The Kingmaker (All the King's Men, #1)(75)

His expression softens. “They’re family. We don’t always agree on every single thing, but we support each other and set aside differences when it matters most. I’d say me running for president qualifies as ‘most.’ I hope voters will relate to that.”

Perversely, his pushback solidifies that I do indeed want to work with Owen Cade. I drew my line in the sand and he didn’t move his to satisfy me. If he can be that principled fighting for the causes I care about, I’ll count his victory as ours.

“Senator Cade, I think we can work it out. Let’s lay some ground rules, and take exceptions case by case.” I nod and offer a pleasant smile. “How about dessert? The baklava is divine.”





38





Maxim





“Owen tells me you have a crush on his new campaign manager.”

At my sister-in-law’s words, I stiffen before handing my coat over to the young woman waiting to take it.

“He said what?” I try to play it off with a quick laugh, but Millicent’s no fool. Foolishness is one of the few luxuries Cades can’t actually afford.

“Lennix, right?” Millicent adjusts flowers in the arrangement dominating the foyer of their Georgetown townhouse. “I haven’t met her yet, but I hear she’s brilliant.”

“Well you’ll get to meet the entire team they’ve assembled,” I answer, re-steering the conversation. “Isn’t that the point of tonight? To have the family meet the team?”

“Yes, O thinks it’s important we feel comfortable with the people who’ll play such a big part in our lives for the next eighteen months.” Apparently satisfied with the floral arrangement, she turns to me and slips her arm through the crook of my elbow. “I especially can’t wait to meet your new girlfriend.”

I drop my head back and groan. “I’m gonna kill my brother.”

“It’s just been so long since you liked anyone.” She squeezes my arm. “I want you to be happy.”

“I am happy, Mill. Don’t worry about me.”

“Of course we worry. You’re always off risking your life in some godforsaken place, and for what? Algae? Plastic samples?”

“I haven’t been anywhere truly dangerous in a long time.” I smile down at her. “I kind of miss it, and I think you’re oversimplifying complex scientific research that could possibly reverse global warming.”

“Ahh, it must get so heavy.”

“What?”

“The whole planet on those big, broad shoulders of yours.” She widens her eyes innocently. “How will the world keep turning without you and your recycled sports bras?”

“You love those sports bras,” I say, walking her into the dining room. “We can’t keep that racerback in stock, and I think you buy half of them.”

She punches my arm harmlessly, painlessly. “You were supposed to bring me the new one, you big oaf.”

“I’ll have some shipped.” I chuckle and glance at the formally dressed dining room table. “Wow. You really broke out the heavy artillery for this one.”

“It’s important we start with a show of strength,” Mill says, her sweet mouth firming. “They’re all riding the Cade train to the White House. They should see what it means to be one of us.”

Funny. I couldn’t run from my name fast enough, and Mill couldn’t wait to marry into it. She’s completely a Cade. The perfect political wife. Anything about herself and her life before Owen that didn’t fit, she cast off without a second thought.

Owen and Mill don’t have an arranged marriage. I believe they love each other, but it’s a power match without a doubt. Her father, a former governor, has been grooming his pretty daughter for the White House for as long as our father has been grooming Owen. It doesn’t hurt that she’s probably smart enough to run the country herself in a pinch.

“So back to this woman, Lennix,” Millicent says. “Maybe having her around will calm you down some.”

If there is one thing that I’m not around Lennix, it’s calm. At least I wasn’t before. Who knows now? We haven’t been in the same room in ten years, and the last time we were together, I fucked her on a table.

“That’s doubtful,” I reply.

“What’s doubtful?” Owen asks from the dining room door.

“That Max’s new girlfriend will calm him down.”

“Girlfriend?” Owen frowns. “Who?”

“She’s talking about Lennix,” I say, tugging a strand loose from the disciplined pleat of Millicent’s hair.

“Maxim!” She shrieks and jogs over to the framed mirror taking up half a wall. “Now I have to fix it.”

“You know we talked about this, Max,” Owen says, his “big brother” face in full effect. He practically wags his finger at me. “You know Lennix’s conditions.”

“Conditions?” Millicent asks, turning from the mirror. “Which ones? What are they?”

Owen doesn’t want to know where he and Lennix can shove their conditions. It’s very dark there.

“She doesn’t want to work directly with Maxim because of their torrid past,” he says, pulling her into his side. “You look beautiful, Mill.”