Page 27 of Special Agent Isabella

“Yes. I hated waking him up so early, but we needed to put a spin on this story, and he’s the best. He’ll be here soon.”

They heard footsteps in the back hall heading toward them. Since only a very few of the trusted employees had keys to come in, they waited without alarm.

When Collin with Bruce approached, Stacy wished with all her heart that it was Hank coming toward her. God, she missed his loving protectiveness, his unruffled way of dealing with emergencies.

Collin spoke first. “I saw the police tape and talked with the two posted out front. Are ye okay?” He didn’t stop until he stood in front of her. As if unaware, his hands reached for hers. The older man expressed such worry that it made her feel ashamed for wishing him another.

“I’m fine, and so is Abbie.” She glanced at the couch so he would know the child was nearby. “But what a night?”

Collin glanced at Bella where she stood, leaning against the wall and then at Tanner. “Hey mate, ye’ve have had a busy day, aye?”

For some reason, Stacy’s giggle broke loose. She squeezed the hand of the man who could make her laugh at a time when nothing was funny. Once the others joined in, she turned to them and knew they’d survived another attack. With their support, she’d be fine to carry on.

Yet at times like these, a person tended to question their faith in the good of humanity. Thankfully, looking around the room, she knew the good outnumbered the bad, and going forward, she could deal.

When Bruce, her old and trusted assistant cleared his throat as if emotion had clogged it, she smiled when he held out the large bag from the local café. “First breakfast biscuits and coffee, then we get to work.”

ChapterTwenty-Two

Bella wished Tanner hadn’t followed her to her room as if he thought they might carry on where they’d left off earlier. No way it would ever happen again, especially if she had any say in the matter… which she most certainly did.

He stood by her open door, waiting for her to enter. “That was some shot earlier. If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I’d have had questions.”

“Thanks.” She turned to leave him, but his next words stopped her.

“Where did you learn to shoot like that?”

She lowered her head and then admitted, “A few times back in the early days, Demi dragged me to the Coliseum.” When she didn’t see understanding, she added, “The American Paintball place on Washington. I haven’t been back in a while, but it used to be fun. We’d get into all kinds of positions to shoot, and I got so I could do more of the fancy stuff. Came in handy for a time like tonight.”

“Yeah, now that you mention it, I remember the place. If my memory serves me right, she’d tried to get us together there more than once.”

Bella’s head dropped, and her face flushed. “She did? I don’t remember.”

“Oh, how you lie, Miss Pinocchio. You came one day. I saw you. But when you realized I was also there, you disappeared and then ghosted her calls. Made me feel bad that did.”

“Well, hell. I didn’t want to be around you.”

“You made that plain.” His eyes narrowed. “Cause you were jealous.”

“Was not.”

“Were so. Admit it. You didn’t want me hanging around with you girls.”

She listened to the words and heard how bad they sounded. What a bitch they made her out to be. She suddenly hated for him to see her like some spoiled, unthinking, jealous cat who didn’t want to share. And yet… wasn’t that exactly what she was?

Pushing past him, she entered her room and closed the door in his face. Before it shut, she heard him whisper, “I forgive you.”

For a second, she almost reopened it. But sense kicked in before temptation ruled. Instead, she dropped to the ground and buried her face in her hands.

Right, big strong FBI agent. Christ, you were always such a needy little bitch. Never willing to share. How sad…!!

ChapterTwenty-Three

Some of the media made a joke out of the break-in and other reporters took it very seriously, questioning whether the Governor should be taking such chances to stay in power.

All the coverage did was make her job more difficult. Bella understood that immediately. Sure, Stacy’s people angled the story to be a truthful reveal of the facts, and eventually the pundits began to lose interest, but they never did feel safe in the house from that moment on. Not until Tanner took it upon himself to add to the home security system, using more inside and outside cameras and even hiring another night guard.

If the disgusting messages on social media had faded completely, maybe they could have moved on. But they didn’t. Instead, they became worse. Every day, they read the onslaught of anger and rage from people who had nothing better to do than invent false narratives and outright lies. And then uncaring about the damage they would instigate, stick them out there for others to read.

---