Queen Move (All the King's Men, #3)

by Kennedy Ryan

Why do you want to run for office? You’re making plenty of money practicing law.” “It’s not about the money,” he says, his tone stiffening like one of his heavily starched shirt collars. “What is it about then? Tell me.” “It’s about…the people.” “What about them?” “I…well, I want to help them, of course.” “Help them how? Tell me their issues. Tell me their problems. What’s the average income for people in that district? How are the working poor faring? Graduation rate? Voter suppression is rampant. What do you plan to do about it?” “Whoa, whoa, whoa. Why are you attacking me?” “Attacking you?” I suck my teeth. “Boy, please, you ain’t ready. If you think this is an attack, try being in a debate, a hostile interview. I’m giving you the chance to show me you care about the people you would be representing. That you care enough to know how you can help them, not how this opportunity could help you.” “You put every client though this wringer before you take them on?” Oh, he has no idea. “You still stepping out on Delaney?” I ask, going for that weak spot he thinks I don’t know about. The silence between us is sticky and pulls like syrup. “What?” he finally asks. “I don’t know—” “I said are you still cheating on your wife?” I hear him swallow, but no answer. “Get your house in order,” I tell him, “before you think about running for mine.” “Your house?” “Oh, yes, sir. I grew up in that district, Stoke, and I may not live there now, but I’ll be damned if I’ll send an ill-prepared,...