xoxo
X
It's been exactly two weeks since anyone has heard anything about Ryan. Some have lost hope, and some have stopped caring completely, but for QPA, they're ready. After the random call from Cyrus, they've all been waiting to see if and when the Ghost of D.C. would make his appearance, that's if Cyrus was telling the truth, which everyone besides Quinn felt like he was.
Quinn sits n her office, legs propped up and crossed atop the desk. She stares tiredly at the ceiling, lost in her thoughts. Although she had no issue with Cyrus, she was perplexed by the entire situation. A man in critical condition couldn't possibly be alive and well, but she's witnessed some impossible things.
Entering the office, Huck closes the door behind him and clears his throat, snapping her out of her thoughts and attracting her attention.
"You okay?" He asks, worried.
"I'm fine, Huck." She sighs, setting her feet on the floor. She leans over the desk, fingers interlaced. "I don't know why I'm still expecting someone to show up."
He's vague. "Have faith."
"I don't think faith has anything to do with this, Huck." She exhales, rising to her feet and proceeding out of the office with Huck following suit. "I think this was a joke. Something to rile us up because we need the business." She throws her hands up.
"Have faith." He repeats himself, casting his gaze on her. "That's what you tell us every day."
"But Huck, I-"
"Take your advice. Ryan will show."
Just as she's about to speak, Marcus walks in with a smile and coffee in his hands.
"I figured we could use a pick me up." He sets the beverage carrier down on the table. "One black, one with cream and sugar just like you two like."
Quinn emits a sigh, heading over to the table and grabbing her cup of coffee. She stares at both Huck and Marcus as she takes a sip.
"Do you think he'll show up, Marcus?"
"If I say yes, will you promise not to kill me?"
She chuckles. "I suck at keeping promises, but I won't kill you. Scouts honor."
"You were a Girl Scout?" Huck inquires.
"Nah." She laughs. "I just felt like the moment called for me to say it."
Marcus chuckles, taking a seat on the edge of the table. Huck smiles, walking over to the table and grabbing his coffee.
"So, has anyone ever heard of this man before?" Marcus asks. "I tried to do a little more research, but the only thing I could find was what he and the Grant Administration accomplished."
"He can't be found." Huck answers.
"Why not?" Quinn inquires. "There has to be some logical reason behind the lack of information. No one's that good."
Footsteps sound from a distance. "On the contrary, I am that good." Ryan clarifies, approaching them, his wavy hair bouncing with each step. He looks revitalized, dressed in a tailored Charles Jeffrey Loverboy paneled single-breasted tartan-wool blazer and matching trousers with Valentino patent-leather Oxford shoes equipped with a metal heel.
He's glowing.
"Ryan." She sets her cup down with haste. "I didn't mean anything by it. I was just-"
"Relax. I'm not offended, Quinn. It's nice to meet you." His gaze drifts to Marcus and then Huck. "All of you."
"You've done good things," Huck compliments.
"I'm trying my best." He folds his arms across his chest. "So, any questions before we get started?"
"How aren't you dead?" Marcus asks. "It's been all over the news that you're in critical condition."
"Flesh wound." He answers. "And as far as my condition, I had the doctor release a statement to keep everyone occupied while I left to handle some business."
"How did you find out about us?" Quinn asks, taking a seat on the edge of the table.
"Believe it or not, you've done a lot of good." He winks at Huck. "Also, your files are accessible to the public."
"What about the White House?" Huck asks. "Our methods don't exactly abide by their rules."
"Which is why I need you. You can get things done quicker because you can stay in the shadows. Plus, you're the first people to see me since I've returned."
"Any reason for that?" Marcus inquires.
"I need to know who shot me without making my presence known just yet."
"And what better way than to return from the dead to rile up some feathers." Quinn smiles. "Easy pickings. We'll help. What do you need?"
"Well, I need Huck to hack into every camera where someone shot me to see if we can get a clear indication of the bullet. While he does that, I need you and Marcus to narrow down the buildings that are rooftop accessible. Call me when you find that out, and we'll reconvene here."
Quinn nods. "We won't let you down. Let's move it, people!"
