Beyond the Consequences
Page 9

LATER THAT NIGHT, Claire glared at her husband as they made their way into their private suite.
“You know, you’re not nearly as good at hiding your anger as you used to be,” Tony said with a devilish grin.
“Well, maybe it’s because I’m not trying to hide it.”
“I’ve been home for hours. We’ve had dinner with Nichol and had a snowball fight in the backyard. I have no idea what you’re upset about.” He cocked his head to the side. “It’s that you lost the snowball fight, isn’t it?”
Claire put her hands on her hips. “No. It isn’t about the snowball fight. Besides, I didn’t lose. It isn’t even what you’ve done. It’s what you didn’t do.” She stood taller. “We promised to be honest. You haven’t been honest.”
Tony’s brows knit together. “I believe I’m at a disadvantage in this conversation. I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Think, Tony. Did something happen while we were in paradise that you forgot to mention?”
It didn’t take Tony long until he muttered under his breath, “Damn Roach.”
“No, don’t blame him. It’s you who dropped the ball. Phil thought I already knew. He said that you said you’d tell me.” Her volume rose. “Nichol is my daughter too. Tell me, Tony. Tell me why I didn’t know about her birthday card and gift from the psycho person?”
He collapsed onto the soft leather sofa in front of the fireplace. The newfound tension in their suite was a completely different atmosphere than the one only the night before. “I was going to tell you, but the time was never right.”
She paced the open space. “I agree. There’s never a good time to say, ‘Oh, by the way, the psycho lunatic who’s sending you cards and packages is now addressing them to our daughter.’ Nevertheless, just say it.”
Tony reached for Claire’s hand and tugged her toward him. “It was her birthday, Christmas, and as you may recall, we were almost constantly surrounded by people—lots of people.” He pulled his wife down onto his lap.
“No, Tony.” She stiffened as he held her near. “I’m mad at you. I don’t want you to change the subject. I want you to be totally open with me. If you’re not… Well, I don’t know.”
His arms wrapped around her as she yielded her position and settled against his chest. The rhythmic breathing and steady heartbeat against her back served as a constant drumming that relaxed her nerves and calmed her anxiety. His lips brushed her neck. “I’m being honest. I was going to say something. The time just wasn’t right. We need more time like this, more time alone.”
Claire turned in his embrace. She wanted to see his emotions: she needed to know he took this as seriously as she. “The doll, it was one of those twin ones. Tony, before I ordered Nichol’s, I looked at all the different companies. They all require pictures. This person had a picture of Nichol. If she didn’t, she couldn’t have had the doll made.”
With each word his eyes darkened.
Claire continued, “I know it can’t be proven as a threat, but I think it was meant that way. This woman is telling us that she knows what Nichol looks like. She knows her birthday.”
“I know all of that. Roach, Eric, and I’ve talked about it. Roach has been in contact with the FBI. They know all of this. We’re doing all we can do. You aren’t going anywhere without me or Roach; neither is Nichol.”
“What about New York?” Claire asked.
“Roach told me that the credit card was purchased there,” Tony replied as he looked deeply into her eyes. “If you don’t want to go next month, we won’t.”
“We already have tickets—”
“I don’t give a damn about a few tickets. Hell, we’ll go back to paradise if that’s what you want.”
Exhaling, Claire lost her battle, allowing her anger to fade away and melting into her husband’s embrace. Sighing, she said, “No. If we do that, this woman wins. That’s not happening.”
“I’ve been thinking about something, ever since that gift. I’ve talked a little to Roach about it, but I wanted to talk to you.”
Claire turned back around to face her husband. She tried to read his expression and saw apprehension. “What?” she asked.
“I’m thinking about adding another member to our intimate security.”
She shook her head. “No.”
“You haven’t even heard my idea.”
“Tony, I want family time. I want it to be just us. I’m comfortable with Phil and Eric. We also have Shannon. I don’t want anyone else.”
“I was thinking about a woman. Roach has identified some incredibly qualified female ex-military and ex-field agents who could be with you when he can’t.”
Claire shrugged. “When Phil can’t, you can. I don’t know if you remember, but I spent over a month alone with Phil. There aren’t a lot of secrets.”
Tony bristled. “I’m aware, and I’ll be forever grateful that he kept you safe during that time. My thoughts were that this woman wouldn’t replace him: she’d assist him.”
“You’ve already made up your mind, haven’t you?” Claire fell back onto her husband’s chest in defeat. This openness was all for show. Anthony Rawlings was the same man he’d always been. His decision was the only one that mattered.