Chapter 12
CHAPTER 12
A nna reached over and laid her hand on her husband’s. “What are you thinking about so hard?” They were driving through the streets of London. She loved the city, and her husband indulged her whenever they visited. The security team knew the route and was already set up.
David Xavier blinked and turned to her. “Sorry, I was just lost in my thoughts. Worried about Deacon and Ronan’s training.”
“Joseph and Jacob said they were doing fantastic.” Anna patted his thigh. “You just need something to worry about.”
“Probably,” he admitted. The driver pulled over at the Tate Gallery, and they got out. “It’s a gorgeous day.” She took a deep breath of air. “I love this city.”
He put his arm around her waist, and they started to stroll. “I know you do. We should visit more often.”
“Maybe now that things have settled down a bit.” She nodded. “The last time we were here was right after the Siege.”
He made a sound of agreement. “A lot has changed since then.” He looked up at the sky. “And a lot has stayed the same. There are always those who try to hurt the innocents.”
“Always.” She leaned into him a bit. “That’s why our children work so hard.”
“They shouldn’t. You’d think after all these years we would have made a dent in the horror this world holds.”
“You have. How many thousands of people would be dead or dying if you hadn’t formed the company? If you hadn’t joined the Council? How many deaths would have tallied around the world if your people hadn’t been sent into harm’s way?”
He glanced over at her. “You’re still my rock and sanity. I love you.” He stopped and cupped her face in his hands. “You amaze me, Anna. Every day with you is a gift.”
She stood on her toes, and he kissed her passionately. He lifted away, and his eyes were darkened with lust. “Can we cut the walk short and go home?”
She laughed at him and adjusted his suit jacket. “Let’s just go past the palace. They can pick us up at the Mall.”
“Deal.” He wrapped her hand through his arm and kept his hand over hers.
She loved this city. “Gabby is supposed to be here.”
He sighed. “She is. I don’t understand her.”
“You never have, and I think that’s because she’s so much like you.”
His brow creased. “What do you mean?”
“She’s outraged by what happens in the world. She can’t form a security company, but she can participate in taking down monsters.”
“She doesn’t have to do it.”
“Neither did you.”
“How could I not?” He turned and looked at her.
She smiled up at him. “How could she not?”
He sighed. “I want her to find a good man and raise a family. Charley …” He sighed. “She’s more settled than I ever believed. Smoke is a good man. He keeps her as centered as anyone could.”
“Did that hurt?” She smiled at her husband.
“No. He is a good man.” They started walking again. “The boys … They’ve always wanted to work for the company. Sooner or later, I see them taking over for the Kings. Probably later, which is all right by me.”
“They’re getting their own teams?”
He nodded. “I gave them the option of working together or separately. Without missing a beat, they both said they want to prove themselves alone without the support of each other.” Those were her sons. They were fiercely independent, but they’d be there for each other until they took their last breath.
They walked along the Westminster Cathedral. She’d researched the Neo-Byzantine architecture. The structure was simply beautiful. Her husband paused while she stared at the exterior of the church, then continued, “They’ll start as team members. I can’t put rookies in charge of a team.”
“That’s understandable. They’re seasoned from the military, but not in this particular aspect.” She sighed and listened to some distant church bell toll. There wasn’t a horde of tourists rushing toward Buckingham Palace because the changing of the Guards was over. When the tourists had scurried on about their tours was the best time to walk the area. She glanced across the street and watched as one of their security detail moved along the route with them. “I told Gabby we’d be here and asked if we could get together for a little bit.”
David nodded. “From the last briefing I had, she’ll have time. But don’t tell her I said that.” He widened his eyes at her. “I don’t want to be accused of trying to run her life … again.”
Anna chuckled. “I won’t.” They walked past the side of the palace, then stopped at the corner. Anna took in Queen Victoria’s monument and the multitude of flowers in the garden surrounding it. “The history here.” She sighed and gazed at the ancient architecture that melded seamlessly with the grounds and the Mall beyond. She felt her husband tense. “What is it?”
She’d learned not to react but to continue to act normally.
“Across the street, is that Gabby?”
Anna’s head snapped in the direction David suggested. “Where?” She searched for her daughter.
“With the man in the black T-shirt.” They started walking, keeping to their side of the street. Anna finally saw who he was talking about. The man was dancing with a woman. Her hair was up in a ponytail, and she wore jeans, trainers, and a pink T-shirt.
“She wouldn’t wear jeans …” Just then, the man twirled the woman, and Gabby’s laughter was unmistakable. Whoever she was with was a big man, not fat, definitely not, but Guardian-sized. She looked up at David. “It is her.”
“Who’s she with?” He tapped his ear and told his security detail to get a picture of the man without letting them know they were being photographed. He then told them to run the photograph for identification of the man.
“I don’t know, and we probably should go. She’s having fun, David. Let’s not ruin it for her.”
He shook his head. “She won’t know we’re here.” He slowed his walk, and they watched as the man ran forward, spun, and held out his camera. Gabby struck a pose, and they both laughed as she ran toward him. He caught her and swung her around. Gabby jumped on his back and held on as he galloped like a horse. Their laughter rang down the length of the mall. She jumped down, and they held hands as they walked. Their conversation was animated as he pointed to things, walked backward to talk to her, and then spun around again, taking her hand in his.
David stopped and cocked his head. A slight smile spread across his lips. “Roger. Thank you.”
“Who is it?” she asked as they continued to stroll on the other side of the street.
“His name is Conner Solomon.” Her husband looked down at her and smiled. “He works for us, and his mom is Olivia Solomon.”
“Olivia? I thought she only had two boys. Rob and …” Anna tried to think of the other son’s name.
“Matt,” David supplied. “She has four total. Two of them, her younger sons, work for us. Conner and Brandon. Both are extremely smart computer specialists. Jewell recommended we bring them on after the Siege.” He smiled when Gabby skipped to keep up with Conner’s longer strides. Then he started walking faster, so Gabby had to run.
Anna chuckled. “They’re acting like kids.”
“They are kids.” David laughed quietly.
“No, they’re most definitely not. She’s a woman with her own mind,” Anna chided.
“Lord, you do not need to tell me that.” He chuckled as they crossed the street when Gabby and Conner made their way to Trafalgar Square. Conner scaled one of the statues and posed as Gabby took photos of him. He motioned to her, and she moved closer and gave him her hand. She scrambled up on top of the statue. David took out his phone and snapped a picture. “We should go.”
“Only if I can skip.” Anna looked up at him. With a laugh, he turned around, grabbed her hand, and purposefully walked faster. She skipped down the sidewalk. Anna laughed so hard she had to stop or end up tripping. Her heels weren’t that high, but high enough she’d crash without any grace. David’s arm went around her, and she tucked into his embrace. “I love you.” She sighed to the man she adored.
“And I love you.” He kissed the top of her head as they made their way to their car. She glanced back one last time and smiled when she saw Conner and Gabby kissing. You go, baby girl. You go.