Huck disappears into his workspace while Marcus and Quinn make their way to the elevator. With a content smile on his face, Ryan follows behind them.
Let the games begin.
X
"So, what do you think?" Fitz asks Abby and Cyrus as they walk around the empty Grant Foundation. It's in the process of renovation. "I know there's still much to do, but I think we have something here."
Abby smiles at the plastered walls, undone floors, and black metal frames.
"Although it's not complete, I think it's perfect. It already feels like you."
"I have to agree with, Red." Cyrus agrees. "This does fit you more than the oval. How long before they can finish everything?"
"About a week or two." Fitz smiles, tucking his hands into his pockets. "It would've been complete today, but I love this marble flooring that takes a few weeks to ship. I'm also doing glass partition walls for a more open and modern look." He informs as he carefully walks around the construction.
"The theme in my head is transparency."
"Any specific reason for choosing transparency?" Abby asks, eyes following Fitz.
"We'll be in the light, and our motives will be clear." He smiles, turning to face her and Cyrus. "This is it." He throws his hands up in contentment. "This is a dream come true. This foundation is a positive change."
To see Fitz so happy about his foundation coming together brings joy to Cyrus and Abby as they take a moment to examine the building once more. They can see the vision. They can see the dream. However, within this joyous moment, guilt lingers within Cyrus due to the secret he harbors. This secret is eating him up alive.
Cyrus smiles. "If only Ryan were here to see it."
Fitz's smile fades, and Abby's eyes dart over to Cyrus.
"Yeah." Fitz huffs. "If only."
"So, I'm guessing everyone just gave up hope?" Abby asks, gaze moving from Cyrus to Fitz.
"Of course not," Fitz answers while Cyrus remains quiet. "It's just - I don't - we haven't heard anything new, and it's been weeks."
"So?" She folds her arms across her chest. "This is what we wanted, remember? For the attention to be off Ryan and the person who did this. You've been working tirelessly as the president— applying pressure, shining light into the darkness to bring the son or daughter of a bitch to the stand to pay for their crimes."
Fitz sighs, walking over towards her. "Abby."
"Don't Abby me." She jabs a finger at him. "Admit it. Admit that you lost hope!"
"I didn't lose hope." He assures, placing his hands on her shoulders. He can see she's visibly bothered by the situation, as they all are, but there's nothing more they can do because they're already doing their best.
"I promise." He's sincere. "If there's one thing I will always have, it's hope."
Abby takes a moment, calming her overwhelming nerves. She's sad but aware that sadness won't change anything.
"Yeah. You've always been a hopeful bitch."
He bursts into laughter, pulling her in and hugging her close to him while Cyrus watches in silence, a convincing smile upon his face. He wants to say something to alleviate their sadness, but he keeps his word to Ryan.
"So, what's the next step after renovations?" Cyrus asks.
"Well," the embrace ceases, and Fitz turns to Cyrus. "It will remain closed until my term is over. Once it is, we'll migrate here, and our new journey will commence."
"That's if everything goes as planned," Abby adds. "And I don't mean to be negative, but there's always a possibility something can go wrong."
Fitz glances at Abby. "Maybe you need to become a hopeful bitch."
She laughs and slaps his arm light-heartedly, which makes him laugh, words tangled in her throat because he's right, and she knows it. Watching intently, Cyrus gives a genuine smile, relieved to see them overcome their tiny roadblock.
"I think we all need to be some hopeful bitches." He joins in on the laughter. "Because without it, we have nothing."
Fitz nods in agreement, heaving a soft sigh as the laughter stops.
"How's about an imaginary toast."
"And what are we fake toasting to?" Abby asks, raising a brow.
"To being hopeful bitches."
X
As happy as possible, Mellie makes her way to her office, heels tapping quickly over the porcelain floors. She greets everyone along the way. After her conversations with Fitz, she feels courageous, for today is the day she will discuss with Olivia her campaign and their complicated relationship.
Were they friends working together and fighting for the exact cause, or were their ulterior motives?
As she enters her office, preparing for Olivia's visit, she notices a red envelope piquing her curiosity on her desk. She made sure her desk was clear before she left.
