Chapter Eleven

As Sam and her detail approached the White House, they passed a line of FBI SUVs leaving the complex. “What’s going on?” she asked the agent who was driving her.

“I’m not sure, ma’am.”

He pulled up to the door, and another agent opened the SUV door for her. “Why was the FBI here?” Sam asked him.

“I don’t know, ma’am.”

Inside, Sam asked the first person she saw, Harold, one of the White House ushers, where she might find the president.

“I believe he’s still in the Situation Room, ma’am.”

Sam had decided that room was her least favorite in the White House because it required Nick’s presence far too often for her liking. “Will you please get word to him that I’m home?”

“Yes, ma’am. Right away.”

“Thank you, Harold.” Sam trudged up the red-carpeted stairs to the residence, overwhelmed with exhaustion after the long, difficult day. She looked in on the twins and Scotty, all of whom were asleep, before heading for her and Nick’s suite to change into pajamas. She was on the sofa with a glass of wine in hand when Nick came in, looking as stressed as she’d ever seen him.

Had something happened with his mother?

“I’ve got two minutes to tell you what’s going on before I tell the rest of the world.”

His hastily spoken words further spiked her anxiety, which was already out of control after the situation with Shelby. What now?

As he told her about Juan and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, she almost couldn’t process what he was saying until he called it an attempted bloodless coup d’état. That she understood. She put down the wineglass, stood and went to him, wrapping her arms around him. “I’m so sorry, Nick. You must feel so…”

“Betrayed. I feel betrayed.”

“And rightfully so. What will happen to them?”

“They’ll be arrested and charged with plotting to overthrow the government of the United States, treason, sedition and numerous other things. Whether or not a case can be made that will stick remains to be seen.”

“Wow.”

“It’s going to be the biggest story to ever come out of this White House, and I’ll be smack in the middle of it, right where I don’t want to be.”

“This is no reflection on you.”

“Of course it is, Sam. My top military officers were plotting to remove me from office. It’s a reflection of what they think of me and my presidency.”

“Or maybe it’s just a reflection of their own craven desire for power.”

“Either way, the fact that it’s happening on my watch is humiliating.”

“Don’t be humiliated. You had nothing to do with it. You were asked to serve your country when Vice President Gooding fell ill. You stepped up to fill that position and the presidency when Nelson died. You’re doing what was asked of you, which is all anyone can do.”

“Maybe I should say that when I share this news with the world in…” He checked his watch. “Six minutes.”

“Do you want me to come with you?”

“Nah, you’re all ready for bed.”

“I can change in two seconds. Wait for me.”

“Hurry.”

She ran into her walk-in closet, grabbed the first dress she saw, which was a rich navy blue, and put it on. Then she went into the bathroom, quickly applied the bare minimum of makeup before twisting her hair and pinning it up. Before she left the bedroom, she grabbed her diamond engagement ring and slid it on over the matching band. She took two seconds to tell Celia that she and Nick were heading downstairs for a bit.

Celia wrote back to let her know she still had her monitor on for the twins.

Thank you so much! Sam replied.

“Three minutes,” Nick said when she came out of the bathroom. “Not bad.”

“I like to think of myself as low-maintenance.”

“You’re super low-maintenance,” he said, kissing her, “and I love you for that and a million other things.”

She wiped lipstick off his bottom lip and took his hand as they left the room. “I love you, too. Remember what we always say—if we have each other, they can’t touch us.”

“Thanks for the reminder. I needed it after this day.”

“And here we thought your mother’s shenanigans would be the headline.”

“Is it weird that I’m suddenly nostalgic for this morning, when I thought she’d be my biggest headache of the day?”

“It’s very weird, but I won’t tell anyone.”

When he laughed, she was glad she’d come with him. He needed her, and she wanted to be there for him the way he always was for her. Holding hands, they walked to the briefing room and entered to find a crowd, even though it was nearly ten p.m.

I guess when the president himself says he’s got something to say, they show up, Sam thought as she nodded to Vice President Henderson, who followed them onto the small stage at the front of the room.

Nick gave Sam’s hand a squeeze before he released it and stepped up to the microphone. “Earlier this evening, it was brought to my attention that the Joint Chiefs of Staff were planning to try to overthrow my government in a military coup d’état.”

A gasp went through the room.

“Upon receiving this information, I requested the Joint Chiefs report to the White House along with several senior members of my team, including Vice President Henderson, Secretary of State Sanford, Attorney General Cox and Secretary of Defense Jennings. When I relayed the information I’d been given to the Joint Chiefs, they didn’t deny it. As a result, I have relieved them of their military duties, and Attorney General Cox has ordered the FBI to arrest them and charge them with crimes against the United States of America. It should go without saying that this came as a huge shock to me, to Vice President Henderson, Secretary Jennings and the rest of my administration. I’m saddened by their deceit and their treasonous behavior. And I don’t use that word lightly. These actions were nothing less than treason, and with the help of the Justice and Defense departments, a full investigation will be undertaken, and the people involved in this plot will be held accountable.

