CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Friday, October 6th
Chicago
Lucky walked toward Hank’s office with her dog at her side and saw Jason walking in her direction. “Did you get the intel I sent over earlier?”
“I did, but I haven’t had a chance to look at it. Hank’s got me moving to another case, so I’m going to forward it to Ed because it looks like he’s going to run the security analysis instead of me.”
“What’s your new case?”
“Watchdog assignment for some heiress that’s coming to town.”
“That’s either going to be the easiest thing you do all year or complete torture.”
“I’m guessing it’s going to be torture because the file I was just handed tells me the woman gets off on trying stupid shit.”
“At least it won’t be boring.”
Jason stepped forward and petted Judit and then leaned against the wall. “I’d take boring because I’ve got a date with Tegan next week and the last thing I need is for some spoiled rich girl to get in the way of my plans.”
“Congratulations, I never thought you’d actually ask her out. I’m very proud of you and hope it goes well.”
“We were never single at the same time and now that we are, I figure it’s do or die. We’ve danced around our attraction for one another for years, so this is either going to be the best thing in the world or I’m about to screw up a great friendship.”
“Since I’m all about hearts and flowers now, I think it’s worth taking a chance and finding out whether you two make sense. You never know unless you try.”
“Wow, I never thought I’d hear such sappy words come out of your mouth. Where’s the cynicism and derision?”
“It’s gone. Sammy took it and replaced it with a lot of mushy love and optimism.”
“He sure as hell did.” Giving her a slow once over, he grinned. “It suits you, Lucky.”
“What suits her?” Hank asked as he stepped out of his office.
“Love. Our girl has been hit and it looks like it’s fatal.”
“The best love is,” Hank replied.
Slapping the folder against his thigh, Jason stood up and turned toward the staircase. “I’m out.”
“Do you need me, Lucky, or were you headed to Kay’s office?”
“I came to see you because I have a bunch of updates and wanted to know what you thought about the proposal I sent over yesterday.”
Turning, he walked back into his office. “Come in and let’s get started.”
Lucky strolled into Hank’s office and Judit laid down next to the chair that faced Hank’s desk. “She knows the routine,” Lucky commented as she sat down.
Hank gave her a smile and then took a seat. “I tried to talk Stazi into a dog, but she said we should have a house before getting one, so we’re waiting.”
“Makes sense.”
“Before we get into all the SAI business, tell me if Vazov is the last of the mobsters we have to deal with for a while.”
“I hope so, Hank.” Moving her hand to her dog’s head, she stroked her slowly. “I’m tired of thinking about the Russian Bratva, oligarchs with bad intentions, and Italian dons with old vendettas. There are more interesting things in the world and I’m ready to start focusing on them.”
“Good because we have a lot of things around here that need your attention, and Ivy is chomping at the bit to get started on all the changes Max and Rory want to make.”
“Yes, her daily emails have alerted me to her enthusiasm.”
“That’s a very polite way to characterize her behavior.” Hank looked up and motioned for Maddox to come in. “What do you have there?”
“This was just delivered by courier for you; it’s from Simon Harris at the FBI.”
“Considering everything Lucky just did for them, it should be for her,” he remarked as he got up. Maddox set the box on the corner of the desk and Hank opened it and whistled. “Damn, it’s a case of Johnny Walker Blue.”
Lucky stood and looked inside. “I told him to get you an excellent bottle of scotch as a thank you for letting me go and financing the trip and it seems he took me at my word.”
“He sure as hell did. Six bottles of the best scotch there is will do nicely as a thank you.”
Maddox lifted one out and studied the label. “I hope you invite the team in when you crack this open.”
Hank lifted his watch and shook his head. “It’s going to have to wait until next week because after I’m done with Lucky, I have to head out since it’s date night for Stazi and me.”
“And what torture are you subjecting yourself to tonight?” Maddox asked as he put the bottle back in the box.
“Dating is not torture; in fact, it’s one of the best things ever invented and for your information, I’m kicking dating’s ass.”
“You realize that’s not a thing,” Lucky replied as she sat down.
“It is if you’re me. Stazi and I take turns each week planning something and, just between us, I’m much better at it than she is. I really put effort into coming up with something that’s fun and exciting and all she seems to plan is dinner and maybe a movie.”
“You realize it’s not a competition, it’s just about spending time together,” Lucky said as she swung her foot around. “You’ve made it some weird SEAL thing about winning.”
Maddox snorted and then nodded his head in agreement. “That’s actually accurate since he made me hang lanterns in a tree at a park near their place. He had dinner brought in and had a jazz quartet playing as they danced under the stars.”
“That was a good one,” Hank commented as he took his chair behind his desk. “I haven’t been able to top it yet, but I’m sure I will.”
Lucky looked over at Maddox and rolled her eyes. “Poor Stazi, she has no idea what she’s in for.”
