Riddick glanced down at her legs.

She folded her arms tightly across her chest and said, “What’s on your mind, Chris?”

“The future—my future.”

“What about it?”

“A man can’t live in the past, Vic—even if there are some very pleasant memories there. A man has to think ahead.”

“And you’ve been doing some thinking.”

“That’s right.”

“Good for you. Everyone should have new experiences.”

“Now don’t be like that. I like you better the way you used to be— friendly.”

She glared at him. “What do you want?”

“The same thing any man wants: job security; a decent wage; a place where he belongs.”

“I think you know where you belong. We’ve been over that.”

“I thought I knew—I’m not so sure anymore.”

“What does that mean?”

“I’ve been working for you for almost three years now—that’s a long time. I think that kind of loyalty deserves a reward, don’t you?”

“You’ve been paid for your services.”

He smiled. “Not all of them. But that’s okay, I’m not complaining— some work is its own reward.”

She walked around behind him and closed the office door; when she returned she said, “How dare you—I told you never to bring that up in my presence again.”

“And I never thought I would. But like I said, I’ve been doing some thinking.”

“And?”

“Everybody around here seems to have a ticket on the Braden train— except me. Brad looks like a shoo-in for White House chief of staff; I figure Sandy for a senior adviser or deputy chief of staff, and probably Luis for press secretary. I’m sure you’ll hang on to both of your assistants, and you’ll probably hire at least one more.”

“You’ve got it all figured out, don’t you?”

“Well, that’s the thing—I can’t figure out where I fit in. A few weeks from now the Secret Service will take over my job, and they sure won’t ask for any help from me—in fact, they probably won’t let me near you anymore.”

She raised one eyebrow. “Wouldn’t that be too bad?”

“It would, Vic, it really would. I’ve worked for you for three years now and I feel like part of the family. There are things that family members know—things that should stay within the family.”

Victoria narrowed her eyes and lowered her voice to a rumbling growl. “I would really, really hate to think that you’re threatening me.”

“Why would I threaten you? I’m responsible for your security. That’s all I want, Vic—security. Yours and mine.”

“What is it you want, Chris? Just say it.”

“I want a job. Not stuffing envelopes in some White House mailroom— I want something up front, something with a little class and a decent paycheck.”