by Krista Holt
“Furthermore, I agree with the decision of the Department of Justice and the Attorney General of New York to reward Mr. Selvaggio for his participation, which includes a pardon for his past…indiscretions. That said, my office will continue its investigation into the Federal Bureau of Investigation, until I am assured, and I can assure my constituents, that this department operates with one-hundred-percent honesty. I wish Mr. Selvaggio the best as he heals. I’ve talked to my staff, one of which is with Mr. Selvaggio in New York, and have been assured he is doing well and will make a full recovery, in time. Thank you for being here today, I’ll now take a few questions.”
Cameron points to a reporter in the second row. “Yes, you, Ms. Allen, is it? Your question?”
“The staff member that is in New York, is it Reagan Cooper? I’ve heard reports that she is intimately involved with Mr. Selvaggio, is that true?”
Garrett curses behind me, reaching for his cell.
“Due to the precarious situation that is unfolding in New York,” Cameron answers, “I’d prefer to protect her—I mean, the staff member’s identity. Next question.”
“Did he just out you on national television?” Garrett scowls.
“It appears so.” I sigh, rubbing at my forehead. Are we ever going to get a break?
“Is what he said true? Have you talked to him?”
“I don’t even know where my phone is, Garrett. I haven’t talked to anyone outside of you, Nic, and the other agents in days.”
“Then where is he getting this from?”
I shrug. “He knows people, maybe he got an update from your boss’s boss.”
“Are you going to be okay?” Garrett rests his hand on my shoulder, giving it a light squeeze.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do. It’s out there now, something connecting me to Nic. The media is going to be all over this.”
“I know. You should probably call your roommate, warn her that the press might be waiting outside your apartment, and you should probably reach out to your office. I can’t believe they did this without talking to you first.”
I nod, biting my lip and I turn back toward the hospital room. “Don’t tell Nic about this.”
Garrett pauses, shifting on his crutches. “That’s really a bad idea.”
“He just woke up, Garrett,” I argue. “Literally hours ago, he didn’t have a heart beat. I don’t want him worrying about anything else.”
“He’s going to be pissed when he finds out.”
“I will deal with that then. But do not tell him.”
“Fine.” He sighs. “For the record, though, I advised against this.”
“Consider it noted.”
Leaving him in the hallway with a few other agents, I sneak into Nic’s room and quietly dig through my bags to find my phones. Both of them are dead. But after begging at the nurses’ station, I find a charger that’ll work and call Becca to update her about Nic and the news, and then call Scott.
“Reagan, finally,” he answers, irritation evident. “Why haven’t you answered any of my calls?”
“Because I’ve been in a hospital,” I snap, drawing worried looks from the nurses. Mouthing an apology, I quickly seek out a quiet corner in the waiting area and sit down.
“Are you okay?” he asks.
“I’m fine, but what the hell is going on? I saw the news conference, Scott. Why is Cameron telling everyone I’m involved with Nic?”
He groans. “I told you that someone’s been going around to all the members that sit on the committee, talking about you and him. People aren’t happy, Reagan. It looks like you were working with him all this time.”
“I wasn’t.”
“I know that, you know that, but no matter how much you don’t want it to be true, in this town, guilt by association is a very real thing. And when public perception is the only thing that matters, the truth takes a back seat. It doesn’t help that you’re with him right now, rather than here, at work. Cameron tried to get ahead of this, he really tried to make it seem like you were using him for our investigation. But we don’t know if his statement was enough to settle the waters yet.”
“And you didn’t think it was something you should have asked me about first?” I almost shout. “Scott, what Cameron did puts me in more danger, because the people who tried to kill Nic now know that I have a connection to him. They know I’m here!”
“I’m sorry, but we’re not the FBI. We don’t spin our PR from that angle, we just ran with it to try and save your credibility. I’m sorry, truly, putting you at risk was never our intention.”
“You should have asked me.”
“You weren’t answering your phone.”
“That’s because he almost died!” I take a quick breath, tucking my hair behind my ear. “Look, I can’t do this right now. Call me before you try and screw up my life again, all right?”
Hanging up, I push to my feet and then head back to Nic’s room, only to find Garrett still waiting outside.
“Everything okay?” he asks.
“No.” I sigh. “They thought they were helping. My co-worker said someone has been stirring up the members who sit on the Oversight Committee, making it seem like Nic was using me to get information. With the intern still missing and his family breathing down their backs, Cameron is under a lot of pressure. They were trying to protect my job and put the focus back on the committee’s work.”
“But they ended up putting a bullseye on your back instead,” he states. “Who would even try to stir all that back up?”
“The only person I can think of is Simmons. He’s the only one that knew all the details, and he’s the only one disappointed that Nic wasn’t thrown in prison.”
“Sure, but would he really come after you for that?”
“I’m not entirely sure he doesn’t see me as part of the problem.”
He shakes his head. “I made some calls of my own, and it turns out you were right. My boss’s boss’s boss has been talking to Cameron regularly, which explains how he knew that you were here. I’ll have a talk with Simmons’s superior, too. If he is the one doing this, we’ll stop it.”
