Nick was quite certain he would never forget John O’Connor’s untimely death but chose not to say so, knowing the older man was speaking from decades of political experience—and that he was right. It wouldn’t take long for official Washington to forget that John had once graced the halls of power. The time to act on the landmark immigration legislation he had co-sponsored was right now.

Leaning in, Cook lowered his voice and seemed to choose his words carefully. “You’ve only got a year, Nick. I’d like to help you make it count.”

“I’d appreciate that, Senator.”

“Call me Bob. But as I was saying, the time will go quickly, and I’m sure you’re interested in making as big an impact as possible.”

Nick ate the flavorful soup and nodded in agreement. “Of course.”

“I think it would be best if you just followed my lead, son. Let me blaze the path, make it easier for you.”

Nick rested his spoon in the bowl and wiped his mouth with the white cloth napkin. He might be younger and he might be green, but he recognized condescension when he heard it and wondered if Cook had tried to pull the same thing on John. If so, Nick hadn’t heard about it. “I’m afraid I don’t follow you, Bob,” he said, deciding to play dumb in case he was reading it wrong.

“Well, let’s face it, you don’t have time to strike out on some independent path all your own. We’re both serving the same constituency. If you let me call the shots, you come out looking good, the people are taken care of, and the party gets what it needs from both of us.”

Nope. Not reading it wrong. Swallowing his anger, Nick forced himself to stay quiet and let the other man continue to dig the hole.

“Take this nomination of Julian Sinclair, for instance.”

“What about it?”

“He’s a poor choice for the high court. Way too far out to the left. I don’t know what Nelson was thinking.” Cook scowled. “He’s put us in a terrible spot—what choice do we have but to confirm him? After all, we can’t hand the Republicans that kind of easy victory.”

“Sinclair’s a respected jurist. I think it’s a wise choice.”

“He’s a divisive and inflammatory son of a bitch,” Cook snapped, his amiable expression hardening as it seemed to dawn on him all of a sudden that Nick had a mind of his own and fully intended to use it. “Surely you can’t tell me you support this nomination.”

“I more than support it. In addition to being a good friend of mine, Julian is a respected attorney, and I have nothing but the utmost regard for him.”