Page 119 of State of Retribution

Nick zeroed in on Sam’s lips.“Any second now.”

“I’m outta here.”

Smiling as Scotty headed for the door, Nick dropped a lingering kiss on her lips and then hugged her.“It’s so easy to get rid of him.”

“The very threat of kissing sends him running for his life.”

“Are we irreparably damaging him?”

“Nah, we’re showing him how it should be.”

“I hope he gets as lucky as we did.”

“He will.He’s an amazing guy.Any woman would be lucky to have him.”

“I’m trying to picture you being nice to the woman who takes Scotty away from you.The words ‘rusty steak knife’ come to mind.”

“If she’s not nice to him, I’ll run her through with the rustiest one I can find.”

“Someone ought to warn the young women of the world to watch out for the first lady.She’s feral when it comes to her son.”

“Plural.Sons.I have three of them.Can you believe that?”

“I wish you could see the look of wonder on your face when you say that.It’s the sweetest thing ever.”

“I love being a mom, and for the next two weeks, I get to be one full time.And a full-time first lady, if you’ll have me.”

“Oh, I’ll have you,” he said with a dirty grin.“And P.S., that’s a great way to spin a devastating series of events.”

“It’s very upsetting, but not like it would’ve been before I had you guys to come home to.You all make everything better because I know that no matter what happens out there, I’ve got you and the kids waiting for me here.”

“Works both ways, babe.We love having you as much as you love having us.I can’t wait to come upstairs to you guys.”

“It’s important to count the blessings, especially when the shit is hitting the fan.My gut is telling me none of this is coincidental.Someone is out to get me.”

“What’s being done about that?”

“Avery is on it, which is another thing the chief is pissed about.I told him about Offenbach being obsessed with drones before I told the chief.”

“Offenbach is obsessed with drones?”

“Yeah, I heard that on the QT.”

“He’s the one who was having the affair, right?”

“One and the same.”

“Is this whole thing going to lead to him?”

“I’m starting to wonder, and that’s what I told Avery.”

“Is Joe right to be pissed?”

“I suppose, but I told him I was acting as the first lady when I passed that info on to the FBI.That didn’t go over so well, as I directed a federal investigation at someone who works for him without giving him a heads-up first.I was just so shocked by what I’d heard about the drones that I didn’t think.I just acted by telling Avery.But I hate feeling like I disappointed Joe with all he does for me.”

“He’ll get over it when he has a second to calm down and think it through.”

“He was as mad as I’ve ever seen him.”

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