Read Online Rook (Political Royalty Book 2) by Evelyn Adams - Free Book Online

and get them started on a series of ads targeting the real working poor. Once research finds the people, we can work on filling in the stories. I want everything to point back to domestic security and ending hunger. That’s our angle. We ignore—for now at least—the xenophobia. We can frame a sensible argument for immigration reform and work visas after Estevan’s welfare baby picture has faded.”
    Justin nodded and they’d all started to head in separate directions when the news broadcaster cut in, looking positively gleeful. The split-screen image showed a Collins Voice for America sign plastered on the front of a podium with a wall of American flags in the background.
    “We’re waiting for a response to Mr. Estevan’s recent comments from the Republican front-runner, retired Army General Miranda Collins. We’ll break in as soon as the general takes the stage.” The newscaster went back to dissecting Estevan’s performance and Walker’s team pulled back together.
    “We should get out first. She beat us again,” said Travis, sounding more dejected than the situation warranted. Although Shep had to admit he was getting tired of calling second place a win. It was hard running against someone who seemed almost unbeatable.
    “I can start putting together a statement for the senator to give so at least we’ll be in the same cycle,” said Justin, looking to Haven for instruction.
    “No,” said Haven, shaking her head. “We address, not react. We’ll address both Estevan and Collins’s statements when we’re ready, but I’m not going to let the senator be led around by either of them. Steady, thoughtful, and on our own terms. Understand?”
    Shep caught himself as he started to nod. She commanded him as clearly as she did the rest of the room, but it wouldn’t get him closer to what he wanted by letting her know that.
    The general took the stage and the talking heads cut away, giving her the whole screen. Instead of the cool leader of troops he’d gotten used to seeing on the trail, the general practically vibrated with anger. Her jaw clenched and nostrils flared, and it looked like she was fighting a battle to keep from screaming at the TV cameras like she would a new cadet not obeying her orders.
    “Like the rest of you,” she said, sucking in air and modulating her tone, “I had the unfortunate opportunity to hear Mr. Estevan’s remarks a few moments ago.” She managed to lace Mister with enough disdain to make it sound like a bad word. “And I can’t remember when I’ve heard a more ridiculous statement. For days now, Mr. Estevan has been trotting out theory after theory, each more fantastical than the previous, and none of them fit to print anywhere but in his gossip rags.” She gazed out at the room, some of the fury in her expression telegraphing through the TV screen. “But today when he launched his attack against working women, he went too far.”
    “Was that what he said?” asked Travis. This time Haven didn’t have to shush him; Justin took care of it for her.
    “Women have every right to the same careers that men have. We no longer need to be shackled to the home and stuck in the kitchen, playing supporting roles for the men in our lives. We can be the stars of our own stories.” She spoke with such passion, Shep had a hard time imagining she was reading from anything.
    It felt like her remarks were genuine and off the top of her head. They also skirted the edge of political suicide. Most people believed women were equal to men, but most of them, including a fairly significant number of women, didn’t want to be reminded they didn’t need men. And they sure as hell didn’t want someone they didn’t know trashing moms, regardless of their particular situation.
    “I worked from the time my children were a few weeks old, proudly wearing the uniform of my country. My children have not suffered as a result of being raised by paid caregivers, and I’ve had a long and fulfilling