Page 57 of State of Affairs (First Family 1)

“Far as I know.”

“Very interesting.”

“Indeed.”

“I know I speak for Gigi when I tell you how much we appreciate you being personally involved in this.”

“Of course I am. She’s one of mine, and so are you.”

“Thank you.”

“I’ll be by to see Gigi tomorrow.”

“See you then.”

Sam ended that call and checked her phone to see she had ten missed calls from an unavailable number. Crap. She took a minute to check on Gigi’s mother, sister and nephews, who were being checked out by EMS.

“Thank you so much, Lieutenant,” Mrs. Dominguez said, her face awash in tears. “My Gigi… She speaks so highly of you.”

“I’m so glad you and your family are safe.”

Chapter Twelve

The minute she was able to, Sam called Nick. It rang a bunch of times before his voice mail picked up. She ended that call and tried Terry.

He answered on the third ring. “Sam, er, Mrs. Cappuano.”

“Sam is fine. Is Nick there?”

“Hang on.”

“Samantha.”

“I tried to call your phone, but it went to voice mail.”

“Because I’m not allowed to use that phone anymore. It’s not secure.”

“Oh. Sorry.”

“What’s going on?”

“I got called into a situation with Gigi’s ex in Fairfax. He took her mother, sister and nephews hostage. I didn’t have time to wait for a detail. Thankfully, I was able to talk him out with no one getting hurt.”

When he had nothing to say to that, Sam realized he was seriously pissed, which had a twinge of anxiety zinging through her. She hated when he was upset with her, but she wasn’t about to apologize for doing her job and saving lives in the process.

“How are things there?” she asked.

“Tense. I’m waiting for a call from the Iranian president, and we’re hearing that someone from the party posted a photo of me there with the kids. From what I hear, Twitter is on fire about me having time for birthday parties when the secretary of State is being held hostage by the Iranians, with the hashtag illegitimatePOTUS trending.”

She leaned against her car and expelled a deep breath. “Shit. I’m sorry. One of those fucking idiot parents must’ve posted it.”

“And took great pleasure in doing it.”

“I knew we should’ve confiscated their phones, but everyone said they’d want pictures of their kids, so I was overruled.”

“Next time, we will, or they don’t get in.”

“I’m sorry that happened and that you were worried about me.”