Page 51 of Smoke and Shadows

“I want to hear this,” Derek said. “So is Marissa the reason you’re more agreeable these days?”

Viktor swore a blue streak just when Frances chose that moment to come up to the bar.

“Language, Mr. Baran,” Frances sniffed.

The expression on Viktor’s face was priceless—flummoxed at being reprimanded for cursing and unable to snap back at Jack’s mother without the entire house coming down on his head. His grin widened into a full-watt smile. Maybe it was worth inviting Viktor Baran after all.

“Dinner’s ready,” Frances announced to the small gathering.

“I wouldn’t act too pleased, McCord,” Viktor told him when Frances was out of earshot.

“Okay, that was cute.” Marissa hugged Viktor from behind. “I never thought I’d see the day you get shut down by a hundred pound woman.”

“I knew dinner was a bad idea,” Viktor said.

“Hey, don’t knock it until you’ve tried Grace’s cooking.” Maia came up to join the group. “And I’ll say this now, thatnone of you try and steal her because I’ll be coming after anyone who does.”

The tension dissipated. Everyone took their seats at the table.

Viktor wason good behavior all throughout dinner. At least, he seemed to have charmed his mother. Jack grasped his wife’s hand under the table. Maia’s eyes met his. God, he loved her. More than was probably healthy. But he wouldn’t have it any other way.

“Everything was delicious, Grace,” Maia said to their housekeeper, who was busy refilling coffee.

Jack was about to second his wife’s words when someone’s phone buzzed.

Marissa stood up and apologized to the table. Just when she was about to step away, another phone pinged, and then another—his phone. Soon, the whole room was buzzing.

Viktor was already on his smartphone, and by the looks on his face, something big was happening.

Jack caught his wife’s eyes again. Maia’s were filled with fire. His wife was in a fighting mood.

Jack answered his phone. “McCord.”

Viktor pulledin a few blocks before the Hudson Building and cursed. This was an offsite location for emergency security meetings. There was a throng of reporters already gathered at the base of the building’s sweeping staircase.

“How the hell did these leeches get here?” Viktor asked the Guardian beside him. Nathan was the only available man at the moment. Viktor had ordered Olsen to remain at AGS.

“They must have followed one of the senators.”

Viktor grunted his response. The nation’s capital had beenattacked. An FBI satellite office, which housed their paramilitary operatives, and the largest Metropolitan police station, were infiltrated by two suicide bombers the previous night. A total of thirty-five men and women perished and scores were injured, many of them critical.

Al-Qaeda claimed responsibility for the attack early that morning.

Viktor worked around the clock with Tim at the datacenter, extrapolating threats by analyzing the chatter. He also recalled several Guardians from less critical missions, but they wouldn’t be arriving until the following day between cancelled incoming flights and people trying to leave Washington DC in a panic.

Viktor slammed out of the car and spotted Jack surrounded by reporters. It was his first public appearance since his abduction. As far as DC society knew, the couple was still on a sabbatical, which fueled vicious rumors regarding his marriage to Maia.

“Is it true that you and Maia are filing for divorce?” one reporter asked.

“Is there a third party involved?”

“Was Lee Isaac the cause of your break-up?”

Viktor snorted with disdain. Damned reporters.

Jack spoke into a mic shoved in his face. “Many brave men and women died last night. Let’s focus on the crisis, people.”

“Vultures, aren’t they?” a familiar voice spoke beside him. Viktor didn’t need to turn his head to know who was walking beside him.

---