Forever Love (Arabesque) Read Free

mouth had gone bone dry.

Chapter 2
    I t had been a long day and now Keith Washington sat in the backseat of his father’s SUV looking over the event’s program. It was a typical small-venue town hall meeting. It was time-consuming and off the usual grid, but no big deal. Though this wasn’t one he’d sanctioned.
    There were several sponsors involved, some of whom he didn’t know. That, he didn’t like. But this was a favor set up by his father for an old friend who’d been working at the community center for years. Having Blake show up brought people out, and that helped the event and the center. But ultimately he’d wished he had more information up front about the other sponsors. He knew in a setting like this, anything could happen.
    The last-minute strategy meeting in the backseat of his father’s SUV came to an end just as the car stopped. Keith sent a text to his assistant, who was already inside; there were no last-second changes. Everything was as planned. They were ready and everything was set. It was time. “Are you ready for this?” he asked his father before getting out.
    Blake smiled and nodded. “I am. These are my constituents, but they aren’t just the people voting for me. These are the people hoping and praying that I make their lives better. I know it’s small comparatively, but the second I become complacent about the small things is the time I need to get out of office.”
    Keith nodded. He knew his father was right. Each and every campaign appearance was essential, not only for the candidate, but also for the office. He knew his father would give one hundred percent and more. “That’s exactly the answer we need. Let’s do this.”
    Just as Keith got out of the SUV, Blake’s cell phone rang. “It’s your mother. Go ahead in, I’m right behind you,” Blake said, answering the cell phone smiling.
    Keith nodded and continued walking inside. Megan Keats, the law firm’s publicist and the campaign’s PR specialist, met him at the door and handed him a few notes. He read them quickly, then shook hands and briefly spoke with a few associates and businessmen as he entered. The news media were there. He smiled, answered a few questions, then excused himself and headed to the main hall. He stopped at the side entrance and looked back. His father had entered the building and was smiling, shaking hands and chatting briefly with those standing around waiting. He took a few photos, waved and shook more hands.
    Keith shook his head. Practicing legislative and regulatory law was nothing compared to being his father’s political strategist and campaign manager. In that position he headed an impressive inner circle of senior advisers that included a media strategist, a communications and policy research director, a chief pollster and a financial director. And every day dozens of résumés were delivered for his vetting.
    Everyone wanted to get on board the campaign train because everyone knew this was only the beginning. His father’s political aspirations were modest, but the party was already looking a decade ahead to a very prominent Washington, D.C., position.
    Keith stepped inside the main hall and looked around. The small area was packed as he had expected. His father always drew a crowd. Preston Hodge was at the podium speaking. Keith watched him for a few seconds. He’d already assessed Preston as a nonthreat. Still, he was a wild card. He had bold aspirations and a heart to do well, but his troubled background would either hold him back or propel him forward.
    The next person he saw on stage was Lester Jameson, his father’s political opponent. He knew he’d already spoken. Keith smiled. What Lester didn’t know was that was exactly as he’d planned it, leaving his father to go last. Lester was a smug, condescending man whose deep pockets matched his father’s but whose political need for power was far too grandiose. Plus, he carried enough baggage to sink the Titanic all over