Chapter Text
The senator was crying.
I sat in the driver's seat of my car, parked outside his townhouse in Georgetown. Three in the morning. He was in the passenger seat, holding the folder I'd just given him.
Inside were photographs. Him and a woman who wasn't his wife. Bank records showing payments from a defense contractor. Copies of emails he'd been stupid enough to send.
"I can't," he whispered. "If my wife finds out—"
"Then don't let her find out." My voice was calm. "You vote yes tomorrow. You bring two colleagues with you. Then this folder disappears."
He stared at the photos. His hands were shaking.
"I'll lose everything."
"You'll lose everything if you don't." I reached across him and opened the passenger door. "Get out."
He got out. I drove away.
This is what I do. I'm Madoc's daughter. I'm also his fixer. In our family, those are the same thing.
---
By seven I was back at the estate in McLean. The kitchen was bright and warm. Taryn sat at the table in her robe, scrolling through her phone.
"Locke sent me seventeen texts last night," she said without looking up.
"Sounds exhausting."
"He's planning something for the engagement party. He won't tell me what." She smiled. "He loves surprises."
"He loves attention."
"Same thing."
I poured coffee. Oriana's coffee, which meant it was excellent and she'd mention if I didn't drink it.
Oak ran in. He's eight. He launched himself at me.
"Jude! You were gone all night!"
"Work."
"You're always working." He squinted. "I think you're a spy."
"I can neither confirm nor deny."
He grinned and showed me a crayon drawing. Our family. Stick figures with smiles. Me. Taryn. Vivi. Madoc tall. Oriana stiff. Oak in the middle holding everyone's hands.
I kissed his head. "It's perfect."
"I put you next to me because you're my favorite."
"Don't tell your mom."
He stage-whispered, "I won't."
Oriana appeared in the doorway. She looked at me the way she always looked at me—like I was something she'd agreed to tolerate.
"Oak, let your sister eat."
He scrambled off. I drank my coffee.
---
Vivi came in an hour later. She looked like she hadn't slept. She poured coffee with shaking hands and sat down.
"You okay?" I asked.
"Fine."
"You're lying."
She opened her mouth, but Madoc walked in.
The room changed when Madoc entered. It always did. He's large, red-haired, with eyes that see everything. He's been Secretary of Defense for six years. He's my father.
"Jude." He nodded. "Walk with me."
I followed him outside.
We walked the gravel path around the estate. His security stayed at a distance.
"The Greenbriars are gaining ground," he said. "Balekin is going to run for Chancellor."
I waited.
"Everyone has weaknesses. Find his."
"How?"
"His brother." Madoc glanced at me. "Cardan Greenbriar. The drunk. The embarrassment. Get close to him. Find something we can use."
I'd seen Cardan in photos. Dark hair, black eyes, always with a drink. Always smirking.
"The wastrel prince."
"No one watches the fool." Madoc stopped walking. "Balekin is dangerous. His people are dangerous. If you're caught—"
"I won't be caught."
He studied me. Then he smiled. "No. You won't."
We walked back to the house.
---
Two nights later
The fundraiser was at the Willard Hotel. Crystal chandeliers. Champagne. Powerful people being powerful.
I wore black and stayed near the edges.
Cardan was by the bar. He was beautiful—sharp cheekbones, dark hair, a mouth that looked cruel even when he wasn't speaking. He held a drink and gestured with it, spilling a little. People laughed at everything he said.
I was watching him when someone appeared at my elbow.
"You're Madoc's daughter."
I turned. Valerian. I knew his face from files. One of Cardan's hangers-on. Rich family, no real power, made himself important by clinging to people who mattered.
"We haven't met," I said.
"We haven't." His eyes moved down my body and back up. Slow. "They didn't mention you looked like this."
"Like what?"
"Worth looking at."
I kept my face blank. "I'll let my father know his daughter is being evaluated on appearance."