I nod, glancing through the window to make sure Nic is still sound asleep. “What happens now, Garrett? Where do we go from here?”
He adjusts his stance, carefully putting all of his weight on his good leg. “I don’t know yet. I’ve been keeping the prosecuting attorney updated. Once Nic is a little stronger, they may want him back on the stand.”
My mouth drops open, stunned. “You’re kidding, right? After what happened? There’s no way—” I bite my lower lip, trying to hide the way it trembles “—that’s not fair, Garrett. He almost died.”
“I understand, but it’s really not up to me.”
I hold my breath, glancing back at the man I love, lying in his hospital bed. The same man who almost lost his life. Who almost sacrificed everything, for me.
“When will you know for sure?”
“I’ve talked to the doctors and he’s healing pretty well. They want him to rest for a few more days before they’ll even consider releasing him. So, we have some time before anything changes. Try not to worry about it yet.”
Closing my eyes, I struggle to control my emotions. The ones that want to scream and shout. Demand that Nic be done with all of this. The trial. The danger. The risk.
“I probably shouldn’t say anything,” he sighs. “But…”
“What?”
“There’s a slim chance, and I mean a very, very slim chance they could dismiss him. The assassination attempt would be one more thing the defense attorney would have to cover up, and they could just decide not to. They could dismiss him.”
“He wouldn’t have to face his father again?”
“No, he wouldn’t.”
Hope grows in my chest, however shaky it might be. “If that’s the case, and he gets dismissed, then what happens?”
“Then,” he pauses, like he’s not sure I’ll like what he’s
about to say, “he’s going to have to disappear for awhile.”
“For how long?”
“A few months at least. There’s a list of people that need to be put on trial before I can even consider letting him come back.”
Sadness quickly squashes out my hope. The thought of not seeing him, not being with him for months, is sobering.
“The better question, though, Reagan, is what are you going to do when it happens?”
I sigh, wiping away the beginnings of a tear from the corner of my eye. “I really don’t know.”
CHAPTER 39
Nic
I CAN’T SEE HER, BUT I know she’s here. The room smells like her.
I couldn’t tell you what exactly it is, but it’s so distinctly Reagan. I’ll still be able to recognize it, even when I’m old and gray.
Cracking open my eyes, the top of her head comes into focus. She’s asleep, half on the bed and half in a chair, folded at a right angle. It can’t be comfortable, but there she is, holding my hand.
Weakly, I brush my fingers through her hair as it all starts to come back. Her screams. Being shot. Hitting the curb, and almost bleeding out. Then nothing.
It’s been two days since the doctors pulled me out of the coma, but it feels like I was shot only a couple of hours ago.
My eyes scan her slumped figure, spotting a bandage peeking out from under the sleeve of her t-shirt. Other than that, she seems unscathed, but still. Forcefully swallowing, I squeeze my free hand into a fist. She’s fine. She’s here. That’s all that matters right now. Well, that, and getting the hell out of this hospital.
Garrett interrupts my thoughts by quietly pushing the door open and hobbling into the room. He notices Reagan asleep on the bed and a faint smile flickers over his face.
“She is something else, Nic.” He turns to me. “She was covered in your blood before the EMTs arrived. But she never stopped. Never wavered. To tell you the truth, I think the only reason you survived is because she willed it.”
“Probably. She can be persistent.” It wouldn’t surprise me if she bartered with the man upstairs so hard he agreed to let me live just to get her off his back.
“How about you?” he asks, gingerly sitting in a chair opposite of Reagan.
“Okay, I guess. I’m alive. You?”
“I’ll be fine. But, I thought you might want to know the prosecuting attorney contacted me a half hour ago.”
I glance at him, brows raised. “And?”
“You just might be the luckiest man I’ve ever met, because the defense gave up their right to cross examine you. Apparently, your assassination attempt might taint the presumption of your father’s innocence.” He gives me a disbelieving look. “But I’m guessing, they really don’t want you telling the jury that your father tried to have you killed.”
“What exactly does that mean?”
“You’ve been excused, Nic. For good. You don’t have to go back.”
“It’s over?” I ask, wanting to make sure I heard him right. “I’m done?”
“Yeah,” he nods. “It’s over, Nic. The prosecution will continue to call other witnesses, and the trial will move on, but your part is over.”
I exhale slowly, relief falling on me like an anvil, crushing and heavy. It’s finally over. I’m free.
“So what now? Witness protection?”
He nods. “We’ll get you out of here, and on a plane as soon as the doctors sign off on you being ready to travel.”
My eyes fall back to Reagan. “For how long?”
“Three months, minimum. It’s going to take some time. Even if we keep your father in prison, we still have to put everyone who held any power on trial.”
This isn’t a surprise. I knew I would have to leave again. That’s the whole point of witness protection, right? Relocating. It’s going to be hard to leave her, though. I don’t want to go anywhere, but keeping her safe and as far away from this as possible has always been my priority.
“Do you know where yet?”
“No clue.” He grins unrepentantly. “But I hear North Dakota is wonderful this time of year.”
