Sam winced. "Sorry you heard about it like that. It's possible the bullet that paralyzed him has shifted a bit. So they're going to do some tests to take a better look. Because he's sort of fragile, they want to admit him to do it. Nothing to worry about." She could see that he was trying to process the information.

"Is it possible that he might be able to walk again someday?"

"Oh, honey, I don't think we'll ever get that lucky."

"That sure would be awesome."

"Yes, it would. I wish you could've known him before he was hurt. He was impossibly big and strong and so full of life."

"He still is."

Moved to tears by three simple words, Sam held out her arms to him. "That's nice of you to say." She gave him a tight hug and let him go.

"It's nice to have a grandpa again."

"He thinks you're pretty great too."

"He does? Really?"

"Of course he does. What's not to love about you, Scotty Cappuano?"

Scotty's grin lit up his face. "There's nothing not to love about me."

"You said it, mister."

Nick followed Graham into one of the suite's two bedrooms. They left the door open so they could hear if there was any news.

"I just wanted a minute to say I'm proud of the campaign you ran, and I'm looking forward to the next seven years-and don't tell me I'm jinxing you. We both know you're going to walk away with it."

"Thank you for all your help. I couldn't have gotten this far without you."

"You could've done without the Lexicore hiccup," Graham said with a scowl.

"That's all it was-a hiccup. Thanks to your statement, the story of my involvement never got any traction."

"Well, it was the least I could do for getting you into that mess in the first place. I feel terrible that you lost so much money, though. I'll find a way to make it up to you."

"Don't give it another thought. I've still got more than half of what John left me, and I was hardly a pauper before John made me his beneficiary."

"True." Graham straightened Nick's tie and brushed some lint off his suit coat. "He'd be so proud of you, the best friend he ever had. He'd love this."

"I just wish he hadn't had to die to make it possible."

"He'd tell us both to quit fretting over him and enjoy the moment. He was good at that-living in the moment."

"Yes, he was." Maybe a little too good, Nick thought, but he kept that to himself out of respect for his late friend and his late friend's father. "I had an interesting conversation with Nelson on the plane the other night."

"Interesting how?"

"You gotta keep this between us."

"Of course."

Nick told him about the vice president's diagnosis and his plans to resign after the election.

"Oh God. That's awful." Graham suddenly looked up at Nick, gasping. "He asked you to replace Gooding, didn't he?"

"Maybe."

Graham's eyes bugged. "You gotta be shitting me! That's amazing!"

"Before you get too excited, I'm going to turn him down."

"No..."

"Yes."

"Why? It would make you the absolute heir apparent in four years!"

"I know."

"So then why the heck are you saying no?"

Nick glanced at the open door, through which he could see Sam sitting with Scotty, their heads close together as they conversed. Her hair was long and curly tonight, the way he liked it best. She'd chosen a black silk dress that somehow managed to be both sexy and demure at the same time. The diamond key he'd given her as a wedding gift was nestled just above her full breasts, and her engagement ring sparkled as she ran a hand over Scotty's hair to straighten it.

Nick looked over at his friend and mentor, who had followed his gaze to Sam and Scotty. "I can't ask her to give up her career to support mine, Graham, and she can't be the vice president's wife and still chase down murderers. That's who she is. Asking her to be anyone else would be like asking her not to breathe. I can't do it."

"Surely some arrangement could be made."

"What kind of arrangement?" Nick asked with a smile.

"I don't know. Some kind." Graham looked like he might burst into tears at any second.

"I had an entire sleepless night on Air Force One to think about the various scenarios. I kept coming back to the same conclusion. It's not the right time-for her or for me."

"It is the right time for you," Graham insisted.

"If the time isn't right for her, it's not right for me either."

"What did she say when you told her about it?"

"I didn't tell her."

"Nick... Come on! You have to at least tell her about it. How do you know what she'll say if she doesn't even know?"

"I have no doubt that she'd give up the job she loves, the job that has defined her adult life, if I asked her to. I also have no doubt that she'd absolutely hate every minute of living in a gilded cage, surrounded by Secret Service all the time. I'm surprised she hasn't murdered a member of the details following Scotty and me over the last couple of months. That life isn't for her."

"She knew what she was signing on for," Graham said a bit petulantly.

"Neither of us could've imagined what this past year would bring. Now that the campaign is over, we're both looking forward to some downtime to spend with our new son. We're anxious for some peace. This last year has been unreal."

Graham screwed his face into what might've been a pout as he looked down at the floor. "You're killing me here."

Nick's laughter rang out, drawing Sam's attention in the adjoining room. He returned her smile. "I'm sorry. I probably shouldn't have told you."

"Nah, it's okay. I'll survive. Somehow."

"You won't say anything about it, will you?"

"You know you can trust me."

A huge cheer erupted from the adjoining room.

Graham's big smile was back as he looked up at Nick. "I think it's safe now to shake your hand and say congratulations, Senator-Elect Cappuano."

Nick returned the handshake and then hugged the older man. "Got a nice ring to it, doesn't it?"

"You bet it does. Keep making me proud, son."

"Always."

"Your lovely wife is looking for you, so let me get out of here and start pouring the bubbly."

