Free Universal Alien by Gini Koch Page A

focus.”
    He was lying. I could tell only because I’d known him for over half my life. However, the only thing he was lying about was that he didn’t pay attention to conspiracies. Which begged any number of questions. All of which I wanted to voice and have answered, only my head started throbbing in earnest.
    â€œI hurt.” Hadn’t meant to say that aloud, but oh well.
    â€œI’m sure, baby.” Chuckie stroked my back and I leaned into him. “I know you think you’re being unfaithful to your husband right now, but, trust me, you’re not. I’m your husband, you’re my wife, and I love you and our kids more than anything in the world. Now, I’m going to get you some medical attention.”
    â€œIs Tito around?”
    â€œNo idea who you’re talking about. Is that another ‘boyfriend’ I should be worried about?” He walked me to the passenger’s side, opened the door, helped me sit, buckled me in, then shut the door and went around to the driver’s side and got in.
    â€œNo, he’s a doctor. And our friend. How do you fit in this car? You’re so tall.”
    Chuckie stroked my cheek. “This was your dream car. It’ll be hard to deal with when the kids are older, at least if we want all five of us in it, but for now, having the seat all the way back works just fine.”
    He pulled his phone out and made a call. “Peter, hi. Oh? Yeah, I’m glad he called you already, saves me time. Oh, you did? Thanks, I’m sure she’ll be worried. Have her come to the house, but tell her to be careful. Can you please call Doctor Zainal and have him meet us at Walter Reed? We should be there in fifteen minutes or less. Great, thank you. Yes, stay home, we need you there more than at the hospital. I’m hoping we won’t be there long. Yeah, thanks.” He hung up and put the car in gear.
    â€œWho were you talking to? And why are you having the Bahraini Embassy’s doctor meet with us?”
    â€œI was talking to Peter. He’s our, well, I’m not sure what we call him. Butler, I guess. Though he does a lot more than that. He’s part of our family.”
    â€œHe’s our Mister Perfect, Mommy,” Charlie said. “That’s what you always call him.”
    â€œOr Mister Mary Poppins,” Max added.
    â€œOh. Good.” Had no idea who this man was, but figured I’d find out. Or wake up from whatever freak dream I was having. Only I didn’t feel like I was asleep.
    â€œAnd I want Doctor Zainal because he’s the best physician in the D.C. area, and we only get the best, Kitty. He’s not associated with any embassy, though he did emigrate to the U.S. from Bahrain.”
    We left the golf course parking lot and Chuckie drove carefully back up the way I’d sort of come. He was watching the road, and all the streets around us, and he was also checking the side and rearview mirrors a lot. Couldn’t blame him—clearly someone was after us in some way.
    We got onto the Beltway. “Where are we going?”
    â€œWalter Reed, just like I told Peter. I was going to go home first, but I think I want you to see a doctor immediately and the kids should get checked out too.”
    â€œOkay, I guess. I don’t know why my head is still hurting. My regeneration should have fixed me up by now.”
    â€œYou’re not Wolverine, Kitty,” he said with a chuckle that didn’t hide his concern.
    â€œSure I am. I’m Wolverine with Boobs, remember?”
    â€œThat was Halloween a few years ago, baby.” His voice was very gentle. “Kitty, you’ve had a traumatic experience and you were injured. Your mind is jumbled right now. But we’ll fix it, I promise.” He reached over, took my hand, and gave it a squeeze.
    Considered this. “My wedding ring.” Checked my hand. I was definitely wearing the wedding set Jeff had given