"Hey, Jonah." She calls out to her assistant and approaches her desk, picking up the folder. "Was there someone in my office? I don't remember this folder being here."
Jonah scurries to the doorway of the office, fixing his glasses.
"Someone left it for you, said it was important."
"Who?" She inquires, itching to open the folder to see its contents.
"He didn't give a name. However, he did look exceedingly good. Although." His voice trails off.
"Although what? C'mon, Jonah." She's a little irritated.
"He looked vaguely familiar like we've seen him before."
"And how does that help me?"
"I guess it doesn't."
"Is there anything else? I would like to open this."
"Yeah, he told me to watch who you call your friend because snakes are always in the grass." He gives her a firm nod, heading back to his desk.
Her gaze drifts around the office, perplexity manifesting upon her face as she ponders what the statement means to her current predicament, but then it clicks that the folder is the focal point. Opening it, she examines the contents, mouth agape.
The secret's out.
Right on cue, Olivia strolls into Mellie's office with a smile, dressed in a red and black Prada double-breasted gabardine jacket with black pants, grey pumps, and a grey bag, all from the same designer. She was expecting excitement, judging by their earlier phone call, but it was frigid.
Setting her bag down on the desk, she folds her arms across her chest when she notices the red folder atop it and Mellie's unwavering gaze wandering over her. She's trembling, and the silence is amplifying it.
"I found out something exciting today, Olivia," Mellie's icy stare meets Olivia's. "Would you like to know what it is?"
"Mellie, I-"
"You've been up to some pretty interesting things lately." She moves to her feet, eyes burning with rage. "Would you like to tell me, or would you like me to spell it out?"
"Don't do this."
"B613. You promised me a clean win when we played dirty the entire time!" She exclaims, venom in her words. "Planting evidence, blackmail." She scoffs, disgusted.
"You're two steps away from murder, but I wouldn't be surprised if you've done that too."
Olivia's heart drops into her stomach. The last thing she needs is for her and Mellie to be on opposite sides because she's all she has right now. So instead of facing the music, she does what she does best and spins it to save face.
"If I hadn't used B613, you wouldn't have a political career." She retorts. "I know it's human nature for people like you to forget who you were before you got a taste of power, but in my world's real world, you're still the same insecure, oblivious, silver-spooned, stick up her ass woman I met years ago." She sneers.
"If it weren't for me, you would've been over before you could even start. I gave you multiple chances, and you want to repay me by complaining about the work I did for you to get here?" She chuckles, grabbing her bag. "Think long and hard about what you want, Mellie." She proceeds to leave the office.
"Because this isn't the hill you want to die on."
As Olivia leaves the office, releasing the breath she's been holding to maintain her cracking composure, Mellie exhales deeply, sitting back in her chair; however, she doesn't feel defeated. She feels enlightened.
X
Ryan returns to the White House with his game plan in motion. Walking down the hallway to the Oval Office with purpose, he attracts the attention of the staff he passes by, their mouths agape with disbelief that he's still alive. Inaudible chatter follows, prompting chain reactions that bring awareness to his presence.
Rumor has it that Ryan died the night he was shot, but due to his work, the media prolonged it to give the American People hope that he would rise from some unforeseen death. And although that's not the released statement, he has undoubtedly resurrected, which wouldn't be possible without Cyrus and Dr. Harding's help.
Inside the Oval Office, Fitz, Cyrus, Abby, and Danny discuss the lack of evidence regarding the incident, unaware that Ryan was moments away from entering.
"So, you didn't find anything?" Fitz asks Danny, who's standing by his desk. "No bullet casing? No discarded duffle bag? Nothing?"
"Nothing. We checked almost every building surrounding the event for at least a weak straight." He informs. "Top to bottom."
"What about the security cameras? Did they pick up anything?" Cyrus asks, taking a sip of scotch.
"The security cameras were angled to face the event and only the event. After watching them over and over, day after day, I couldn't find anything worth reporting. The street cameras, however, might have a better view."
"So why not get the footage? I mean, it's simple right?" Abby asks, snatching Cyrus's glass from his hand and taking a fulfilling sip.
