“You too.”
Liam waved him off, and Jamie took the short set of stairs into the jet without a backward glance.The team had laid claim to their favorite spots, with Leah stretched out on one of the leather couches in the lounge area, streaming a show on her tablet.She looked up at his arrival, gaze pensive.
“Father called while you were still in the meeting.He said he plans to meet with us at MDF headquarters,” she said.
Jamie didn’t think he had room in his body to carry any more tension, but his sister’s words proved him wrong.“Great.”
“You should probably get some rest.You look tired.”
“It’s been a long weekend.”
“I know.I’m glad you’re safe.And, you know, thanks for keeping me safe.”
Jamie leaned down to give his little sister a hug, feeling her return it just as tightly.“You know I’ll always look out for you.”
“I know,” Leah said softly.“And I won’t—I’m not going to say anything to anyone about you and Kyle.I promise.”
Jamie closed his eyes, the relief he felt at her statement momentarily robbing him of words.Swallowing hard, Jamie finally got out, “Thank you.”
“I sent him back to the bedroom.He looked as tired as you.Everyone else apparently slept for a little bit after being released, so why don’t you go join him?”
Considering who he would have to deal with once they landed, Leah’s suggestion was a sound one.Jamie let her go and ruffled her hair, smiling a little at the way she batted his hand away with a hiss of “Don’t ruin my hair!”
He left Leah to her show, picking his way through the lounge and the tiny galley for the rear of the jet, where the only bedroom was located.The door slid open with a touch of his hand to the control panel.He found Kyle lying on top of the covers of the queen-sized bed, staring at the curved ceiling.
“I’m too tired to sleep,” Kyle confessed.
The door slid shut on Jamie’s heels.He shrugged out of his suit jacket and hung it up on one of the hooks in the wall.He undid his tie and belt, hanging them up as well before taking off his shoes.Crawling onto the bed, he lay down beside Kyle and wrapped an arm around him.Kyle immediately shifted closer, tucking his head beneath Jamie’s chin.Jamie closed his eyes, letting his body relax against Kyle’s, holding on as tight as he could.
“We need to,” Jamie said.“I get to deal with my father once we land.”
Kyle squirmed closer.“If that’s the case, you need sleep more than I do.”
Jamie hummed a wordless response, sleep already creeping in at the edges of his mind.As much as he wanted to stay up and enjoy having Kyle in his arms, because he knew the next week was going to be a shit-show of epic proportions, Jamie knew he needed rest.
“Sleep,” Kyle murmured.“I got this watch.”
That was all Jamie needed to hear before letting himself succumb to exhaustion, just for a little while.
* * *
Tuesday in the Washington, DC, megacity dawned cloudy and wet, the cold winter rain a steady backdrop against the heated accusations, spin statements, and analysis going on across all news streams.The headlines screamed about a senator’s son mixing it up with known criminals who later struck a blow against freedom in the heart of London.They were all very dramatic, meant to entice viewers to read their story amidst all the others clogging everyone’s feed.Jamie flipped through the countless notifications on his tablet, grimacing at each new one that popped up every few seconds.
“The spinmeisters are out in force today,” Jamie said.
“Give me that.”Katie swiped his tablet out of his hand before he could protest and deftly began sorting through the articles.“Did you set your notifications foreverything?”
“No?”
Katie gave him a look that plainly said she didn’t believe him.Jamie wisely didn’t say anything.
He and Katie were ensconced in an office located past restricted-access security in the Pentagon.The DOD had required his presence for today, and the MDF had sent along both of them.Jamie turned his attention to the flat-screen where the DOD’s press room was in full view.No one was at the podium yet, but the press conference was scheduled to start in a few minutes.He had several other media streams going in embedded windows, all of the talking heads in hot discussion over the London terror attack and how it was linked to a Republican candidate.
Katie tapped him on the shoulder with his tablet, gaining his attention.“Here.Consolidated by keywords and only retrieving from validated news sources.”
“Thanks.”
Katie tucked a stray strand of blonde hair behind her ear.Like Jamie, she was in her old Marine service uniform in keeping with their cover, her jacket and pants crisply ironed, medals and ribbons perfectly placed, peaked cap tucked under one arm.She eyed him critically before reaching out to adjust one of his ribbon bars ever so slightly.
