Peanut butter sandwich in one hand, my sweetheart tugs on my waistband. “Are we going home?”
The day I married Axel, he adopted my sweetie pie, and we vowed to be a forever family. Ignoring the melee of youngsters and pets, I scoot my chair closer to my daughter and bend over.
“Honey, I need your help.” As my eyes meet hers, I pray I can make her understand.
“O-tay.” Black curly locks fly about her head as she nods.
“Your father is in trouble and needs Mommy’s help.” Unsure if I’m conveying my message appropriately, I glance over at Callie.
While the more experienced Mom nods her encouragement from across the table, Abbie skews her face.
“Isn’t Bear protecting him?” Eyes on me, the six-year-old chomps down on her bread.
“Sometimes people need more than a dog.” I don’t want to scare her, but she needs to understand I wouldn’t leave her unless it was important.
“My new daddy works for the FBI. They can catch anyone. He told me so.” Her confidence warms my heart, and more than anything, I wish it were true.
Reaching long, I tweak herbutton nose. “You’re right. Sometimes, they want scientists, like me, to do research and make lists.”
Abbie touches her forehead to mine and squeezes my cheeks. “You be safe and call if you need me. Wait. I need to show you something.”
My precious daughter runs to the refrigerator, pulls off her first-grader drawing, and hands it to me. “I made this for you.”
In the family portrait, we all smile, including the dog. Axel’s T-shirt has the letters FBI on it while my laptop bag hangs over my shoulder.
“Thank you. It’s colorful, and the tall one looks just like Daddy.” Swallowing the lump in my throat, I hug her. “Behave for Uncle Lucky and Aunt Callie. I’ll be back before you know it.”
“Are you still on your honeymoon?” Her innocent question reminds me of the havoc Miss Brittany Babcock caused.
“No. We’re all done.” My chest tightens. What should’ve been a lovely week of sex, sun, and sand turned into a nightmare.
“Darn.” Abbie’s frown brings me back to the here and now, in my boss’ bright yellow kitchen.
“Why? What’s wrong?” I wonder if she overheard something about Axel’s arrest or the murder.
“Polly said you might make me a little sister or brother.” Her eyebrows raise in expectation, as if I could pull a sibling from the car’s back seat.
At the mention of her name, the oldest and most precocious of Callie’s kids grins and waves.
Face heated, I push my imp toward the other. “How about you take your friend outside and play? We’ll talk about this later.”
Once she skips off, I turn to Lucky and his wife, sending the rest of the brood into the living room.
Now alone at the kitchen table, I ask, “So, did you find any flaws in my plan?”
Lochlan scowls. “Don’t do this. Callie, tell her.”
My bestie and staunchest supporter shakes her head. “We’ve gone over every scenario. There is no better way to bring down Ledbetter.”
Her giant bodyguard stands and lowers into the chair vacated by my daughter. “You are not an operative.”
“I know, which is why I’m asking for your help. I’m neither careless nor stupid. If everyone does their part, we’ll capture Ledbetter and prove Axel’s innocence.”
“There are risks you can’t possibly account for.” The easy-going Aussie will be difficult to convince, but I must try.
“If my scheme fails, the Bureau and Patten Securities can develop counteroffensives. We need the video file.” I’m no martyr. I genuinely believe that whatever happens, my husband will find the manpower to make it right.
“What about your daughter? What will she do with both her parents gone?” Lucky’s pulled out all the stops, but I cannot and will not be deterred.
