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Her startled step back had me flying closer and snatching her waist, worried she’d go woman-over-building in a second. And fuck, I’d go right after, forgetting I couldn’t fly.
When I was confident she wouldn’t fall, I let go of her. “Yes, I’m her husband.”
“Dom,” she said under her breath, still appearing shocked.
I didn’t know what else to do other than shrug. “How are you doing? Been okay since . . . well, what happened?”
She stared at me for a solid ten seconds. I counted, using the time to center myself while I figured out how to navigate this situation. I rarely met people I’d rescued after ops, so I didn’t know what to do. Okay, that was a lie. I never ran into anyone I’d saved. This was my first time, and it needed to be my last.
“No PTSD, if that’s what you’re asking. I’m good.” She clutched the lapels of her coat, tugging them together while visibly shivering. “On break from college. Just visiting Mom’s temporary spot in New York while she waits for a new assignment.”
Right. The embassy was closed for the time being, so of course the ambassador would be reassigned. “So, where do you go? What’s your major?” The art of small talk was actually a skill I’d acquired in the Army’s Tier One division. Came in handy more times than I could count.
“I’m at Stanford. Getting my BS in environmental science with a minor in chemical engineering. And I dabble in nuclear and quantum physics.”
“Oh yeah? You know, I happen to dabble in quantum physics in my spare time, too,” I joked, grinning like a fucking idiot. What in God’s name is wrong with me?
When she laughed, it was the first time tonight I found myself enjoying talking to one of my wife’s guests. The kid had a good head on her shoulders. And damn was I glad I’d saved that head—and big brain of hers—last month.
“So, your mom knows my wife? Or do you?” I was still trying to put together how Ambassador Mackenzie wound up at our home. Not that I’d checked the guest list. Rubbing elbows, shoulders, or any body part with anyone other than my wife wasn’t something I was interested in. I wanted to spend every second on leave with Rebecca. Make up for lost time. Find a way to bridge the gap joining the Unit had placed between us.
She caught a snowflake with her tongue, such an innocent thing to do. “My mom knew her parents, and I guess she stayed friends with your wife after their death. I know Rebecca, too. Kinda-sorta, anyway.”
“Oh?” I pushed my hands into my coat pockets, trying to warm them up. I told myself it was because it’d be bad for my trigger finger to get frostbite, but part of me was also worried I might reach out for her again.
“My mom said the Barclays wanted Rebecca to have some real-life experience or something like that, so they had her babysit me a few times when I was younger.”
You’re still young. I kept that thought to myself and instead went with, “Small world.”
“The smallest,” she said with a nervous chuckle. When she took a step back, because she apparently enjoyed worrying me, I realized it was because we were no longer alone. “Congressman Paulsen,” she said through her teeth, and I turned to the side to put eyes on whoever was there.
“What are you two doing up here alone?” I didn’t appreciate the accusation in his tone. He made it sound like I was doing something indecent. On my own fucking rooftop terrace.
“We both had the same idea for fresh air. Well, cold air,” I said as his loafers tracked through the freshly fallen snow, coming closer to us. At the feel of Diana’s hand on my back, I stole a look at her. The tension in her expression told me everything I needed to know—she was using me as a shield. Not a good sign.
I fully faced Paulsen, moving so Diana was sheltered completely behind me. “I think you should go inside. Too cold for your California blood,” I added, remembering where he’d said he was from when my wife had introduced him earlier tonight. Apparently, my wife had also donated to his last congressional campaign.
Paulsen angled his focus around me, trying to put eyes on Diana. The guy wasn’t much older than me, but he was far too old for her.
“You really should go back to the party.” If he hadn’t heard the threat in my tone, he’d see it in my motherfucking eyes. I had a feeling this asshole had made Diana uncomfortable before, and if I found out he’d touched her without her consent, he’d be the one slipping and falling fifty stories.
The congressman locked eyes with me before nodding. He didn’t want to dance with the devil tonight, which meant he had some sense in him. “I’ll be heading home. Good to see you again, Diana. My door is always open to you in San Francisco if you ever need anything.”
“Put a lock on your door. Don’t let so many people in,” I said, knowing he’d read between the lines to never bother her again. Once he smartly walked away without a word, I turned toward her. “You okay? Did he?—”
“I’m good. And thank you for that. So far, he’s always taken no for an answer when hitting on me. But he makes me uneasy.”
“I’m sorry he was invited, and that he ever made you feel that way.” Shit, I needed another drink. I had to deal with bad guys on the regular. I didn’t need them at my wife’s party. I’d be making sure she removed him from future guest lists, too. No more donations, too. “But if he ever does bother you in the future, you let me know, okay?”
She rubbed her gloved hands up and down the sleeves of her coat, blue eyes flying to my face in surprise.
Wait, what am I offering? It wasn’t like I could give this girl my number in case she needed help. That would be awkward, bordering on inappropriate. “Your mom or dad. Tell them, I mean, and they can handle him,” I said before she could respond, because who the fuck was I, Batman? “We should probably go inside,” I suggested when she only kept staring at me. Don’t want anyone getting the wrong idea, particularly my wife.
I’d never cheat on her, but Rebecca liked to push my buttons and ask me if I fucked around while deployed. It always made my stomach turn knowing she’d think I’d do that.
“Right.” She gave me a sweet smile. “Thank you for saving me in Abu Dhabi. I think I said that then, but in case I didn’t because of all the rushing post-rescue?—”
“You did, and you’re welcome. You were strong. Kept it together when most wouldn’t.” With the snow starting to fall heavier now, I motioned for her to walk, intending to make sure she got down the stairs safely before I disappeared to a closed and locked room. I needed away from everything.
