Chapter Twenty-Seven
X-rays showed no broken bones, to Sam’s great relief. Her relief was short-lived, however, when the doctor started cleaning the wounds on her legs. She wanted to scream from the pain. “Are you using fucking battery acid or does it only feel like that?”
“Hang in there,” Anderson said. “We’re almost done.”
Sam clung to Nick’s hand while the cleaning seemed to go on forever.
“Good news,” Anderson finally declared. “No stitches required.”
By then, Sam was sweating and breathing hard and nauseated from the pain.
“I’ll write a script for some pain meds.”
“Don’t bother,” Sam said through gritted teeth. “I’ve got some left over from my last visit.”
“All right then. You’re going to want to keep those wounds clean and dry for the next few days. Change the dressing once a day or more if needed. Do you still have antibiotic ointment?”
“Yes.”
“Use that on them twice a day, and make sure you get your frequent-flier card punched on the way out. You must be due for a free visit by now.”
“Hardy-har-har.”
“That joke never gets old. By the way, I saw what you did on the TV in the doctors’ lounge,” Anderson said. “That was some badass shit. I’m glad you got the guy who killed your detective. I knew him a little bit from seeing him around here, and he was a good guy.”
“Yes, he was.”
He handed her his card. “Call me if it gets swollen or starts to look infected. Okay?”
“I will. Thanks.”
Anderson shook hands with Nick. “Mr. Vice President, I feel a little more hopeful for the state of our union with you in office. Don’t let us down.”
“I’ll do what I can. Thanks for taking care of Sam.”
“I’d say it’s my pleasure, but…”
Nick laughed. “She’s not the best patient.”
“No, but she’s a damned good cop, and we’re lucky to have her on our side. You all take care.”
Left alone in the exam room with Nick, Sam took a minute to catch her breath following the painful treatment.
After four miscarriages, invasive infertility treatments and a litany of injuries, she ought to be used to pain by now, but doctors and needles and the smell of hospitals always made her sick.
“You ready to get out of here, babe?”
“Yeah.” She sat up, slowly and painfully. The old gray mare was definitely not what she used to be back in the days when she could tackle a perp and go dancing the same night.
Nick helped her into her clothes, forgoing the hose that he had trashed.
“Do I look hideous?” she asked, thinking of the room full of people who had recognized them on the way in.
“You’re not capable of looking hideous.” He straightened her hair and dabbed at the space under her eyes with a tissue. “There.”
“I want to say one thing.”
“What one thing do you want to say?”
“I’m really, really glad we got Androzzi, but I’m really, really sorry it interrupted your big day.”
“I’m glad you got him, too, and I don’t give a shit about the interruption of the big day. Today was already a great day because I got to spend all of it with you. The part that upset me was you taking yet another crazy chance with your own safety.”
“I know, and I’m sorry, but—”
He laid a finger over her lips to stop her. “No apologies. I’m already over it. You’re fine, so I’m fine.” Kissing her softly, he said, “Let’s get out of here.”
“I want to go to the parade.”
“You’re going home.”
“No, really! I’m fine. I want to go to the parade.”
“And I want to take you home to get some rest so you can dazzle me at that ball tonight.”
“Scotty wants to go to the parade.”
“I’ll take him after we get you settled at home.”
She started to argue again but a wave of nausea had her thinking better of it. “Okay, take me home then.”
Hours later, Sam stood before the full-length mirror in her bedroom, taking a critical look at herself the midnight blue gown that clung to every one of her considerable curves. “It’s too sexy,” she declared.
“It is not,” her sister Tracy said. “It’s perfect on you.”
“I agree,” Angela said from her perch on the bed. “It’s sexy but classy. Like you.”
“Right. I’m one classy broad, jumping barriers and tackling murderers when I’m supposed to be walking with my husband like a dignified lady.”
Brooke, who was stretched out on the bed next to Angela, giggled. “Everyone in the world is talking about that tackle tonight.”
“Great,” Sam said. It was wonderful to hear Brooke giggling like the girl she was once again.
For a while after her harrowing night in the Springers’ basement, they’d had reason to wonder if she’d ever be the same as she’d been before.
“It might be too sexy, but it’s the best I can do.
” She fingered the key necklace that rested right above her cleavage.
The bracelet Nick had given her earlier was on her wrist and the stylist had returned to wrestle Sam’s hair into a sexy updo.
“Knock, knock,” Nick said as he came into the room, stopping to take a good long look at her in the dress he hadn’t yet seen. “Wow.”
“I could say the same for you, Mr. Vice President.” She would never, ever get used to how incredibly sexy he looked in a tuxedo. Tonight he wore a white tie and vest under the black suit.
