in the hallway.
“Not until we make it out of here,” Bella interrupted.
She had a point. Anyone, at any time, could decide they were a threat and stop them from leaving.
Only once they were firmly enclosed in the armored limo with Stephen did Edward unleash.
“What the fuck are we going to do with that insane motherfucker?”
“I’m completely stumped, Edward.” Holden rubbed his face. “We’re in even more danger than we were before.”
“He can’t seriously be thinking I’ll accept his offer.” Fuming, Edward tried to think through the fog in his brain. “I won’t do it.”
“Stephen,” Bella called. “Be extra cautious getting us back to the safe house.”
“Oh, here.” Holden held Edward’s cell phone toward him. “You dropped this when you lunged for Warner.”
“Was anyone on the line?”
“It had locked itself, so I didn’t check.”
“The one time we needed hidden comms the most,” Bella said with a groan. “This is next-level insanity.”
“I have no idea what to do.” Meeting his wife’s gaze, Edward said, “For the first time in my life, I’m absolutely dumbfounded.”
“I know, but we’ll figure something out. We always do.”
But would they? When they were up against the offices of the president, vice president, and the head of the CIA, what options were left?
“We’ll call an emergency meeting when we get back to the safe house. We might even have to change locations.” Running her hand up and down his arm, Bella met Edward’s worried gaze. “We’re stronger together.”
It was the most true thing she’d said to him all day. “You’re right, mo shíorghrá.”
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| Agent Holden |
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| Vice President Barrett |
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| The President? |
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