While I was disappointedPresident Donnelley had interrupted my visit with his son, I walked out of Fallon’s hospital room feeling as though the fear and anxiety I’d been carrying around for the last day were finally lifted. That didn’t mean I wanted to continue being separated from him, but judging by Mrs. Donnelley’s announcement that I could only stay for five minutes, it didn’t appear I’d get to spend much time with him while his family was nearby.
Exiting the elevator on the first floor where the general waiting room was located, I walked along the bright white hallway that seemed to stretch endlessly. I’d been staying in the waiting room since Tanner took my badge.
Spending time alone in the hospital had given me time to think about the repercussions of my actions the night before. One thing I had been concerned about if my relationship with Fallon ever came to light was being removed from his team. Not only would it be difficult to keep dating him if I were assigned elsewhere, but I would live in a constant state of worry for his safety knowing I wouldn’t be there by his side.
Dropping onto an uncomfortable gray plastic chair, I pulled out my phone to check my emails. My stomach sank when I saw one from the head of the Secret Service human resources department with the subject line:Administrative Leave and Mandatory Meeting
I opened the email and read that I was expected to meet with Assistant Director Monroe at the Boston field office the following morning. The meeting wasn’t unexpected because I knew my actions were going to be investigated.
While I believed whole-heartedly that Finnegan needed to be held accountable for putting his brother in danger, I was pissed at myself for losing my temper. If I’d played it cool, Tanner wouldn’t have needed to remove me from duty in the first place.
I rested my head against the dingy white wall and closed my eyes. I tried to figure out a way to fix things. Unfortunately, my fate would be determined by others, and I couldn’t force those in power to accept that I’d fallen in love with the man I was tasked with protecting.
“Agent Davis?” My eyes popped open, and I saw an agent I vaguely recognized standing in the doorway. “President Donnelley would like to speak with you.”
“Okay. Is he still with his son?” I stood, ready to make my way to Fallon’s room.
“No. I’ll take you to him.” I followed the agent into the elevator, and he pushed the button for the floor Fallon was on. When we stepped out of the lift, he led me down the hall to a closed door where two other agents stood guard. “He’s waiting for you inside.”
“Thank you.” I swallowed hard, nervous about what Fallon’s father wanted to say, and pushed the door open.
He sat on the edge of a desk in the center of the room. It appeared as though the space wasn’t assigned to a specific hospital employee, but since it was on the VIP floor, I assumed it had been set up for family members to have a place to conduct business if needed.
“Agent Davis, thank you for meeting with me.”
“Of course, Mr. President. I hoped I’d have the opportunity to apologize for my behavior last night.”
He lifted his hand to halt my words. “Under the circumstances, I’m surprised you didn’t haul off and hit Finn the moment you saw him.”
My head jerked back. “I don’t understand.”
“I received a report earlier that you admitted to being in a relationship with Fallon, which raised several concerns for me regarding his safety.”
While the Secret Service leadership would technically make the decision about my future with the agency, if the president didn’t want me working with his son, then there was nothing I could do to save my job.
“With all due respect, sir, I care for your son very much, and if anything, that should make you confident in my dedication to keep him safe rather than give you any reason to worry.”
I more than cared about him; I loved him, but I wanted Fallon to be the first to know how I felt.
A flicker of surprise passed over the president’s face, and I wasn’t sure if it was because I admitted my feelings or because I stood up for myself.
“I can appreciate that. However, as a parent, I need to make decisions based on more than emotions. Surely, you understand.”
I nodded. “I do. I’m a father also, and if someone felt about my daughter when she is older the same way I do about Fallon, I would be grateful that she had a person willing to risk it all for her. I definitely wouldn’t be looking for a reason to remove that person from her life.”
“I don’t want to remove you from Fallon’s life.” A mixture of resignation and understanding laced his tone. “Getting word that he had been shot was the most terrifying moment of my life. It made me question everything, but it’s quite obvious your dedication to not only your job, but also to my son, isn’t one of those things I need to question.”
A small smile passed over my lips. “Thank you, sir.”
There was a knock on the door, and one of the agents poked his head inside. “Mr. President, Marine One is ready for you.”
President Donnelley stood and straightened his tie. “Thank you, Agent Hernandez. Give me one more minute.” Hernandez nodded, then closed the door, and the president turned back toward me. “It’s my understanding that your supervisors are conducting an investigation, and while they have their protocols to follow, you can rest assured I won’t be pushing for you to be reassigned.”
He offered his hand, and I reached out to shake it.
“I appreciate that. Thank you.”
* * *