“Secretary Jennings plans to communicate with all members of the military, inviting them to begin separation if they feel they’re unable to serve their commander in chief with loyalty as well as fealty to the Constitution and all it stands for. Anyone who wishes to separate from the military will be dishonorably discharged with no further benefits or privileges.

“This is a heartbreaking day for our democracy, but we’ll go forward from here, confident in the knowledge that our government is legitimate and working on behalf of the American people every day. You have my word on that. When former President Nelson asked me to take the place of the ailing Vice President Gooding, I did so with the full knowledge that I might be called upon to take President Nelson’s place should the need arise. The Senate confirmed me with the full understanding that I would be the next president if President Nelson died in office. The fact that I am now the president is exactly what the framers of the Constitution intended when they dealt with the matter of presidential succession. Frankly, I’m tired of the words ‘illegitimate president.’ In the eyes of the Constitution, I am entirely legitimate. I’ll take a few questions.”

“Mr. President, how did you find out about the alleged plot?”

“From a confidential source.”

“What did the Joint Chiefs say when you confronted them with your knowledge of the plot?”

“Chairman Wilson asked for his lawyer. The others had no comment, but none of them denied participating in the plot.”

“With our top military officers allegedly focused on a plot like this, is our country safe?”

“Our dedicated military members around the world are standing watch tonight and every night to ensure the safety and protection of the United States and its citizens. No one should be concerned about our national defense nor convinced that there’re weaknesses due to the actions of a few people who had an overinflated sense of their own power. Our country is as strong now as it was earlier today, before we knew about this nefarious plot.”

“Mr. President, by anyone’s estimate, this hasn’t been a good day for you or your administration.”

Way to state the obvious, dickwad, Sam thought.

“Can you tell us how you felt when you learned of the plot and also when you heard your mother had been arrested?”

Sam wanted to smack the reporter. Since she couldn’t do that, she stared at him with intense focus, hoping she was making him uncomfortable.

“It was a tough day from beginning to end. When I heard about the plot among the Joint Chiefs, I felt disappointed more than anything. That these decorated military officers would risk their positions, reputations, pensions and freedom to get rid of me wasn’t a good feeling, to say the least. But as I have since I took the oath of office, I moved quickly and efficiently to do what was in the best interest of our country and the American people. That’s what I’ll continue to do for as long as I hold this office. To reiterate what Christina told you earlier regarding my mother, I have no relationship with her, so I can’t speak to her arrest or the charges. That’s all for tonight. I’ll update you again tomorrow.”

Other reporters yelled questions at Nick that he ignored. He reached for Sam’s hand and led her out of the room.

Vice President Henderson followed them.

“You handled that as well as possible, Mr. President,” Henderson said.

“There was no precedent for it,” Nick said. “That’s for sure.”

As she had on previous meetings, Sam picked up the same unsettling vibe from the vice president. The woman was strikingly gorgeous, with shiny dark hair, dark eyes made up to “pop” and lips covered in bright red lipstick that would look cheap on a lesser woman. On her, it was classy. Sam wished she knew why she’d taken an instant dislike to someone who’d never done anything to her, but her gut rarely steered her wrong. It was telling her she wasn’t to be trusted. If that was true, Sam could only hope they’d find out why sooner rather than later.

“You’ve had a long day,” Sam said to Nick. “Let’s get to bed.”

“See you tomorrow, Gretchen.”

“Yes, sir. Nice to see you again, Mrs. Cappuano.”

Sam should tell her to call her by her given name, but she didn’t. “You as well.”

“Frosty,” Nick said when they’d walked away from Gretchen.

“What?”

“You with her.”

“I was perfectly polite.”

“Exactly. That’s not like you.”

“I’m offended.”

“No, you’re not,” he said with a chuckle. “What’s your beef with her?”

“I don’t know, but it’s something. You think she knows?”

“Nah, she doesn’t know you well enough to pick up on that. But I do.”

“I don’t want to be right about her.”

“I don’t want that either. I have enough problems as it is. But she did mention she’d like to work with you on some of your signature issues supporting women and working mothers.”

“Hmm, I’ll take that under consideration.”

“You do that.”

They went upstairs to the residence, greeting the Secret Service agents, ushers and butlers they passed on the way.

“Do you think they’re all talking about my military commanders plotting to oust me from office?”

“If they are, they shouldn’t be working here.”

