After hearing that, nothing could keep him from trying. “I’ll give it a whirl.” Moving very carefully, he eased himself down on his right side and attempted to find a comfortable position for his left arm. By the time he got settled, he’d broken into a cold sweat.

“You’re hurt bad, Nick.” She wiped the sweat from his brow.

“I’m much better now that you’re awake.”

“Your chest sounds all wheezy.”

“My lung collapsed in the ambulance. That kinda hurt.”

“I’m so sorry.”

“It’s not your fault, Samantha.” He brought their joined hands up to rest over his heart and finally allowed himself to give into the exhaustion. “I thought I knew exactly how much I love you, but I found out tonight that it’s way, way more.”

“So does that mean you want me morning, noon and night?” she asked, mocking Freddie.

Nick cracked up. “Don’t make me laugh,” he moaned, his ribs burning from the movement. “I’m begging you.”

“Is that a yes?”

“You bet it is.”

Freddie leaned against the wall outside Sam’s room, his heart racing. I can’t believe I just had that conversation with a United States senator. And Sam was listening! I’m never going to hear the end of this. He wanted to curl up and die of embarrassment. They must think I’m a freaking idiot!

“Everything all right, Detective?”

Startled out of his thoughts, Freddie straightened at the sound of Captain Malone’s voice. “Yes, sir. Lieutenant Holland is awake.”

“That’s great news.”

“I’m going stir crazy sitting around. There’s got to be something I can do to help in the Sinclair case.”

“The doctor cleared you?”

“Not technically, but I feel fine.”

“You can come back when the doc says you can.”

“I’m not due to see him until next week, but I’m ready to come back.”

Malone studied him for a long moment. “All right. Desk duty only. Check in with Gonzo in the morning. See what he needs on Sinclair.”

“Great,” Freddie said, releasing a sigh of relief. “Thank you.”

“You’re sure you’re all right? You look kind of funny.”

The conversation with Nick came back to him in a rush of humiliation. “I’m fine.”

“Go home and get some sleep.”

“Yes, sir.” Freddie decided to get the heck out of there before the captain changed his mind about letting him go back to work. In the lobby, reporters came swarming at him.

“Detective, what can you tell us about the condition of the lieutenant and the senator?”

“No comment.” He pushed through them, amazed to realize they had doubled in number since he arrived two hours earlier.

“Are they alive?”

“Yes. That’s all I’m saying.”

“Have you recovered from being shot by Reese?”