“I’d say that’s our cue to get the heck out of here,” Tracy said. “You guys look amazing. No wonder the whole country is captivated by you.” She kissed Sam’s cheek and then did the same to Nick on her way out. “Have a great time.”
“Thanks for keeping me company, ladies,” Sam said as she hugged and kissed Angela and Brooke.
When they were alone, Nick came over to her and took a much closer look at the neckline that seemed to plunge more deeply than it had at the fitting. She’d have to tell Marcus to cover up the girls a little better next time.
“Look at my gorgeous, sexy wife,” Nick said as he planted a kiss on the top of each breast. “You sure you feel up to this tonight?”
She felt like hell. Her entire body hurt and her knees were on fire, but she was going to get through that one dance they’d agreed upon even if it killed her. And then she would come home and collapse. “I’m sure,” she said, fussing with the white bow tie that was perfectly tied.
He offered her his arm. “Then let’s get going.”
Downstairs, Sam was surprised to see Shelby waiting with Scotty to see them off.
“What’re you doing here, Tinker Bell?”
“I came to keep my buddy Scotty company while Mom and Dad are off to the balls, and I wanted to see you guys before you left. You look beautiful. Both of you.” She dabbed at her eyes. “Damned hormones.”
“You’re still feeling better, then?” Sam asked
“Yes, thank goodness.”
“That’s good,” Sam said.
Nick helped her into her coat and then she went to hug Scotty. “Have fun with Shelby.”
“We always have fun.”
“We aren’t going to be gone long,” Nick said.
“Take your time,” Shelby said. “Avery is still working, so I’ve got nothing else to do but get my butt kicked in Call of Duty.”
“She stinks,” Scotty said bluntly.
“You’d better watch your mouth, my friend. I’ve been practicing.”
“Uh-oh,” Scotty said with pretend fear. “Let’s go see what you’ve got. See you guys later.”
“I’m a terrible mother because the nanny plays Call of Duty with him, and I don’t even know what that is,” Sam said while they waited for the Secret Service to give them the signal to go.
“You’re not a terrible mother. You gave him a story today that he’ll tell for the rest of his life.”
“About the time his oh-so-ladylike mother tackled a murderer during the inaugural parade.”
“Yep, that’s the one. He loves you the way you are. He told me the other day that he hoped you went back to work soon because that’s where you’re the happiest.”
“I’m happiest with you guys.”
“He knows that, babe, but he also knows you love your work. You’re setting a great example for him in so many ways.”
“No, you are. I’m giving him stories. Lots and lots of stories.”
“You’ve also given him something he hasn’t had since he was six—a mom and a real home.”
Sam looked up at him. “Will you teach me how to play Call of Duty?”
Smiling, he said, “Sure thing. Whatever you want.”
They were in the car when Lilia called. “What’s up?” Sam asked.
“It’s a world gone mad. We’ve been overrun with media requests since your heroic feat today. Everyone—and I do mean everyone—wants you.”
Nick tipped his chin in inquiry.
“Everyone wants me,” Sam said. “Interviews.”
“Ah, well, let’s do one.”
“Pick your favorite,” Sam said to Lilia, “and set it up for next week.”
“You’re going to make someone’s career with this one.”
“In that case, let’s make it someone young and hungry,” Sam said.
“I’ll do that. And by the way, Sam, that was some kind of awesome today. We’re all so proud of you.”
“Aww, stop. My head is swelling and my husband would tell you it’s already gigantic.”
Lilia laughed. “With good reason. Have a wonderful time tonight. I can’t wait to see the photos.”
“Talk soon.” To Nick, she said, “She’s a lot cooler than she sounded that first day on the phone when she was all stuffy and official.” Sam frowned. “I hate stuffy, official people.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“How in the world did this happen to us?”
“What?”
“This. What we’re doing today, tonight. You’re, like, really the vice president.”
“You’re just getting that memo?”
“It sort of finally and completely registered with me today when we were up on that stage in front of the entire world.”
“If that doesn’t bring it home, I’m not sure what will.”
“I’m so crazy proud of you. I hope you know that.”
“I do know, but it’s nice to hear anyway.”
Sam leaned over to kiss him and then wiped the lipstick from his lips. “Thanks for understanding why I need to keep the festivities to a minimum tonight.”
“I totally understand and everyone else will, too.”
Outside the Washington Convention Center, they encountered another massive crowd of people hoping for a glimpse at the president and vice president. The crowd went wild when Nick and Sam emerged from the limo.
He leaned in close to her and said, “That’s more for you than for me tonight, babe.”
“It’s for both of us.”