Downfall

I Will Not Bow

Downfall

Chapter Five

I Will Not Bow

"Where the hell is he?" Cyrus's shoulders tensed at the too-loud tone of Mellie's voice. There were times, such as these, when she barely held on to her dignity over the red-hot anger boiling in her veins.

"Mellie," Cyrus spoke slowly, halting his steps and turning to face her, "Do you see those reporters over there?"

Mellie's gaze followed Cyrus's outstretched finger, pointing at a group of men milling around a large oak tree with cameras in their hands. Her eyes widened and her mouth formed a small 'o'. They were less than thirty feet away if she had to guess and more than within earshot of her outburst.

"They didn't hear." Her absolute certainty of the fact had Cyrus scrunching his brows at her.

"Oh don't look so surprised, Cy. They would be over here snapping away if they had." The only betrayal to her seemingly cheery disposition was the slight falter of her smile and her annoyed tone, spoken so low that even Cyrus had to strain to hear.

"Any ideas?" The sarcasm in Cyrus's voice was thick. He didn't like Mellie's flippant attitude in public. He knew she wasn't careless and she was far from frivolous. No, Mellie knew when to put on the best damn show she could and she was adept at using her Southern charm to have the press eating out of the palm of her hand.

Mellie's sidelong glance would have been enough to freeze hell – it was certainly enough to cause Cyrus to stop mid-step. She sauntered off toward a group of well-dressed men and women. They looked like the facilitators of the event and she was determined to get answers from them – in the most discreet way possible.

"Excuse me." The older woman in the center, her hair piled into bun on top her head, stopped mid-sentence to take in the woman who had interrupted her.

"Can I help you?" The condescending tone was enough to cause a frown to appear on Mellie's face.

"Is the Representative still here?" Mellie asked, honey dripping from her words.

"He left about twenty minutes ago." The woman turned, quickly dismissing Mellie. Cyrus was quick to step in between the two as Mellie took a step closer.

"Did he happen to mention where he was going?" The older woman sighed, turning to look at the man who had addressed her. She gave him a once over, plastering a charming smile to her face.

"I suppose you would have to speak with a member of Representative Grant's team to get that answer." Her sugary sweet tone cut Cyrus to the quick – adding salt to an already bleeding wound.

"Thank you for your time," He remarked stiffly, pulling Mellie away and toward the waiting car. It was disgraceful that Cyrus – that the campaign manager did not know the schedule of his own candidate.

"Now what?" Mellie crossed her arms over her chest, flopping back against the leather seat. Cyrus settled into the back beside her, slamming his door as the driver turned the key in the ignition.

"We wait." Cyrus was reserved to the waiting game at this point. Every move he had made to bring Fitz back under his wing had only served to push him farther away. No, they would wait whether Mellie liked it or not.

Fitz's palms were sweaty. He had already wiped them against his grey slacks half a dozen times, but the slippery, wet perspiration kept reappearing. What was he supposed to say to Olivia's father? He didn't even know why he had decided to show up on her doorstep.

"Fitz is here to discuss the press conference this evening."

Thank God for Olivia Pope. Fitz barely contained the smile that threatened to spill over his face – or the sigh of relief that almost escaped him. She was certainly better at thinking on her feet than he was – or she had better experience with her father than he did. Either way, she was a lifesaver.