“No, I don’t, but the truth is on our side. Don’t go in there looking nervous and uncertain. Go in there looking confident that justice will prevail. Alex belongs here with us, and the court will see that too.”

“I hope you’re right, but just in case, don’t quit your job yet.”

“I’m doing that no matter what. I need a break. I’ve worked really hard for years. I’ve saved a lot of money, and now I want to use that money to relax a bit and enjoy life.” He knew she took pride in the fact that she never touched the trust fund from her parents. “The campaign about killed me.”

“Nick will be lost without you, honey.”

“He’ll be fine. Terry is amazing. I’m sure he’ll promote him to chief of staff, and Nick told me I can come back any time I want. It’s all good.”

“Tell me you’re really doing this for you and not for me.”

“I’m doing it for me—and for us.”

Gonzo kissed her forehead and then her lips. “I love you, and I want you to be happy. If this is what you need right now, then I’m all for it.”

“Good,” she said with a sigh that sounded an awful lot like relief. “I love you, too, and I love our family. I want to be here for Alex and our other kids when they’re little. I can pick up the career later. It’ll still be there.”

“How many other kids are we talking?” he asked with a raised brow, hoping to make her smile, which worked as planned.

“I’ll take whatever we’re blessed to get.”

“So will I. Sometimes I still can’t believe you picked me when you could’ve had anyone.”

“Tommy... Why would you say that? You’re everything to me. You have no idea how much I love you. Every time you walk out the door to go to work I pray so hard that you’ll come home safe.” Her eyes filled and she blinked back tears. “Every time.”

He wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. She was the best thing to ever happen to him—right up there with the baby son he hadn’t known about until he saw him and fell instantly in love with him. The tiny dimple in Alex’s chin that was an exact replica of his own had sealed the deal for Gonzo.

His ringing cell phone interrupted their embrace.

“I’ve got to take this. The murders at MacArthur are my case.” He glanced at the caller ID, saw Sam’s name and took the call. “Hey, what’s up?”

“I have a situation.”