Page 73 of State of the Union (First Family 3)

“Why does everyone in my life lie to my face or my ear?”

“It’s how we manage you,” Nick said. “Now let’s get going.”

“I’ve got to go,” Sam said to Dani as she scowled at her husband. “Pass everything off to Gonzo and the others. Tell them I’ll be in as soon as I can.”

“Will do. Hope it’s nothing serious.”

“It had better not be.” Sam slapped her phone closed and let Nick help her into leggings, a sweater and boots. She was in a cold sweat from the pain by the time she was dressed.

Nick reached for her cell phone. “Give your friend Dr. Anderson a call and ask him to get us in with a minimum of fuss.”

Sam put through the call, even though it was the very last thing she wanted to do.

“How’s my favorite first lady today?” Anderson asked when he answered the call.

“It seems that I might’ve busted my ass.”

“What’s that?”

“I fell on the ice at work yesterday and can’t put any weight on my right leg today.”

“Oh shit. Can you get here?”

“That’s the plan. The Secret Service is bringing me because the ball and chain insists on coming.”

Nick sent her a filthy look as Anderson laughed.

He told her which entrance to use and to call when they were getting close.

“Thanks.”

“Anything for my favorite patient.”

“Now that’s just a damned lie.”

He was laughing when she ended the call.

“Everyone is a comedian,” she said to Nick. “I have to pee and brush my teeth.”

He helped her up and then put his arm around her to act like a crutch on her right side. “Ball and chain, huh?”

“If the chain fits...” Moving carefully, they made their way to the bathroom, where she discovered sitting on a toilet was no more pleasant than sitting on the bed. In fact, it was much less pleasant than the bed had been. By the time she finished, she had tears in her eyes. She reached back to flush. “I might need you to get me up.”

“Here I come.”

He helped her off the toilet like that was no big deal, but it was mortifying.

Tears spilled down her cheeks. “I’m so fucking pissed with myself about this. It’s bad enough when I get hurt on the job, but this was just so stupid.”

Nick kissed away her tears. “Accidents happen to the best of us, babe.”

“When do they happen to you?” she asked as he helped her to the sink to brush her teeth.

“I had that thing with the ribs playing hockey last winter, remember?”

“One time. It happens to me monthly. I’ve got too much shit to do to deal with this. We’ve got a serial rapist on the loose who just killed someone.” The whole thing was infuriating. “How am I supposed to get downstairs?”

“The ushers are bringing up a wheelchair.”

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