Forever Notorious

by Kathleen Brooks

  Sebastian didn’t even look at her. “No. I met her at a charity event in Dubai.”

  “Well, maybe you aren’t so close with the president. Or maybe the famous Mueez family is still working for Rahmi and not the US at all. Which one is it, countess?” he spat.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Abby called out as she calculated her next move.

  “Abigail Mueez, twenty-eight years old, from Keeneston, Kentucky. I would never have known if it weren’t for Prince Tariq. He told me all about you when he went on and on about his plans to kill his cousin, Draven. Seems Draven thinks highly of you and your family, so I looked you up. Imagine my surprise when I read about your famous father but couldn’t find a good photo of you. That was suspicious. But then I came across the photo of you and Sebastian at a ball and the light bulb went off. You were the countess I’d just met. It was hard to put together because of the hair and the eyes, but I never forget a pair of breasts. Especially a pair with the same tiny beauty mark on the upper right breast. The question is, who exactly are you?”

  “I told you who I am.”

  “Well, I guess it doesn’t matter who you are since you won’t be around much longer. Sebastian, I give you two choices,” Chet said as he practically bounced with excitement. “One, you and she die now. Two, you kill her and join me.”

  “One minute thirty seconds,” Lewis said and Abby reminded herself to focus. They had on their Kevlar-like jackets, but that wouldn’t stop a bullet to the head or a knife to the throat. But if she could just get to her weapons . . . but she could reach Sebastian’s without drawing attention.

  Abby put her hand behind his back and slowly ran her hand under Sebastian’s jacket. Her hand closed around the warm metal of the gun handle and she felt transformed. Never bring a knife to a gunfight.

  “I propose a third option,” Sebastian said calmly.

  Chet snorted in amusement. “And that would be?”

  “We kill you all.”

  Abby moved at the same time Sebastian did. His hand shot forward and she heard the crunch of Chet’s nose right before Lemon screamed and leapt on Sebastian. Abby was already shooting the staff down.

  “Abby!” Sebastian shouted a second before he pushed her out of the way as a knife arched down. Abby stumbled and turned her fall into a controlled somersault. When she popped up, she shot the woman who was trying to stab Sebastian.

  “Until we meet again,” Chet called out laughingly from the helicopter he and Lemon were climbing into.

  “Base, we have a helicopter taking off. Shoot it down!” Abby yelled a moment before she saw the shoulder launcher Chet hefted onto his shoulder and aimed right for her. They were out of time. “Sebastian!”

  Abby grabbed him as he looked down at the blood-free jacket in astonishment. “I was stabbed,” he muttered but Abby was already running.

  “RPG! Jump in the pool.”

  That got Sebastian’s attention as they sprinted toward the helicopter. Chet winked and Abby saw the moment he pulled the trigger. “Jump!”

  Abby and Sebastian launched themselves forward as the warhead whistled past. The blast hit when they were midair and the force of the explosion propelled them forward and into the water. Abby grabbed for Sebastian under the water as the pool appeared to turn orange from the flames. Evidence of the murder was gone. The bodies, the followers . . . they were all gone. This wasn’t a simple RPG explosion. Chet had rigged the house to explode and leave nothing behind.

  Sebastian grabbed hold of her hand as they swam underwater for the deep end of the pool. Abby turned to look back toward the house to see if the flames were gone when a hand reached into the pool and fisted in the collar of her jacket. As she was hauled from the pool, Abby grabbed the gun from her inner thigh. She broke the surface of the water ready to fight. She dragged in a lungful of air and leveled the gun at the man as she spun around.

  “What’s a pretty girl like you doing in a hot place like this?” the gravelly voice asked with amusement. Abby’s heart sped up as she looked into a face completely covered by camo material except for his eyes and mouth. “Of all the terrorist hideouts in all the towns in the world, you walk into mine.” He pulled her out of the pool but didn’t place her on the ground. Instead he held her tightly against him. “Hello, Abby.”

  Abby’s breath caught as she looked up into eyes mixed with green and browns that seemed to match his camo-covered face. “Hello, Dylan.”