"Although we are the White House, that isn't the best way to use our resources." Fitz smiles. "I've taken a lot of shit for making ridiculous decisions, and I'm not trying to be crucified before my time here is over."
"So, what do we do?" Abby asks, defeated.
Danny sighs. "I don't know, but there has to be something we can do; someone who knows something. Anything. Anything that can—" His voice trails off when he sees Ryan entering the office.
"Ryan?" He questions in complete and utter disbelief.
Everyone turns their attention to the door as Ryan closes it. Moving to their feet, confusion and a lack of credence manifest upon everyone's features, but Cyrus knew.
Ryan folds his arms. "Hi, everyone."
"You're not dead?" Abby questions.
"No, I can explain, but I don't have much time."
Fitz nods, glancing back at Danny, who can't believe it. He can see that he's itching to make a move, but to find out how Ryan's alive after weeks of silence, he doesn't.
Ryan exhales. "The bullet didn't hit anything major. It was a flesh wound on the left side of my abdomen, which is how I'm standing here today. Someone shot me because I'm a threat to someone's peace of mind. You'll find out who I'm referring to soon enough." He focuses his gaze on Cyrus.
"With the help of Cyrus and Dr. Harding, they put out a statement to the press regarding my condition, which allowed me to leave for exactly two weeks to let whoever shot me believe they've won, but now that I'm back-"
"They'll be scrambling." Danny finishes.
With his gaze drifting to Danny, Ryan nods. "Exactly. I told Cyrus not to tell anyone because I knew you wouldn't understand what I needed to do."
"Or you would try to stop him," Cyrus adds.
"And I didn't want that to happen," Ryan admits. "I'm not sorry for handling business how I always have, but I am sorry for the worry it may have caused." He's sincere.
"My intentions are never to hurt any of you."
Fitz glances around at everyone with a stern gaze before walking over to Ryan, placing his hands on his shoulders.
"I forgive you." He smiles. "As long as you communicate that with us in some way when you have a plan next time."
"I'll try to remember that." He nods. "I can't make any promises."
"I'll take it." He pulls him for a hug. "For the two weeks you were gone, I missed you." He chuckles.
"He was big on telling everyone to have hope." Abby smiles, walking over to Ryan, and pulling him in for a hug. "Said we needed to be hopeful bitches."
Ryan smiles. Not that he had any worries, it was nice to have some understanding between them now. Ryan was sorry for the lack of communication and concern, but he'd always do what he had to do regarding his work. He hugs Cyrus and opts out of approaching Danny, for his demeanor is still in a state of shock. They'll have their time.
Abby smiles. "Is there anything we can do to help now that you're back from the dead?"
"No. Everything is being taken care of." He informs. "I don't need the White House involved because it's not a White House problem."
A nod. "Make sense."
"If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask," Fitz tells him. "We're here to help."
Ryan smiles. "And risk messing up your plans for the foundation? No. In due time, things will come to light. Because once an enemy has played their cards, they'll go back to what and or who they know."
"Like clockwork." Cyrus laughs in agreement. "You see where I'm at."
"Yeah, but you changed." Abby chuckles, as does Fitz. "Are you sure you don't need our help?"
"I'm sure. I think it's best if you-"
His phone rings, so he reaches into his pocket hastily and answers it.
"You found something?" He asks quickly.
"Yeah. You're going to want to see this." Quinn informs. "Meet us at the office as soon as you can."
"I'm on my way." He ends the call. "I have to go, but I would love to catch up later."
"Be careful," Fitz says. "We'll be here when you get back."
"Unless we decide to fake our deaths for a few weeks and disappear to the Bahamas." Abby laughs.
Ryan smiles and leaves the office with a nod. On the other hand, Fitz turns to Danny with a smile on his features. He knows what it's like to be in his shoes, so he does him a solid.
"You're relieved of duty for one minute. Go."
Danny departs from the office, turning the corner to see Ryan halfway down the hallway. He hates making a scene, but this is something he must do.
"Ryan, wait!" He exclaims, stopping him in his tracks. He spins around in alarm, watching as Danny approaches him.
