Luke peeked out the window at the clear sky full of stars. They seemed so close he felt he could almost grab one. “It’s different from the city out here at night. I can see why people move from D.C.”
“That’s one of the reasons I bought this place.”
He turned to her, holding a glass of wine, wearing shorts and a T-shirt. They’d changed clothes as soon as they got to the Maryland house.
She asked, “Want to talk about it?”
Instead of arguing about their relationship, or discussing his talk with Clarke, Luke and Annalise were more loving, more solicitous and more ravenous with each other than ever before. It was as if their time together was up!
Thankfully, he didn’t pretend to misunderstand. He set down his glass and faced her. “Clarke knows.”
“That’s all you told me.”
He shrugged. “He’s worried about you and your career.”
“He would be. And about you in general, I’m sure. He cares deeply for you.”
“Yes, he does.”
She hesitated then said, “If he noticed, others will. Is that what you’re thinking?”
He nodded.
“Do you want to go home? End it now?” Her voice quivered on the last question.
“Do I want that? No. Should we do it to protect your career? Damn it, yes.”
The notion panicked her. Setting down her wine on the coffee table, she stood, hurried across the room and hugged him. “I can’t do it now. I can’t stop seeing you.”
He kissed the top of her head. “Please don’t, love. We have to be realistic about this.”
“Not now.”
“Every day is a crapshoot.”
“I…” She drew back. And played dirty. “Please, don’t make me give you up yet. At least wait until the weekend is over.”
She saw the torment in his face, the torment she caused. Then he clasped her to him. “All right. Not yet.”
* * *
The next morning, the phone rang. Annalise stared out at the backyard, drinking a cup of coffee in the kitchen dining area and picked it up. “Hello.”
“Hello, sweetie. It’s Nick.”
“Hi.” They hadn’t talked since the fiasco of the last time they’d visited. He must have seen Luke’s car again. Annalise had felt bad about not contacting him, but she would never compromise where Luke was concerned.
“Isabelle and I would like you and Luke to come to dinner. And before you object, this is an apology. Isabelle read me the riot act about how I treated you last time. Mostly, she made me see how pig-headed I’d been.”
“What did she say?”
“How you’re an adult now and I have to treat you like one. I’m genuinely sorry I didn’t. Come over tonight and we’ll all make peace, then have a dinner and I can get to know Luke.”
“I’ll ask him.”
“Text me. I love you, Annie.”
“I love you, too.”
When she hung up, she saw Luke in the doorway to the kitchen. “Who else are you telling you love him, woman?”
“Uncle Nick.”
Luke’s eyes widened.
“He called to apologize for his actions when we were last here. And he’s invited us to dinner tonight.”
“A peace offering.”
“Looks like. He also said he wants to get to know you better.”
“Hmm.” He came forward and dropped down in a chair.
She squeezed his arm. “Please don’t hold a grudge, Luke. These people are my family. I love them both and their kids.”
“I’d never do that to you.” He leaned over and kissed her nose. “Don’t you know I’d do anything for you?”
She wanted to say, Yes, except stay in my life. But she refrained because she didn’t want to upset him.
* * *
The Marino house said a lot about the owners—it was big and classy, with lots of wood and tile and state-of-the-art everything. Luke struggled not to be intimidated by his surroundings and by what was to come. Annalise didn’t ring the doorbell but walked into the mudroom. They took the hallway down to the kitchen. Isabelle came out. “Hello, you two.” She kissed Annalise’s cheek then held out her hand to Luke. “Thanks for this. Come out to the family room.”
Two girls sat at a table off to the side in the large spacious area, putting puzzles together. These were the twelve-year-old daughters, Evvie and Dee.
Annalise said, “Hey, there. How are my little cousins?”
The girls caught sight of her. They resembled Nick with dark hair and blue eyes. “Annalise!”
“Mom didn’t say…”
As if they were joined at the hip, they both bolted up and flew across the room, just in time for Annalise to kneel and catch them. “Hmm. Love these hugs and nuzzles.”
“Us too.” They peered up at Luke. “Annie, you got a boyfriend?” Evvie asked.
“Um—”
Luke grinned. “She does. Hi, girls. I’m Luke.”
