Page 60 of State of Retribution (First Family #9)
“It’s going. Hoping to be home sometime tomorrow if all goes according to plan.
” He hadn’t told her anything about where he was going or why so she wouldn’t worry, but after that video had gone public, she’d known what he was working on and who he was after.
The thought of a protracted standoff wasn’t one he could bear to entertain. “How’re things there?”
“We had a good day. Noah got to play with the twins this afternoon, which always makes him happy, but he was missing his dada tonight.”
“I miss him, too, and you ladies as well. How’s Maisie?”
“She’s delightful as always.”
“Just like her mama.”
“Aw, thanks. You sound tired, love.”
“I’m beat.” And so wired, he doubted he’d sleep at all.
He was beginning to look forward to the day when this shit wasn’t his problem anymore.
And that was new—ever since the scumbag Peckhams had broken into his home, threatened his pregnant wife and son and made him question every choice he’d ever made for his life.
“Why don’t you try to get some rest while you can?”
“Yeah, I will. I wish I was there with you guys.”
“We do, too.”
“You set the alarm, right?”
“The second we got home.”
The horror of the Peckhams terrorizing Shelby and Noah would stay with him forever. Leaving them home alone certainly felt different now than it had before that happened, even with them behind a gate inside a secure house. Was anything really secure in this crazy world?
“I love you, darlin’.”
“I love you, too.”
“Kiss our babies for me.”
“I will. Be safe, Avery. We love you so much.”
“Love you just as much. I’ll call you tomorrow when I can.”
“I’ll look forward to that. Good night.”
“Night.”
He set the alarm in case he fell asleep, stretched out on top of the bed and tried to calm the storm raging inside him. But the only thing that would settle him would be the sight of Dylan Offenbach in shackles. Until that happened, there’d be no rest for the weary.
While she waited for news from Avery, Sam went ahead with the planned photo shoot at the White House on Saturday morning. She had hair and makeup with Davida and Ginger and nails with Kendra at eight a.m.
Nick would be joining her and the kids for some family photos later in the morning and had left for his security briefing right before Sam reported to the ladies for primping.
Sam felt discombobulated with the FBI preparing to raid Offenbach’s camp, as if she should be briefing someone or plotting worst-case scenarios or doing something other than sitting still while the hair, makeup and nail wizards made her look good for photos that would be used by her communications team throughout the coming year as she pretended to be an engaged first lady when she was anything but.
She said a silent prayer for Avery and his team that they would capture Offenbach with no injuries or loss of life.
When her cell rang, she said, “I have to take this.”
The ladies stepped back to give her space to take the call from an unknown number. “Holland.”
“I, um…” a woman said. “I… I called your office, and they gave me your number…”
“What’s your name, and what can I do for you?”
“It’s Savannah, and I’m Dylan Offenbach’s girlfriend.”
Sam sat up straighter and signaled to the women that she needed a minute.
On the phone, Savannah began to cry.
“Have you spoken to him?”
“Yes. And I’m so afraid for him. He said the FBI is trying to kill him.”
“They’re not looking to kill him. They want to take him into custody before he hurts someone else.”
“He’s… He’s not a bad person. His wife took his kids from him. Something in him snapped.”
Sam wanted to tell her that his ex-wife getting custody of their kids didn’t give him the right to kill four innocent people and terrorize another—or to direct armed drones at the White House or shoot a Secret Service agent. Not to mention what he’d done to the kids he supposedly loved.
“What can I do for you, Savannah?”
“I think he might listen to me. He… He loves me. If he thought my life was in danger, or something like that, he might be willing to surrender. I don’t want him to die.”
She was crying so hard that Sam could barely understand her.
“I’ll reach out to the FBI agent in charge and ask him to call you. Will you be at this number?”
“Yes.”
“Stand by.”
Sam ended that call and made one to Avery, hoping he’d pick up when he saw it was her calling.
“Hill.”
“Offenbach’s girlfriend has reached out. She thinks she might be able to help because he loves her and listens to her.”
“You got her number?”
Sam recited it. “Her name is Savannah, and she’s worried he’s going to die.”
“Got it. Thanks.”
Having done what she could, Sam put her phone back on the counter and signaled to the ladies that they could proceed. Her stomach was in knots, however, as she waited to hear that this nightmare had ended with no further casualties.
“Mrs. Cappuano,” Ginger said. “Adrian is here. Can he have a minute while we finish up?”
“Sure.”
The White House photographer came in, wearing a vest with pockets over a denim shirt and faded jeans.
His shoulder-length brown hair was pulled back from his handsome, arresting face, and his green eyes twinkled when he smiled at her.
In her former single days, he would’ve turned her head in circles.
Now, she simply appreciated a beautiful man and got on with the business at hand.
“Adrian Fenty, ma’am,” he said with a nod, since Kendra was painting the nails on her right hand a rich rose color.
“Please, call me Sam since we’re spending the day together.”
“Of course. I wanted to go over the schedule with you, if that’s all right.”
“You’re the boss, my friend. Whatever you think we should do is fine by me.”
“Excellent. We’ll start outside with some casual photos of you playing with the kids on the play set and then move into the residence for some ‘at home’ shots. Maybe you helping them with homework or cooking together or coloring. That kind of thing.”
Sam was ashamed at how infrequently she did any of those things with her kids, but she nodded in agreement anyway.
“Very well. I’ll let you finish up in here, and I’ll meet you outside when you’re ready.”
“See you there.”
Scotty had been left in charge of getting himself ready and making sure the twins were wearing the first of three outfits Shelby had arranged for them.
When her hands were free, she called Scotty to tell him where to meet her in fifteen minutes.
“We’ll be there. They look so cute.”
“I can’t wait to see you guys.”
“You say that like you’ve been away for a month.”
Sam laughed. “Having to sit still for an hour feels like a month.”
The women tending to her laughed.
“See you soon.” She slapped the phone closed. “Sorry, ladies. Patience is not my strong suit.”
“No worries,” Davida said. “We understand that sitting still doesn’t come naturally to you.”
“Thank you for making me look good.”
“You don’t need much help from us to look beautiful,” Ginger said as she stood back to inspect her work. “I declare you good to go. Have a wonderful time with your kids.”
“Thank you.” Sam was thrilled to get to spend the day with them, even if there were photos involved. “I’ll do that.”