Ryan sighs. "Danny I-"
Without a word, Danny cups Ryan's face and kisses him. He figured action would be better than some unnecessary speech and hearing some over-the-top apology that's never been Ryan's style. This action was perfection. He missed Ryan, and seeing him again for the first time in weeks ignited a feeling inside him, so he didn't want to squander it.
Ryan graces Danny's nape with his hand, smiling against his lips. He peels away from him, smiling, his arms folded. He can't help but notice the nosy staff enjoying the show.
"I didn't see you as the type to need an audience."
Danny smiles, placing a hand on Ryan's face. "I blame you."
Ryan smiles, a faint blush forming on his cheeks. "I should've said something. That was wrong of me not to."
"I'm just happy you're okay." He assures. "We have ample time for you to make it up to me."
X
"He's alive," Jake informs, walking into Olivia's office and closing the door behind him.
"What?" She looks up from her desk, interlacing her shaking fingers atop it. "Who?" She exhales, already knowing the answer to her question.
"Ryan, Liv. He was seen entering and exiting the White House today. I don't know how he's still alive or why, but we need to do something about it."
"Why?" She raises a brow. "You weren't the one that pulled the trigger anyway, so you told me."
"Which is why we need to figure out who did shoot him because if we don't and he strikes back, it's over, Liv." He stresses, approaching her desk.
Olivia didn't want to hear this statement, especially when she's come so far. She walks over to the window, folding her arms across her chest. Olivia's aware of her wrongness. She's been wrong this entire time, but she can't find it in herself at this moment to let anyone see her break.
Not even herself.
"I'm not ready to be done. This can't be how this ends for me." Her voice wavers.
"Then we need to do something."
"Like what, Jake? What can we possibly do that we haven't done?" She turns to face him. "There's not enough information on him to blackmail him. We tried killing him, but as you can see, he's walking around as if it never happened. There is nothing. Nothing!"
"That's because we're thinking too big." He moves over to her. "We need to start small."
"And how do you suggest we do that? You couldn't even kill him when you had the chance."
He ignores her dig. "I suggest we start with the person closest to him."
Her heart drops. "Fitz is not-"
"Not Fitz." He reaches into his jacket and pulls out a black folder, holding it out to her. She takes it and opens it, examining the file. "Danny Ford."
"He works for Fitz." She flips the page. "Secret Service?"
"Yes, and he's seeing Ryan."
"Jake." She laughs him off. "What is that going to accomplish?" She closes the folder and hands it to him. "I would be doing what my father did to Fitz and me, destroying their relationship for some unobtainable sense of greater good. I can't do that."
Jake slides the folder back into his coat, tucking his hands into his pockets.
"So, trying to kill him is a yes, but killing his boyfriend is a no?" He raises his brows, emitting a displeased hum. "How does that work? Is it really because you can relate? Or is it because you don't have what it takes to be Command? Because lately, I'm not sure. Or maybe it's something else."
"Like what?"
"Like you wanting your father's approval." He answers clearly. "I mean, he is why you're - I'm sorry we're so gung-ho on taking Ryan down."
"What's your point?" She proceeds to her desk, grabbing her grey Prada bag from it.
"My point is that you would do anything to get Eli's approval. You would do anything to hear him say those four magic words."
"What?" She emits a sigh, ready for this conversation to be over. "What words?"
"I'm proud of you."
She winces, although he does have a point. It's all she's ever wanted from her dad, and the fact that she's never gotten that from him makes her loathe him even more. At the end of her rope, she sets her bag back on the desk and sits on its edge.
"And you think this will work for certain?" She inquires. "It's our last chance, Jake. We cannot fail."
"It'll work." He nods. "I'll make sure of it."
X
"What do you have?" Ryan asks, walking off the elevator and meeting Quinn, who hands him a folder as they proceed to her office.
"So, with Huck's help, Marcus and I narrowed down the buildings where the shooter could've been, and guess what?"
"What?" He opens the folder, examining the information presented.
"There's only two in that area, and you need clearance." She opens the door to her office, and he walks in, taking a seat on the white couch near the window while she sits in the chair next to it.
"So, someone higher up did this?" He glances up at her, crossing his legs.
