Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 108483 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 542(@200wpm)___ 434(@250wpm)___ 362(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108483 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 542(@200wpm)___ 434(@250wpm)___ 362(@300wpm)
I want to ask why the last minute. He doesn’t seem particularly interested in our book, our causes or us in general, but I’m distracted by Owen Cade taking the seat next to me. They’re checking his mic, which gives me a chance to check him.
I’ve seen him before, of course. He’s a California senator, but our paths have crossed very little. Maybe that was intentional on my part. I’ve never allowed myself to think too much about it. About him. Or about his brother.
He couldn’t be more unlike Maxim. Where Maxim is dark-haired and green-eyed like his father, Owen looks very much like his mother, fair with blue eyes. Truly and literally the golden boy of politics. He reaches across the aisle, manages to remain civil in the most vitriolic political climate, and, at least as far as I’ve heard, never cheats on his wife.
“Ladies,” he says to Kimba and me once he’s settled. “Glad to be on with you today. I don’t think we’ve ever actually met, but I know of your father and grandfather, of course, Ms. Allen. Their contribution to the civil rights movement is invaluable. So sorry for your family’s loss.”
Kimba’s grandfather died years before, but her father passed away from a heart attack just a few months ago. Pain tweaks her expression for a second, but she clears it and pulls the professional mask in place before most would notice. “Thank you, Senator Cade,” she replies.
“Please,” he says. “Call me Owen.”
She won’t. Neither will I.
“And you, Ms. Hunter.” He turns that piercing blue stare on me. “I’ve wanted to meet you for a long time.”
“Really?” I keep my voice neutral and am relieved when Bryce asks for our attention to review the next segment. It’s mainly questions for Owen, but Bryce wants us all to be prepared.
“We’re back,” Bryce says into the camera, “and joined by Senator Owen Cade. Thank you for being with us, Senator.”
“Thank you for having me,” Owen replies. I wonder if his humility is an act. Has to be. His father and brother certainly aren’t humble. Maybe he’s just the best actor of the family.
Bryce is much more solicitous with the fine senator than he was with us. Even if Owen wasn’t one of the most powerful members of the Senate, he’d still have the famous Cade pedigree on his side. That always garners attention and respect. Bryce’s opening salvos are pretty standard, inquiring about Owen’s recent votes and positions he’s known to hold on safe topics. But Beltway wouldn’t be as popular as it is if Bryce didn’t go for the jugular and ask the questions everyone wants to know.
“And can we soon officially add presidential hopeful to your titles, Senator?” he asks cagily.
Owen laughs, his posture relaxed, and sits back in his chair. He crosses an ankle over one long leg with the same physical ease and strength as his brother.
“I’m not ruling it out,” he says. “I’m not prepared to make any announcements quite yet, though.”
“Your family has a history in politics,” Bryce continues, “but is even better known for business. Cade Energy, led by your father, and CadeCo, led by your brother, who are famously estranged from one another. Where do you fall in the spectrum of their beliefs?”
“I’m not my father or my brother.” The affable smile dissolves from Owen’s face, and I see traces of the ruthlessness his family is known for. “I represent the people of California and have for the last ten years. My brother is, as most know, a strong proponent of clean energy, and my father is in oil and gas. I believe climate change is one of the most pressing issues we face now and assuredly in the foreseeable future. However, I’m a pragmatist and understand change doesn’t happen overnight. We are an oil-producing and dependent country. Millions of jobs are tied to fossil fuel production. I believe in responsibly transitioning this nation to less fossil fuel dependence as we cultivate green-energy solutions like wind and solar.”
“Your brother’s made quite a lot of money from these energy solutions he’s so passionate about America adopting,” Bryce says. “He was added to the Forbes list of billionaires this year. Quite convenient that the measures he recommends are the very ones that line his own pockets.”
Owen’s smile reappears. “My little brother has risked his life in places most of us barely know exist collecting data in the fight to save our planet. He’s an adventurer, a capitalist, and an overachiever, but he’s not an opportunist. An opportunist wouldn’t sign the Giving Pledge, committing half his wealth to charity over the course of his lifetime.”
“Spoken like a loyal big brother,” Bryce says wryly.
“I’m loyal to the people I care about,” Owen says, “including the people who vote for me. I work for their interests.”