by Marie Force
“I’ll be first in line for that dance. Keep me posted on what’s going on?”
“I will. Take care, Sam.”
“You too.”
As Sam walked back to the tent thinking of Gonzo and what he might be going through at rehab, Harry and Lilia came out of the tent, arm in arm, caught up in each other. Sam delighted in seeing them together. For so long, she’d wanted Harry to find someone. That he’d met Lilia through her gave her a kick—and the ability to take full credit for their relationship.
“Cutting out early, lovebirds?” she asked, startling them.
“I’ve got to pack,” Harry said. “Air Force Two is wheels up at eight in the morning.”
Sam’s spirits plummeted at the reminder of Nick’s looming departure. “Nick has been packed for a week.”
“We all know he’s not normal,” Harry said.
“That’s our vice president you’re slandering,” Lilia said.
“He isn’t normal,” Sam said, making them both laugh. “He’s an anal-retentive freakazoid.”
“I hadn’t gotten official word that you’re going too until yesterday,” Lilia said. “I’m woefully unprepared to support you.”
Sam glanced at the tent where Nick was dancing with Celia before returning her attention to Harry and Lilia. “I haven’t told Nick yet, but I’m not going. We have a situation at home.”
“Not Scotty?” Harry asked.
“No, not Scotty. Some other children have recently come into our lives, and they need one of us to be home right now.” Being a mother, she was finding, meant making sacrifices that would’ve been unheard of before children. She wasn’t Aubrey or Alden’s mother, but she would care for them the way a mother would for as long as they needed that from her.
“Is this a story that’s going to make headlines?” Lilia asked with a kind smile.
“Possibly,” Sam said. With so many other things to contend with, she hadn’t given the potential for headlines much thought.
Lilia reached out to squeeze her arm. “We’ll help you navigate that when the time is right.”
“It may not happen, but if it does, you’ll be among the first to know.”
“As always, I am at your service,” Lilia said with the devotion that had endeared her to Sam since she first met her. Recalling that she’d been prepared to dislike the woman seemed silly now.
Sam hugged Harry. “Take good care of my husband while you’re gone.”
“You know I will.”
“I’ll rest easier knowing you’re with him.”
“We’ll be back before you ladies miss us,” Harry said.
Sam glanced at Lilia, and together they said, “No, you won’t.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
THEY DANCED, they drank a lot of champagne, they ate cake, and then devoured the burgers and fries that appeared sometime after ten.
“Shelby has this wedding thing down to a science,” Scotty said, his mouth full of cheeseburger.
“She sure does,” Sam said, dipping a salty fry in ketchup, hoping the late-night snack would soak up the vast quantities of champagne she’d consumed. “You know what the best thing is about having a Secret Service detail?”
“There’s a best thing?” Nick asked, brows furrowed.
“Two words—designated drivers.”
“I think it might be time to get you home, Samantha.”
“Is she going to fall over or pass out or anything embarrassing?” Scotty asked.
“Not yet, but she’s about to turn into a pumpkin.”
“I am not!” Sam protested even as her eyes wanted to close and stay closed for no less than eight hours.
“Let’s say our goodbyes,” Nick said.
They found Freddie and Elin at a table full of her friends from the gym, all of whom went silent at the approach of the second family.
“We’re going to call it a night,” Nick said, hugging Elin and then Freddie. “Congratulations and thank you for letting us be part of it.”
“Thank you for making it so we’re the only people we know who had the vice president in their wedding party,” Elin said.
“Speaking of that,” Nick said, appearing uncomfortable. “Would you mind if Terry released one photo to the media of the four of us together from earlier?”
“Not at all,” Freddie said. “Go for it.”
“Thanks. Apparently, there’s interest in the second couple being in a wedding.”
“I can’t imagine why,” Sam said, making the others laugh. She hugged Elin. “Make him happy.”
“That’s my goal.”
And then she hugged Freddie and found she had no words.
“Thanks for being my best man-woman.”
“An honor and a privilege.”
“Try not to get into any trouble while I’m gone.”
“That might be a tall order,” Nick said.
“Have the best time ever!” Sam said as Nick led her away. Okay, she might be a teensy bit drunk. “Send pictures!”
“Get a smartphone and I will.”
Sam stuck her tongue out at him before she remembered the photographer who’d been a little too interested in her and Nick during the wedding. Hopefully the photo of the second lady with her tongue out wouldn’t end up on the front page of the paper in the morning.
* * *
SAM FELL ASLEEP on the way home and roused when Nick kissed her awake.
“We’re home, sweetheart. Come on.” He took her hands, helped her out of the SUV and steered her up the ramp with Scotty following behind them.
“What time is it?”
“After midnight,” Scotty said.
“Straight to bed with you, mister,” Sam said.
“Why did I know you were going to say that? Will you guys be gone when I get up?”
Sam glanced at Nick and then looked away.
“I will be, buddy,” Nick said. “Mom is staying home with you and the littles.”
Scotty visibly brightened. “She is? Really?”
Sam nodded. “I’m afraid you’re stuck with me.”
