by Jillian Neal
“Thank you.” Logan glanced at his father, who was visibly impressed with Vindico. He pulled the door closed as he made his exit.
~Dan Vindico~
Dan sank down in his chair, overwhelmed with harrowing thoughts and bitter defeat. The Crown Governor waited on his attention. Wishing he would leave him to his ponderings, Dan studied the Governor.
“I am well aware that unsolicited advice most often falls on deaf ears, Daniel, but you stopped asking me for my advice ten years ago when you stopped listening to anyone’s voice besides your own, so I’m just going to go ahead and say this.”
Dan knew that what Governor Haydenshire was saying was correct. He had stopped listening to anyone or anything besides the vengeance that had corroded his heart and his mind. This time, he decided to really listen.
“How did you always know when I needed advice?” He couldn’t quite keep the annoyance from his tone. He recalled asking Governor Haydenshire about several things when he’d been in school and even about Amelia, and the Governor always seemed to know when something was getting to him. Suddenly awash in defeat and memories, he felt his shield pulse weakly, trying to bolster his ego.
Governor Haydenshire gave him a genuine smile. “Well, let’s see here, been married for well over thirty years, survived fool’s hill more times than I care to count, been a Governor for the last twenty-eight or so, have eleven children of my own and several others that I claim, Lawson was my best friend, I’m Crown now, so you could say I have a little life experience,” the Governor rattled off his resume.
Dan chuckled. He had to agree with his reasoning. “I’m listening.” The words tasted bitter.
“If that’s really the case, son, then I’d say that Fionna Styler might not only be a beautiful, sweet, caring, intelligent girl, but she might just be a miracle.”
“She is that.”
“Then listen to me, Daniel.” The Governor’s intonation turned to a soothing tenor. “You can do this, and I know perfectly well that you’re sitting there beating yourself up because you didn’t realize that Adeline might be in danger. You’re wondering if you can still beat Wretchkinsides and have a life that exists outside of this office. I’m telling you that you can. It’s just going to take a little finesse.”
“Everything happens in its own time. You’ve spent the last ten years killing yourself slowly, because you didn’t think you deserved to live. And I would never say that I want men like Wretchkinsides to have any additional opportunities to commit the heinous crimes they’re so well known for, but if you let him choke out your life, then he’s already won. You’ve already been beaten.”
“So, work on it, son. If anyone can bring him down, it’s you, but you have to allow yourself the good things that this life has to offer as well. You’ll learn to strike a balance. It might take a little time, but you’re an extremely intelligent guy. I’m certain that the woman you’ve used your finesse and intelligence to woo, not only into your home but into your bed, can help you as well.”
“What if I’m losing my edge?” Damming up the words hadn’t worked.
The Governor looked as shocked as Dan felt. He studied Dan intently. “What if you’re gaining your life?” The Governor stood. “Find the balance. You can do it. It’s Christmas, Daniel. I trust that Miss Styler has presents from you under the tree?”
An automatic smile formed on Dan’s features. “They aren’t under the tree, but I’m picking up the last one at lunch.”
The Governor nodded his approval. “I’m going to go ahead and put another demand on you, because I’m also aware that guilt has been the driving force in your life for the last decade. This way you can just be mad at me, if it will make you feel better.”
Dan’s brow knitted, and the Governor gave him a wry grin. “Do not come into this office until the day after New Year’s, Officer Vindico. Have a real Christmas with your family and with Fionna. Go to Vegas and keep her safe and, please, for me, keep an eye on Emily. Then come home and spend some time with the woman who has given you so much and who deserves so much of you. And then come back to work, and we’ll work on striking that balance.”
Dan was aware that he wasn’t allowed to disagree. The shock came in the realization that he didn’t want to.
“Yes, sir.” Somehow, he could still feel Fionna’s energy inside of him. It was assuring him that it would be okay, that she would be there no matter what.
“Can I give you one more piece of advice before I leave you to work, and I head home to make certain that my twins haven’t tied up a foreign dignitary?”
