Delta's Baby Surprise (Special Forces Elite 1)

“He doesn’t like anyone new. Try not to take it personally.”

“It’s hard not to. His job is to protect you, not me.”

I shrugged. “He has a new job now. He’ll get used to it. He’ll warm up to you. I swear.”

“And this ball tonight, I guess I get to meet the rest of your family?”

I nodded. “They will be there.”

“Where’s Ayla?” I saw the panic.

“You have plenty of time to prepare. In the meantime, I need to address the cabinet. I have a strong set of arguments to present thanks to you.”

“Oh God. The vote is today.”

I gripped her shoulders. “It is. I am going to the cabinet room. Will you be here when I get back this time?”

She smiled. “I will. But I’d like to have my own things. Can I pack them and bring them over?”

“It’s already taken care of. Everything will be here in a few hours.”

“How’d you do that?”

“Helps to know the king.” I winked.

I turned to leave. I had a few notes I wanted to collect from my office.

“Wait, I know you have to leave, but can I ask a favor?”

“What is it?”

“Since we’re having a ball, can I invite someone? I’d like Brooklyn to be here. She’s my best friend. I need a friendly face other than yours,” she added.

I knew Sutcliffe would advise me to forbid it, but this was Molly’s night. “Sure. Tell her it’s formal.”

Molly nodded. “Thank you. Good luck with the vote.”

I grumbled. I needed more than luck. Yesterday’s publicity stunt had blown up. I didn’t know whether I had enough sway to convince the rest of the cabinet to change their votes. They could be stuck on my damn love life instead of the critical infrastructure system our agriculture needed.

“I’ll let you know how it goes, love.”

I picked up my files in the office and headed for the cabinet room. I didn’t know how today turned into the one day when I had to fight for everything that mattered. There wasn’t time to second-guess how I had arrived at this intersection. I had to make it through two huge obstacles to come out on the other side victorious. Failure was not an option.

Thirty

Molly

I knew the elevator had reached the main floor. The air always changed when Damon was gone. I sank on the sofa, curling my feet underneath me. I leaned over and pulled my phone from my purse.

I called Brooklyn. “Hey.”

“Mol, what is going on? These people just showed up and started packing your things. I’m freaking out.”

“Shit. Already?”

“You know about this?”

How was I going to explain it? “I’m moving into the palace.” I went for the rip-the-Band-Aid-off approach.