“She broke up with me because I didn’t understand the concept of dating and I’m never going to make that mistake again. It’s important to her, so it’s important to me, and that’s all there is to it.”
Maddox put his hands up and started walking backward out of the office. “I’m out. All this romantic talk is making me itch.”
Lucky watched him escape and then turned back to Hank. “You can run, but you can’t hide.”
“That’s true.” Stacking his folders, he then sat back. “What were we talking about?”
“I forgot.” Looking down at her tablet, she then snapped her fingers. “What did you think of the proposal I sent regarding the changes to my department?”
“I think promoting from within is always a good idea and, while this is ultimately up to Rory and Max, I agree that giving promotions to the people in your department is a great idea. I also like the idea of putting someone with field experience in the Mission Controller position and I’d be happy to have Grif join the team if he's willing. I know that ultimately would require building out more office space, but I think keeping Chicago the hub of the Intelligence Division makes sense.”
“Good, then I’m going to send it on to Ivy and let her handle the rest.”
“What other updates do you have for me?”
“I’ll email them to you, so you can look at them next week, it’s all routine stuff and I don’t want you to be late for your date.”
“Good enough.” He stood and moved the box of scotch over to the bar and then grabbed his phone and keys. “When is Sam returning from Brussels?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t heard from him today, so I’m not sure how close they are to finishing cataloging the evidence from the house.” Standing, she waited for Judit and then headed for the door. “Have fun and tell Staz I’ll call her tomorrow.”
“Roger that.”
Lucky walked toward the other side of the building where her offices were located and hoped Sam would be home soon. Feeling her phone vibrate in her pocket, she pulled it out and saw she had a google alert. Opening the app, she read the Guardian news article and gasped. Apparently, Bes Besiaj was shot in front of his home outside of Brussels and killed. No suspects had been officially named, but lots of Rudaj enemies were suspected.
Walking into her office, she called Sam and then waited until it rang through to voicemail. She left him a quick message and then sat down in front of one of her monitors and read the article through again.
“What a week for organized crime,” she said as she watched her dog lay across her feet. “Who’s next?”
“Who the hell knows,” Sam said as he walked in.
Spinning around, Lucky let out a shriek. “Sammy, you’re home.” Judit got up, walked over, and leaned her head against his leg, giving him a look that Lucky thought was pure love.
“I missed my girls, so I finished up and came home as quickly as possible.”
Standing, she walked into his arms and squeezed him as tightly as she could. “Missed you.”
“Music to my ears,” he said against her head.
Letting him go, she stepped back, studied his face, and noticed how tired he looked. His perfect hair was mussed, his suit was slightly rumpled, and the usual crisp white shirt was limp, which meant he’d worked hard and hustled home. “Let’s go home and I’ll make something to eat and then we can fall into bed.”
“There has never been a better idea in all the history of the world.”
“Oh, Sammy, you must be exhausted to say something like that.”
Taking her hand, he pulled her in. “Nope, I just missed you like hell and found my usual enthusiasm for my job flagging.”
Running her hand along his back, she felt him relax. “The usual tedium of FBI work no longer exciting?”
“No, it’s about as exciting as it usually is—I just discovered that I don’t enjoy my days as much if you’re not around.”
“Oh, Sammy, that’s so…”
“What, Lucky, what is it?”
“Amazing, sweet, and swoony.”
“Swoony?”
“Yes, it makes me feel like I’m in a movie and the hero has just uttered words so perfect that the heroine swoons.”
“I make you feel like you’re in a movie?”
“Uh…yeah.” Stepping away, she waved her hands. “Movie star good looks, check. Heroic job, check. Mind-numbing, body tingling explosive skills in the bedroom, check. Romantic and kind, check. Got me a dog, check.”
“Who the hell is this guy? Because I want to meet him.”
“It’s you, Sammy. You’re the swoony guy that women believe is a myth and yet here you are standing in front of me.”
“I’m just a man who found the right woman. Nothing more.”
“And the final swoony ingredient—humble. Check.”
“Well as much as I’d like to argue with your assessment, I won’t because if the woman who I’m going to spend the rest of my life with thinks I’m ‘swoony,’ then who am I to argue?”
“Exactly.” She looked down at Judit and nodded. “That’s how you make a point.” Watching the dog tilt her head let her know the point had been made beautifully. “Let’s go home.”
Sam picked up Judit’s leash and clipped it to her collar. “Better words have never been uttered.”
Lucky collected her things and then followed Sam and Judit. Putting her hand on the pad, she watched the door slide closed and then followed her family toward the staircase. As they walked down, she realized that Sam had finally succeeded and made his way into her life and heart. He barraged her with his attention and affection until there was no other choice but him. Seems even in love he was a Tier One operator who would accept nothing less than complete surrender.
Good thing surrendering to him made her so happy.