While Annalise sat cross-legged on the floor with them, and listened to their stories about their last year in middle school, Luke turned to Isabelle. “Hello, again.”
Gracefully, dressed in a rust-colored matching top and shorts, she took his hand. “Come out to the porch with me while Annalise catches up. The twins won’t leave her alone unless she does.”
Luke was no longer envious of that. He was grateful Annalise had so much family.
The large screened-in porch faced a huge backyard, with a pool and playset. Luke sat on the comfortable rattan furniture. Over at the pool to the right, Nick played basketball with their sons, Jason and Jamie, in the hot July sun. He’d learned all their kids’ names on the way over. As he watched, he noticed the boys were tall and fit and broad-shouldered, like Nick, but he still had some height and girth on them.
“They’re having fun,” he said to Isabelle.
“I know. They’re packing everything in before college in the fall.”
“Where are they going?”
“Georgetown.”
“My nephew applied for early admission next year. If he gets in, maybe the twins can hook up with him.”
“Hopefully, they won’t go crazy as freshmen.”
“I know. Boy, you have a houseful this summer.”
“I love it. But the guys have plans with friends at seven and the girls are ready to go to a sleepover.”
“The house will be empty. On purpose, because Nick and I are having a face-off.”
She reached over and touched his arm. “Not that. He regrets his actions. But he’s been close to my brother’s girls since he was the Special Agent in Charge on Jim’s details. They’re important to him.”
“I know. I think it’s a gift to have family in your life. Don’t worry, Isabelle, I’m not angry at him.” Somehow this woman made him want to protect her.
By seven, the house had cleared and the adults sat outside. Nick cooked steaks on a grill, and Isabelle had made a salad and baked potato, which they ate on the deck. After Isabelle and Annalise took the plates into the kitchen then returned, Nick started the conversation they’d come over to have. “I’d like to apologize to you, Luke, for being hostile the first time we met. I’m overprotective of Annie.”
He angled his head to her. “She explained everything.”
“I’m sincere about my apology. But seriously, what are you two going to do?”
“You mean about my career?” Annalise asked.
“I do.”
“You know, you and Isabelle faced a career issue, too.”
“We did.” He said to Luke, “I screwed up on my assignment to protect Isabelle. I fell hard for her. But I was a part of the PPD.” The Presidential Protective Detail. “I dishonored my job. So, I resigned, took other work I’m still happy in, but there was scandal among the ranks.”
“How’d you deal with it?” Luke asked.
“Took it like a big boy.” He smiled affectionately at his wife. “Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for you. Even if one of you quits The Justice Project now, the damage, so to speak, is done.”
Annalise took Luke’s hand. “Truthfully Nick, we don’t know what to do.”
Nick transferred his gaze to Isabelle. She said, “I’m afraid there’s another complication. You know I’m involved with the Democratic Party of Maryland.”
“Yes.” Annalise frowned. “Why is that relevant?”
She took a deep breath as if she had an end-of-the-world announcement. “Because we need to send a recommendation for Jake Peters’ seat in Congress.”
Luke closed his eyes briefly. He guessed what was coming.
Isabelle took Annalise’s hand. “They want you to fill the open spot and run for re-election this fall.”
Annalise’s jaw dropped. Luke could see the confusion on her face.
“Sweetheart, this is exactly the kind of start you want.”
“But not so soon.”
Isabelle cocked her head. “Your dad was the same age as you are when he won a seat in congress.”
Now her expression turned panicky. “But that means…that means…Luke, we’ll have to break up now.”
“It does, honey.”
* * *
Luke was gutted by news of the offer. He was going to lose her now. Right now. And he wasn’t ready for this. Silence shadowed the room until Annalise said, “I don’t know if I’d accept the nomination. I have to think about it.”
Luke said immediately, “Of course she’ll take it.”
Nick’s and Isabelle’s expressions underscored the doom the situation brought about.
“I’m not saying no. I’m saying I’ll need time to think about my plans. If they don’t like that, then so be it.”
“Annalise—” A ringing precluding his objection. Luke pulled out his phone and checked the ID. “I’m sorry I have to get this,” he said as he pushed his chair back. “Annalise, it’s Andy. If he’s saying hello, I won’t be long.” And he walked out of the room.
