Page 7 of State of Retribution

“Yeah, I won’t be.I’m tired.”

Nick leaned in for a hug.“Knowing you’re here, in the house with me, even if it’s the freaking White House, makes everything easier and better for me.”

“I like knowing you’re just downstairs most of the time, even if you’re in places I can’t get to sometimes.”

They held on to each other a little longer than usual after the stressful day.“Love you, buddy.”

“Love you, too.I hope you can sleep.”

“I’m gonna try.Don’t forget to take Skippy out to pee one more time.”

“She won’t let me forget.”

Nick gave Skippy a kiss on the head.“You’re a good girl, Skip.”He swore the dog smiled at him, which made him smile back.“Sleep tight, guys.”

“We will.”

“See you in the morning.”

“Maybe I should stay home tomorrow.You know, in case there’s more trouble.”

“Nice try, but it’s back to eighth grade for you.You already missed today.”

“And I’m sure I’ll pay for that tomorrow.”

Nick walked away laughing.He had the best son in the whole world and would fight with anyone who said otherwise.

In their suite, Sam was curled up on the sofa, watching TV and waiting for him.She sat up when he came in, straightened her ponytail and patted the seat next to her.

He sat and put his arms around her.

She curled into his embrace and breathed him in.“How are you?”

“Better after five minutes with Scotty.”

“He does have that effect.”

“He thinks he should stay home tomorrow, just in case there’s more trouble.”

Sam snorted.“That’s so something I would’ve tried back in the day, not that I had drones coming for my family or anything like that.”

“I’m worried they’re all going to be traumatized.”

“They’re okay.Eli and I spent a lot of time with the three of them tonight and did everything we could to reassure them.The twins have already moved on.Scotty will take a little more time to process it.”

“Did Eli go back to school?”He was a junior at Princeton and had been home for the Easter weekend.

“They left about an hour ago.”

Eli’s detail, led by Nate, who was now dating Sam’s niece Brooke, would safely see Eli and his wife back to New Jersey.“It’s a relief to me that he has a detail, and we don’t have to worry about them driving.”

“I had that same thought when they left.”She combed her fingers through his hair, making him sigh with pleasure the way Skippy had.“What’re you hearing about the investigation?”

“The drones were unmarked.No brand names or serial numbers.They were equipped with semiautomatic weapons.”

“Good God.”

“I know.”

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