“Sure,” Dan laughed.
“Daniel, I know life certainly hasn’t dealt you a fair hand, and I’m truly sorry for all that you’ve been through. I just think, maybe, the ace you’ve turned over this time was the ace of hearts. What I’m trying to say is I think you might’ve found your Lillian. Believe me, son, you need to hold on to her with everything that you are and never let her go.”
Dan felt the words of wisdom resonate through his body. The Governor was kindly throwing his own advice in his face. He was well-known for his belief that you should never make a move until you held all the aces. “I know, sir.” He choked back emotion as it overwhelmed him.
“Merry Christmas, Daniel.”
“Merry Christmas, Governor Haydenshire,” Dan managed to respond, still trying to draw deep, steadying breaths.
Dan’s phone chirped as the Governor closed his office door. He extracted it from his pocket.
Are you ok? was Fionna’s text. She still had his energy inside of her, as well, Dan realized. He touched her name, phoning her cell.
“Hel-wo,” Fionna mumbled almost unintelligibly.
“Fi, are you okay?” Dan panicked.
“Yesh,” she supplied and then began laughing.
The sound made Dan smile as his world began to settle once again.
“Hang on a shecand.”
He heard her set the phone down and then a second later she returned. “Okay sorry,” she spoke clearly now.
“Everything all right?”
An abashed giggle, the songs of angels, he decided, rang in his ear.
“Yes, sorry; I was bleaching my teeth.”
“Ah,” Dan felt relief flood through him. “And do you still have guacamole in your hair?”
“You are not allowed to ask that.”
“Is this some kind of pre-Christmas beauty treatment day I should grow used to?” Dan tried to figure out what had her so concerned about her already-gorgeous appearance.
“You’re not supposed to know how vain I am. I felt like something was wrong, though.” He immediately recognized the redirecting of the conversation.
“Yeah, just a few complications I hadn’t thought of that I really should have. I’ll tell you about it tonight.”
“Okay,” she agreed but sounded deeply concerned. “I’ll call you when we leave the Children’s Home.”
“Have a good time today, sweetheart.”
“I love you, Dan.”
“Me, too,” he replied and listened as she hung up the phone.
Dan climbed back in Rainer’s Porsche, holding Fionna’s Christmas present, after thanking Sam profusely for his work. Fionna texted again. So, I wrapped all of the presents for your parents and sisters, and I baked some more cookies for the kids. If you’ll tell me where you hid my gifts, I’ll wrap those for you, too.
She ended the text with a smiley face. Dan laughed.
Nice try, he responded as Rainer gave him a goading grin. “She’s been trying to find her Christmas presents since she moved in last weekend.”
Rainer joined in his laughter. “Yeah, I have to wrap Em’s and give them to her mom, or she’ll have them unwrapped long before Christmas.” Rainer shook his head, with a grin that Dan instantly recognized as one of deep love for the woman he was discussing.
“So, I heard Fionna booked one of the suites on the Angels plane for the Vegas trip.” Rainer seemed uncertain which role
to play, employee or friend.
Deciding to try to guide Rainer into the ways to be both, Dan allowed the question. “That was all Fi. I’m really not into the whole team knowing what’s going on in there.”
Rainer nodded his understanding. “Yeah, Emily’s asked about it. I know she wants to use one. It just seems odd. I told her I’d rather book a flight for just the two of us if she wants to join the mile-high club.”
Dan chuckled. “Yeah, because the pilots who fly those aren’t complete pervs who just want to watch the show.”
Rainer scowled. “Forget I said that.”
Dan tried to hide his smirk. Lawson was an odd mix. Thoroughly green, yet surprisingly adept at keeping his head when things were tough.
“I’ve never been to Vegas,” Rainer admitted as if that were a failing on his part.
“You haven’t missed much.”
“I thought it was supposed to be a big party town.”
“It is that, twenty-four seven,” Dan sighed.
“The place we’re staying is supposed to be pretty nice.”
