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"As your friend, I’ I know you wouldn’t put your career at risk for just anyone," Elliott said, walking over to Brady They had known each other a very long time "What is it about her?"

"I don’t want to have this conversation right now," Brady said sternly He couldn’t think about Liz after the abrupt end to their conversation "I have a can to win"

Brady brushed past Elliott and walked to the door

"You really do love her, don’t you?" Elliott asked when Brady reached for the door handle

"Frankly, it doesn’tthe door open and exiting

Brady walked back toward the stage, knowing his tin staffers and friends patted his shoulder and congratulated hin mask and accepted all of their praise with poise and chare His father looked happy Brady knew that his father had alanted him to enter politics Brady had practically been bred for it He was achieving what his father had always hoped for his son

His father’s ar loosely around his mother’s waist She had short blond hair styled into a bob She had frequently been coence She slea drastically different expressions Clay, as usual, looked bored and as if he would prefer to be anywhere else Brady didn’t even knohy Clay even still showed up to events for hier Clay was around Brady, the less pleasant he becay He and Savannah had always gotten along better than he did with Clay She was excited for his, but she was restraining herself

That was all any of this was It was one big game of restraint No one could be too happy or too sad or too ative on the caet what he wanted He knew the costs

"We’re so proud of you, honey," Brady’sforward to straighten his suit

"Thanks, Mo down at her petite form She had on a navy-blue skirt suit with a white blouse underneath her blazer She had on hts, but Brady knew that his mother was beautiful without any of it

"Not to jinx you, but you’re going to win this race," she said with a wink before stepping back

"Are you ready, son?" Brady’s father asked

"Yes, sir," he responded immediately

"Then I think it’s ti to the entrance to the stage He watched Heather walk up to the podium She was a natural in front of an audience, and he knew that no matter where he went in his career she would follow hi this party for State Senator Brady Maxwell III," Heather began her speech

The crowd booht We’re all very happy to announce that Senator Maxwell has won your no for your vote at the general election in November"

Brady smiled at her enthusiasm She had this audience so easily They were here for hi to be a close race on Election Day, but the people surrounding hiet there

"Without further ado, I would like to introduce you to the man on your vote, State Senator Brady Maxwell"

That was his cue

Brady took a deep breath and steeled himself for what he was about to do He had made hundreds of speeches and he would do thousands e was his battleground, and he was ready to fight to win this election

He stepped out on the stage, into the blaring lights and flashing cameras The crowd of supporters cheered, and he could hear his na from all sides

Max-well Max-well Max-well

The roo VOTE FOR MAXWELL signs and waving the signature Stars and Stripes His logo was plastered everywhere on banners, balloons, T-shirts, and the projection screen on the wall

Brady’s heart contracted as he realized that all of this was because people believed in his plans He let hi his confident stride to the podiu that hundreds of pictures were capturing his every move

As he stood and waited for the crowd to quiet down, his eyes searched out Liz He wanted to find her and so he was feeling She read him so easily, but he wasn’t sure whether she would understand when he gave his next speech

Brady searched through the reporters at the center of the rooeous in a dark pantsuit and heels with her blond hair hanging long over her shoulders His eyes shifted to the person next to her, and it took everything Brady had not glare The guy, Hayden, was talking directly into Liz’s ear over the deafening noise while his hand rested on her arinally away fro necklace dangling down past her breasts His locket

What is she thinking? Brady wondered

"Thank you Thank you," Brady said, raising his hands and atte to quiet down the crowd After another in

"Thank you all so uessed four years ago that I would be up for nomination for the House of Representatives? I’m humbled and honored that so many people believe in the vision I set forth when I started cah road already on the caet me here"