Chapter Thirteen #2
“No worries. I’m much better, and she’s dealing with something for work right now.”
“Oh, um, I don’t know what to do.”
She sounded as if she were about to break down.
“What’s wrong, Chris?”
“Tommy… he, he’s asleep, really asleep, for the first time since AJ was killed.
I took his phone out of the room so he wouldn’t be disturbed.
I got out of the shower and noticed that he’d missed a recall to work.
He’s going to be furious, especially with Sam suspended, but I can’t bring myself to wake him.
He needs the sleep so badly.” Her voice caught on a sob.
“I’ll tell Sam, and she’ll smooth it with the brass. She’s working the case, so let him sleep.”
“Thank you,” she said softly, her sobs echoing through the phone.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m trying to be. It’s been rough. Really, really rough.”
“What can I do for you? Name it. Anything.”
“You’re sweet to offer, but I’ve talked him into counseling. I’m pinning all my hopes on that. We have an appointment tomorrow with Trulo.”
“That’s a good first step. He helped Sam a lot after what happened with Stahl. I don’t know that she would’ve found her way back to work without Trulo.”
“I’m worried about him, Nick. He’s wrecked.”
“It’s going to take some time, but he’ll get through it. He’s tough.”
“Usually, yes, but this… I’ve never seen him like this.”
“If you need us, you know where we are. Always.”
She blew out a deep breath. “Thank you.”
“Do you need some company? I could come sit with you or help with Alex or something.”
“You can’t come over the way you used to, but it’s nice of you to offer.”
“I can come, and I will if it would help.”
“I thought you were on lockdown with the flu.”
“I am, but I know how to escape if need be.”
She laughed. “I love you for offering, but you stay home and get better. I’ll be okay.”
“Call me tomorrow? Let me know how you guys are doing?”
“I will. Thanks again, Nick. Tell Sam to call me if she needs to.”
“You got it.”
Sam came into the kitchen as Nick was ending the call with Christina. “We’re trying to relocate Josh. I wanted you to know.”
“That was Christina. She said Tommy was sleeping for the first time since AJ died—and she took his phone out of the bedroom. That’s why he missed the recall. She was freaking out that she might’ve done the wrong thing.”
“No, she didn’t,” Sam said with a sigh. “It’s good that he’s sleeping. I’ll let Malone know.”
“Can I tell her it’s okay?”
“Yeah, do that.”
He fired off a quick text to Christina, conveying Sam’s message.
She wrote right back. Thank you both. xo
“She also said she’s talked Gonzo into seeing Trulo. They have an appointment tomorrow.”
“That’s good news. Let’s hope it helps.”
Nick put his arm around her and kissed her temple. “What’s up with the case?”
“We’re figuring that out now.” She looked up at him. “How’re you feeling?”
“Totally fine.”
“That’s not possible. You were in the hospital yesterday.”
Tipping her chin up, he kissed her. “I. Am. Totally. Fine.” Raising his brows, he added, “And ready to get back to normal around here.”
She smiled. “Message received. Let me see what’s what out there.”
“Could I say something you might not want to hear?”
“Um, I guess?”
“You’re suspended. That means technically, this case isn’t your problem.”
“Technically, you’re right, but I’m invested, and I want to help, especially with Gonzo out for who knows how long.”
“I understand, but I need my wife. You cleared my schedule for the next few days. You’re suspended. You know what this means, right?”
“Ummm—”
“It means you’re mine. All mine. For days.”
“I thought that was our plan for later this month when we go to Bora Bora.”
“So you’re saying no to unexpected bonus days?”
“Definitely not saying no. I’m saying let me figure out a few things and get back to you.”
“You know where to find me.”
“Yes, I do.” She patted his face and kissed him. “Go to bed. You need your rest.”
“That’s not what I need.”
“I’m going to have to dial it back in year two if this is how you’re going to behave when you hear the word no.”
“You’re not dialing back anything. We’re perfect exactly the way we are.”
Smiling up at him, she said, “You’ve got to let go so I can get rid of the people in our living room.”
He dropped the arm he had around her. “Make it snappy,” he said punctuating his words with a light slap to her ass that had her looking over her shoulder at him, eyes ablaze.
God, he loved when she looked at him that way.
Yes, he knew he was being pushy and maybe a little obnoxious, but they were always so insanely busy.
They had to take full advantage of every chance they got to spend time together.
He watched her go through the kitchen door and caught the way Hill’s gaze immediately shifted to her when she entered the room.
Nick wanted to poke the guy’s eyes out of his head so he’d stop looking at her that way.
Until Sam had come back into his life, Nick would’ve said he didn’t have a jealous bone in his body.
But Hill’s obvious attraction to Sam made Nick crazy, and it infuriated him on Shelby’s behalf.
What right did Hill have to look at Sam the way he did when he had an amazing woman like Shelby waiting for him at home?
Nick was well aware that none of these thoughts were particularly dignified or vice presidential, but when his precious wife was involved, dignity was the least of his concerns. Resigned to waiting for her, he left the kitchen and went into the living room.
“Mr. Vice President,” Malone said with a cheeky grin, knowing how much Nick hated to be called that in his own home. “Nice to see you up and about. You had us worried.”
Nick shook hands with Sam’s captain and chief, pointedly ignoring the third man in the room. “Thanks for the concern.”
“You’re feeling better?” Farnsworth asked.
“Much,” he said, sending a meaningful glance to Sam.
“Sorry to overtake your home,” Farnsworth said. “We’ll be out of your hair shortly.”
“Take your time.” Nick kissed his wife’s cheek. “You know where to find me when you’re done.”
The glower she directed his way nearly made him laugh out loud, knowing how much she despised overt displays of affection in front of other people, especially other people who happened to be her bosses.
Fuck it. What did he care if they saw how much he loved her?
He had no desire to hide that from anyone, least of all the FBI agent who had taken an interest in his phone the minute Nick came into the room.
Nick would pay for that kiss later. He couldn’t wait.