  7

  Dylan Davies ignored the man who was being helped from the pool and kept his arm wrapped tightly around Abby. His heart had stopped when he saw the explosion send her hurtling through the air. Why the hell didn’t they tell him she was here? And what exactly was she doing here?

  “What the hell are you doing here?” Dylan snapped, losing control of his emotions.

  “I’m pretty sure you can figure that out, hotshot,” Abby said as her lips thinned. He knew that look. She was pissed at him for snapping at her. Well, she could deal with it. He’d known Abby his whole life. Abby, his cousin Jackson, and Dylan were the closest in age in the tight group of friends in Keeneston. Shoot, on top of that her father and mother were like an uncle and aunt to him. There was no way he would be able to explain her death to them if he let anything . . . wait. The pieces were clicking together.

  “You’re the CIA operative we’re providing backup for? What the hell, Abby?”

  Abby kicked him in the shins, and he set her down reluctantly. The rest of his unit was securing the perimeter and helping the man they’d hauled from the pool.

  He looked down at Abby, and even though she was safe, it still felt as if someone was wringing the breath from him. She crossed her arms over her chest and narrowed her eyes. “It’s not like I’m the only one keeping secrets. Delta Force? I mean, we all knew you did something dangerous, but—” Abby shook her head. “It’s all making sense now. It’s why Walker recognized you. You all had been on a joint mission before.”

  His cousin Layne Davies had married a Navy DEVGRU man, which was the Navy’s version of the Army’s Delta Force. They’d recognized each other instantly when they met but weren’t allowed to disclose it.

  “Abby, are you okay?” the man she’d been running with asked, coming to stand next to her. He was a couple inches shorter than Dylan’s six-foot-three inches and Dylan had mountains of muscle on him, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t tough-looking for a city boy. It was clear in his clothing and posture that he wasn’t CIA. “Is he bothering you?”

  Dylan’s jaw tightened as he stared the man down. “This doesn’t concern you.”

  “Master Sergeant, we need to go. These are the only survivors,” a soldier covered in jungle camo said, interrupting the brewing fight.

  “Are you okay to hike it out of here? Extraction is half a mile to the north,” Dylan asked Abby.

  “I’m fine. Sebastian, are you okay to make it?” Abby asked, turning to the man.

  “No problem,” he said, reaching for Abby’s hand and Dylan ground his jaw together.

  “Don’t fall behind,” Dylan warned before turning to the small team of men now surrounding them. “We’re moving out. Extraction in four minutes.”

  “I can do three,” Abby said and Dylan hid his smile. Abby never missed a chance to be competitive.

  “I’m sure you can, sweetheart, but City Boy probably can’t keep up on a run through the jungle. Let’s go.”

  “One second,” Abby said, causing him to turn and see her reaching down the front of her dress. She pulled out a tactical knife and kicked off her heels. With two quick slices, she sent the heel spikes flying before slipping on the new custom flats. “Now we can go.”

  Dylan chuckled as he took the lead. His team surrounded Abby and her mystery man as they hightailed it through the jungle to a large opening. Abby wasn’t breathing hard when they stopped, but Dylan got some perverse pleasure in seeing the man trying to hide the deep breaths he was taking. Running for your life was a little di
fferent from running on a treadmill.

  “Ready for evac,” Dylan said into his coms as a helicopter could be heard swooping in.

  The helicopter landed and his team ushered Abby and Sebastian forward. “I’m glad we got you and your boyfr . . . what exactly is he?” Dylan asked as he took a seat next to her and pulled off his head covering. He noticed Abby looked extremely comfortable in a military helicopter and wanted to shake his head again. The last time he’d seen her, she’d had a huge bruise on her leg and now he wondered what kind of mission she was on to have gotten it.

  “We’re,” Abby said, stopping as she looked confusedly across at Sebastian, “friends?”

  “You don’t know?” Dylan asked with part amusement and part annoyance. Although he didn’t have the right to be annoyed. It wasn’t as if they were any kind of official couple. He didn’t have time for a relationship and he certainly would never put a woman through the life that was required to be with him. He could be shipped out at a moment’s notice to anywhere in the world. He could never tell her where he was, what he was doing, and he could never promise to return home to her.

