stone and glass structure overlooking the river. It was beautiful, but it lacked t

rectly to her grandfather's study. The room smelled of aged

the halls of Congress, sat behind a desk the size of a small car. He

fore the desk. "Grandfath

ey were eyes that had stared down presidents and foreign di

It's been hand

s. Decisive. Clean. You have the Sanchez insti

ease in her shoulders. Perhaps this w

was

ng. "Now that this... inappropriate distraction i

ghtened again, colder this t

inner circle, to have real influence, professional competence i

aved by a marriage certificate,

," her grandfather's voice was stern, unyielding.

ross the polished e

a man. He wore a perfectly tailored suit, his expression severe, his eyes dark and p

oseph B

visor to the Presid

rron family, a dynasty of "old money" that had been

urse. Everyone in D.C. did. Joseph Barron was less a man and more

"They are impressed by your intellect and our family's influence in

physical blow. "I am n

answer to everything. "You have enjoyed the privileges

ess to argue. She had just escaped one cage, only to be shoved toward a

you, Drew. I am presenting you with the most viable path to the future you

e air in the study was t

ched with worry. She offered Drew a sympathetic glance b

d, then. There will be an informal dinner wi

iscussion. It

round the file. Her

thout another word. Her straight, defiant