Page 10 of Wired Strong

Sophie took a moment to enjoy the vista that was her favorite thing about her father’s place: floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing an iconic view of Diamond Head and the Waikiki hotels, sparkling with colored lights. The ocean filled most of the window, moonlight streaking the water with its silver gleam. “I almost forgot how gorgeous this view is, Dad.”

He’d filled bowls of water for the dogs in the sleek kitchen, separated from the living area by a granite island. Ginger and Anubis lapped noisily as Frank came over and pulled Sophie into a hug. “I’m so glad you’re here,” he said into her ear. “You’ll be safe now.”

Sophie shut her eyes and relaxed into her father’s embrace, accepting his comfort. “Thanks, Dad. I really appreciate it.” She pulled back and eyed her father. “But I’m an independent woman. I don’t like to have to run home to my papa because bad guys are after me—and I’m not even sure how bad they really are.” She cocked her head. “Furthermore, I’m not sure this whole thing is much of a surprise to you.”

She spotted that flash again, quickly hidden by her father’s diplomatic poker face. “I won’t know what you mean until you tell me what happened. Let me fix you a drink.” He turned away, heading toward the wet bar cabinet near the kitchen.

“No alcohol,” Sophie said automatically. Frank stiffened, and then nodded.

Yes, there were unspoken currents between them. Maybe this time at home would be a chance to clear them up.

Chapter Eight

Sophie

Sophie carriedher duffle pack into her old room. The triptych of her computer monitors was gone from the black lacquered desk, but the bed was still inviting and topped with the jade-green silk coverlet. The blackout blinds still rolled shut and provided a feeling of security as she pushed the button.

Her body sagged suddenly with one of the waves of exhaustion that seemed to be part of the first trimester. Sophie flopped face down on the queen-sized bed, giving in for just a moment. To rest her eyes . . .

Her father’s gentle shake on her shoulder brought Sophie awake with a start. “Honey. If you hadn’t told me you were pregnant, I’d have known right away from seeing you like this. I hate to wake you, but I’m pretty sure you didn’t plan to go to bed in your sweaty running clothes.”

Sophie pushed a handful of damp curls off her forehead and squinted at the clock. “Dad! You let me sleep for an hour!”

“You must have needed it.” Frank headed for the doorway. “Why don’t you take a shower, get into your jammies, and I’ll meet you in the living room for that drink I made you.”

“Okay. Thanks.” Sophie did want to speak with her father, but she felt like she’d been sandbagged at the back of the head. She blinked the sleep out of her eyes and made her way between the dogs, who were curled up on beds Frank had made for them from beach towels.

Under the fall of water, using familiar coconut-smelling soap left in her bathroom from when she’d lived there before, Sophie reflected.

Her dad was alone, here in this beautiful apartment. He dated a lot; but he’d never seemed to let himself get attached enough to remarry after his disastrous first union with Pim Wat. Frank didn’t seem to dislike women, just not to trust them—and Sophie understood that particular response all too well. “Mother would be enough to put anyone off of women,” Sophie muttered.

Frank hadn’t changed a thing in her room. He must be telling the truth when he said he’d welcome the company of her and her dogs. And even if she brought Armita and Momi, too, he’d likely be happy—though there definitely wasn’t room for them all to be comfortable in the two-bedroom place, spacious though it was.

She wrapped up in one of the fluffy white cotton towels hanging on the warming rod, and then put on a sleep tee. Donning her favorite dragon-covered silk robe and blotting her hair with the towel, she rejoined her father in the living room. “This will be a mess tomorrow if I sleep on it damp. I miss the days of just keeping it buzzed.”

“You look beautiful with it short, but I love your curls now.” Frank was seated on the semi-formal loveseat with the Wall Street Journal on his lap. He set the paper aside, got up, and went to the little refrigerator inside the wet bar unit. “I made you something special.” He took out a frosty-looking blue drink in a tall glass, complete with an umbrella. “After you told me you were coming over, I had Augie stock the bar with the ingredients for your favorite drink, and some of the food you like is in the fridge.”

Augie was Frank’s housekeeper, driver, and general helper. Sophie wished she had someone like that to help her every day. “You’re sweet, Dad. Tell Augie, thanks.”

She accepted the frothy concoction, which had begun to separate a little during her nap. She stirred the drink with its straw, and took a sip. The cool sweetness felt nice on her throat, and it was definitely alcohol-free. “This is delicious.”

Frank sat on the corner of the loveseat, closer to her, and extended his goblet of cognac. “Cheers.” They clinked glasses. “Now. Tell me what happened, exactly.”

Sophie told him about the surprise visit from the agents, that she’d spotted them using the app on her phone, but not how she’d been able to get out of the apartment undetected. “I’ve already asked Bix to set up an ongoing security detail for me.” She waggled her phone. “He texted me that they’d meet me tomorrow morning outside your place. I’ll call the building’s security and let them know.” She took a moment to do that, then lifted her eyes to meet her father’s. “Should I have them stay outside the door all night too? After all, these are legitimate law enforcement people, supposedly, though their tactics so far have not been aboveboard.”

Frank shook his head. “I’ve alerted my Secret Service detail. They told me they’d be monitoring anything here at my apartment.”

“If they want to take me in, they legally can. The security detail is just to make sure I go to a legitimate interview site and that Bennie, my lawyer, is called and on his way should they try to detain me.” Sophie took a sip of her drink. “Bennie’s terrific, by the way. Thank you for reminding me about him. He had been the Security Solutions’ legal counsel, but I had forgotten how good he is.”

Should she tell the ambassador about the meeting she’d set up with him and Raveaux?No. Her father wouldn’t be interested in what was going on with Raveaux, a mere contractor in her company.

“I knew Fernandez was good.” Frank sat back with a satisfied smile. “Glad he’s working out.”

Sophie eyed her father over the rim of her drink. “Speaking of Secret Service. I’ve had confirmation that they are a part of this multi-agency investigation that’s harassing me. Have you heard anything about that from Katie?”

Kate Smith was her father’s Secret Service agent when needed, and security liaison and consultant other times. Sophie had found the agent to be smart, kind, and competent.

Her father gazed into the amber-brown depths of his drink and swirled it. “No. Katie doesn’t tell me about her other cases.”

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