1

Lucas McMann walked down the street, pretending everything was normal. With his premature gray hair and his expensive suit, he looked the part of a senator even if he wasn’t one yet. And he never would be—if something didn’t change soon.

Scanning the area, his heart rate increased with every step. Only the strictest discipline kept him from breaking into a run. If he did that, then they’d know he knew.

He didn’t know why he’d been chosen to play the game. He didn’t know what they wanted. He didn’t even know who they were. There were many things he didn’t know about the game, but Lucas knew one thing. In the end, he would be the winner.

The situation was intolerable, possibly even dangerous.

As he forced his footsteps to slow, his gaze flitted from person to person. Was the young girl with spiked pink hair one of them? Or the older man dressed as a tourist? Or the well-dressed man pretending to be a businessman?

It could be any of them or all of them. They were everywhere. No matter where he went, he couldn’t get away from their prying eyes or their cameras. And now not even his home was safe. As they’d proven last week.

The Washington Monument towered over the city.

After all that he’d lost, his career was the only thing he had left. He’d never become the next US senator from North Carolina if he couldn’t stop them. There was no way he could focus on the upcoming election if these people kept hounding him.

It was part of the plan his father had mapped out years before. It had worked perfectly up to this point. First, local government, then the state. He’d been a US congressman for the past four years. Now it was time to move up to the Senate. Each step moved him closer to his ultimate goal—the White House.

President Lucas McMann? He wasn’t even sure how he felt about that anymore. But his father had wanted this so badly, Lucas owed it to his dad to at least try now that he’d passed.

Focusing on the well-known landmark, Lucas regained a little more control of his thoughts, his emotions, and his rationality.

To win this game, he needed a new plan—one to stop them.

To end the game for good.

Lucas approached a café. The sidewalk was filled with tourists and residents enjoying springtime in DC after a harsh winter. He bypassed the only empty table and went inside. He chose a seat facing the door. His muscles relaxed.

A waiter came up. “Know what you want?”

“A black coffee and a croissant.”

“Be right back.”

Lucas stared at the door.

A man walked in with a camera and aimed it at him.

Lucas grabbed a menu to put it in front of his face but was too late.

The man gave a wave and walked out with a satisfied grin.

The waiter brought his order.

Lucas gritted his teeth. For weeks, he’d been reacting to them, but no more. It was time for him to step up to the plate and make a game-changing play. It wouldn’t be easy since he didn’t know the rules, the players, or even the goal. He would have to step out of the box. Do the unexpected so he could take control. Then he would end it.

The waiter stopped at his table. “Need anything else?”

Lucas glanced at his name tag. “Thanks, Nick, I’m fine.”

Lucas fixated on the man’s name. Nick. The name conjured up a glimmer of an idea. A person who might be able to help. Could she be the answer?

Lucas paid the bill and walked out. He stopped and blinked several times as if the sunshine was too bright. In reality, he was searching for them. Nobody seemed to be paying attention to him. He sauntered back towards the Capitol Building. Almost time for his appointment.

The plan was for the current senator to announce his retirement tomorrow and throw his support to Lucas. At the same time, Lucas would officially announce his bid for the Senate. Even though he’d unofficially been a candidate for the better part of a year.

A twenty-something woman walked towards him, a camera slung around her neck. She met his gaze and smiled. Actually, more of a smirk. Her hand caressed the camera slung around her neck. Another one.

His pulse rate skyrocketed.

Not waiting for the crosswalk, he zigzagged his way through stopped cars. Once he’d made it to the other side, he half-jogged, half-walked down the block.

“Mr. McMann,” a young voice called. “Mr. McMann.”

He slowed down and turned.

A young boy about eight or nine stood with a camera and a hopeful look. “Can I get a picture of you?”

Was he part of the game? It didn’t seem likely. Taking a deep breath, Lucas smiled. “Sure thing, buddy.”

His father walked over. “I told him you’ll probably be the next senator from North Carolina. But I didn’t mean for him to bother you.”

Lucas smiled. “He’s not a bother.”

The boy snapped a few pictures. “Thanks, Senator McMann.”

“I’m not a senator yet, son. But it does have a nice ring to it.” Lucas laughed even as he searched for the woman. She stood on the other side of the street, watching. Woman or not, he wouldn’t ruin this boy’s day in his nation’s capital. “Hey, how about a selfie with the two of us?”

Grinning, the boy ran his hand through his hair as if that could improve his curly brown mop.

Lucas slung an arm around his shoulder while the boy held the phone camera at arm’s length. When he was finished, he said, “Wow. My teacher will be impressed.”

“Maybe you’ll get some extra credit.”

The woman across the street lifted her camera.

He turned his back and focused on the boy. “Where are you from?”

“We’re from Wade, North Carolina.” The boy’s grin revealed a missing tooth. “Just like you. It’s a really small town.”

“My hometown of Maiden is small too.”

The boy’s father shook Lucas’s hand. “Nice of you to take time for my son. It’s our first visit here.”

“It’s a beautiful city.” Lucas glanced back at the woman. “Let me call my assistant and tell her to give you the VIP tour of the Capitol and the White House. What’s your name?” After scheduling the VIP tour, Lucas said his goodbyes.

Anger coursed through him. Time to make that game-changing play. He sprinted down the street. Just before he turned the corner, he glanced back. She was still there, running to catch up.

Game on, lady! Let’s see who can run faster.

People he passed looked alarmed, but he ignored them. He scanned the crowd. After several deep breaths, he smiled in triumph.

The woman was nowhere to be seen.

Now was the time to gain the advantage. He needed help. Someone he could trust. Someone with investigative experience. Someone those people wouldn’t know. His mind flashed back to the waiter’s name tag.

If she’d talk to him.

If she’d help him.

If she’d forgotten all about the past.

But those were mighty big ifs.