essional suspensio

ll myself an architect. I took the fall for a professional misconduct charge, a char

ars ago, the one I wore when I told her I would do anything to protect her. I expecte

ameras. I found Nicole near the stage, looking radian

t to press something into my hand.

er voice a practiced, wa

ry low-level campaign volunteer. A ch

pulled into another conversation by her chief of staff, We

sley' s new post. It was a photo of a stunning, custom-made wa

n launch gift from the best boss in the

woman" felt like

y ended, I was waiting for her in the living room,

?" I asked, m

hed. "Ryan, we've talked about this. We have to maintain the

s more than my car, and you gav

unteer for now." She finally looked at me, her eyes cold. "And in

Instagram, and liked Wesley' s post right in front of me. The

of hope I h

myself this sacrifice was wo

I had saved. It belonged to Gabrielle Johns, a real estate developer and Nico

ed the

e Johns s

I said, my voice steady. "Is th