Page 118 of State of Retribution

“Something like that.”

“What’d you do?”

“Something I shouldn’t have done two years ago that’s come back to bite me in the ass.”

“Is that the thing that’s all over the news?”

“What did you see?”

“A thing about a guy named Hector talking shit about you.”

Normally, she’d remind him about their swear jar, but this was no time for such concerns.“He’s telling the truth.I roughed him up when he was in custody, and I deserve every bit of criticism I get about it.”

“But why is it coming out now?”

“Possibly because someone I work with has decided they’ve had enough of me on the job, and they want to run me out.”

“Have they succeeded?”

“For the next two weeks, anyway.We’ll see after that.”

“Two weeks.Damn.Are you okay?”

Sam reached out to him, and he moved into her embrace.“I’m much better now that I’ve seen you and Dad.”

“Mostly me, though, right?”

Sam laughed.“Absolutely.”

“Hey!”Nick said, making Scotty crack up.

“You’re losing your touch, old man.”

“I ain’t losing nothing.”

“Grammar, Dad.You’re the president, for crying out loud.”

As she held Scotty close, she finally exhaled, reminded that as long as she had them, she’d be fine no matter what happened in the outside world.

“I hate to break up this mother-son snuggle,” Nick said, “but my team would like to issue a statement about the story of the moment.Would you be willing to help with that, Sam?”

Sam reluctantly released Scotty and smoothed her fingers over his dark hair.“I’m not allowed to speak publicly about it.”

“What?”Scotty asked.“Why not?”

“The chief told me not to say anything.”

“So you’re supposed to just take an ass-kicking without fighting back?”Scotty asked, incredulous.

“Swear jar.”Sam tried to make a stern face and apparently failed, because Scotty smiled.“And yes, that’s what I’ve been ordered to do.”

“He can’t order you not to make a statement as first lady, can he?”Scotty asked.

“If it has to do with my work at the MPD, then yes, he can.”To Nick, she said, “I’m sorry.I know it’s a huge distraction when you have much bigger things to deal with.”

“Nothing is more important to me than you are, and the whole world knows that.”

Scotty moaned.“Is there gonna be kissing and stuff?”

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