Page 9 of State of Alert

“Wherever it leads, it won’t be your fault. Tell me you know that.”

“I do.”

“Remind me what you’ve got on the calendar the next few days.”

“I’ve got that thing in Baltimore at the boys’ school tomorrow.” His younger twin brothers, Brock and Brayden, had invited him to appear at their elementary school as part of his outreach to students. He’d been looking forward to it until the news about Juan deflated him. “After that is lunch with the Maryland governor and Baltimore mayor, followed by a fundraiser for the Maryland Democrats. I’ll make an appearance and get out of there. And I’ve got the West Coast trip on Wednesday.”

“We’re not discussing that until we have to.”

He smiled. “I’ll be back before you miss me.”

“No, you won’t.” She held on for another minute before pulling back and looking up at him. “I love you, and I’m sorry you’re hurting.”

“Thanks. I love you, too.” He gave her a sweet kiss and then buried his face in the curve of her neck, breathing in her familiar scent and clinging to the love of his life for another minute. “Be careful out there with my wife. She’s my whole world.”

“I will.” She reached up to caress his face. “Be careful in here with my husband. He’s everything to me, and the best person I’ve ever known.”

He kissed her once more.

“I’m so, so sorry about Juan.”

“Thank you. I am, too. His potential was endless. Whatever happened to him and for whatever reason, I promise you he didn’t deserve it.”

“That’s often the case with murder.”

A knock on the door had them stepping back from each other.

“Come in.”

Nick’s chief of staff, Terry O’Connor, walked into the room. “I’m sorry to disturb you, Mr. President, but you’re needed in the Situation Room.”

Ugh,Sam thought.What now?

“Thank you, Terry. I’ll be right there.”

“I heard about Juan, sir. I’m very sorry for the loss of such an outstanding young man.”

“I am, too.”

Terry nodded and left the room, closing the door.

Nick leaned his forehead on Sam’s. “I’ve got to go figure out what fresh hell is brewing in the Situation Room.”

“I know.”

“I guess this’ll be a late one for you.”

“I’ll try to get home at a decent hour. Call me if you need me? No matter what. Call me.”

“I will. Thanks for coming to tell me yourself.”

“I’d never have let you hear that news from someone else if I could help it.”

“Means a lot that you have my back.”

“Always.”

“Never had that before I had you.”

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