by Ciana Stone
Riggs walked around the house to the back patio where his father was sitting, watching the sunset. A glass of his favorite bourbon sat on the table beside him.
"I guess you're leaving," Russell commented as Riggs walked up the steps.
"Yep."
"Mission?"
"Something like that."
"Something you can't or don't want to say?"
"Would it matter either way?"
"I guess not. It was good having you here for a few days."
"Yeah, it was. I miss this place when I'm gone."
"So, stop leaving, son."
"It's not that easy, Dad. What I do…". He paused and looked out over the land. Riggs had loved this place his entire life. It was home. But what he did was part of him now, and he no longer knew how to separate Riggs the man from Riggs the SEAL. He also didn't know how to explain that to his father.
"It's who I am, Dad."
"Enough said," Russell stood. "I'm proud of you, son. I just have that parental worry to deal with. Don't fault me for that."
"Never."
"When will you be back?"
"Don't know. I'll try and keep in touch. And in the meantime, why don't you think about calling her, Dad. It's a shame for people who care so much about one another to be so stubborn that they let one argument rob them of the life they want."
"If she'd wanted that, she would've come back."
"Funny, but the way I heard it, you told her not to."
"Sometimes, people say things they don't mean out of fear. She should have known better."
Riggs knew he wasn't going to solve this situation. Once his father dug in his heels, that was it. It'd take more than a son to get him to reverse course. Maybe his father and Naomie hadn't been fated to be together after all. He supposed if they were, they'd somehow find their way back to one another. And if not, they'd move on.
He just didn't want to lose her from his life because she and his father were done with one another. Riggs had been calling her for two weeks, and so far she hadn't answered. He was starting to be worried. But that wasn't something he would tell his father.
"Well, I better hit the road. Talk to you soon."
"Be safe."
"That's my motto." Riggs hugged his father. "I love you, Dad."
"Love you, son."
With a smile, Riggs returned to where Mace sat behind the wheel of his truck, waiting. "Thanks for the ride," Riggs said as he got in.
"Glad to have the time with you before you leave."
"Same here. Your new place is great, by the way. It already feels like a home."
"Thanks to Bailey."
"You've got a good thing, brother. I hope you hang onto it."
"I'll die trying. So, what are the chances Naomie will come back?"
Riggs shrugged. "Don't know."
"No? Somehow I get the feeling you know a lot more about what's going on with her than you let on."
"She's my friend."
"Enough said. You think she knows how much we miss her?"
"I'm betting she feels the same, but this isn't about that. It's about her and dad and neither being willing to back down from a position they shouldn't have taken to begin with."
"Maybe so, I don't know. All I know is that she's family in my book, and Bailey's been worried sick. We haven't gotten through to her in nearly three weeks, and that's just not like Naomie. So, let me just ask this. Is she okay?"
"I wish to hell I knew, bro." Riggs could answer that question honestly, and as he did, he resolved then and there to find Naomie and ascertain if she was indeed, okay.
Washington, D.C.
"I'm sorry I was out of touch," Naomie said as her fingers flew over the keyboard. "It took me a bit of time to set up a secure location and untraceable lines of communication. If you hadn't put that ad on social media, I wouldn't have known you were trying to get in touch with me."
"I hear ya, and I'm not mad," Riggs replied. "Just worried. Which is why I left you this number. It's a burner and will be destroyed when we hang up."
"I appreciate that," she typed in the last line of code and executed the program. Then she stood and walked over to the window. With the window film, not only could no one see in, but they also couldn't point a parabolic mic at her and get audio. She'd made sure her grid was secure. Every wall, window, floor, and ceiling was shielded.
"So, can you tell me where you are?" Riggs asked.
"Can you?"
"Touché. And it's okay if you can't say. As long as I know you're safe."
"I am. For the moment. Can I ask if the same is true for you?"
"About the same," Riggs laughed. "We're a pair, aren't we?"
"I suppose. I just hope you'll be safe, watch your six and come home in one piece."
"That's always the goal. What about you, Naomie? When will you go home and where is home now?"
"I don't know. To both. I wish I did."
There was a long moment of silence before he spoke again. "Do you still love him?"
"Yes."
"Then why can't you stop and go back to him?"
She considered it for a minute before answering. "We're now speaking in confidence."
"Fine. Talk to me."
"Our stunt didn't keep Petrov from being deported. He kept his head low for a while and probably was given a warning by his government, but he's still here. So, I deepened my search and tapped into some pretty explosive information."
"What kind?"
"A Pandora's Box filled with dirty deals done anything but cheap by Petrov with more than a few high-ranking members of Congress and the Administration."
"And what are you going to do with that information?"
"I've already started leaking it. A little at a time, directly to every member of Congress, the Attorney General, heads of the Department of Justice, the CIA, Homeland Security, the leaders of every country of which we are an ally, and today the information started going out to every news outlet on the planet."
"Holy fuck, Naomie. You're going to have everyone looking for you."
"Perhaps. But they won't find me. I covered my bases, and as soon as I finish, I'm a ghost. Now, enough of that, tell me about the family. How's Delaney?"
