Dirty Work Read Online Free Page A

Preston, but I’m also in this race to win.”
    I nod slightly. “You came out swinging, I’ll give you that. I look forward to our next meeting.”
    “So do I.” His tone is loaded with meaning, and he sweeps his gaze up and down me yet again.
    Lexi actually gasps next to me. I lead the way to the studio door we came in through.
    “He was checking you out,” she says in a low hiss. “Who does he think he is?”
    “He thinks he’s unbeatable,” I say as we approach the campaign bus. “I’m going to enjoy proving him wrong.”
    My other staffers, who were watching the show from the campaign bus, give us grim looks when we step on.
    “I know,” I say with a sigh. “Let’s start analyzing the video and digging up every last thing we can find out about Jude Titan.”
    “I volunteer to be locked in a closet with him until the election’s over,” my makeup artist, Claire, says, laughing lightly. “Yeah, I’m actually not kidding.”
    “Stay away from him,” I say firmly. “We can’t afford for anyone on this staff to be seen cozying up to him.”
    “I know.” Claire’s cheeks darken with embarrassment, and I feel bad.
    “I get it,” I say more gently. “The guy is easy on the eyes.”
    Biggest understatement ever.
    “We’re with you all the way, Reagan,” Lexi says. “So it won’t be an easy win. All that matters is that it’s a win.”
    “That’s right. We’ll have to double down and fight hard. This means longer hours and fewer days off. If anyone isn’t up for it, I understand, but please speak up now.”
    My staffers all look at me silently.
    “We’ve got this,” my bus driver, Roy, says.
    My tension is forgotten as I smile at my sixty-something driver. He’s not even an official member of Team Preston, and he’s cheering me on anyway.
    “Damn right, Roy,” I say, nodding. “We’ve got this.”

Chapter 5
    “ D amn it .” Carl’s seething as he stares out the window of the campaign bus. “How did we end up in the same city as Preston?”
    My head jerks to the side, following his eyes to her bus that’s covered in her photo and the slogan Pure Preston. I’m trying to control my breathing and failing miserably. The very thought of seeing her again sends a thrill through me.
    It’s only been four days since we shared the stage at the mini-debate, but I haven’t been able to get her out of my head. Carl replayed the video footage every night to go over what I could’ve done better and to try to decipher Reagan’s weak spots. Every goddamn night I had to stare at her beautiful face, see her long, lean legs crossing and uncrossing, and try to pay attention.
    Now, she’s here—within feet of me.
    “We’ll be fine, Carl. What’s the big deal?” I say and wipe my damp palms on my blue jeans.
    “Your paths are never supposed to cross unless it’s planned and for something such as a debate.” Carl flips through a clipboard of paperwork, furiously turning the pages as if they are magically going to give him an answer.
    I can’t drag my eyes away from the crowd gathered near the doorway of her bus. “Maybe this can be used to our advantage.” I’m lying, but I’d use any excuse to see her again.
    It’s not just her beauty that has caught my attention, but her attitude. Reagan Preston is not a pushover. She also doesn’t like to be told she’s using her father’s name to get into office, even if there’s a hint of truth to it.
    “Hank, pull around to the other side of the building,” Carl tells the bus driver. I want to argue with him because it’ll block my view of Reagan, but I keep quiet.
    Carl grips the railing near the doorway, waiting to pounce as soon as we stop. “Wait here while I figure this out.”
    “Yes, sir.” I salute him before he can get off the bus.
    His face pinches. “You should be more serious, Jude.”
    I lose the smile and give him a glare. “Completely serious.” Movement in the distance catches my eye. “You better hurry. I see