“Another day, another nightmare at the hands of x. What the hell is x even trying to prove?”
Nick laughed and hugged his son a little tighter.
That’s where Sam found them when she came into the office.
“Wow, you’re home early, Mom.” Still standing next to Nick, he glanced toward his father. “Wait, did you make her come home?”
“I asked very politely,” Nick said with a smile for his wife. He was always thrilled to see her, but more so after her life had been in danger. That happened far more often than it should. It stopped his heart to think about all the many ways he could lose her, even with her devoted detail by her side.
“Was he polite, Mom?”
“Ish. The tone could use some improvement, and we’re going to have a conversation about the word ‘nonnegotiable.’”
Scotty laughed. “You two are funny.”
“Sir,” Brant said from the door. “We’ve gotten the all clear. I’ll have the twins delivered to Mrs. Holland in the residence immediately.”
“Well, that’s a relief. No bunker for us.” Nick nudged his son. “Get out of my way so I can hug my woman.”
“Ew, I’m outta here.”
“Homework before anything else,” Nick said.
“There’s that tone again.”
“That was it exactly,” Sam said as she hugged Scotty.
“We’re in this together, Mama.”
“Thank goodness for that.”
“I can hear you two,” Nick said. “Standing right here.”
Scotty grinned at her, kissed her cheek and said, “Catch ya later, parentals.”
Chapter Eighteen
After Scotty left the office, Sam snuggled into Nick’s embrace. “How is it that the time with him is always the highlight of my whole damned day?”
“Likewise. He’s the best thing ever.”
“He sure is.”
Nick tightened his hold on her. “Nearly had a heart attack when I heard HQ had been bombed.”
“Nearly had one myself when it happened.”
“How close were you?”
“Not that close. I was by the morgue when it went off in the lobby. My ears are still ringing. I’m worried about Joe. He was covered in blood when they rolled him out. And Jeannie… She says she’s okay, but the baby is due soon, and four people are dead…”
“It’s horrifying.”
“They took Sergei’s body and Amara, the young woman who brought us a new case today. I know you want me here, safe and coddled, but I need to be there, Nick. I owe that young woman my best after she specifically asked for me… I have to find her.”
“They found abandoned backpacks at two post offices and outside the Treasury Department, but they were empty. We think they were put there to make this look like a wider attack.”
“Our communications were knocked out. No cell service.” Sam’s mind raced as she added this new information to what she already knew. “Why would they go to such extremes—and risk starting a war—to steal the body of a man who caused them nothing but trouble?”