"Not necessarily a higher up, but I guess it's someone with power who can easily access technology without leaving a trail."
He hums, reverting his attention to the information she put together. That's when he notices it.
"There were two shooters."
"That's what we think, but when Marcus and I searched the both of them, we didn't find anything. Clean as a baby's ass."
Ryan snickers. "I don't think that was a good analogy, but A for effort."
"I try my best here." She chuckles.
"So, what about Huck? Did he find anything? Any footage? Anything that could tell us who-?"
"I found something," Huck says, entering the office with Marcus and setting the laptop down on the glass coffee table. "There was a man on each roof that night, but only one pulled the trigger. I had to hack into a satellite discreetly to get a clearer view because the street camera footage was corrupted."
"Okay." Ryan closes the folder. "And this footage you have now will show me who shot the gun?"
"It'll show you both of them." He smiles.
"He's good," Ryan says to Quinn.
"One of the best." She responds. "Play it, Huck."
Huck presses play, the footage begins, and everyone watches intently. It's blurry, but the group can still make it out.
"Is this before or after?" Ryan asks.
"Right after the bullet was shot." Huck answers.
The footage continues, and the first person they see leaving the scene is Jake. However, before he disappears, he focuses his attention on something or someone else, and the footage goes black.
Quinn huffs. "Huck."
"Keep watching." He says.
They do as he says and continue to watch. The footage clips a bit before resuming, a few moments later showing the man that pulled the trigger disassembling and packing up his gun, the man that attempted to kill Ryan clear as day.
The revelation shocks Marcus and Quinn, who stare wide-eyed at the computer, mouths agape. On the other hand, Huck reverts his attention to Ryan, who's calm.
"You don't look surprised."
"Because I'm not."
X
Laying in her bed, surrounded by darkness with only the moonlight peeking through the sheer curtains, Olivia contemplates her next move. With Mellie aware of B613 and Ryan back from her failed attempt at killing him, she's at a loss, an all-time low, so it feels.
She has no faith that Jake will go through with the plan regarding Danny and succeed, seeing as he's terrible at being functional. However, somewhere inside her, she hopes it all pans out so that her father can be proud of her for doing something right.
Gazing pensively at the clock that reads 1:25 am, she reaches out and grabs her phone from the nightstand. Unlocking it, she goes to her contacts and pulls up Fitz's name. She needs someone. She needs him. Desperately. Which is more than she can admit to herself.
Pressing call, her hand trembles with fear, guilt, nervousness, and loneliness, but she remains strong as she listens to the dial tone. It rings and rings and rings until Fitz finally answers.
"Hello?"
She smiles softly at the sound of his voice, nerves instantly disappearing.
"Hi."
Disbelief. "Liv?"
"It's me." She assures. "What are you doing?"
"Just finishing up some work when I should be sleeping." He chuckles. "You?"
"I can't sleep. Too many thoughts running through my mind." She admits although she didn't want to.
"Anything you want to talk about?" He asks, concerned.
"No." A lie, which he knows. "I didn't call to talk about me."
"You called to talk about me?"
She chuckles. "Yeah, and to see how you were doing. I know the last time we spoke, it wasn't enjoyable."
"Don't hold that against yourself because I'm not." He assures. "You're handling a lot."
"But it's not right to take it out on your or anyone else because . . . because it's my fault, and you didn't deserve to see that side of me."
"Can I give you some advice? Or are you going to be snappy with me again?"
She hesitates for a moment before answering.
"I could use it."
"Well," he clears his throat. "I know you're conflicted within yourself. I can see it, but you have to stop fighting yourself and start living in your truth because once whatever you're going through hits the fan, you're either going to be the one picking up the pieces alone or sailing off into the sunset." He huffs.
"And also, I will be corny and say great power comes with great responsibility. However, it doesn't control you. You control it."
She takes his words to heart, rolling over to face the window. Olivia knows she needs to be honest and say what's on her chest, but she doesn't want this partial admittance to close the lines of communication, so she gives him a little bit of rope.
Just enough not to hang herself.
"Thank you." She murmurs, a sigh following. "I'm lost, Fitz. And I don't know what to do."