After taking the call, Luke strode into the family room. “I have to go, Annalise. Nick, can you give her a ride back to town? I’ll be busy so…”
“Anything you need. What’s wrong?”
“Andy my little brother in the Big Brother program. He’s a foster kid, like I was.”
Annalise added, “Luke single-handedly got a foster care arm established for the renowned program. It’s popular world-wide.”
Luke continued, “His mother wanted him back, so he went. I think it was for his assistance money she could collect. In any case, Andy’s freaked because her boyfriend showed up drunk tonight and he saw the guy hit his mother. When Andy tried to help, the jerk corralled him and dragged him to his room. I told him to stay put.”
“Is the fighting, battering still going on?” Isabelle asked. “Because Nick could go with you.”
“Thanks for the offer, but it’s quieted down. I told Andy to lock his door and if it starts again to call the police. But I have to get there and maybe take him out of that house.”
Annalise stood. “I’m coming back with you.”
“No, I told you, I won’t be available tonight. Stay and talk with Isabelle about the offer.”
“No, Luke. I’ll go home with you. I decide that, not you.”
He gave a frustrated sigh but backed down and said to the Marinos, “Sorry I have to cut this short. Nick, thanks for explaining everything to me. Isabelle, nice to spend time with you.”
* * *
Once in the car, he expected a tirade from Annalise. He knew he was in the wrong to decide she should stay. “I—”
“Hush, we can deal with how autocratic you were just now later.” She pivoted as much as she could in the bucket seat. “Let’s talk about Andy. You know you can’t haul him away.”
“Legally, you mean? The courts know all about me. You’re right, though. I know I’m not supposed to do that. But I will if I think he’s in danger and deal with the consequences.”
“Luke—”
“I’m not leaving him in a dangerous situation.”
She settled back into the seat. They went a long way in silence. Finally, as they entered DC, he said, “I’m dropping you off first.”
“No way. I’ll wait in the car.”
“Listen to yourself! You’re going to be asked to run for congress, and you’re going with me when I might have to do something illegal, as you pointed out.”
She blew out a heavy breath but said nothing.
“Annalise, even if you don’t take this shot which you should, if you’re involved in something like this, it’ll be more of a scandal than hooking up with your boss.”
“You’re right.”
He drove to her complex, swerved in front of her condo, grabbed her to him and kissed her. He knew this might be the last time, no it would be the last time, so he let it go on longer than he should.
She drew back and caressed his face, a gesture that nearly felled him. “Call me as soon as you know what’s going on.”
“I will. I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
He waited until she got inside, then blanked his mind and drove to Andy’s, praying the situation had remained calm. When he reached the house, his hopes were dashed. The bright red lights of two police cars pierced the darkness in front of Bella Mason’s apartment building.
He hurried up to the front as two cops exited the door, holding a man by his arms. The guy had a cut on his face and a bloody lip. He didn’t go easily.
“Sir, who are you?” the cop asked after they met on the sidewalk.
“I’m Luke Branson, Andy’s Big Brother.”
The guy’s eyes widened. “You fucking bastard. This is your fault.” He broke away from the cops’ hold, lowered his shoulder and went in for a tackle.
Luke slammed into hard concrete.
Screaming pain.
He lay on the ground moaning.
* * *
Annalise arrived at the hospital at three that morning. Luke had called to tell her what had happened. He asked her not to come, but she ignored his objections. She found him in the ER, sitting on a cot, his arm in a sling. The area was curtained off but the noise of doctors talking and ringing phones was notable. “Hi.”
Pleasure spread across his face before his expression turned dark. “I asked you to stay home.”
“You were the one who chose to fall in love with a strong woman.”
He snorted. “I didn’t choose that. I couldn’t stop myself.”
She kissed his cheek and sat down next to him, taking his good hand. She needed to touch him. “How’s the shoulder?”
“Bruised. No torn ligaments or anything.”
“The police let him go after you?”
“Not exactly. They’d each grabbed an arm but hadn’t cuffed him for some reason. When I met up with them and he realized who I was, he lunged, knocking me to the ground. My shoulder hit the concrete first. I-I practically cried at the pain.”
“As if.”
