From the lookhe gives me, I know he knows exactly what I’m doing, but it works and he drops all objections. I’ll let my chief of staff take the lead, along with Angie, with getting the word out. The man was shot, we don’t know if there are other plots afoot against any of us because Lauren’s killer is still at large, as is Charlie and Tory’s, it’s less expensive logistically having him at the White House, whereour protection detail is gathered in one place, and it means he can get back to work faster.
Shae and I can’t stay in bed with him all day, even though that’s exactly what I want to do.
Fortunately for me, my schedule is far more malleable than Shae’s. I can head up to the residence during the day to check on him and make sure he’s okay, and I do just that.
By “checking on him” I mean lockingthe bedroom door behind me and climbing into our bed, where I carefully spoon my body around his for a few precious minutes.
We still don’t have any answers as to why Kev was targeted. David Gayle isn’t talking and has lawyered up. It’s frustrating, to say the least.
My wife can launch nukes, but she can’t legally authorize waterboarding the fucker who shot the man who shares our bed.
Sometimes,life truly isn’t fair.
Kev is under strict orders from me to call me if he needs me to come help him with anything, but I know he won’t. He’s itching to get back to work. Technically, he could be working up here, but I’ve ordered him to take at least a few more days off.
Mostly because I want to be able to come up here and do what I’m doing right now, which is being annoyingly loving to him.
This is the sixth time I’ve come up today to check on him. I’ve got him snuggled against me in our bed, where he’s been watching the news on our bedroom TV. He’s got his iPad, which he’s been using to watch other news feeds as he’s trying to get caught up.
“I’m never getting spanked again, am I?” he snarks.
I carefully tighten my grip around him, still worried about hurting him despite his assurancesthat I’m not. I nuzzle my lips against the side of his neck and graze my teeth against his flesh. “Maybe. If you’re a good boy and follow your doctor’s orders.”
“That’s disappointing.” He wiggles his ass against me and my slacks suddenly grow uncomfortably tight. “Maybe I want to be a bad boy and earn a spanking.”
I reach down and pinch his thigh, making him laugh. “Stop it. Behave, or I’llthink up an appropriately unenjoyable punishment for you.”
“Aw. Buzz-kill.” He tips his head back for a kiss, and of course I can’t resist him.
For a moment, I consider making love to him just like this, cuddled on our sides and taking my time. For obvious reasons, I haven’t felt horny since Kev’s shooting, and neither has Shea.
I’m glad I don’t have to leave the White House today, althoughI won’t be able to spend too much time up here right now. I’m supposed to take a call soon from some protocol guy about organizing our first state dinner of Shae’s second term. Former First Ladies have had large staffs dedicated to all this kind of shit.
Me? I’ve had my staff focused on the fitness and nutrition initiatives I’m championing, along with the charitable organizations I help with,including Alzheimer’s research.
Although I have increased the White House staff a little and handed off many of the protocol-based duties to them. I personally think it’s better for continuity’s sake to have it be permanent, non-partisan staffers rather than my own staff. That way, it serves the office of POTUS more efficiently. They also handle things like organizing the Easter egg roll, holidaydecorations, and other traditional celebrations that happen at the White House.
But there are a few positions that haven’t been filled or created yet, and I’m slowly chugging my way through that process. With my luck, I’ll have it all done just in time for Elliot’s election.
Lucky bastard. Leo, that is. Because my gut tells me he’ll be filling my role, since I’m nearly positive Elliot’s fillingLeo.
Thankfully, as Kev continues to heal over the next days, and life finally shifts back to normal for us, I can relax.
My boy is home and safe.
My girl is home and safe.
Our kids are safe—and happy. We have no satisfaction yet, and might never know who or why Charles, Tory, and Lauren died, but I’m hoping this is the last of the bad kind of surprises that will rock our family.
If onlyI were so lucky.