"Like a crazy woman. They basically have to keep her locked up or drugged. She threatens to have Petrov kill every one of them and seems determined to get back to him. What the hell's wrong with her, Naomie? He's a sadistic bastard. Why would she want to be with him?"
"Because for whatever reason, she craves what he has to give– the pain and humiliation, being subjugated and abused. Don't ask me why because I'll never understand that, but you saw the videos we confiscated. They're into more than a normal BDSM relationship. What they do is dangerous."
"I told dad she needs to be committed."
"I agree, but first, he needs to have her evaluated. I can provide recommendations if you like, but you do need to get her help, Riggs."
"I know. I'll try."
"You're a good man. Now, tell me about everyone else. What's happening at Heritage?"
For the next fifteen minutes, she listened as Riggs filled her in on what was happening with the people she'd come to think of as family. Tears streamed down her face as she listened and her chest hurt from holding herself so tense, fighting so hard not to let a sound escape as the pain of what she'd lost crashed down on her.
When he finally finished, she cleared her throat. "And Russell?"
"Lonely. Sad. It's like the life has gone out of him and he's just going through the motions. Naomie, give him another chance. If not for him, then for me and Mace and Nash and all the rest of the family. We don't want to lose him and don't want him to go through life so miserable. Just think about it, okay?"
"I will. Listen, I have to go. Be safe, Riggs. I want to see you again. I love you."
"Same here."
The call ended, and Naomie lay the phone on the windowsill and stood looking out of the window for a long time. She picked
up the phone and called. It rang four times before being answered. "Hello."
Just hearing his voice made her weak. "Hi."
"Naomie?"
"Yes."
There was silence, such a long one she thought maybe he'd hung up. "Are you there?"
"I am."
"I miss you. I want to come home."
"I–hold on, I'm getting a text… I have to go."
The line went dead, and a bad feeling started to grow. Something was wrong. Her first instinct was to bust ass to get back to Texas, to help however she could. Then she remembered why she was here.
For half an hour she paced the floor, trying to decide what to do. When her phone rang, she literally jumped. It was Sharon Walker. "Yes, ma'am?"
"There was an attempt on Richard's life."
"Is he all right?"
"Yes, thank god. We're going to go to the ranch. He feels we'll be safer there. He's on the phone now with Russ."
"I can get a flight–"
"No. I need you to stay here. What you've found on Petrov so far is damning, but we need more, Naomie. We need to destroy him and all those in government he's bought for the Russians. If you can connect him firmly to the administration, we can take back our government. If the President's son is in as deep as it appears and the President has been covering for him, the party will never back him, and we can get things back on track. With a new President. Someone who is genuinely for the people."
"I understand Madam Attorney General, and I do want to help, but I want to go home. Russell and I–"
"Your personal life can be put on hold for a while longer, Dr. Taylor. Right now, you need to do what is asked of you and stay the course."
Her voice softened. "Naomie, I know you miss him, but how do you think Russ would feel, knowing you'd not done all you could to protect his twin brother and do everything you can to help Rich sit in that Oval Office and get this great country on track?"
Naomie's first reaction was that Russell would never ask her to sacrifice her entire life for that goal. He wasn't that kind of man. But Sharon's next words eroded her confidence as quickly as an avalanche can change the face of a mountain.
"I haven't wanted to say this to you because I didn't want you to be hurt, but think about who Russ is. When he wants something, nothing under the sun will stop him from getting it. If he loved you that much and wanted you back, don't you think he would have come for you? Or at least reached out? Has he done that, Naomie? Has Russ called or visited or in any way communicated that he wants you back?"
Naomie had no reply for any of the questions. Sharon Walker had just pointed out what she'd not wanted to accept. Russell might be lonely, but he wasn't bereft or heartbroken. If he'd wanted her back, he would have let her know.
"What is it you want of me, Madam Attorney General?"
"How long will it take to get what we need to get where we want to be?"
"I don't know. I can keep working at things from this end, tapping into Congressional emails, bank accounts, and financial records, but there will be information that's only available from Russian banks and government files, and I can't hack into those from here."
"Then, you'll go there."
"Madam Attorney General, I'm barred from entering the country."
"You won't be going as Naomie Taylor. Leave those details to me. Continue with your work here. I must accompany Richard, but I will tap into my resources and start things moving toward getting you there and supplying you with what you need to get the data we must have."
"You do realize that if I'm caught–"
"We're not going to let that happen."
"Yes, ma'am."
"We'll speak soon, Dr. Taylor."
"Yes, ma'am."
Naomie stood there, phone in hand, struggling not to cry and shaking with the effort. All at once the dam broke on her control. With a scream, she hurled her phone across the room, uncaring that it smashed against the wall, sending tiny shards of glass raining over the floor.
Because she'd cared, she'd allowed herself to be duped. She'd come here to save Delaney and had returned in secrecy to continue what she and Amber started. Destroy Petrov and bring their adventures to an end.