"What do you mean?"
"I . . ." Her voice breaks. "I think I did something horrible, and, in my gut, I can feel that karma will make sure I feel what's coming next."
"Liv? What did you do?"
X
Sitting at a local cafe, relishing in the beautiful weather, Ryan waits for his date to arrive in a few moments. After finding out what he already expected regarding the shooting, his mind is more precise than ever, and with the evidence QPA gathered, he's ready.
From his peripheral vision, he notices an all-white 911 Carrera S Cabriolet Porsche pulling up to the cafe and parking in one of the empty spaces. She's here, his mother, in D.C. to spend quality time with him while also helping him end the monster's reign.
Getting out of the car dressed in an all-white Gucci crocodile print leather dress and custom-made matching pumps, all from the same designer, Maya hits the alarm on her car as she heads over to greet Ryan with a pleasant smile.
He rises to his feet, taking one more sip of his mimosa before setting the glass down and greeting her with a welcoming hug.
"I'm so glad to see you again, baby." She smiles, ending the embrace but keeping her hands on his arms. "I wish the circumstances were better, but I'm sure we'll work our way through that."
"Of course." He smiles. "It's always nice to see you. How's dad?" He asks, motioning her with a nod to take her seat, which she does, as does he.
"I ordered you a mimosa with an extra kick just how you like them."
Crossing her legs, she grabs the wine glass by the stem and takes a sip of her drink, humming in pleasure. It's perfect.
"He's good. He's here with me." She chuckles, "but I told him I wanted you all to myself. His ass can see you later."
He chuckles, crossing his legs. "Good. I wish you would just move here."
"And give up my peace of mind? Chile, you know me better than that." She laughs.
"True. As soon as I stepped off the plane, I was a target." He snickers. "I can't imagine it being any different for you."
"You're damn right, but everything worked out because you're still standing and fearless. Your enemies are in a corner, and that's what they deserve." She continues.
"This is a game to them, and although there are many things I play with, your life isn't one of them."
"I know." He smiles, appreciative of his mother. "You've always had my best interest at heart. You were my sword and my shield. You still are sometimes."
"What kind of mother would I be if I just let this god-forsaken world ruin you? You are too damn special." She's sincere.
He smiles. "You've raised me to be."
"Which is why you're the final boss in this game," she huffs, "but before I get into that, I wanna know how you're doing outside of this situation."
"I'm good. Everyone has been so welcoming and nice to me. I've had zero issues with anyone I work with, and we've become excellent friends."
"That's good, baby." She smiles. "Have you met someone?"
"Mom."
"I saw the glow the moment I pulled up." She chuckles. "Ain't no hiding from me."
"Well, I did, yeah." He smiles, nodding. "His name is Danny."
"And does Danny have a job? Does he treat you right?"
"He's a part of Fitz's Secret Service. He treats me how I deserve."
"Is he handsome? Mama needs to see if he meets your standards." She chuckles, taking a sip of her drink.
Grabbing his phone off the table, he unlocks it and holds it to her. Taking the phone with her free hand, she smiles when she sees a picture of Ryan and Danny as his wallpaper.
"He's handsome." She smiles. "I didn't know you had a thing for the white chocolate."
"Now you know we love all flavors." He laughs, prompting her to laugh as well. "There are more pictures of him in the gallery."
"And risk seeing something I ain't supposed to see? No, no, no."
He bursts into laughter. "There are no nudes. He sends me shirtless pictures of him daily before work."
"If that's the case." She laughs as she opens the gallery, immediately locating the images, humming in satisfaction. "Chile, when do I get to meet him?"
"Mom." He laughs, shaking his head as he takes his phone. "Whenever you want."
"Well, I'll be here for a few days so we can set something up." She smiles. "Now, is it true?"
Knowing what she's referring to, he nods, folding his arms across his chest. He informed her when he left QPA, so she was up to speed on everything.
"It's true. Evidence also proves he was the ring leader, although we knew this would happen."
"Well then, baby." She slightly leans over the table. "It's time for the lid to come off the pot."
He smiles. "I'm going to pry that bitch off."