On the way out of the room, Graham hugged and kissed Sam. "Congratulations, Mrs. C."

"Thanks, Graham. We'll be right out."

"Take your time. It's your big night. We'll wait for you."

Sam closed the door and turned to Nick, beaming with pleasure. "You did it!"

"So I hear." The roar from the next room was nothing short of deafening. "Come here." He waggled his finger at her and watched her come toward him, loving the way she moved, loving the way she looked, loving everything about her.

She stepped into his embrace, wrapping her arms around him inside his suit coat. "Congratulations, babe. I couldn't be more proud of you."

"Thank you. That means a lot coming from you."

"Your adoring public is waiting for you."

"They can wait a minute longer," he said, clinging to her.

"I bet they're kissing in there," Scotty said from outside the door, making his new parents laugh.

"As long as we're being accused," Nick said, looking down at her, "how about it?"

"Why not? I've never kissed a senator-elect before."

Smiling, he brought his lips down on hers, filled with love and confidence, knowing that as long as he had her and the son they both adored, he had everything he'd ever need.

Acknowledgements.

When I wrote Fatal Affair in 20092010, I never could've imagined how this series would take off with readers. I can't believe we're already at book six and going strong. Sam and Nick are such a joy to write-and so is their adorable Scotty. Hearing every day from readers who want more, more, more of them kept me going during the writing of Fatal Mistake. I've just signed on for two more books in the series and have much more in store for the Cappuanos, their friends and family, and I hope you'll continue to come along on their wild ride. Watch for book seven, tentatively titled Fatal Pursuit, on March 24, 2014.

My thanks as always to the many people who support me, especially my assistants Julie Cupp, Chris Camara and Holly Sullivan, all of whom have been my friends for many years. They take very good care of me, and I so appreciate all they do to keep me sane. Julie also helps me with the Washington, D.C., details, which is a huge help. My agent, Kevan Lyon, is a wonderful supporter, partner and friend. Everyone at Carina Press and Harlequin, including my new editor, Alissa Davis, who have worked on this series-thank you for the wonderful covers and for your enthusiasm for the Fatal Series. A huge thanks to my faithful beta readers Ronlyn Howe, Kara Conrad and Anne Woodall-I couldn't do it without you ladies and your awesome feedback!

Special thanks to my reader friend Stephanie Behill for her help with Spanish translation, and to financial advisor Joseph A. Medeiros, CFP, CLU, ChFC, AIF, who helped with information about buying and selling stock.

Every time I write a Fatal book, in the back of my mind I know I've got Newport, RI, Police Detective Captain Russ Hayes backing me up, which is a huge source of comfort. Thank you again, Russ, for keeping me honest and helping to ensure the police and investigatory aspects of the story are as close to real life as I can get them-while keeping them entertaining too!

Thanks so much to my family-Dan, Emily and Jake-who put up with me when I'm on deadline, and to my four-legged office mates, Brandy and Louie, who keep me company all day.

Finally, my most heartfelt thanks to my wonderful readers who make this magical life of mine possible. I'm thankful every day for each and every one of you. Want to chat with other fans who've read Fatal Mistake? Join the Fatal Mistake Reader Group at facebook.com/groups/FatalMistake/. Also, make sure you join my mailing list at marieforce.com to be notified when new books are available. Turn the page for some frequently asked questions-and answers-about the Fatal Series.

xoxo.

Marie.

Fatal Series Frequently Asked Questions.

How many books do you plan to write in this series?

I hope to write the series for as long as readers are enjoying it and for as long as it's fun for me to write. So far so good on the reader front. I'm extremely challenged by these books-not always in a good way-but I continue to be satisfied by the final outcomes. That keeps me engaged and coming back for more of Sam and Nick, who I adore writing. So no end in sight for now. I just signed on for books seven and eight in the series, so watch for book seven, tentatively titled Fatal Pursuit, on March 24, 2014.

Will Sam and Nick from the Fatal Series ever have a baby of their own?

I honestly don't know. I'd love to give them what they want (as well as what readers want), but making Sam a mother to an infant would dramatically change the way she lives her life and would greatly alter the pace of the series. IF (and that's a very BIG IF at this point), they have a baby, I expect it would happen much later in the series, closer to the end.

Will Nick run for president, and if he does will Sam have to give up her job?

I don't know and I don't know! :-) I guess we'll have to see what life has in store for them. Look at it this way... We're at book six, and we still haven't lived a full year with them. The next election is four years away. That's a LOT of books between now and then.

Will we ever find out who shot Skip?

That's another question I get ALL THE TIME. Along with, "Do you know who shot Skip?" No, I don't know. I figure I'll find out when Sam does. I like that I don't know. I like that the possibilities are so endless. I like that it's frustrating to Sam that she's failed to find closure to that question. That's life, right? I do have some interesting stories coming up for Skip in future books that I'm looking forward to writing.

We'd love to read the story about the night Sam and Nick met the first time. Will you ever write that?

I've been thinking a lot about that lately. Stay tuned for more information about that and make sure you join the Fatal Series Reader Group at facebook.com/groups/FatalSeries/ to be the first to hear Fatal Series news.

Do you have other questions that weren't answered here? Send them to Marie at marie@marieforce.com.

Thanks for reading!.