  “You sound like Jackson right now,” Abby said with a roll of her eyes. “He’s always lecturing me on my life.”

  “Does he know you’re CIA?” Dylan asked, feeling more hurt than he’d ever admit.

  “Of course not,” Abby answered. It was clear she was just as secretive as he was.

  Dylan looked over at her companion who sat calmly across from them. It came together for him. “You’re Sebastian Able, tech genius. I’ve heard Abby’s brother, Kale, talk about you before.”

  “Thanks. Someday I’ll meet her brother. I’ve heard a lot about him.” This was not another agent, but someone who knew Abby personally.

  “What’s your role in tonight?”

  The arrogant bastard just grinned at him. “That’s classified.”

  Dylan sneered back. It was a deadly smile that Abby’s father had taught him, combined with a glare his Uncle Miles also taught him. Sebastian suddenly looked uncomfortable. “I have the highest security clearances there are.”

  “Apparently not since you didn’t know Abby was a CIA SOG operator.”

  “To be fair, you didn’t know either until the other day,” Abby said, jumping to his defense. He felt his muscles tighten. He didn’t need her defending him. “Sebastian was my way into that massacre tonight. He has the name recognition and reputation to get us invited. And it worked.”

  Dylan thought for a minute, “Wait. Is this the guy you took to Sydney’s party? You’re dating him?”

  “We are not dating. It’s complicated, Dylan. Much like I assume your relationships are. We’re . . . friends.”

  “With benefits,” Dylan accused, knowing full well that he was being an asshole. He didn’t have the right to say anything about her personal life.

  “Once,” she hissed. “Tell me you haven’t been with anyone since—” Abby took a deep breath and calmed herself.

  Damn. Dylan was not handling this well. He, Jackson, and Abby had a past that was a bit complicated. Add to it their careers, and well, it was FUBAR. “I’m sorry. It’s not my place,” he said for Abby’s ears only.

  “No. It’s not. But, it’s really not like that.”

  He could hear the wind drop from her sails and he felt horrible. “No matter what, we’re always friends. “

  “Yes. Friends.” Abby said as she laid her head back and closed her eyes, effectively ending the conversation. Dylan turned his hazel gaze to Sebastian. He wasn’t acting the part of a boyfriend, yet he obviously knew her well. What exactly was going on here?

  * * *

  Abby didn’t want to talk about it. It hurt too much. So she leaned back and closed her eyes. Her brain wouldn’t give her a reprieve, though. It shot her right back to the summer leading into her senior year of high school. Jackson was heading into his freshman year of college and Dylan into his junior year of high school. It didn’t matter that Dylan was the youngest of the three. He was already well over six feet and looked as if he were twenty-five instead of sixteen. The three of them were at a field party. Some the older Davies cousins, who were about to go back to college, were there along with some seniors and a couple juniors from Keeneston High School.

  She’d been young and so in love with Jackson. Well, lust. What teenager wouldn’t be? Jackson was ripped. His dark hair and silver eyes had every girl drooling. Add in that he was very nice, and it would be nearly impossible to not have a crush on him. She’d been staring at him when Dylan took a seat next to her on the tailgate of his pickup truck. “You realize you’re practically drooling, right?”

  Abby smacked him on the chest. “Oh stop. It’s not going to happen. He’s older than I am and no one except Nolan has been brave enough to ask me out on a date because of my dad. A drone following you on a date is a real buzzkill.”

  “I’m sorry you two broke up. I really like Nolan.”

  Abby shrugged. “We’re still really good friends.”

  Dylan looked out to where Jackson was talking to Emma, a girl from his class. “Come on,” Dylan said, hopping down from the tailgate and pulling Abby with him. “Jackson!” Dylan called out as Abby had had to practically scramble to keep up with Dylan.

  “Hey, Dyl,” Jackson said, tossing him a beer. “You want one, Abby?”

  “No thanks,” Abby said a little breathlessly. She hated herself for it. The three of them had been close friends forever. But now she was panting over one of them just like all the girls in Keeneston. Lust with your friend never turned out well. Look at Sienna Ashton and Ryan Parker, Jackson’s older brother. He’d had a thing for Sienna forever, but she never recognized it and now they hardly talked.

