Page 64 of Operation: Silent Angel
“Someone who can help you. And by the way, the man who’d been guarding Kira is unconscious and in the parking garage. You can either take me up on my offer or you can get him and leave with the two men from the State Department, who will be along in a minute to escort the two of you out of the country.”
Maxim stood and crossed to the far side of the bar to retrieve his drink. He took a healthy gulp of it before retaking the seat beside Shepherd.
Sierra
Shepherd pulled Diana closer and pressed a kiss to her lips. The tempo of the music increased, and he twirled her before pulling her flush against his body again. He’d promised an evening of dancing, and he was delivering. Glancing over Diana’s shoulder, he saw Cooper and Madison also dancing. After the two Russians had been turned over to the two officials from the State Department, who were standing by to receive them, and the documents peddler was turned over to the FBI, who also were nearby and waiting, Madison donned the dress discarded by Kira. Neither Madison nor Diana cared that they wore identical dresses. They were both snatching this rare moment of a dance with their husbands, an opportunity that didn’t present itself often.
They’d offered asylum to Anatoly’s partner, Maxim Lipovsky, and Shepherd thought he’d take it. He hemmed and hawed, but in the end, declined. Shepherd doubted this man would ever be allowed to leave Russia again. He should have accepted. Butthey’d gotten Kira and Anatoly out, which had been the mission. It was a mission that had been successful.
“Kira told Madison she was pregnant and did not want their child raised in Russia,” Diana whispered in Sam’s ear. “I can understand that. We often put up with a lot for ourselves, but we want better for our children.”
Shepherd nodded. “Do you ever think about that?”
“What? About having a child?”
“Yes,” he said as he continued to lead her onto the dance floor. Diana had once told him she sometimes wished she’d met him a few years earlier than she had. He knew that to mean she thought at forty-two she was too old to have a child, but she might want one.
“I suppose if I really wanted a child, we could adopt like Madison and Cooper did, but with our work schedules, would that really be fair to a child?”
“Women older than you carry and give birth to healthy children, Diana. And I’d say Hahna is far better off with their work schedules than she would have been if left where she was,” Shepherd said.
“True, and she has a second family as a backup that loves her like their own daughter. I know it can be done and be a wonderful and nurturing environment. That isn’t it,” Diana said.
Shepherd kissed her again. He knew what it was. Since Diana learned about the danger in the world that most civilians were not privy to, and the possible threats to them specifically because of the job he did, she was not willing to inflict that burden on an innocent child.
“I know,” he said, placing another kiss on her lips. “I love you, Diana. You know I’ll give you anything you want and make it work.”
“I know you will, Sam,” she said. “Right now, I’d like another glass of champagne.”
“Coming right up,” he said. They left the dance floor, and he snagged two champagne flutes from a waiter who was circulating through the ballroom.
They stood near one of the high-top tables off to the side. Shepherd kept his body pressed to hers, holding her with affection. This was something else they didn’t get to do nearly often enough, just be a couple out and enjoying a party. The anonymity of the guests wearing masks was a threat to them, but their own masks helped to camouflage them.
“Will you get an update on Kira and Anatoly?” Diana asked.
“I won’t be told specifically where they’ll be settled, but yes, I’ll receive word that they’re safe. Why?”
“I’d like to know when their child is born and give them a gift from us.”
“I can put that request in,” he whispered, his breath blowing across her ear.
He breathed in the fresh aloe scent that always surrounded her. It was from her shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. It was a scent that had captivated him since the day he’d met her. But then again, she’dcompletely captivatedhim from the first day he’d met her. Physically, her beauty was stunning, and he was attracted to her immediately. He remembered falling in love with her, and that was before she healed him from the misdiagnosed partial paralysis. He’d been impressed not only with her medical knowledge but also with her confidence. Her personality and sense of humor sealed the deal. She had been in danger, and she’d allowed him to protect her. They’d entered each other’s lives just when they each needed the other.
She nestled in close to him, tucking her head into his neck, under his chin, and enjoyed the physical closeness. It surprised her how much she still desired physical contact with him. Of course, the time they had for intimacy was limited, and it always seemed to be interrupted by one of their jobs, usually his. Not that she complained. She glanced at Madison and Cooper, still dancing, their eyes glued to each other. They were incredible parents to Hahna. She knew that Madison would like to have a baby, give Hahna a sibling, but Madison was not ready to give up the field work, and she’d have to if she was pregnant.
“Do you think Kira, Anatoly, and their child will really be safe?” she asked.
“Yes, I do.” He was concerned about her sudden sullen mood. He didn’t think she thought about the possible danger to themthat his job brought too often. “Talk to me, Diana,” he prompted gently.
“It’s nothing, Sam.” She angled her head to look him in the eyes. “I love you and I love our life together, well, most of the time. The job you do is important.”
“As is yours,” he added.
“I’m sorry to be wasting this evening out by us even having this conversation.”
“I’m sorry a mission intruded on our weekend.”
“It’s fine, Sam. And it was important.”
