Emily raced out the front door but hesitated when Gil climbed from the car with a finger to his lips. “Are you okay?” Emily scanned him from head to toe, concern, worry, and love radiating from her.
“I’m fine.” Gil pulled Emily into a quick embrace. “Thanks for coming.”
“Wild horses couldn’t have kept me away.” Emily bent to look in the car, then turned wondering eyes to Gil. “She’s really here.”
“I know.” Gil swallowed hard. “Not the way I would have ever imagined this reunion.”
“Me neither. Let’s get her inside. Then you can tell me what happened.”
“Em—”
“The short version. I’ll wait until morning for the long version.”
“Generous of you.” Gil walked around the car and opened Ivy’s door. She didn’t flinch. He didn’t want to risk bumping her hand or shoulder, so he reached for her knee. “Buttercup?”
Ivy blinked, then jolted upright.
“Ivy, you’re safe. You’re with me. Emily’s here. Let’s get you inside.”
Ivy’s eyes drifted past him, and she spoke in an emotion-laced whisper. “Emily.”
“Ivy,” Emily whispered back.
Emily turned to him. “Get her out of the car and into the house. She needs sleep.”
Ten minutes later, after a quick tour of the house, Ivy disappeared behind Gil’s bedroom door with Emily to change into pajamas and settle in for the night. For the first time in too many hours, Gil closed his eyes and drew in a deep breath. His phone buzzed, and he pulled it from his pocket with a groan.
Gil, you home yet?
The text was from his fellow agent Luke Powell, on a group text.
He typed out a quick response.
Yes. Need something? If not, I’m crashing.
The response wasn’t from Luke, but from Zane.
How’s Dr. Collins? How bad was Morris?
Before Gil could respond, another message—this time from Faith Malone, Gil’s favorite FBI agent who also happened to be Luke’s fiancée.
I’m off this weekend if she needs protection. Tess will help too. We can be unobtrusive.
Then Tessa Reed, the only female Secret Service agent in their office, chimed in.
Is Emily there?
Gil kept typing.
Ivy has two broken fingers and some nasty burns on her thumb and right shoulder. Minor facial cuts. Em is helping her get settled. They gave her some strong pain meds, and she took them. Hopefully they’ll help her sleep. Morris started out as a jerk, but she won him over. He offered to let me come with when he interviews the assailant in the morning at 10. Definitely want some protection for Ivy and Em while I’m gone tomorrow. No other details. We didn’t get that far tonight. Going to let her sleep, and then we’ll come up with a plan tomorrow. Thanks, y’all.
A flurry of “okays” filled his screen. But then another text came through from Luke, this time on a loop that included Zane and Luke only.
Seriously. You okay, man? We could come hang out if you need to decompress. Zane told us what happened. Intense.
Then from Zane.
How secure are you there?
