Rook (Political Royalty Book 2) (18 page)

“I wanted to ask you about the article.”

It took Haven a moment to realize she must be talking about the
Tribune
piece.

“It isn’t ideal, but ultimately that’s a decision the Walkers need to make.”

Abby nodded and Haven fought to keep from rolling her eyes, no closer to understanding the other woman than she had been moments earlier.

“You didn’t do anything wrong, if that’s what you’re worried about. It’s not your job to try to keep Mrs. Walker in line.” Haven stopped herself before she said more. Regardless of how she felt about Sandra Walker, she sure as hell didn’t have the moral high ground herself.

Abby smiled at her and Haven figured she must have finally gotten the thing she was worried about.
So weird.

She excused herself and crossed the room to where Walker and Travis sat. She took a seat opposite the senator that still had a clear view of the television.

“Travis was congratulating me again on our stellar fundraising performance,” said Walker.

He smiled at her and something in her stomach tightened. He wasn’t supposed to be able to do that with just a smile, to make her feel like she was the only one in the room. She’d seen him work crowds, she knew the power he had with people, but the way he looked at her was different and for just a moment, she had to remind herself to breathe.

“Nah, I was telling him you must be fantastic. He’s probably crap, but together the two of you are unstoppable. I’m going to send you in my place from now on.”

“You just don’t want to have to deal with the handsy widows,” said Walker, leaning back comfortably in his chair. For a man who’d been working the campaign trail since dawn, he looked remarkably relaxed.

“Hell yeah. Besides, this way you can schmooze the widows while Haven works her magic on the widowers. Like I said, the perfect team.”

Walker let out a sound that might have been a growl, but Travis ignored him, still grinning when he turned back to face the television. As soon as his attention shifted, Walker hit her with a look that raised the temperature of the room. She glanced away, sure anyone who saw her looking at him would know exactly how she felt.
Good team
still rang in her ear as she spared a glance for Justin, the other person who stood the most to lose if she and Walker got caught. He was at the door taking the pizzas from the delivery guy and not paying any attention to her.

While the news channel cut to another commercial, she flipped to the tab on her tablet for the North Carolina State Board of Elections. The SBE would report the individual precincts results as soon as they came in. It would take a couple of days to certify them but unless there was a major discrepancy, no one would wait for that. She watched, refreshing the screen every couple of minutes as district after district went overwhelmingly for Walker.

When the reporters resumed their broadcast, they did what she’d already known they would and called the state for Walker. It was a proportional win and he’d have to share delegates with Collins, but it was a nice way to start the evening.

Two slices of greasy pizza, way too much Diet Coke, and an hour and a half later, they called Ohio for Walker. They were still over an hour from the polls closing in Illinois and Missouri but even Owen admitted the internal polling looked good. Illinois looked like a lock and Missouri should be very close. Haven felt a real sense of momentum and optimism. When the news stations shifted Florida from
Too Soon to Call
to
Too Close
, the room erupted.
Screw Owen and his better numbers; they were going to win Florida.

She’d wanted to wait until the results came in before Walker addressed his supporters, but it could be hours before they knew who won Florida and for now all the energy was moving in their direction. Not to mention the volunteers had to be getting well lubricated by now. Who knew if anyone would still be standing by the time they called the Sunshine State.

She glanced over at Walker, who was watching her, a small smile curving the end of his chiseled lips, lips that touched and tasted every inch of her. She flushed at the memory and then shook herself back to the present and the job at hand—making sure William Shepherd Walker became the next president of the United States of America.

Thank you
, he mouthed, and she tipped her head in acknowledgment. She wouldn’t minimize the work she’d done, but she knew strategy only went so far. It took the right candidate to close the deal. Travis was right; they were a winning team, in everything but timing.

“You should go get Mrs. Walker,” she said. “We need to get you on camera before the East Coast goes to bed and it will take a bit to set it up.”

“Of course.” He nodded, but before he turned to go, he gave her a look that could only be described as pleading.

“I’m going to run down and check on things,” she said, ignoring the look Justin gave her.

It was dangerous. She knew it was, but that didn’t stop her from following Walker out the door and into the hallway. They made it as far as the stairwell before he stopped her, his hand wrapped possessively around her arm. He wouldn’t kiss her. She wouldn’t let him. There were still too many people around. It would be too easy to get caught, but for just a moment, they stood facing each other, his hand branding her arm with its heat while his eyes searched hers.

This is where they said I love you. Made promises they couldn’t keep because the feelings were too strong to ignore. Keeping her gaze locked on his, she opened her mouth to repeat the words that changed everything. She saw the second his attention shifted to something over her shoulder. His brow creased and his expression instantly hardened. Following his gaze, she saw Sandra Walker, standing in the open doorway, her arms crossed in front of her chest, looking polished and gorgeous and very, very angry.

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E
ND

––––––––

I
can’t wait for you to meet Sandra. She’s not at all who I expected her to be. Bishop, the third book in the series, will be available in September. You can find preorders for your favorite retailer at
www.williamshepherdwalker.com
Thanks so much for going on this crazy ride with me. See you next month as we get closer to clinching the nomination!

Much love,

~
Evelyn

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Political Royalty

Knight

Rook

––––––––

ROOK

A Contemporary Romance

Book Two of the Political Royalty Series

by

Evelyn Adams

ISBN: 9781944801045

Copyright 2016 Evelyn Adams

All rights reserved

A
ll rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereinafter invented is forbidden without the written consent of the author.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead is entirely coincidental.