“Anyway, the police insisted I come for treatment. I gotta wait till the resident releases me.”
“Where’s Andy?”
“The cops called Social Services and got ahold of Charlotte Cummings. She arrived as I was put on an ambulance gurney. She said Ida Banks would take him tonight.”
“So, you didn’t get to see Andy?”
“No, but he called me. He was crying. I promised I’d come over tomorrow and find a way out of all this.” He glanced at the clock. “Well, today, now. Luckily this is a four-day weekend and I’ll have time.” A weekend that they were supposed to spend together. At least Andy and Bella Mason were out of danger.
The doctor came in. “How are you feeling now, Luke?”
“Still in some pain, but I’m basically well enough to leave.”
“I’ll discharge you, if you have someone to stay with tonight. You’ve got a slight concussion.”
“He’ll stay with me.”
Annalise called an Uber and when they got home, she turned to him. He said, “I’ll sleep in the spare room. I’ll toss and turn all night.”
“I’ll check on you. Waking you up every hour isn’t necessary for a slight concussion.”
He kissed her nose. “Thanks for this.”
She tucked him into bed then went to her room, leaving both doors open.
Dropping her clothes to the floor, she slid into bed and wished he was with her.
The smell of coffee awakened her. She was home. In bed. Alone. Then the details of last night came flooding back. Oh, no, she hadn’t checked on him. Throwing off the covers and donning a robe, she hurried to the kitchen.
Luke sat in a chair, bare-chested except for the crisscrossing of the white sling. Red bruises blotched his upper body. He looked up. “I know, I’m a mess,” he said when he caught her staring.
“Poor baby.” She walked up to him. Sniffed. “You took a shower?”
“Gingerly. I had blood and sweat and God knows what else all over me.” He pointed to the tablet he’d put in front of him. “I borrowed this. I hope you don’t mind.”
“You can use anything you need here.” She poured coffee and took a seat across from him.
“Pretty robe.”
The robe was bright red, with yellow symbols on it.
“Dad brought it back from China after one of his trips.”
“Ah, my spoiled little president’s daughter.”
“Cut it out. I didn’t wake up to check on you.”
“I did and took more pain medicine when I could.”
“Some nurse I am.”
He chuckled.
"When do you see Andy?”
“I said I’d be there at ten, hoping he’d get some rest. Ida too. She needs her sleep.”
“Luke, she can’t keep him forever. What’s going to happen to him?”
He turned the tablet around. On the screen she saw, the title of a report: Legal Guardianship, Foster Care and Adoption. How they work.
A little intake of breath. “Are you thinking of going this route?”
“It’s entered my mind before.”
“You want to take on a ten-year-old?”
“Somebody did for Seth. He turned out good. I’m paying it forward for him.”
“I beg to differ that Seth turned out good.”
“Where would foster kids be without people taking them in?”
“I know. But I didn’t expect this.”
“And?”
“What about me? Do I have a say in it?” Intuitively, she knew she’d agree, despite the problems with raising a son.
“No. Haven’t you heard anything I’ve been saying these last few days?” His voice was ragged. He wasn’t feeling well, and she knew their showdown about the nomination was wearing on him. “Hell, Annalise, you’re going to be on a direct path to the presidency right now. We can’t be together. End of story.”
“God damn it, Luke.”
Leaning over, he kissed her lips. “You’re right about that. God damned this whole relationship.” He stood and walked down the hall to the bedrooms. He came out fully dressed in jeans and a shirt he’d left here. “I called a cab to take me to pick up my car. I’m asking you to please let me go without a scene. I don’t have enough energy to deal with that.”
“I know. I won’t try to convince you. I—I’ll let you go.”
“Goodbye, love.”
“Goodbye, Luke.”
After he left, Annalise jumped in the shower and tried to let the warm water sluicing over her body soothe her, but no luck with that. She couldn’t stop thinking about him. The man who totally rejected her. Tears threatened, but she battled them back. She’d be damned if she’d dissolve into a puddle over his decision.
She’d changed into khaki capris and a yellow blouse when the front bell rang. Her hair in a towel, she crossed to the door. Peeked in the peephole. And felt her eyes well again when she saw her mother. She whipped open the door and threw herself into arms that had soothed away her troubles for most of her life.