Page 50 of State of Affairs (First Family 1)

“Everything is going to be just fine,” Elijah assured his siblings. “I promise.”

They spent another half hour talking about the White House and answering the kids’ questions about living there. Finally, Sam told them it was time for baths and bedtime. They went more easily than usual because they were tired after their big day. She, Eli and Scotty tucked them in, and Eli read them a birthday book he’d bought for them that had their names as part of the story.

After the story, Sam and Scotty gave the three of them a few minutes alone.

In the hallway, Scotty said, “I guess that went pretty well.”

Amused as always by him, she said, “I think so. I feel for them. They just got comfortable here, and now we’re going to disrupt them again.”

“They’ll be okay as long as we’re all there with them. That’s what’ll matter most.”

She hooked an arm around him and kissed the top of his head. “You were great. Telling them about the fun stuff was brilliant.”

“That’s the stuff that matters to kids, along with the people they love being there with them.”

Elijah came out of the bedroom a few minutes later, looking a little undone.

Sam experienced a maternal wave of love for the young man who’d become such a big part of their lives along with his siblings. She went to him and hugged him. “They’re going to be fine. Try not to worry. We’ll take good care of them.”

He returned her embrace, seeming to need it as much as she did, and then pulled back to run a hand through his dark hair, something she’d noticed he did when he was stressed. “I’ll come home every weekend until they get settled into a new routine.”

“I don’t want you to worry either. They’ll be fine. We’ll make sure of it.”

The boys went downstairs to play video games while she went into her room to text Nick. Talked to the Littles. It went pretty well. A few chin wobbles and lots of questions, but Scotty was awesome and told them about the pool, bowling alley and movie theater, and that made it much more exciting. He was brilliant. And so was Eli.

He wrote back thirty minutes later. Glad to hear it went well. Scotty to the rescue. I’m not surprised that he knew what would make them feel better. Sorry I couldn’t be there to help.

Don’t worry. It’s all good. We told them we can’t let you be lonely at the White House, and they definitely don’t want that.

Love those Littles so much. Wish I was there with you guys.

We’ll be here when you get home. Xo

Chapter Eleven

Much later, long after she and the boys had gone to bed, Sam was struggling to sleep without Nick. Her phone rang with a call from Gonzo that had her sitting up in bed.

“Hey, what’s up?”

“We found Gigi’s ex.”

“That’s good news.”

“Yeah, not so much. He’s holding her mother, sister and two nephews hostage in the mother’s house in Fairfax.”

Sam’s heart sank. “Seriously?”

“Dead seriously. We talked to a bunch of his friends, all of whom mentioned he’s been increasingly erratic and unstable lately. And the kicker is, he wants to talk to you.”

“To me? What the hell do I have to do with anything?”

“I have no idea, but the Fairfax County SWAT captain asked me to get you here ASAP. Can you do it?”

“I’m on my way.” Sam ended the call, got out of bed, crossed the hallway to the room that served as her closet and put on jeans, a sweater and running shoes. She would miss the amazing closet Nick had built for her. What kind of closets would they have at the White House? Ugh, she couldn’t think about that right now.

Back in the bedroom, she unlocked her bedside table drawer and retrieved her service weapon, sliding it into the holster on her hip. She went up to give Elijah the monitor for the twins.

“I don’t know how long I’ll be,” she said.