Page 207 of State of Suspense

Nick came out of the kitchen, holding a glass containing amber-colored liquid. “We left the good bourbon Graham gave me last year.”

“Thankfully, bourbon keeps.”

“Indeed, because I needed a drink before this. You?”

Sam followed him into the kitchen, which sealed them off from the room full of agents. “I wouldn’t say no to that. What else is there?”

“I saw some vodka and gin.” He put his drink on the counter and turned to her. “But first things first.” With his hands framing her face, he kissed her. “Hi.”

“Hi there.” She hated how exhausted he looked and hoped he’d feel better when this nasty detail had been seen to. That might be too much to hope for, however, with Juan still missing.

“Thanks for coming.”

“No problem.”

He laughed. “Don’t lie to my face.”

“I love your face. That’s why I’m here.”

He ran his hands over her, as if looking for something. “No rusty steak knives?”

“What do you take me for?”

“I take you for my fierce, fabulous, sexy wife who’d happily stab my mother through the heart to protect me.”

“I’d go for the eye. It would upset her more to be ugly than dead.”

He tossed his head back and laughed as hard as he had in a while. “My God, I love you.”

Sam wrapped her arms around him and held on tight. “I love you more, and you have the T-shirt to prove it.”

“I’d never be able to do any of this shit without you. I hope you know that.”

“I do, and likewise, my love. This makes all things possible.”

“Yes, it does.”

“Promise me we’ll get up and leave if this is all about the usual bullshit.”

“Give me a signal.”

“If I squeeze your hand three times, we’re out.”

“That means I get to hold your hand the whole time.”

“Duh.”

“Derek did some digging on Collins, but couldn’t find anything that might tell us what this meeting is about.”

“Freddie did, too, with the same result.”

“I hate going into something like this blind.”

“You’re not blind. You know exactly who and what you’re dealing with when it comes to her.”

“True.” He kissed her again and leaned his forehead on hers. “I know you think I’m crazy for taking this meeting?—”

She kissed him. “I get it. I don’t like it. But I get it. Now, about that drink…”

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