Broken Worlds Super Boxset Read Online Free Page B

bold. It was psychotic. But he knew Jones had enough sway to pull it off. Daniel's stomach went sour. His state would be a player in the decision on the bill. If he opposed it, then it could affect his state's water distribution rights. If he voted for it, then he would be condemning everything he stood for and the entire legislative process he valued.
     
    Meghan poked her head into his office. The quiet of his room was broken by the clatter and bustling of his staff in the anteroom.
     
    “You received an invite for a two o’clock meeting,” Meghan said.
     
    “With whom?” he asked.
     
    “Congressman Smith.”
     
    Daniel nodded, and Meghan closed the door, leaving him alone. He sank low into his seat and loosened his tie. He knew what Smith wanted.
     
    He twirled his wedding ring around his finger, glancing at the picture of his family on his desk. It had been taken during their vacation last year in Florida. Most families couldn't take trips like that anymore. It was too expensive. However, his position in Congress allowed him special favors—favors that were largely granted by Congressman Jones. If he stood against him now, it wouldn't be just his career that suffered but his family's future.
     
    But could Daniel forsake forty million people to do it? Could he betray his oath, his values, and his fellow citizens for the sake of his career?
     
    Daniel's arms jolted when his chest started to buzz, breaking his chain of worry. He reached inside his jacket to grab his phone. The screen read “Amy.”
     
    “Hey, honey,” Daniel said.
     
    “Hey, how is everything going?”
     
    “Fine. Have you spoken to your sister?”
     
    “I just got off the phone with her. Did you hear about the flights getting grounded?”
     
    Daniel rubbed his forehead. He felt himself retreating inward. His voice was muffled when he spoke next.
     
    “I did,” he said.
     
    He hoped she didn't ask him any more. He hated lying to his wife. There was a pause on the other end of the line. He waited, afraid of the question to come.
     
    “Daniel, what's going on?”
     
    The sour pit in his stomach returned. His face flushed red, and he broke out in a cold sweat.
     
    “I have to get ready for a meeting,” Daniel said.
     
    “Honey, talk to me,” Amy said.
     
    Daniel let out a sigh. He buried his face in his hands, shaking his head.
     
    “I can't tell you exactly what's happening, but it's really bad. You need to tell your sister to get out of the Southwest as fast as possible,” Daniel said.
     
    “Daniel, what are they going to do?”
     
    “Just tell her to get out.”
     
    “Can you stop it?”
     
    Jones's bill sat on top of his desk. The twenty pages in front of him were some of the most vile legislation he'd ever read. It would put a scar on the face of the country that would rival the Civil War.
     
    The meeting with Smith was in an hour. Daniel knew Smith fairly well. The two of them had served on the military appropriations committee during his first term. Smith was a good man, and smart. He might have something for them to use, something that the rest of them hadn't thought of yet. Maybe there was a chance.
     
    “I'll try,” Daniel said.

Chapter 4
     
    Brooke paced the kitchen floor. Her hair was matted to her forehead. The phone felt like it was melting to her ear.
     
    Emily was slouched in one of the kitchen chairs, her head resting on her arm, still clutching the suitcase on the floor next to her with one hand.
     
    “There has to be something, anything that's available,” Brooke said.
     
    “No, ma'am, I'm sorry. The FAA has grounded all commercial and private planes. No one is allowed to take off until the ban is lifted,” the operator said.
     
    “Where are you located?” Brooke asked.
     
    “My office is located in Oregon, ma'am.”
     
    “Well, transfer me to someone in the San Diego area. I need to speak with someone that's actually here and has a brain in their head!”
     
    After a few