“I’m sorry, Ms. Shelton, but my hands are tied.” Rick’s smile turned apologetic. “Dante has to be put on administrative duty until the whole disappearance thing is sorted out.”
“Well, then I’m not going to trial.” Laurie lifted her chin.
Rick’s eyes grew round and huge as he took in a gulp of air.
Dante could see Rick’s temper flickering to life. Dante squeezed Laurie’s hand in warning, but her heated stare locked onto Rick.
“Ms. Shelton, I understand your request, but it’s not possible. Our protocols are quite clear.” Rick shuffled the papers in front of him.
“I don’t care about your—” Laurie began.
“Laurie, Laurie!” Dante stopped her. She turned her angry stare on him.
“I don’t want anyone else protecting me,” she hissed. Her eyes glassed over.
“I know, I know.” He stroked her arm. She shook him off. Laurie sank back in her chair, staring resolutely at the corner of Rick’s desk.
Dante turned back to Rick, who watched them. Suspicion lurked behind his eyes. Rick hadn’t missed the familiar touches or the emotion in Laurie’s voice.
Dante sighed.
“Rick, there’s something else you should know.” Dante stared his mentor in the eye. “Laurie’s pregnant.”
Rick blinked. Then his brow furrowed, looking at Laurie, who refused to look at anyone else.
“I don’t remember that from your notes, or any of your reports.” Rick searched around on his desk for the right file.
“She wasn’t pregnant when she entered protection.” He paused to build up his courage. “The baby’s mine.”
Rick’s head snapped up from his desk to look at Dante. His eyes widened as he took in Dante’s serious stare.
“Oh, Christ!” Rick exclaimed, propping his elbows on the desk and resting his head in his hands.
“I’m sorry, Rick, but I had to tell you.” Dante winced. “That’s why Laurie wants me to be with her right now.”
Rick was silent for a long time. Dante waited it out, tapping his thumb against his knee to keep himself calm. The minutes ticked by and no one spoke.
“I’ve been doing this job for fifteen years. This case is the biggest disaster I’ve ever had to deal with.” Rick sighed.
Dante stared at the floor. His shoulders slumped, and tension was beginning to creep up his neck into his head. He was a fool to think this would work. He only had one card left to play.
“I’m sorry, Rick.” Dante shook his head. “Laurie and I we…we fell in love.”
“Well, love isn’t in the Marshals handbook,” Rick snapped, as he sat back. “It says protect the witness, not fall in love with them.”
“We didn’t mean for this to happen.” Laurie sat forward in her chair. “I can understand that you might see this as an imposition or an employment mistake, but for us it’s the best thing that’s ever happened. This baby is the best thing that’s ever happened. I want my fiancé with me during my pregnancy.”
“Fiancé?” Rick looked at Dante.
Dante nodded, reaching over to rub Laurie’s back, to soothe both her and himself. He needed to keep her calm long enough for Rick to start thinking clearly. It was their only hope.
“I love her.” Dante shrugged.
Rick’s head sank back into his hands. They all sat for a long while in silence again, as Dante just let Rick think things through. Rick finally sat back in his chair and began tapping the edge of his desk with a pencil.
Dante felt Laurie’s muscles tense with every tap, so he kneaded her back more with his hand. Finally, Rick’s gaze settled back on them.
“Dante, if this were any other circumstance—and I mean any other circumstance—I would be congratulating you right now. I mean, no one deserves to fall in love and start a family more than you. On one hand I’m happy for you. I really am.” Rick laid a hand on his desk. “But on the other hand, I have to make sure that Ms. Shelton makes it to the trial. I just can’t have you on her protective detail. I’m sorry.”
“Why?” Laurie coiled like a snake ready to strike.
Dante put his arm around her to keep her still.
“Because, Ms. Shelton, a man will do anything to protect the woman he loves. That includes putting everything else at risk. Dante has already shown he’s more than able and willing to disappear with you into an untraceable existence. If you hadn’t walked into this office today, we never would have found either of you. I’m afraid the Marshals Service just can’t take that risk.” Rick pinned her with a stare.
Laurie glared at him across the desk.
“Can I come with her, Rick? Not as an agent, but as a family member. Unarmed, of course.” Dante lifted his eyes to Rick’s.
Rick shook his head.
“I’m sorry, son. The same reason applies. You’re too good. Wouldn’t matter if you were armed or unarmed. I doubt any of these men would refuse your orders. You would be running the operation even as a family member. You and I both know how dangerous that could be.” Rick clasped his hands together.
Dante nodded, swallowing hard against the burning sensation in his throat. His worst fear came true. They would separate them.
“But after the trial,” Rick continued. “We’ll make sure you’re re-united again. If you both want to join the witness protection program, or if you need to relocate, we’ll take care of it. I would hate to see you leave, Dante, but if you choose to go in order to protect your future wife, I’ll understand.”
“How long…” Laurie began, her voice wavering. She stopped to clear her throat before continuing. “How long will it be until the trial?”
“Probably just a few months. I’m sure after Danny talks to you, he’ll want to have the trial date expedited. We won’t keep you any longer than we have to, Ms. Shelton. We know how difficult this ordeal has been.” Rick sat back in his chair.
“A few months?” Panic flicked across her features. Rick nodded.
Laurie sat back in her chair. Her hands rested limply in her lap.
“I know it’s not what either of you want to hear, but it’s for the best. Dante, I won’t be able to tell you where she is, and we’ll have to take her out of Hawaii. But I will update you as often as I can.” Rick nodded to him.
Dante started to speak, but his voice gave out on him. He cleared his throat and tried again.
“I have Laurie’s belongings in our rental car.” He gestured to the door. “Her new doctor records. They’ll need to make sure they get an OB/GYN to take care of her. She has vitamins she has to take for the baby. I’ll, um, take her out to the car and get her things.”
“Why don’t I go get Jason. Jason can get her things for you. You met Jason already. He’s become one of my best agents.” Rick rose.
Dante smiled a sad smile and said, “Afraid I’ll leave with her already?”
Rick smiled ruefully back at him.
“Can’t be too careful.”
Rick began chuckling.
“Besides, I’m sure you two need a few minutes to say goodbye before Danny comes back.” Rick strode to the door. He pulled it open, bellowing for Jason to come to his office. Jason’s profile soon appeared.
“What’s going on?” Jason asked.
“Seems our runaways have returned.” Rick gestured in their direction.
Jason took a step into the office to see Dante and Laurie sitting there, staring up at him. Jason smiled, extending a hand to Dante.
“I’m glad to see you again.” Jason shook Dante’s hand. “I thought something horrible had happened to you.”
“Jason.” Dante smiled. “Good to see you too. Sorry we, uh, left so abruptly. Just had to protect her, until it was safe to bring her back.”
“Well, yeah. After what happened, I’d say she needed it. I never doubted you for a minute. I tried to tell everyone.” Jason lifted his hands and shook his head.
“Jason,” Rick interrupted. “You’re going to take over Ms. Shelton’s protective duty for the time being. I’ll call a team in to help you. Dante’s going to have to be in the office until he’s cleared for duty and all that.”