The Rebel King (All the King's Men Duet #2) - Kennedy Ryan Page 0,80

the loose? I couldn’t. I can’t.

There’s my answer.

“I came so you can at least consider it,” Dad says, standing. “Let me know your answer.”

“Answer to what?” Lennix asks from the top of the stairs. “What’s the question?”

34

Lennix

“Ahhhh.” Warren Cade looks up at me, his eyes cooling, hardening into volcanic glass. “Ms. Hunter. Never too far away, are you?”

He makes me sound like some grasping whore following his son around from place to place.

“Mr. Cade.” That’s the only greeting I can offer that’s neutral and authentic as I take the stairs down to join them. Nice to see you would be a lie. I think even hello would smack of phony. “I repeat, what’s the question you came here to ask Maxim?”

“I’m not sure it’s any of your business.”

I’ll let Maxim address that.

He meets me at the stairs and leads me by the hand to where his father stands. “It’s very much her business, Dad,” he says, frowning. “I wouldn’t make a decision this important without consulting the woman I love.”

“Damn your mama’s heart,” Warren mutters. “Power has nothing to do with love, Maxim.”

“You’re wrong, Dad. You think I’d consider this because of the power it would give me, but the power I have could help the country I love. I’m not running, though, so it’s a moot point.”

“Running?” I ask. “What run? What are you talking about?”

“There’s a great deal of interest in Maxim running for president,” Warren says.

His words don’t sink in right away. It takes my mind a few seconds to process it.

“I’ve already told him no,” Maxim says.

“Don’t be hasty.” Warren runs a scathing glance over my perfectly presentable wrap dress and ballet flats. You’d think I was dressed like a stripper the way he looks at me so disdainfully. “And don’t listen to her.”

“I think you should consider it,” I tell Maxim.

Two dark heads swivel and both men stare at me.

“Listen to her, son,” Warren says, a smile stretching across his distinguished features. “The girl knows what she’s talking about.”

I twist my lips scornfully. “This isn’t about furthering your agenda, Mr. Cade.”

“Then what is it about exactly?” Maxim asks, a frown sketched between his brows.

“For one thing,” I say, “the Dems probably have no one who can actually beat Senator Middleton.” I slide a contemptuous look toward his father. “And we both know his history of partnering with corporations to steal protected lands, in addition to many other of his policies that hurt marginalized people.”

“Well I’m glad that after all these years,” Warren says, ignoring my not-so-subtle dig, “we finally agree on something. I appreciate your assistance persuading my son to see sense.”

“I’m not doing this for you,” I say, glaring at him. “It’s for Owen. For the people.”

I grab Maxim’s hand and look into his eyes, blocking out his father’s manipulative presence. “For you, Doc. What if this is your launch code?”

A muscle in Maxim’s jaw clenches and he shakes his head. “Then there is no launch because I won’t risk you.”

“Launch?” Warren asks. “What are you talking about?”

“I’m not staying here while some thief takes the oval,” I say, ignoring Warren’s question. “Do you want Middleton to win by default while we hide?”

“And you think you can fix it?” Maxim demands.

“I have to try.”

“No.” His tone is implacable, but the fear in his eyes is evident. I know it’s for me, not for himself. “Crowds? Rallies? Public speeches? A dozen chances, a hundred ways every day for that lunatic to kill you? No. We can’t do it.”

“You can’t stop me.”

“Lennix,” he says, his voice a warning I have no intention of heeding. “Gregory Keene killed my brother, and you were supposed to be in that car. I’ve almost lost you twice to this bastard. You think I’ll risk losing you again by running for the most high-profile job on earth in a never-ending public interview process? No.”

“Look I told you I’ll accept the security and wear the tracker.”

“Not until he’s caught,” Maxim says, frowning.

“So indefinitely? We’ll stay here even if he doesn’t surface for the next year, two years, three? Another four years while some douchebag is president?”

“Grim has leads.”

“Fuck Grim’s leads. I will not stay in hiding while my country falls apart.”

“Falls apart is a little dramatic,” Warren inserts. “Middleton’s not that bad, but Maxim is what this country needs.”

“Don’t you mean what you need?” I turn a questioning brow on him. “What’s your agenda in all this?”

“I simply believe Maxim’s the best man for the job,” Warren says, shifting his glance to