“What the fuck is wrong with that animal?” Special Agent Kessler shoves over while I straddle the middle, and the other guy squishes me so he can slam the door.
“She’s scared.” So am I but don’t say so. “She’s never been kidnapped, rather catnapped before.”
“Just hold onto her until we get to the office. We’ve set you up in a nice room. It even has a pullout couch.
“Wait. You’re expecting to me to stay overnight?” I’m so shocked I let go of Catrina who scrambles around the back seat, making long gaping claw marks in the lush brown leather.
By the time I get hold of her, we’re downtown, and almost everyone needs stitches.
On the way up to my office, I cover her eyes and state for the record. “I need to call my husband.”
“This mission is top secret.”
My eyes narrow. “Wait a minute, I thought you said Suds knew all about this.”
“Don’t worry. We got it covered.” Kessler glowers as he leads me into a room resembling a cell and points. “Computer is there, change your password. If you need to leave the building, one of us will escort you at all times.”
While I have mad skills, there are plenty of other investigators in the FBI as good or better. “Why me?”
Kessler chuckles. “All in good time.”
Chapter 2
Suds
Scrolling down through over a dozen texts, I take a deep breath and shudder it out. Oh shit, here we go again.
Cuz Rose: Have you heard from Sam?
Saint Mia: Sam’s not answering.
Vincent: What the fuck, where’s Sammy?
Chief Russo: Call me, now.
M-In-Law: We’re worried, Sebastian.
There’s more but I don’t have time to read them all.
Ah hell. If it was anyone else but my wife, I wouldn’t worry. Only a few hours ago, I dropped her off at the salon on my way into the city. No doubt, her phone ran out of juice. That’s probably all it is. Still, this is my danger magnet we’re talking about…
While I wait in front of the exclusive kindergarten, I dig my cell out of my back pocket and dial. Fuck. I go straight to voice mail so I text her.
Me: 911. Dammit. Call me as soon as you get this.
I’d leave to go find her except this is the first decent bodyguard job I’ve had since before covid. That understood, I hang with the other chauffeurs-slash-protectors and note the one other Patten Securities jacket. I don’t recognize the guy but we nod. Essentially, I got his six if the shit hits the fan. I can’t imagine anything happening in front of a grade school but these kids are the offspring of diplomats, billionaires, and cartel leaders. Anything is possible.
My android pings again as the end of day bell rings inside the building.
Saint Mia: Call me
I hiss out between my teeth. Holy God Almighty. Eventually, I’m going to have to handcuff my wife to the bathroom radiator.
My cell phone dings again and this time, it’s Donna, my wife’s mom. Samantha is a grown woman for fuck’s sake. Three hours gone should not be cause for alarm.
M-in-law: No one’s heard from Sam since noon.
Little Stacy, my charge, bounces out the door and I grab her hand, one eye on the street. Quickly, I help her into the booster seat and buckle her in while she hands me a picture she made out of macaroni.
