“You threw my family name and reputation under the bus by appealing to my son’s sense of honor.”
“It’s almost as if you don’t realize that the position you’re seeking requires you to put aside personal gain for the good of the country,” Jamie said flatly.
Richard shot him an angry look, but managed to keep his temper in check. “If I’d been in charge—”
“You weren’t, and you aren’t. Even if you do win the presidency, you won’t have the power to dictate what the MDF director does.”
“I can replace him.”
Jamie’s steady, unblinking gaze never left his father’s face. “You do that, and I guarantee you wouldn’t see me for the length of your supposed presidency. Or longer. Don’t fucking threaten that again, Father. It’s not a battle you will win.”
Whatever Richard saw in Jamie’s face, it made him hold his tongue. In the end, Richard was the first to look away, faint splotches of red coloring his cheeks. Anger, perhaps, or humiliation; Jamie didn’t care. He wouldn’t be cowed by his father’s ambitions. Richard had been measuring drapes for the Oval Office, so to speak, for the past two years. It was past time he realized that nothing was set in stone.
People saying Richard deserved the presidency didn’t automatically mean he would get it. At the rate things were going, Richard didn’t have Jamie’s vote.
“I would advise against replacing someone of General Nazari’s stature without a valid reason,” Michael said tactfully. “Simply disliking the man isn’t enough, Richard. Trust me on that.”
Jamie turned his attention back to the president. “Nazari is an excellent commanding officer, sir.”
“I know. He’s trying his best to help mitigate this disaster. I know it’s frustrating, but weareworking to push back on the current narrative.”
Richard cleared his throat, the anger from before vanishing from his eyes as if it never existed. “You mentioned your son might help with that?”
“Arrivals at State Dinners are always a spectacle. That many cameras in one place for a feel-good event isn’t something we want to pass up. Playing up a PR relationship with a member of my family might earn you some goodwill. I still have good political clout to spend.”
It went unsaid that Richard did not. Michael was coming off a two-term presidency and most political pundits were hedging bets he’d leave on a high note—low unemployment rates, balanced budget, and an expanding middle class. His record was why more and more were predicting another Republican win, but their star choice had fallen hard to earth.
Jamie couldn’t say he wasunhappyabout that.
He just didn’t want to pretend to date someone while already engaged.
“I’d prefer not to start a relationship right now, pretend or otherwise, especially with someone who doesn’t have the security clearance to know what I am and what I do,” Jamie said firmly.
“It wouldn’t be for long,” Michael pressed. “Dating, that is.”
“I’m sorry, sir. I’ll escort Gabriel to the State Dinner, but nothing more will come of it.”
Unlike his father, who would have argued the issue to death, the president respected his boundaries. “Very well. But if you change your mind, I don’t think any of us would be disappointed. Now then, let’s head on back to the residence, shall we? I can introduce you to Gabriel and we can get started on dinner. Lord only knows, if we’re late Ashley will have me sleeping on the couch.”
“She is a stickler about being punctual,” Richard said, attempting to reset the tone of the visit.
“That she is,” Michael said with a chuckle as he stood up.
They exited the Oval Office into the hallway, the Secret Service special agents on duty outside discreetly murmuring into their comms about the president on the move. Michael maintained a lively conversation about the latest basketball playoff results on their way back to the Executive Residence and the Family Dining Room located on the State Level.
Charlotte and Ashley were already seated at the long wooden table in the center of the room set for six people. The antique crystal chandelier overhead cast glittering light around the room, the heavy curtains hanging over the pair of windows at the far end drawn closed for the evening.
Sitting across from the two women was a young man who looked to be in his mid-twenties. Tanned, with a clean-shaven face dominated by sharp cheekbones, Gabriel was lean and personable as he laughed at whatever Charlotte was joking about. Black hair was slicked away from his face, brown eyes full of amusement as he turned to look their way.
“Father,” Gabriel said as he stood up.
Ashley and Charlotte moved to follow suit, but Michael waved at them to remain seated. “Gabriel, let me introduce you to Captain Jamie Callahan, Senator Callahan’s son.”
Gabriel dutifully came forward, eagerly extending his hand and offering Jamie an easy smile. “Captain, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Please, no titles. Jamie is fine,” Jamie replied.
“Gabriel here is a rising star over at Harrington LLP,” Ashley announced with a proud smile.
