Page 57 of Sinful Palace

“Not yet, but we’re still combing through social media sites. Hopefully we’ll find more soon.”

“Why would Dad leave us?” Jared blurted out. His head was turned to the big screen on the wall.

“I think he’s just lost, honey,” Mom said in a soothing tone. “He wouldn’t leave you.”

Maybe not, but he might sell you, I thought bitterly.

Before anyone could say anything else, the Secret Service agents at the door stepped aside to let Logan enter. He headed straight for my sofa and dropped down beside me, one hand resting on my shoulder. “Sorry it took so long to get here.”

“Not your fault,” I mumbled.

“You okay?”

I shook my head. “My dad’s gone missing,” I said. “We think he got lost in all the panic when our security details were trying to get us in the car.”

Logan looked over at Jamie. “I assume you tried tracking his phone.”

“Yes. We found it on the float. He must’ve accidentally dropped it.”

“Damn.” Logan turned back to me and rubbed my knee. “Today’s been crazy, huh?”

“I think horrifying is a more apt description than ‘crazy’,” Mom said, nose wrinkling as she stared over at us.

Logan gave her a tight smile. “Yes. I’m sorry, Madam President. I hope you’re okay.”

“I’m fine,” she said curtly. “Thank you for coming to get Willow.”

Jared spoke up. “Mom, can they stay here tonight?” he asked, eyes wide.

I looked at Logan, fully expecting him to say no. He nodded instead. “I think we could manage that,” he said.

I mouthed a silent ‘thank you’ at him as Jared clapped his hands together. “We can go to the bowling alley and have ice cream!” he said.

“No,” Mom said with a frown. “Sorry, honey, but I’m going to send you to stay at your aunt’s place in Alexandria for a few days.”

Jared’s shoulders sagged. “But I don’t want to do that.”

“I know, but I don’t want you in the middle of the city right now. It’s not safe. Besides, you love your aunt’s place. You’ll be able to play with all her dogs and cats.”

“Okay,” he replied, still looking dejected.

I squeezed his hand. “We’ll have a sleepover when you get back, okay?”

“Okay.”

Mom turned her attention to Logan again. “You might as well take Willow home now,” she said. “Someone can call you with updates.”

“Are you sure you wouldn’t rather have us stay here tonight?” he asked. “For safety reasons, I mean.”

“Honestly, at this point, I think you’re probably safer at your place. For all I know, these terrorists are going to drop more bodies on the White House in the middle of the night,” she said, nervously scraping one hand through her hair.

“Fair enough.”

Mom turned and snapped her fingers at the nearest Secret Service agent. “Go and find Malcolm Roberts and Adam Thayer, please,” she said. “My daughter is ready to go home, and they need to accompany her.”

Half an hour later, we were on the road, winding our way through all the blocked-off streets in D.C.

Logan glanced over at me in the car. “What was that thing you wanted to talk about?” he asked in a low voice.

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