VICTORIOUS (A Quantum Novel)(32)

“Only if I can come with you.”

“I thought you had to work.”

“I did, and now I don’t have anything else scheduled until eight o’clock tonight.”

Her eyes drop and her cheeks flush at the mention of our date. “Oh, well, if you want to come, I’m sure the kids would love that.”

“You should check with Aileen first. I don’t want to make her feel uncomfortable.”

“I’m sure she won’t mind, but I’ll ask her if we can hang out with the kids for a while so she can rest.” She sends a text and receives an immediate response. “She says they’d love it and that neither of us are to look directly at her or at the condition of the apartment.”

I laugh at the cute but sad reply. “We can’t drive, though. With everyone home because of the snow, we’ll never be able to park. We’ll take a cab.”

“How will we get out of here undetected?”

“I have the perfect solution.”

“I won’t wear Russian fur on my head.”

“I wouldn’t dream of making you do that. I’ve got something even better.” He disappears into the bedroom and returns carrying two hats. When he hands one to me, I see they are knit ski masks with holes for the eyes, nose and mouth that cover the entire face. “No one will look twice at us in these today, because everyone will be wearing them.”

“I’ve always thought they were kind of creepy when I saw people wearing them on the street.”

“They do come in handy on days like this. And this way we can leave the security guys at home.”

“Where are they when we’re here?”

“In an office in the building next door. I call them when we need them.”

“That must cost a fortune.”

“It does, but it’s well worth it.”

We suit up in the warmest clothes we can find and head out a short time later with Fluff leading the way. In addition to the snow masks, we’re wrapped up in scarves, warm parkas and gloves. “I wish I had my boots.” The best she was able to do is a pair of black Nikes.

“I’ll carry you over any puddles.”

The doorman hails a cab for us, and as we’re on our way out the door, Fluff stops right on the sidewalk to pee. Natalie and I lose it laughing, which draws the attention of the photographers camped outside my place. “Quick.” I gesture to the waiting cab. I scoop up Fluff the second she quits peeing, and we make a break for the car before the photographers can get themselves organized.

Once inside the cab, we remove the masks.

“I can’t believe they stand out there in the snow hoping for a glimpse of you,” she says.

“And you.”

“But mostly you.”

“I don’t know… Liza says pictures of you are going for a pretty penny these days, too.”

After a slow ride through slush and ice, we arrive at Aileen’s building. The snowdrifts are so high that I have to make good on my promise to pick up Natalie—and Fluff—and carry them over the snow to the vestibule.

“Our hero,” she says.

“I specialize in damsels in distress.”

We go up a flight of stairs, and Natalie pushes the button for Aileen’s place. A buzzer sounds to admit us. Outside their apartment, Logan is waiting for us and lets out a happy squeal when he sees Natalie. She catches him up in a big hug.

“You’ve grown a foot since I saw you.”

“That’s not possible, Ms. Bryant.”

She keeps him in her arms as we enter the apartment. “You can call me Natalie now that I’m not your teacher anymore.”

“Miss Natalie,” a weak voice from the sofa says.

With one glance, it’s obvious Aileen is in rough shape. Her face is ghostly white, and she doesn’t get up when we enter the living room, which looks as if a cyclone has gone through it.

“We’re a wreck,” she says.

“You’re not going to be my teacher anymore?” Logan asks mournfully. “They said you were coming back.”

I squeeze Nat’s shoulder as I help her out of her coat.

“Logan, honey,” Aileen says, “let Natalie take her coat off before you start asking questions.”

Natalie sits on the love seat and pats the cushion next to her, inviting Logan to join her. “So here’s the deal… You know that my husband, Flynn, is famous.”