Page 98 of The Rebel King

“In who? Cade?” He snorts. “I mean, do I believe he’s probably the next president? Yeah, I do, which is why I’m here, but let’s just say he’s not Owen.”

I place my sandwich on the wax paper on the table, blinking at him owlishly. “He never claimed to be Owen. They believe so many of the same things, though, that it’s easy for most people to support Maxim the way they did his brother.”

I sip the bottled water included with lunch. “So you’re only here for how it’ll look on your résumé that you worked for the new president,ifhe wins?”

“That’s not the only reason I’m here, Nix,” he says, his eyes moving over my face, down my neck, tracing the satiny strap drooping down my arm again.

“Uh, could you not call me that, Glenn?”

“Sorry. I heard Maxim call you that and thought it was cute, so I…” He shakes his head like he’s clearing it. “Never mind. Like I was saying. I’m not just here for the résumé boost. Over the years, working together so much, well, I’ve come to care about you a lot.”

It’s like a train wreck. The lights are coming at me so fast right now.

“I’d like to take you out some time. Dinner or a movie? Theater. I know you like plays. We could—”

“Glenn, I’m sorry. I think you know we have a pretty strict policy about dating people we work with on campaigns.”

Unless you’re my soulmate, of course.

“Oh, yeah.” He pulls the ring on his Diet Coke can off, flipping it back and forth in his hands. “I get that. Maybe once the campaign is over—”

“Glenn, I don’t…” I clear my throat and stare at the crust of my sandwich. “I think it’s best if we just stay friends.” I brave a look up at him. “Ya know?”

He blinks at me, a lot and fast.

Is he gonna cry? Oh, dear Jesus.“Glenn, I’m sorry. I never realized—”

“No, it’s fine.” He stands abruptly, scraping his trash into a bag with jerky movements.

“I am so sorry, Glenn. I hope this won’t affect—”

“I’m a professional,Lennix,” he says, emphasizing my full name. “You want to stay friends. I get it. It’s fine.”

He saysfinein that way you know shit is for sure notfine.

I turn to watch Glenn leave the bus, walking down the aisle quickly like someone is chasing him. Two thoughts circle in my mind like a carousel.

One: I’m not sure I handled that well.

Two: Ireallydon’t want Maxim to know.

CHAPTER 43

MAXIM

I have my own plane.

It’s a ridiculous thought, but walking toward the Cade Energy jet, I can’t help but have it.

It’s not even aboutmy plane is bigger than your plane, Dad, orlook how rich I am. I use my plane a lot less than most guys in my position anyway. It’s the independence. The last time I was on a plane owned by my father, he basically told me I’d never make anything of myself without him. Every step I’ve taken away from him has proved him wrong. I was in my twenties then. Staring at forty, taking steps away from my family doesn’t feel like the right thing to do, especially when we’re all still reeling from Owen’s death.

The demands of my business and the campaign distract me, but nothing can erase the pain of losing my brother. I try not to talk about it much because I know I won’t be able to move forward if I do. I’ve been too busy for grief counseling, though I know I need it. The loss alone would be a lot to handle, but the guilt makes it worse—knowing Owen would still be here if I hadn’t shot Gregory’s brother, but I couldn’t have done a damn thing differently. I couldn’t have let him kill Lennix. I had to go get her, and when Gregory’s brother held a gun to her head, I had to shoot him.

But if there was any one thing Icouldchange to reorder the events that led to Owen’s assassination, I would do it.

I settle into the leather seat and groan, scrubbing at my face, exhausted already. I don’t know how I’ll get through tonight, facing Millie and the twins.

“Mr. Cade.”

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