Their luck ran out when Sharon Walker saw Naomie in a store and followed her. To keep from revealing Amber's part of things, Naomie confessed she'd returned to try and destroy Petrov. Sharon said she wanted to assist in that. Rich's mother DeLyn said something to Sharon on the phone.
DeLyn had been trying to talk sense into Delaney ever since Riggs brought Delaney home, but it was like talking to a wall. One evening Delaney flew into a rage and said Petrov was smarter than all of them. Smart enough to put who the Russians wanted in the White House.
Sharon wanted to know if that was true and wanted Naomie to find out. At first, Naomie tried to say no, but Sharon reminded her that she did wield a great deal of power and while she might not be able to have Naomie implicated in a felony, she could undoubtedly ruin her professional reputation, not to mention her good standing with the Walker family.
If there was one thing Naomie hated, it was being bullied or used, but it wasn't for Sharon that she agreed. Naomie genuinely believed in Richard and his sincerity for wanting to get the country back on track.
So, she agreed.
And look where it'd gotten her.
Feeling the most alone she'd ever felt in her life, she sat down on the floor, put her hands over her face, and cried.
Chapter Nineteen
Washington, D.C
Naomie looked out of the window during the ride from the airport to Amber's apartment. It felt a bit strange to be back in the United States, to hear English spoken, to smell and hear familiar things and not feel she had to constantly look over her shoulder.
At least not yet. She wasn't sure she trusted Sharon Walker to have her back, but it wasn't as if she had any choice in the matter. She could only hope that since she'd fulfilled her end of the bargain, Sharon would as well.
A sense of misery that began when she got into the cab was growing. She'd tried to dismiss it, told herself it was way past time to let go, but being back on home soil was intensifying emotions she'd kept bottled tightly for months. She told herself she would be able to handle it once she got some rest. She was just tired.
Naomie paid the driver, grabbed her messenger bag and carry-on, and went inside the building where she gave her name to the attendant on duty at the desk. He called Amber's apartment to announce Naomie's presence.
"You can go right up, Dr. Taylor."
"Thanks," she gave the man a smile and headed for the elevator. Once inside, she leaned back against the wall and closed her eyes. Anguish claimed her in a tight-fisted grip that had her wrapping her arms around her middle, holding tight and fighting back the tears.
The elevator door opened, and her eyes opened. "Riggs." Had it been anyone else, she might have held it together, but it was Riggs, and the sight of him robbed her of that last bit of strength, and she ran into his arms, crying her heart out.
He held her for a long time, not speaking, just holding. Finally, she pulled back. "I'm sorry."
"You don't have to be. God, Naomie. I've cried a few tears myself, worrying about you. I don't know whether to kiss you or cuff you. Where the hell have you been?"
"Hell's a pretty apt description."
"I'm gonna need more than that."
"And I'll tell you." She hugged him again. "I'm sorry. I would have called if–"
"I know the drill. Still–"
"I'll tell you. Let's go inside. Oh shit, where's my bag?"
Just then, Amber's door opened, and she walked out. "Naomie!" She ran to throw her arms around Naomie, and they both cried a little. Amber pulled back and ran her hands over her face. "The doorman said your luggage came back down the elevator and I asked him to bring it up. I was just going to meet him and see where you were."
"I hijacked her," Riggs said.
"I wish you would. Permanent like. Oh
, there he is." Amber hurried to take the piece of luggage from the doorman. "Thank you so much."
She then turned and led the way. "Okay, come on in."
Once inside, they took seats in the living room. "Are you hungry?" Amber asked. "Want something to drink?"
"No, I want to know. Tell me what's happened?"
"Wait a minute," Riggs looked from her to Amber and then back at Naomie. "I thought you were responsible for all the shit that's gone down?"
Naomie looked at Amber. "You didn't tell him?"
"I told him what you were doing. Not where you were."
Maybe it was jet lag, or grief or a combination of all she'd been through, but Naomie felt anger rising. "Oh, I see, you were protecting your mother."
"That's not fair!" Amber got to her feet.
"Isn't it?" Naomie looked up at her. "Or is that you just don't want it to be?"
"Can we table that for a few minutes and look at what's happened?"
"Of course, tell me what's happened?"
"I'd like to know what–" Riggs interrupted
Naomie reached over and put her hand on Riggs' leg. "Let's do this her way."
"Fine."
"Okay," Amber sat again. "The information obtained didn't just point a finger and suggest wrongdoing. It basically delivered a slam dunk. What was revealed was enough to turn the party against the President because of his son. My father won the nomination."
"Yes, I'm aware," Naomie commented."
"Okay but what you might not know is between then and the election there were multiple investigations, special committees formed, an independent counsel appointed, and the information continued to be revealed, each bit worse than the last. And here's the kicker. It was revealed not just to the government but to the world. The White House couldn't deny it, and in time it basically surrendered.
"My father won the election, and when he takes office, the President's son will be arrested and charged with a host of felonies, crimes against the state and possibly treason. The former President may end up being charged unless he cooperates and my father decides to pardon him."
"Again, I'm aware. What about the Hood?" Naomie asked. "Does the government believe the Hood is behind this?"
"Yes."
