“Soon enough, my friend.” To Sam, Harry said, “Keep him quiet for the next week to ten days.”

“There goes my all-sex-all-the-time plan for the vacation,” she said with a pout that made both men laugh.

“You can do all the work, babe.”

“On that note,” Harry said, signing a form and handing it to Sam along with a prescription for pain meds, “you’re released. Call me if anything starts to seriously hurt, and don’t delay for pizza or anything else. Got me?”

“Yes, sir,” Nick said. “Let’s get together with the boys this week. It’s been too long.”

“I’d love to.”

“Thanks for coming in special for us,” Sam said.

Harry kissed her cheek on the way by. “Anything for you guys.”

Sam helped Nick back into his shirt and coat and took hold of his hand on the way to the car. She held the door for him and waited until he was settled to go around to the driver’s side.

“I hate to say I told you so, babe, but...”

Sam glanced at him. “In this case, I don’t mind being wrong. We’ve had enough serious injuries over the last year to last us a lifetime. I’m fine with a bad bruise, and I’ll be sure to kiss it better every chance I get this week.”

“Is that right?”

“Uh-huh.”

“That almost makes getting hurt worth it. I’m picturing a lot of time on my back watching you do what you do best.”

“You have such a dirty mind, Senator,” she said with a laugh.

“You inspire me. Speaking of inspiration, the boy is at Skip’s tonight, so we can be loud like the old days.”

“There’ll be none of that tonight. You’re injured.”

“Yes, there will. Harry said I’m fine.”

“He said you have to take it easy.”

“I will take it easy. I’ll let you have your wicked way with me.”

The “argument” continued at the pharmacy while they waited for his prescription to be filled. At home, Sam parked at the curb outside their house and held the passenger door for him. As they walked up the ramp to their house they stopped short at the sight of a bundle on the stoop.

“What the hell?” Sam said.

Nick used the flashlight app on his smartphone to shine some light on the area. The “bundle” let out a moan, making them startle. “Is that blood?”

Sam dropped to her knees and leaned in for a closer look. She pushed dark hair back off the face and cried out in dismay when she recognized the girl underneath all the blood and bruises. “Oh my God! It’s Brooke!”

Chapter Two

Chapter Two