“Hurry back,” Scotty told his dad. “She’s a bear when you’re not here.”
Nick laughed and cuffed his son’s chin. “I’ll be back as soon as I possibly can. In the meantime, you’re in charge around here.”
“Hey!” Sam barely had the energy to protest.
“Don’t worry about a thing,” Scotty said to his father. “I got you covered.”
“Give your old man a hug.”
Scotty went to Nick and hugged him fiercely.
Nick kissed the top of his head and let go reluctantly. “Love you, buddy.”
“Love you too, old man,” he said, grinning. “Tell the queen we said hello.”
“I will. Next time, I’ll take you guys with me.”
“That’ll be good, preferably at a time when I can miss as much school as possible.”
“I’ll keep that in mind. Go on up to bed and try to be quiet. Elijah and the kids are asleep.”
“I will. I’m so glad they’re still here.” Scotty scooted off to bed.
As he went up the stairs, Elijah came down wearing a Princeton T-shirt and pajama pants. He gave Scotty a fist-bump as they passed on the stairs.
“Good wedding?” Elijah asked Sam and Nick.
“A fantastic wedding, complete with far too much champagne,” Sam said, riding the buzz for as long as she could.
Elijah ran his fingers through his hair, seeming nervous. “I know it’s late and you’ve got an early flight...”
“Let’s go in the kitchen,” Nick said, realizing before Sam did that something was up.
He steered her ahead of him into the kitchen and into a chair with a minimum of fuss.
Sam, who’d been half-asl
eep a few minutes ago was now wide-awake and on alert for whatever Elijah wanted to tell them.
“I’ve been thinking a lot about what you offered,” Elijah said haltingly. “The kids... They... This has been so hard on them, but you guys, all of you, have made it so much easier for them than it would’ve been otherwise.”
Under the table, Nick gripped her hand as they held their breath.
“What you said about them staying with you while I’m at school... Are you sure—”
“We’re sure,” Nick said. “One hundred percent positive.”
Elijah dropped his head into his hands. “I have no idea what the right thing to do is, but this... With you guys... It feels right to me.”
Sam put her hand on his arm. “It feels right to us too. We’ll do everything we can for them and for you for as long as you need us.”
“That’s apt to be awhile.”
“That’d be fine with us,” Nick said. “You and your brother and sister are family to us now. We’ll do this together.”
“I’ll never have the words to properly thank you for everything you’ve done and are going to do.”
“I mean it from the bottom of my heart,” Nick said, “when I tell you it’s our pleasure.”
* * *
AFTER ELIJAH WENT up to bed, Sam removed her heels and went upstairs with Nick, nodding to Darcy, the agent on duty in the hallway.
Nick ushered her into their room and closed the door.
Sam turned to him. “Did that really just happen?”
“It really did,” he said, his smile filled with the same joy that she felt. “I feel terrible leaving you to handle everything.”
“Don’t worry. I’ve got an unplanned week off I’ll use to get them on a schedule, back to school and set up with therapists.”
“After we’ve worked out the legalities, I’ll talk to Brant about getting them Secret Service protection. And I’ll get with Terry about how we handle letting the media know that we’ve taken in two more children.”
“When did you figure out I wasn’t going on the trip?” she asked.
“Around the time that Elijah sent the Lawsons packing. I knew you wouldn’t go if the littles were still here.”
“You knew before I did.”
“I kept trying to tell myself it’s none of our concern. And yet.”
“And yet,” she said with a wry grin. “Here we are, fully concerned and involved.”
“And we wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Sam rested her head on his chest. “I really, really wanted to go with you.”
“I really, really, really wanted you to come.”
“Next time. I promise.”
“Ah, babe, don’t make promises you can’t keep. If there’s one thing we ought to know by now, it’s that there’s nothing predictable or guaranteed about this life of ours.”
“That’s not entirely true,” she said, rubbing against him shamelessly. Blame the champagne, which always lowered her inhibitions. “Some things are entirely predictable and guaranteed.”
Chuckling, he said, “You know what the best part of being an anal-retentive freakazoid who packs a week before a trip is?”
“There is a best part?”
“Yep,” he said, nuzzling her neck. “I have nothing to do until seven o’clock tomorrow morning but make love to my beautiful wife.”
“Your wife might be asleep, but feel free to knock yourself out, big guy.”
He laughed. “You won’t be asleep.”
“You’re really only going to be gone for a week, right?”
“Not one minute longer.”
She looped her arms around his neck. “I should be able to survive that long without you. But not one minute longer.”
* * * * *
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
THANK YOU SO MUCH to all the Fatal Series fans who are so passionately invested in this series and show up for each new book with so much enthusiasm for Sam, Nick and the rest of the Fatal cast. Fatal Invasion took me on a wild ride, and I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. I’ve always hoped that Sam and Nick would “acquire” more children, and I’m excited to see what’s ahead for them as Aubrey, Alden and Elijah join their family.