Dan supposed he agreed. “Most people never see the actual room they’re staying in. They just pass out there when they’re either wasted or broke, or both.” Rainer gave him a concerned nod as he pulled onto the Senate parking deck. They hurried to get lunch from the cafeteria and then began working again.
An Angel in Action
At four-thirty, a knock sounded on Dan’s door. “In,” he called in his usual response as he pulled himself from the evidence in Wretchkinsides’ briefcase. He’d reread the same line four times on a document he’d been over more than a dozen.
“Hey,” Logan eased inside, “I was just wondering… Adeline’s shift is over at five, and I know no one knows about her dad yet, but...”
Dan debated. His mind went to war with his newly-resurrected soul. “Go on, Haydenshire; have a Merry Christmas.”
“Thanks, and I really am sorry about this morning.”
“It’s forgotten. Go get her. Keep her safe. Believe me, I do understand the desire.”
“Yeah,” Logan agreed, “I hope you and Fionna have a good Christmas.”
“Thanks. Me, too.”
With a wave, Logan disappeared just as Dan’s office phone rang. “This is Vindico.” He spoke with the Non-Gifted police chief for a moment and thanked him for working through Christmas. His cell rang as he hung up the office phone.
“Hey, baby doll, I’m just getting ready to leave.” He remembered that he’d promised to leave early.
“No, it’s fine,” Fionna sighed.
“What’s wrong?” It would be very unlike Fionna to be that angry that he was leaving a little late.
“Dan, could you please come pick me up? I’m at the Children and Family center on Crofton Ave. It’s not far from the Senate. It’s a Non-Gifted home. There’s no one around here. They have security everywhere because it’s an abused children’s refuge. No one would see you. Please.”
“Honey, I’m leaving now. It’s fine. I’ll be there in just a minute. I thought Chloe was bringing you home.”
“She was,” Fionna spat, “but she started chatting up this guy who was here volunteering today, and they’ve decided to go out and party. I have no ride, and Garrett can’t come because he’s trying to help out his mom. Adeline put her back on bed rest. Her blood pressure spiked. He’s gone to the farm to get the twins.”
“Gotcha.” Quickly scooping up all of Fionna’s presents that he had stowed in his office, he grabbed a set of keys to one of the Expeditions and raced to the parking deck. He loaded the gifts in the back and threw his jacket over them before he raced to the driver’s seat.
“I’m on my way, baby.” He wondered if she was frightened. She was in a horrible part of town.
“I’m okay,” she assured him, “I’m in here with the kids. I’m just very unhappy with Chloe.” Dan was aware that she was editing her language for the children in her presence.
“Well, I’m pissed the hell off,” he supplied for her and made her laugh.
After a few quick turns and several less-than-kind words over D.C. traffic, Dan spotted the children’s home attached to a church. He found a parking space, fed the meter, and raced inside. He flashed his badge repeatedly. She was right; the security was extremely tight. Dan was very impressed.
Fionna was sitting on the floor of what appeared to be a small classroom. She had a little girl in her lap and was reading her a story. There were several other young children seated near her, listening intently.
Dan smiled. She was astounding, truly a beautiful person with a beautiful soul. He was overwhelmed as he watched her. He slipped quietly into the room.
“Just let me finish,” Fionna whispered.
Nodding, Dan sank down on the floor nearby. She grinned at him before continuing the Christmas story.
Suddenly, one of the little girls who had been standing beside Fionna, clinging to her shoulder, moved and seated herself in Dan’s lap. Not certain what to do, Dan smiled and watched the tiny girl’s deep-blue eyes. She was scared. His heart ached. Somehow, he knew that it was a man who had hurt her. There was a reason she was living in the home, but somehow she’d decided to trust him.
Fionna gazed at him adoringly as he patted the little girl’s back. She tucked into his body and clung to his wrist. Fionna finished the story and the little girl in her lap requested that she read one more, with an adorable, lisping plea.
