After he ended the call, Jared was about to call his FBI contact when he heard Sugar singing a lullaby. He put down the cell phone and quietly got up. Nothing was more precious to him than the sight of his tough and sexy wife holding baby Vi to her breast and crooning her to sleep. He went to the small room next door and stood at the doorway, devouring the scene.
“You don’t know what you do to me when you sit there naked with our babe like this,” he said, hoarsely. “It’s a good ache inside.”
Sugar looked up, a sweet smile on her lips. “You just wait until we wear matching leather outfits.” She hummed a few more lines. “She’ll be our warrior princess in no time.”
Oh yeah. His baby girl was going to be like mama.
“If you have to go get Rookie out of hot water, you have my permission to leave our love nest,” Sugar said, getting up from the chair. Laying Violet gently down in her bed, she continued, “I don’t think Vi is ready to handle bad guys yet, although I’m sure she’d enjoy being strapped on my back.”
Jared smiled at the ridiculous image of Sugar in her black—with Violet on her back in pink—leather, chasing after crime lords, guns a-blazing. The scary thing was, he could see it happening because his wife was a warrior through and through. He’d probably have a heart attack.
He walked over to Sugar and put an arm over her shoulder. She sighed and tucked her head against him as they stood looking down at Violet.
“I’m only doing it so you can win your bet,” he told her softly.
“You’re the best husband,” Sugar said.
* * *
Okay, his worry just increased tenfold. Walker looked at Nadine closely. She had gone quieter since stopping at the convenience store an hour ago and now she was positively sheet white. Her hand, holding the half-eaten snack the Russian gave her, trembled. Her eyes were dilated when she stared up at him.
“What’s wrong?” he asked quietly.
“I don’t feel sooooo well, Honey Bbbbun B...Bun,” she replied, her voice thready. “Cold. So cold.”
He reached out and touched her forehead. “You’re running a fever,” he said. She leaned into him and he could see she was having trouble sitting up. “Hey, what did you guys give her? Did you drug her?”
The Russian turned around, frowning down at Nadine’s slumped body. “Nothing. She was fine just now.”
“What is that you gave her to eat?” Walker asked.
“I want to barf it all out,” Nadine suddenly announced.
She started gagging. Walker looked around and found nothing.
“Paper bag? Napkin? Anything!” he barked. “Do something!”
Their kidnappers started talking at once.
“Stop the car!”
“What the hell is wrong with her?”
“Stop the fucking car! We can’t have her puking in here!”
The driver pulled the car to the side of the road. Walker opened the door and helped Nadine out. She stumbled to the bushes nearby and doubled over. The retching noises she made were stomach-churning and one of the Russians started gagging in reflex. The one with the short beard leaned against the car, keeping an eye on them. Walker turned to him.
“Did you drug her?” He repeated the question.
“No, why would we?” The man looked at the half-eaten snack on the ground. “Maybe bad food.”
Walker gazed down. Could be, but that was a mighty fast reaction. She had just taken a few bites. He took the water bottle from the seat and gestured for permission to go to Nadine. The Russian nodded.
“Nadine,” he said, when he reached her. “How are you feeling?”
Bent over, she gagged in reply and moaned.
Walker squatted down, ignoring the acrid smell of vomit. “Want some water?”