Special thanks to my friend, retired Captain Russ Hayes of the Newport, RI, Police Department, who reads every Fatal book to check me for accuracy and authenticity. I so appreciate his involvement and enthusiasm for the series. Thank you to Sarah Spate Morrison, Family Nurse Practitioner, for answering my medical questions.
Thank you to my team at Harlequin and HQN, especially Dianne Moggy, Allison Carroll and Alissa Davis. And to the team that supports me every day: Julie Cupp, CMP, Lisa Cafferty, CPA, Holly Sullivan and Isabel Sullivan, as well as my husband, Dan, and our kids, Emily and Jake, who aren’t really “kids” anymore, but don’t tell them that!
Thirteen books into this series, I see no end in sight. Thank you for coming with me, Sam and Nick on this amazing journey!
This book is dedicated to the memory of Sergeant Sean Gannon, who was murdered on the job April 12, 2018, in a town close to where I live. Sergeant Gannon’s death is a reminder of the sacrifices made by the men and women in blue who serve our communities. I encourage anyone who wishes to donate in his memory to consider the fund established by the Yarmouth Police Department for Sergeant Gannon’s widow at: yarmouthpolicefoundation.org/donate/. Make sure to designate your donation to the Sean Gannon Memorial Fund. Thank you to all who serve.
XOXO
Marie
When personal tragedy strikes Lieutenant Sam Holland, she will work the most important case of her career to bring justice to her family. Don’t miss Fatal Reckoning by New York Times bestseller Marie Force, coming soon. Read chapter one now...
Keep reading for an excerpt from Fatal Reckoning by Marie Force.
Fatal Reckoning
by Marie Force
CHAPTER ONE
AS SHE HAD every morning for seven days, Sam reached across the bed, looking for Nick, finding his side of the bed cold and unoccupied. He would be home from his trip to Europe later that today. Thank God. In his absence, she’d been forced to make due with rushed FaceTime conversations on their son Scotty’s phone, texts and the press coverage of the trip that had included an audience with Queen Elizabeth. Sam had been sorry to miss the chance to meet a woman she idolized, but she’d remained at home to care for their Scotty as well as Alden and Aubrey, the five-year-old twins who’d recently become part of their family after their parents were murdered.
She’d put the time to good use, getting “the littles,” as Nick had nicknamed the twins, back on a schedule that included a return to their preschool. Dr. Trulo, the Metro Police Department psychiatrist, had helped her find a qualified therapist who would work with the children together and individually to help them cope with their terrible loss. And she’d fielded phone calls from their mother’s family members, who were suddenly concerned about their well-being now that the men responsible for their parents’ murders had been brought to justice.
Sam couldn’t stand hypocrites and had gritted her teeth each time a member of a family that had initially expressed no concern whatsoever for the children called to check on them. Fortunately, their parents had made their older brother, Elijah, their legal guardian, and he’d asked Sam and Nick to serve as the children’s custodial guardians while he finished college at Princeton. What would happen after he graduated, Sam didn’t know and couldn’t think about. Not now when the children needed everything she and Nick and their devoted assistant, Shelby, had to give them to get their lives back on track, or as close to it as they could get without their beloved parents.
One step a time, she told herself, just as she often did while working a homicide investigation. The activity with the littles had been good for her as
she served out a seven-day suspension for taking in the children of her murder victims, something she’d do again in a hot second. Was it a conflict of interest? Absolutely, but she hadn’t thought about that when she saw two babies in need of something she could give them. It had only taken a few days after she brought them home for everyone associated with their household to fall in love with the blond-haired twins.
She moved from her pillow to Nick’s, which bore faint remnants of his distinctive cologne, the scent of “home.” If her time-zone calculations were correct, he would be on Air Force Two by now, about to begin the seven-hour flight home from France. Her phone rang, and she wondered if it was him, telling her he’d be home soon. Greedy for anything from him that she could get after a week apart, she grabbed the phone and flipped it open without checking the caller ID.
“Sam!” Her stepmother, Celia’s urgent tone had Sam sitting up in bed.
“Morning. What’s going—”
“Sam, it’s your dad. Something’s wrong.”
“I’m coming.” Sam was out of bed and running before she gave a thought to the fact that she was wearing pajama bottoms, Nick’s favorite ratty Harvard T-shirt and no bra. She bolted from the bedroom, past the shocked Secret Service agent in the hallway and down the stairs as she held the phone to her ear and tried to beat back a tidal wave of panic. The agent working the front door opened it for her, thankfully without asking any questions. As she didn’t have Secret Service protection, Sam could come and go as she pleased, and the agents had gotten used to her mad dashes.
Barefoot and oblivious to the cold October air, she sprinted down the ramp Nick had installed so her dad could visit their home and covered the short distance between her home and her father’s in seconds, cruising up the ramp to his front door and bursting into the house.
“Back here,” Celia called.
Sam went from the living room through the kitchen to her father’s bedroom in what used to be the dining room. With one quick glance, she saw that his color was all wrong and his lips were blue. In that moment, none of her training or years of emergency experience was available to her. In that moment, she wasn’t a decorated police officer. She was only a daughter staring at the lifeless face of the first man she’d ever loved.