“I don’t know about you, but I’ve had more than enough of this day,” Nick said.

“Right there with you.” She hadn’t even told him about the Blanchet case, the numbness or the leave of absence. “Any one of the things that happened today would be more than enough on its own. For all of it to happen in one day makes me want to run away.”

“Take me with you,” he said.

“Always.”

Inside their suite, he pulled off his tie and unbuttoned his shirt. “You know what sucks?”

“Are you looking for a list? Because it’s gonna be a long one.”

“One thing in particular.”

“What’s that?”

“That if I wanted to run away, which I do, I can’t. I’m trapped in a way I never have been before, even when I was VP.”

“I know it may not give you much solace, especially after a day like today, but it’s temporary. This whole situation is temporary.”

“Three years feels like a lifetime on a day like today. Did that really happen? The Joint Chiefs plotting to remove me from office?”

She went to him and put her arms around him inside his unbuttoned dress shirt. “It happened. You dealt with it. You’ll move on from here and stay the course.”

He returned her embrace, holding her as tightly as he could, as if drawing strength from her.

Sam wanted to tell him about the leave of absence, but he’d had enough for one day. That would keep until tomorrow. Before she put her phone on the charger, she texted Avery to check on Shelby and Noah.

They’re both sleeping, thankfully.

How about you?

Trying to come down from the adrenaline-fueled panic attack.

Sorry you guys went through such a scary thing. Do you know who the people are?

Unfortunately, yes. The scum of the earth. We’re very lucky. That’s all I can say.

I’ll check in tomorrow. Try to get some rest. Keep telling yourself everything is fine until you start to believe it.

I’ll try. Thanks for everything.

Love you all.

Back atcha.

When she joined Nick in bed a few minutes later, he put aside the briefing book he’d just opened and let it fall to the floor with a loud thud that made them laugh.

“The Secret Service will think we’re under attack in here,” Sam said.

“I don’t want to think about them or anything but you.”

“I’m down with that.”

They met in the middle of the king-sized bed, arms and legs entwined, lips joined in a slow, lazy kiss that made all the stress of the day melt away like it had never happened. It’d still be there in the morning, but for right now, they could pretend the rest of the world didn’t exist.

Nick rolled them so she was under him, his body molded to hers as he devoured her with his lips and tongue.

She loved him like this, a little wild and unhinged after an insane day and ready to work it out with her. And, oh, how she was there for that after the day she’d had. No one could erase the hard drive of her always busy mind like he could. When they were together this way, she focused only on him and the all-consuming desire that never failed to take her by surprise, even after all this time.

He created a fever in her with his lips, tongue and hands.

She reached for him only to be rebuffed because he wanted to tend to her.

Her moan of frustration made him laugh. “All in good time, my love.”

“Hurry up about it.”

“You know what happens when you rush me.”

She let out an annoyed huff and felt his lips curve against her inner thigh. “Quit laughing at me,” she said.

“My love is so very entertaining.”

“I’ll show you entertaining.”

“What will this show entail?”

“Nick!”

When the bedside phone rang, he dropped his head to her abdomen. “Motherfucker.”

Sam wanted to cry.

Nick reached across her for the phone and answered with a testy “Yes?” After a pause, he said, “Put him through.” He gathered her into his embrace, whispering, “It’s the AG. I have to take this.”

“No problem,” she said, even though she didn’t mean that. Her body hummed with arousal and throbbing desire that would go unsatisfied for now. She focused on the low tenor of his voice and not so much on what was being said as she drifted between wakefulness and sleep.

The conversation droned on, so long that she dozed off and came to when Nick kissed her awake. “Sorry about that.”

“It’s okay.”

“No, it really isn’t okay, and I’m truly sorry.”

“It’s not your fault. Is everything okay?”

“I suppose it will be when the dust settles.” He kissed her cheek and then her lips. “Now, where were we?”

“Can we move to the main event? I’m tired.”

“We can continue this tomorrow if you’d rather.”

“No, I wouldn’t rather.” She ran her fingers through his hair. “You left me hanging over here.”

“Blame the AG.”

“We hate the AG.”

“We hate everyone.”

“Except the kids…”

“Except for them.”

Smiling, he kissed her as he smoothly used one hand to remove his boxer briefs.

As he slid into her, Sam released a sigh of happiness and contentment. “Mmm, best thing to happen all day.”

“This might be the only good thing that happened today.” His chuckle made her smile. “Well, Scotty’s essay on NATO was pretty good, too.”

“NATO is not allowed in this bed.”

“Thank God for you,” he whispered against her lips as he picked up the pace. “This makes all the bullshit worth it somehow.”

“Yes, it certainly does.”