He laughed. He reached out and touched my hair. I let him. For now.
"You're wasted on Madoc," he said. "He doesn't appreciate what he has."
"And Cardan would?"
"Cardan appreciates nothing." His voice dropped. "I appreciate everything."
I filed it away. Useful or dangerous. I'd find out which.
"I should circulate," I said.
"Find me later."
I smiled and walked away.
---
I made it to the balcony. Cardan was gone. Someone else was there.
She was beautiful. Pale blonde hair. Ice-blue eyes. Perfect cheekbones. She leaned against the railing, smoking.
"You're following him," she said.
"I don't know what you mean."
"Don't." She took a long drag. "I'm Nicasia. My family controls the shipping ports on the coast. I'm also Cardan's sometimes." Her eyes traveled over me. "You're pretty. For a human."
"For a human?"
"You know what I mean." She flicked ash. "Your family adopted you. You're not really one of us. You're an outsider. Like me, in a way."
"Are we supposed to bond over that?"
"No." She stepped closer. Her perfume was expensive. "I'm letting you know I see you. I see everyone. I don't forget."
She held my gaze. Then she walked inside.
I stayed on the balcony alone.
---
In the bathroom, Taryn was fixing her lipstick.
"Locke said you were here," she said. "He's been watching you. He says you're fascinating."
"Locke finds everyone fascinating."
She laughed. "True." She glanced at me. "How's it going?"
"Fine."
"You're lying."
I met her eyes in the mirror. Taryn sees things.
"It's complicated," I said. "Cardan's friends are—"
"Valerian is creepy. Nicasia is terrifying. Locke is charming and slippery." She ticked them off. "I've met them. Locke introduces me around." She smiled. "You'd be surprised what people say in front of the fiancée."
"Is that a warning?"
"It's information." She capped her lipstick. "You're not the only one who pays attention."
For a second, I saw something sharp behind her eyes. Then it was gone.
"Dinner this week," she said. "Us and Vivi."
"Vivi's avoiding me."
"She'll come." Taryn squeezed my hand. "We're Duartes. We stick together."
She left. I looked at myself in the mirror. Brown hair. Brown eyes. A scar on my left ring finger where a guard bit me when I was seven. A reminder that I don't belong here. I just survive here.
---
I didn't find Cardan that night. I was waiting for my car when someone fell into step beside me.
"Jude Duarte."
Locke. Warm smile. Easy charm.
"Locke." I kept walking. "Where's my sister?"
"Inside, saying goodnight to people who'll forget her by morning." He matched my pace. "I wanted to meet you properly. We're going to be family."
"Are we?"
He laughed. "Taryn and I are getting married. That makes us something." He studied me. "She talks about you constantly. I feel like I know you."
"What do you know?"
"That you're smart. Loyal. Dangerous." His smile widened. "Wasted on Madoc."
"Valerian already tried that."
"Valerian is an idiot with good bone structure." His voice dropped. "I'm not an idiot. If you need someone on the inside—someone who understands the game—I'm available."
"For a price."
"Everything has a price." He shrugged. "But I like you. The price might be lower."
My car arrived. I opened the door, then paused.
"Why are you really here, Locke?"
He smiled. For a moment, his eyes were cold.
"Because you're interesting. Interesting people are hard to find."
He walked away.
---
My apartment
1:23 AM
I was unlocking my door when my phone buzzed. A voicemail from Vivi. Sent hours ago.
"Jude. Call me. I found something about Mom and Dad. About what happened that night. There's stuff that doesn't add up. I have a witness who worked in the building. He's scared, but he's going to talk to me. I know you're busy with Dad's games, but this matters. Call me."
I stared at the phone.
Our parents died when I was seven. My father killed my mother and then himself. That was the official story. That was what I'd always believed.
I called Vivi. No answer.
I called again. Straight to voicemail.
I stood in my dark apartment, phone in my hand.
Vivi was fine. She was always fine.
I went to sleep.