“Screw you.” I laugh and immediately regret it when my chest throbs.
Reagan comes awake with a groan, rubbing her neck. She slowly sits up and catches us staring at her.
A faint blush tinges her cheeks. “Was I snoring?”
“No, sweetheart, you weren’t. Did you sleep okay?”
“I suppose.” She glances between the two of us, from my relieved grin and Garrett’s relaxed pose. “What’s going on? Did something happen?”
“Reagan,” I smile, reaching for her hand, “it’s over.”
A second passes before she says anything. “What’s over?”
“My testimony. I don’t have to go back.”
She inhales quickly, blinking rapidly. A hand covers her mouth, and her eyes close a second before she reaches up and wipes away a few tears.
“Hey, it’s okay. It’s fine. This is a good thing.”
“I know, I know,” she gulps. “But I was so worried. I didn’t want you to go back…after last time…”
“Come here.” I tug on her hand, wanting her on the bed next to me. She comes easily, lying by my side, hiding her face in my neck. My skin turns damp with her tears and I hold her the best I can without pulling my IV out.
“Reagan, sweetheart, it’s okay.”
She nods slightly, wiping at her cheeks. “I can’t lose you, Nic. I can’t.”
“You never will. I’m yours, all yours, forever, remember?”
She nods again, exhaling softly. I kiss her forehead, noticing how her eyes flicker toward Garrett, who’s taken it upon himself to stare at the floor for the last few minutes.
“Uh…” She sits up quickly, swallowing hard. “I’m going to go get some cake or something. Maybe some donuts. We should celebrate.”
Gently, she climbs out of the bed, but not before kissing me one more time. “Can I get you anything else?”
I shake my head, reluctantly letting go of her. “Are you okay?”
“Fine.” She smiles at me. “Completely fine.”
I don’t believe her. Her smile is a little too big, a little too forced. But I’ll give her a second to wrap her mind around the news before pushing her for answers.
“Don’t be gone long.”
She mutters something about bossy Italians that makes me smile before leaving the room.
I glance at Garrett, who’s busy tugging at the bandage on his leg.
“What was that look for?”
“What look?”
“The one she gave you.”
He sighs. “She wanted to know what would happen after your testimony was finished.”
“And you told her about me leaving.”
“Yeah.”
I stare at the closed door, the one she disappeared through a few seconds ago, understanding her quick escape a little more. “I’ll talk to her.”
“I know.” He sits back in his chair, shifting his injured leg into a more comfortable position. “And not to pile it on, but your mother has been here almost daily.”
“Is that your version of a joke?”
He shakes his head.
“Great,” I groan.
“We can bar her from the premises, but she knows about Reagan.”
“Shit. Has Reagan talked to her?”
“Not that I know of. I think they only saw each other. Your mother was harassing one of the agents at the door and Reagan looked out. But, it’s safe to say that she knows why you turned on your father.”
I struggle to sit up, but the stitches in my chest pull tight, tugging at tender skin. Fighting off a moan, I give up and lean back against the stack of pillows at my back. “Is she here now?”
“No idea, I can ask.”
He pushes out of the chair, favoring his hurt limbs. Sticking his head out the door, he talks in hushed tones to the agent outside before turning around.
“She�
��s here, want to see her?”
“Yeah, bring her in.” I grimace. “Head Reagan off, will you?”
“I’ll try. But we both know she has a mind of her own.”
I nod, barely preparing myself for the smothering and hefty serving of guilt heading my way when my mother invades the room like she’s storming Normandy.
“Nicola!” She comes to the bed, jostling my side.
“Ma!” I hiss through clenched teeth. “Watch it!”
She curses under her breath, words I have never heard her utter before. “I’m sorry, Nicola. Are you okay? Should I call a nurse?”
“It’s fine. I’m fine.” I hold my aching ribs, bracing against the wave of pain. “You can’t stay long. I just wanted you to know I’m okay.”
“I can’t stay?” She frowns. “Is this because of the girl?”
“I don’t want to talk about her.”
“Why? Don’t you trust me?”
I grimace. “I don’t trust anybody at this point. My own father is the one who almost killed me.”
“Nicola…” She starts to argue, but my glare silences her.
“You have to stop coming here. It’s only a matter of time before someone follows you and finishes the job or hurts her.”
“But you are my son—”
“I know,” I interrupt, “and if you care at all for me, you’ll let me do this my way.”
She takes a few faltering breaths before wiping at the extra moisture leaking from her eyes. “Do you love her?”
Silently studying her, my mind tosses around all the reasons why it’s a stupid idea to let her know how important Reagan is to me. But, she’s my mother. She’s protected me from my father time and time again. I can trust her with this.
“More than my own life.”
She smiles weakly, barely keeping her composure. “I’m glad you found her then.”
“You can’t come back here, Ma. I mean it. I know I made this mess, but I’m trying to protect her. I’m sorry, but it has to be this way.”
“I’ll do as you’ve asked.”
“Thank you.”
“I will always be your mother, Nicola. You are my only son. I wish the best for you.” She leans over to kiss me on the forehead.
