CHAPTER FIVE
PRESSURE POINTS
The morning sun streaked across their bed as Joshua drifted awake, a tightness already coiled in his chest. Still half-asleep, he glanced up and saw Colin winding a tie around his neck. The sight jolted him fully awake.
“Colin? What the hell! Why are you dressing for court? Esther told you to stay home. I—I mean, stay here.”
Colin let out a slow breath and sat beside him, taking Joshua’s hand. “I have to go in, Josh. I can’t let them think they can scare me off. I’ve got a case before Judge Robinson today, and I’m not asking for a continuance—not on a child abuse case.”
Joshua blinked up at him, tears stinging his eyes. “God,” he whispered, voice tight. “I’m so proud of you.”
Colin bent and kissed him. “I won’t be gone all day. In fact, after this case, I’ll probably head straight back. I want them to see me at my post. I want them to see me standing up.”
Joshua nodded with a small smile. “Now I feel guilty about not going to work.”
Colin shook his head. “Nah. You stay and finish unpacking.” He squeezed Joshua’s hand. “And Josh? Don’t go out unless Emily’s with you, OK?”
“She’s here?”
“She’s at their duty station,” Colin told him. “She’ll be there all day unless you decide to go somewhere.” He pressed his lips together and bent over Joshua; one hand braced on the pillow, the other lifted to cradle Joshua’s cheek. “But please do your poor, frazzled husband a favor and stay put today. Give me one less thing to worry about. OK?”
Joshua laughed. “Go to work. I promise I’m not going anywhere. Emily will have an easy day.” He grinned up at Colin and winked. “I hope she brought a book.”
Colin pressed a final kiss to Joshua’s lips, grabbed his briefcase, and paused to glance out the window. “If I weren’t under guard, I’d walk to work. I can almost see city hall from here.”
“But youareunder guard!” Joshua called, clambering out of bed. “And get away from that damned window!”
Colin laughed, looping an arm around Joshua’s neck as they walked to the door. “Those windows are bulletproof. That’s half the reason we’re here.” He kissed Joshua’s cheek.
“You smell good,” Joshua murmured against his shoulder.
“Lucky you.”
“Well, if you were staying here, I’d say, ‘Yeah, lucky me’. But since you’re not…” He looked up at Colin and mugged comically.
“Well, I’ll save up all my mojo for when I get home.” He nuzzled against Joshua’s hair. “See you in a few hours.”
Joshua nodded, but as Colin reached for the door, Joshua caught his arm, pressing his forehead to Colin’s shoulder.
Colin tipped his head to meet Joshua’s eyes. “Hey…”
“I’m OK,” Joshua whispered. “Go to work.”
Colin tried for a reassuring smile. “I’m surrounded by bodyguards, love. What could happen?”
Joshua managed a wry smile. “You really want me to answer that? Just… come home safe.”
Colin strode toward the elevator, flanked by Sarah Mitchell and Daniel Lopez, while Joshua stood gazing after them. He drew in a deep breath, trying to quiet the furious beating of his heart, then turned to Emily Hayes, who was seated at the tiny duty station. “Emily, I’m not going to work today, so you can relax.”
“OK. I’ll be right here, Josh. If you decide to go anywhere, please give me a few minutes’ notice so I can call for the SUV.”
Joshua nodded, then turned and closed the door.
At the Charlottesville Commonwealth’sAttorney’s Office, Colin paused in front of Norman Clayton’s office. “Morning.”
“What the hell are you doing here? Didn’t Esther tell you to stay home?”
“I have court. And I won’t let those bastards believe they can intimidate me into not doing my job. I’ll go home when I’m done.” He shot Clayton a glance. “I’m interrogating the neighbor in the Blaire child abuse case this morning. I won’t ask for a continuance. Not onthatcase.”