  “Let’s play truth or dare,” Dylan offered as he took a sip of the beer.

  Jackson gave a little snort and shook his head. “We’re not ten anymore.”

  “I know, but it’ll be fun. We’ll do grown-up dares instead of daring someone to snag a rose from Miss Lily’s rosebush. Come on, just one question each.”

  Emma shrugged a shoulder. “I’m in.”

  Dylan turned to Abby and she saw mischief in his eyes. “Abby, truth or dare?”

  “Truth,” Abby answered.

  “Who do you like?” Dylan asked. Abby had felt her face flush red. The asshole. “Or would you chose dare instead?”

  “Dare,” Abby said instantly, but then regretted it as soon as Dylan’s grin turned into a full-fledged smile.

  “I dare you to kiss Jackson.”

  Abby didn’t stop looking at Dylan’s face. He and Jackson were cousins, but everything about them seemed opposite. Jackson was open, kind, and always ready for a laugh. He was muscular but lean, and he had his father’s silver eyes. Dylan was dark and brooding. He was muscular and extremely athletic. His hazel eyes hid depths that she didn’t even know about.

  “Sure,” Jackson said, causing Abby’s head to snap toward him. “I think two friends can survive a kiss,” he said with a chuckle. He handed his beer to Emma, stepped forward, and Abby stopped breathing. His hands came up to cup her cheeks and then his eyes closed and his lips touched hers.

  Abby let her body lean against his as his lips moved over hers. She opened her mouth, ready for the fireworks, but as his tongue slid into her mouth, she could only think about the mischievous smile on Dylan’s face. Abby threw her whole body into the kiss, and . . . nothing. Not a single spark. Jackson pulled away looking as completely unaffected as she was. What the hell happened?

  “My turn to ask,” Emma said excitedly. “Jackson, truth or dare?”

  “Truth,” Jackson said, turning all of his attention to Emma and taking back his beer.

  “Did you plastic wrap the principal’s car last year?”

  Jackson grinned and took a swig of beer. “Yes.”

  Emma almost bounced up and down. “I knew it! I don’t know what we’re going to do this year as a prank.”

  “I’d ask Abby. Sh
e’s the one who came up with the idea.” Jackson toasted her with his beer. “Your turn, Abby.”

  “Emma,” Abby said. “Truth or dare?”

  Emma giggled. “Truth,” she said after taking a deep breath.

  “Who are you going to ask to the Sadie Hawkins dance when school starts back?”

  Emma blushed and then looked worried. “I was hoping to ask Nolan. If that’s okay?”

  Abby smiled kindly at her. “It’s fine. We broke up months ago, and we’re on very good terms.”

  Emma gave a little squeal and hugged her. “Thank you.”

  “Looks like it’s my turn.” Jackson had a huge smile on his face as he looked at Dylan. “Dylan, truth or dare.”

  “Dare.”

  It was always a dare. Dylan, even when they were in middle school, never revealed anything.

  Jackson looked at Abby and she felt her stomach flip. “I dare you to kiss Abby. That way we’ll both die if her dad finds out.”

  “What?” Abby sputtered, but Dylan’s hand was already reaching out for her and turning her toward him. Unlike Jackson, Dylan wasn’t as slow and steady in his kiss. His hand wrapped around the back of her neck, angling her lips up to his as his other arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her tight against him.

  And then he’d kissed her. Abby could still feel the heat from it eleven years later. Her toes had curled, her heart had stopped beating, and when his tongue had invaded her mouth, she’d moaned. Out loud. And she hadn’t even cared. Dylan had consumed her. He hadn’t bent to her will because of who her father was or the fact she’d been training with him. No, Dylan had taken over her entire body with his kiss. There was most definitely a spark.

  Abby had opened her eyes and found Dylan staring at her. She’d wanted him badly after that kiss. But she honestly hadn’t known what to make of it. As she got older, she’d known what to do with sexual chemistry like that, but as a teenager it had been just too overwhelming. She’d finally told Jackson about it and how she felt, after swearing him to secrecy. But then Dylan had acted as if nothing had happened and Abby had thought she’d been the only one to feel something. Before she knew it, she was off to college.