Page 25 of Storm Warning

“Yes, sir. Sorenson is with him now.”

“Tell me.”

“I’m concerned about abuse in the home, sir.”

Silence, then, “Proof?”

“None. Just a gut instinct.”

“Based on?”

“Chris’s reactions.”

“You’re sure the problem isn’t from his time with the terrorists?”

“That’s not helping matters, but I don’t think that’s the beginning of the problem.”

“How do you know?”

“It’s the one thing he didn’t ask, sir.”

“Which is?”

“He didn’t ask for his father.”

CHAPTER FIVE

RILEY GLANCED ATa sleeping Andre. Was he sleeping deeply enough that she could stand without waking him? There was only one way to find out. She slowly eased away from Andre, freezing when he opened his eyes.

“What’s wrong?”

“I need water. Sorry. I didn’t mean to wake you.”

“Water sounds good. Will you get me a bottle?”

“Sure. Do you want a snack too?”

“Just the water.” He adjusted the pillow behind his head and looked across the room at Christopher sprawled out on a pallet against the wall. The kid looked dead to the world. “How’s he been?”

“Out, just like you.”

“Good. He needs the rest.”

Just like Andre, who would rather eat nails than admit it. “I’ll be back in a minute.” Riley opened the door and slipped out into the hall.

Seth and Noah stood. “Something wrong?” Seth asked.

“We need water.” And she needed to get out of that room after being cooped up in there for several hours. Riley felt as though the walls were closing in on her despite how much she enjoyed napping close to Andre.

“I’ll go with you.” Noah fell into step beside her. “I could use some water myself.”

Right. Andre’s friend was still on shift and fulfilling his responsibilities as her bodyguard. “How much coffee have you consumed since you’ve been on shift?”

He grinned. “You don’t want to know, and you’re sworn to secrecy. You can’t tell Violet about my coffee habit.”

Riley shook her head, amused. “Got news for you, buddy. Your wife already knows.”

“Although she suspects it, she doesn’t have proof of the amount. There’s a difference.”