Alien in the House

enjoyed, but it was never too early to plan, right?
    After I got my requisite hugs from the Lewis kids, Raymond gave me a very serious look. “I’m not sure this dinner party is such a good idea.”



CHAPTER 9
    I GAPED AT RAYMOND. “Um, why?”
    “Daddy says that he’s concerned about the security.” Raymond was dead serious, and he looked ready to go downstairs and join the other men in the verification of our Embassy’s safety set-up.
    Of course, Kevin was my mother’s right-hand man, meaning he was second in command of the Presidential Terrorism Control Unit, or P.T.C.U. Until I’d run into the gang from Alpha Four, I hadn’t known this government agency existed, nor that my mother was the head of it. The past three years had been full of fun facts like this one.
    Kevin and his family had taken up permanent positions at our Embassy, so Kevin had the “fun” of reporting in to two different bosses and doing two different jobs. He handled it smoothly, because, well, he was Kevin and smooth was his natural state of being. In the Embassy, he was our Defense Attaché. Denise was running the daycare and Embassy School because she was both qualified and didn’t want to be bored every day of her life.
    Denise shook her head and laughed. “One stray comment and
someone
thinks he knows better than his father.”
    “Is Kevin worried?”
    She shrugged. “It’s his job to be worried, and to act on those worries. Don’t you worry, though, Kitty. Everything’s under control. And Gladys will be with us, babysitting.”
    “Oh, good news.” It was. Gladys was the head of all Security operations for Centaurion Division, and that included the Embassy, Pontifex’s residences, Martini Manor, where Jeff’s parents lived, and any other big A-C owned or operated facility. I’d still never met Gladys. Because I was kind of afraid of her. She was considered one of the most formidable, if not
the
most formidable, of all A-C personnel, and she had sarcasm down to an art form.
    “So, you get Jamie’s dinner taken care of, then let me know when she’s ready for fun times.” Denise tickled Jamie’s tummy, as Jamie squealed with laughter.
    “You’re getting out of the uncomfortable formal affair
again
?” Was this woman’s luck truly never-ending?
    Denise winked. “The perks of being the Daycare Mom. I have to do it because it’s my job.”
    “You are
so
lucky.”
    “I know. Believe me, I like going to fancy things as much as the next gal, but not these kinds of things. I’m much happier with the kids and Gladys is really fun to hang out with, and these are the only times I get to see her.”
    Gladys was someone Denise
wanted
to hang out with? Never a day went by when I didn’t score new information like this. Decided it was in the interests of my longevity to not mention aloud that I found it hard to believe Gladys was a party animal. “Where will all of you be, here?”
    Denise shook her head. “We’re going over to the Pontifex’s residence. That way, no one can sneak out to see their mommies or daddies.” She shot Raymond an amused but exasperated look.
    “Just trying to help,” he said under his breath.
    “And we appreciate your efforts.” Hey, I had no issues with Raymond questioning our safety. In most cases, he was probably wise to do so.
    I considered my options. I could try to get all of our animal kingdom and my daughter back upstairs alone, or I could call for help. “Com on!”
    “Yes, Chief?” Walter asked.
    “I need Len and Kyle here to help me. Like now.”
    “They’re advised and on their way, Chief.”
    “You’re the best, Walt.”
    Len and Kyle were human C.I.A. agents permanently assigned to be my driver and bodyguard, respectively. They were also young, cute, and former members of USC’s Trojan Football team who’d come into my orbit during the excitement surrounding my wedding. Instead of pursuing pro careers, they went straight from college to Chuckie’s side of things and, therefore, were swept right back up into my orbit.
    Len had been the quarterback and Kyle had been on the line, which was why when it came to who got to handle what, Kyle got the four dogs and Len got the Feline Winnebago. I kept the cute little girl because I could.
    “You boys ready for tonight?” I asked as we squished into the elevator. The dogs ensured that they took up a lot of room.
    “Yes,” Len replied. “It’s supposed to be a fun night. And we’ll have friends