She raised her eyebrows to Dan, in question. He nodded his agreement that she should continue. Several books later, the women who worked at the home told Fionna they needed to get ready for bed, so Dan and Fionna waved good-bye, but promised to come back soon.
They stepped out into the freezing night air. Fionna wrapped her hair and face in a long scarf. She left only her eyes and nose exposed to the elements. She wasn’t recognizable. She clung to Dan as he wrapped his arms around her, and hurried her to the car.
“You know, guys who are so sweet with kids are really, really sexy.” She gave him his smile as she unwound the scarf from her face. He forced the heater to warm the car faster. Dan scoffed. Who wouldn’t be nice to kids living in a children’s home at Christmas?
“Meredith’s kids will be at my parents’ tomorrow night, so you’ll get to meet them.”
“How old are they?”
“Uh,” Dan racked his brain. He remembered going to the hospital when they were born. “I’m not exactly sure. They’re walking and everything. I think Olivia started kindergarten this year, and Oliver is little and always sticky.”
Fionna laughed at him outright. “So, a toddler?”
“Yeah.” You really should know how old your own niece and nephew are, moron, he thought to himself. “Why don’t I pick us up some dinner? I’ll just run in. No one can see you in here, with the tint on the windows,” he reminded her and hoped that she wouldn’t ask any more questions he didn’t know the answers to.
She considered for a minute. “Wanna get takeout and then go home and cuddle on the couch? There’s a great Chinese place near the airport.”
“That sounds perfect.” Dan headed towards Ronald Reagan.
“How old are Fitz’s kids?”
Dan chuckled as he thought of his rambunctious godsons. “Alex is eight, and Alfred is seven.”
“Aida just turned seven; that’s the little girl from the orphanage in Brazil that I told you about.”
Dan suddenly remembered. He pulled the mail he’d picked up earlier in the day from his jacket pocket and handed it to Fionna. “I think you got a letter from Aida, sweetheart.”
“Really?” Her entire face glowed from the news as she began going through the mail. “This is such a great Christmas present.” She landed on the small letter with multiple postage markings, written in a childish scrawl.
Dan was overwhelmed once again. She looked truly elated by the letter from Aida. The expression on her face was just as delighted as if he’d given her an expensive piece of j
ewelry.
“Here,” he turned on the light directly over her seat. He was certainly capable of driving with the interior lights on. He’d done it dozens of times when he was after criminals. “I’m fine. Go ahead and read it.” She opened the letter with a great deal of care.
“She’s thanking me for her birthday presents.” Fionna was gazing at the letter with adoration. She told him several things mentioned in the letter, and directed him to the restaurant where she wanted to get food.
Dan pulled into the parking lot as Fionna folded the letter delicately and slipped it in her purse.
“Just sit tight. I’ll be right back; shrimp chow mein and fried rice, right?” He was buying time. He’d memorized the order instantly, but wanted to scan the surroundings to make certain they were safe. It appeared to be nothing more than a low-end Chinese takeout, and no one was lurking in the parking lot. The light from the restaurant glowed harshly against the black night. He was able to study most everyone inside, just families or bachelors picking up a quick meal.
“And egg-drop soup, please,” Fionna added to her order.
“You got it. I’ll be right back. If you need me, call me.” He held up his phone.
“I think I can manage myself in the car all alone,” she scoffed at his warning.
Still performing methodic scans of the surrounding area, Dan was assaulted by the hot, thick air permeated with the smell of frying eggs, oil, and an overly-sweet flavoring he couldn’t quite identify. Anxious to return to Fionna, he stepped up the counter and placed his order. Assured that it would only be a moment, he moved further down the cheap, green laminate bar to wait.
His mind wondered back to the document he’d been studying when Fionna had called for a ride. Why was Wretchkinsides still sending money to Belgium? He’d been doing that for months. Never large sums, only a few thousand dollars each time, but he didn’t even own property in Belgium that Dan knew of. Always aware of his surroundings he noted that a door to his right, from the bathrooms, had opened. He checked his watch and glanced at the health code rating posted near the cash register.