12
Victor
While his security team kept hungry reporters at bay, Victor helped Taylor into the SUV and slid in beside her. Thankfully, she was doing well. The bullet didn’t hit any major organs. Through and through meant no surgery and her unborn child had been protected by body armor.
Victor glanced over at Taylor. She didn’t seem to be in much pain. He was relieved that she was physically intact. However, her mental state was another story.
“Sweetheart, would you like to recover in Springfield? We could spend some time at the Governor’s Mansion.”
Taylor only shook her head. She was visibly shaken and hadn’t spoken a word since she was released from the hospital. Victor didn’t know how to help, so he reached over and covered her hand with his and held it until they reached their Chicago home.
Soon, they were pulling to the curb. Victor waited as his security detail, mixed with the state police, created a path to the entrance of Storm Tower. When Gregor opened the door, Victor climbed out and reached for Taylor. She placed her hand in his and stepped out of the SUV. When he noticed that she was shaking, he was enraged. He wanted to tear down the world for making his wife feel unsafe in it.
Reporters shouted questions as he shielded her along the path. Focused solely on Taylor, he ignored the chorus of stupid inquisitions. When they finally reached the door, one question captured his attention.
“Governor Creed, how do you feel about the Illinois Attorney General’s investigation into your connection to the mafia?”
Victor turned and glared at the reporter. It was Brent Trainer, the bitter reporter Taylor had rejected the night of the State Dinner, where they met for the first time. The motherfucker obviously had a bug up his ass for him, but he was a flea in the world of things important. Taylor would always be Victor’s first concern. He would get her to the safety of their home and deal with the media maggot at a later time.
Gregor led them across the lobby and into an open elevator. Victor watched Taylor closely as they ascended. She still hadn’t said a word, hadn’t even looked him in the eye. It was clear she needed time. How much time, he didn’t know.
When the elevator doors separated, Kena’s angry face was the first thing he saw. Second was his worried-looking brother. They stepped back, giving them room to exit. As soon as Taylor stepped out of the elevator, Lincoln wrapped his arms around her. She seemed so small when she pressed her face to his chest.
“How are you feeling, sis?”
“I’m okay,” she responded in a weak whisper.
Lincoln took a step back and looked up at Victor with an expression filled with apprehension. Victor frowned. Normally fierce and powerful, it pained his soul to see his wife that way.
Victor pressed his hand to the small of Taylor’s back. “Are you tired, sweetheart?”
“Yes,” she replied softly. “I’m gonna go lie down.”
“Okay. I’ll take—”
“No,” she interrupted, placing her hand on his shoulder. “Visit with your brother.”
“Babe?”
“Victor,” she said through a breath. “I’m fine. I know where the bed is.”
She didn’t have to raise her voice for Victor to know better than to argue. He simply nodded and gestured toward their apartment door.
Victor stared at her back as she walked away. He’d never felt so helpless. When she entered the apartment, Lincoln whispered, “Damn.”
Victor’s dropped his head. “Yeah, witnessing her commander’s death hit her hard. I don’t know how to make it better.”
“Trust me, bro. There are some things you can’tunsee. And, I know it sounds cliché, but healing truly does come with time.”
After fighting in two wars and participating in countless military operations, Victor was hopeful that Lincoln knew what he was talking about. So, he nodded and turned to Kena.
“What’s up?”
“Renee and Vince Hart are waiting in your office.”
Victor closed his eyes and exhaled. His publicist and personal attorney in the same room could not mean good news. And when he opened his eyes and noticed Kena’s expression, he expected that all hell had broken loose.
Grunting his frustration, Victor entered his apartment and headed to his office. When he entered with Lincoln, Vince and Renee were seated at the small conference table.
