Page 2 of Senator

“It’s quite tame compared to previous balls. Don’t you remember the opera singer from a few years ago?” Kevin asked.

“I should know better than to say anything to you, Stanton. Especially since he’s a former military buddy.”

Neither Kevin nor I commented on Albert’s statement.

“At least George had the decency to commemorate the Texas soldiers we lost in the recent firefight in North Africa.” Albert motioned to the families of the fallen men and women who were mingling with the gala attendees.

“Veer is a decorated war hero who’s used his personal funds to create an organization to help veterans. This isn’t something new to him.” I spoke my comment with a tone of annoyance that made it seem as if I thought Albert was an idiot. “His charities hold multiple events throughout the year for the families of all our fallen military.”

Kevin cleared his throat and squeezed my waist, telling me to keep my cool. I had to remember, we weren’t attending the ball as Veer’s friends but as members of the Republican Party sizing up future opponents.

“He’s a rich boy with money to blow. A trust-fund kid who decided to get into politics because he had nothing better to do.”

I clenched my jaw, took the flute of champagne Kevin handed me from a passing waiter, and swallowed a healthy gulp.

Maybe if I numbed my senses, this dipshit who’d interrupted my evening wouldn’t give me thoughts of killing him with my stilettos.

If there was a spoiled rich boy in the vicinity, it was Albert. He came from oil money and had never had to hold down a job in his life. The thought of forgoing his family’s means and serving the nation was a foreign concept to him. He’d enjoyed a playboy lifestyle for most of his thirty-four years on Earth, going from one social gathering to the next. He would have continued his exploits if his father hadn’t made him move into their family’s business.

After a few seconds, the alcohol had taken a mild effect, and I was able to speak. “Albert, I understand you’re still upset about last year’s loss, but let’s keep tonight pleasant. Remember, we’re the face of the party, after all.”

“I meant no offense, Jacinta. I never assumed you’d be so sensitive to any comments about Veer George. I’d expect sensitivity about your liberal sister-in-law, but George is just a friend of your family.”

I flashed Albert a death glare and then moved my gaze across the room to where Samina Kumar-Camden stood with my older brother, Devin. They laughed, joked, and mingled with everyone around them.

God, I wished I were with them. They were my family and knew how to help me let go and enjoy myself. But I was working, and this was all about making an impression on the voters, specifically those with deep pockets.

Samina caught my stare. She cocked a brow at Kevin, since she found him sexy as sin, and then made a gagging gesture while pointing at Albert. Devin quickly stopped her and gave her a disapproving glare and then said something that had her frowning. I could imagine it had to be along the lines of telling her to behave. As the junior senator from Washington, she had to project a respectable image and not make fun of supporters of opposing parties.

I smiled. Samina had my back, even though we shared different political views.

I guessed I should take a cue from my best friend and sister-in-law.

“Albert.” I patted his arm and then pointed at his wife, who looked lonely standing by herself in the corner of the room. “Let’s call a truce for the night. I just made it home after a thirty-six-hour pointless filibuster by our liberal counterparts that went nowhere. I don’t have the energy. And you’ve left your beautiful new wife all alone. Go tend to her.”

“I hear you, Jacinta.” Albert gave me an authentic smile, kissed my cheek, nodded at Kevin, and turned in the direction of his wife.

“That was impressive. You went from pissed-off viper to charming socialite in a matter of seconds.”

“Whatever.” I nudged Kevin. “One thing I can say is that all of those cotillion classes Carol Camden forced me to take as a child came in handy tonight. Nothing like a smile to hide thoughts of murder.”

“I’m not so sure learning the correct knives and forks to use or how to ballroom dance did me any good.” Kevin frowned. “I’m still more at home in the woods with an open fire, a cold beer, and my rifle.”

“So speaks the man with a chain of five-star hotels around the world.”

“Shh. That’s a secret.”

“You’re such a goofball. Come on, before someone else interrupts us.”

* * *

Two hours later,I made my way out of the ladies’ room and down the hall to where Kevin waited for me. After I’d calmed my ire at Albert and he left to tend his wife, the evening continued with mingling and charming the “old-school money men” as my dad liked to call them, something I’d learned how to do from the time I was in diapers.

As the daughter of Senate Majority Leader and ultra-conservative Louisiana Senator Richard Camden, I’d spent my childhood interacting with the very men whose deep pockets I needed to tap into. I was part of the fourth generation of politicians coming out of Louisiana and Texas.

When I’d come onto the political scene, it had been a challenge getting anyone to see past the pretty face I’d inherited from my gorgeous mother. I was expected to become a debutante, marry young to an up-and-coming Southern businessman, and produce the next crop of conservative children. Thankfully my parents never pushed the status quo on me. They’d recognized I wasn’t cut out for the path my mother had chosen. As a senator’s wife, she worked hard, sometimes too hard, and she was happy letting my father take the lead. I, on the other hand, was never going to let my dreams come second to my man’s.

The one I’d end up with would see the intelligence and drive under the perfectly groomed package.

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