Page 45 of State of Affairs (First Family 1)

“Vernon and Jimmy told me they plan to stay close today too, and I’ll be surrounded by friends and family. Try not to worry. Just do what you need to do there so you can get home to us.”

“That’s the only place I want to be. I hope you know that.”

“I do know that, and one of the benefits of living at the White House is if something like this happens again next year, you can pop into the party and then go right back to work.”

“That’s true.” He sat up straighter as an idea took hold. “Take lots of photos and videos for me.”

“Will do. We miss you and we love you.”

“Love you too, babe.”

He ended the call and bellowed for Terry and Brant.

They came in together.

“You rang, sir?” Terry asked, eyebrow raised.

“I want you to take me home for thirty minutes.” He checked his watch. “I’ll be back in plenty of time for the five o’clock briefing.” He was the fucking president and could do whatever the hell he wanted, and what he wanted more than anything—other than for the fucking Iranians to let his secretary of State leave the country—was to be home with his family for the kids’ birthday party.

“Yes, sir,” Brant said. “We’ll make that happen.”

Chapter Ten

This had to be what it was like to be trapped in elementary school hell, Sam thought, giving thanks to the teachers who spent their days with excited, loud, screeching children and put up with their annoying parents. Shelby, being Shelby, had donned a pink fairy godmother costume and was leading the kids through crafts and games and snacks. Not surprisingly, they hung on her every word.

Sam had sat with Alden and Aubrey to make masks of glitter and sequins that they were now wearing as they played a competitive game of musical chairs.

Despite the written order to leave her the fuck alone, the parents were still all over her, killing her with kindness, probably in hope of securing an invitation to the White House.

Freddie approached her as she spoke with six other mothers, who were peppering her with questions about Nick, her job, their plans, how they felt about moving to the White House. “Sorry to interrupt, Lieutenant. But could I have a moment of your time?”

“Who’s this cutie?” one of the perky blonde mommies asked, taking a lustful look at Sam’s handsome partner.

“This is my partner, Detective Freddie Cruz. He’s happily married—as are you.”

The other woman blushed. “I’m never too married to appreciate a handsome man.”

Sam linked her arm with Freddie’s, wondering if he could sense her desperation. “Excuse us.” Under her breath, she said, “Get me out of here.”

He led her into the kitchen.

Sam went straight for the liquor cabinet, poured vodka on the rocks and downed it quickly—probably a little too quickly.

“Have another one,” Freddie said. “So you won’t give in to the urge to actually throat-punch someone.”

Sam poured another drink, but sipped this one. “Thanks for the rescue.”

“Anytime.” He grabbed a cola from the fridge and popped it open. “How’re you holding up?”

“Just dandy. I’ve got sixty-something strangers in my house one day after my husband unexpectedly became president. Meanwhile, he’s at the White House trying to negotiate the release of his secretary of State, who’s been ‘detained’ by the Iranians. Other than that, all good in the hood.”

Freddie made a visible effort not to laugh.

She took another sip from her glass. “Hold it in, or I might throat-punch you.”

“What’re they saying about work?”

“I have no idea. I told Nick that I plan to be business as usual, and I expect him to make that happen.”

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