by Raine Miller
“I don’t like the idea of Zoe meeting Kadir ahead of time,” Jason said. “The man is highly intelligent and brutal.”
Julia smiled reassuringly. “Don’t worry. He won’t be there. Zoe won’t have to worry about anyone other than Kadir. The Algerian vice president is a secondary concern. Kadir’s a huge player in the success of the peace agreement. We want her to be focused mainly on him.”
Jason nodded. Kadir was the worst of all their targets and the most challenging. One madman was enough.
“Mrs. Bryson is meeting with the Algerian vice president tomorrow. The Iranian president will be in on Saturday. Expect to do your presentation by the beginning of the week, Zoe.”
“Yes, I’ll be ready.”
Jason didn’t make eye contact with anyone. He heard his breathing and concentrated on slowing it down. This was going to happen, and he didn’t think there was any way to stop it.
“Nothing can go wrong or this project will collapse and the world could be tangled in wars for decades.” Julia pressed her lips tightly together then rolled her shoulders back. “We have a serious problem.”
“Bad timing for a leak,” Johnny said in his New York accent. “Who do you think it might be?”
Julia’s fists were clenched on her desk. “The FLC has been a vital part of this nation for over a hundred and fifty years, having to deal with very difficult issues. It will continue. If there is a leak, trust that it will be dealt with in the most severe way possible.”
***
After they finished dinner, Jason cleaned up the kitchen while Zoe put on a pot of coffee. Dexter had eaten and was curled up in his bed in the dining room. “I think he likes you,” Zoe said, her heart swelling. She took out a couple of mugs and placed them on the island.
“Dexter? How do you know?” Jason grinned. He’d asked if he could take him for a walk the moment they got to her house.
“Because he doesn’t bark anymore when you come over.”
“I found the trick.” He wagged his eyebrows.
“What trick?” He was teasing her.
“I picked up some dog treats.” He pulled them out of his pocket and showed them to her.
“Cheater.” She play-punched his shoulder. “So was there a trick with me?”
His face turned serious. He tossed the dog treat into Dexter’s bowl and took her into his arms. “No trick.” He pressed her head to his chest and stroked her hair. “I know I left without saying good-bye. After Turkey, I needed time to think. Working together was going to eventually get us killed.”
“It has nothing to do with working together. We work in a dangerous field,” Zoe argued.
He held her back at arm’s length to look at her. “But we’re distracted by our feelings for each other, and that puts us at a higher risk.”
“I disagree. You’re blaming the distraction of our relationship for a failed mission. It was just a failed mission. It happens.” She pulled away from him and walked into the living room.
“Zoe.” He didn’t follow. A few minutes later, he came in with two cups of coffee. “Cream and one sweetener, right?”
“Right, thanks.” She took the cup and didn’t argue when he sat next to her. “Who’s Celia Aldridge?”
Jason’s eyes widened only for a second, then he shook his head. Rarely would he be caught off guard and show emotion like that. Either he was over-relaxed by being in her house, in her company, or Celia Aldridge had some significance. “A previous FLC employee,” he said warily. “How did you hear about her?”
“I found an old ID badge of hers in my desk. The badge still works. It opened the Red Tape Room. Do you know her? What happened to her?” Zoe pressed.
Jason rubbed the back of his neck and stared at Zoe, hesitating. “I knew her briefly. She was killed.”
“Killed how?” Zoe glared at him.
He groaned. “You have to understand. The existence of the FLC cannot get out to the general public. That’s why its members are carefully selected. If there is risk of exposure, that risk must be eliminated.”
Zoe stiffened. “What happened to Celia?”
“She was in the FLC as a Domme and a researcher. She wanted out, but they decided she was too valuable to let her out yet, so she decided she could sell her information to the media for a lot of money.”
“She was going to tell the media about the FLC? Oh my God.” Zoe gasped.
Jason nodded. “Frank overheard her making a contact during a reception at the Kennedy Center. They had her phones, computers, every movement monitored. She made other contacts. She was looking for the highest bidder.”
Zoe cradled her stomach. She knew where this was leading. “Where did it happen?”
“Outside her apartment.” Jason held up a hand to continue explaining. “She was on her way to one of her contacts and was found dead with two shots to the head.”
“By an assassin.”
He nodded. “The media said it was a random shooting, but the closed file said two bullets struck her.”
“The assassin in the FLC?” she asked.
“Probably. At least one. The file doesn’t mention if the bullets were of the same caliber.” He took her hand and squeezed it. “She was a threat to national security.”
“I know.” She nodded. This was a typical conversation between two intelligence agents. Normally, she would easily accept it, but in this case, Zoe was really bothered. “Okay. I get it. I won’t mention her name at a meeting.” A look of fear crossed her face. “I understand they didn’t want her exposing the FLC, but I can’t believe they would kill her.”
“Stranger things have happened. Before my aunt died a few years ago, she gave me letters she’d saved from my uncle. He was in the Secret Service when Kennedy was assassinated. JFK and my uncle were friends, and my aunt recalled phone calls from JFK to the house in Florida. When he and his fellow agents were on the road with JFK, my uncle would write to her, telling her about their adventures. Quite a few interesting stories. Days after JFK’s death, my aunt received a call that my uncle had died of a sudden heart attack. He was only forty-three and hadn’t had any health issues. She tried contacting authorities to make arrangements to have his body returned to Florida for a funeral. After two days of calls, a coroner called and said he had been cremated.”
Leaning forward, Zoe put her mug down on the coffee table. “Cremated? Did your aunt request that?”
“No. My aunt insists there was no record in his medical files or any files requesting cremation upon his death.”
“Sounds suspicious,” she said. “Did you or your aunt ever find out what happened?”
“It’s not unreasonable to believe someone in the government felt my uncle was a threat to security and had him killed. We can’t prove it.”
“Do you think the FLC had anything—”
“No, I don’t think so,” he continued. “This proves the government will go to extremes to protect secrets.”
“Where are those letters now?” She smiled, curious. What secrets had they thought they were burying by killing his uncle and cremating him?
“Hidden. A safe place.”
“Good.” She leaned back and closed her eyes.
“What’s wrong?” He rubbed her shoulder.
The hairs rose on the back of her neck. “Can we never leave the FLC? Does anyone leave?”
Knowing what he knew, hadn’t he considered that? He laughed. “Don’t start getting all paranoid on me. Of course, people leave. With every new administration, a new first lady takes over.”
Zoe gave a wry laugh. “I can’t imagine Charlotte Ellison having anything to do with the FLC.”
“She didn’t. She appointed someone, although not much happened during that administration.”
The doubt remained, no matter how much she tried to ease the worry. He took her hands in his. “Hey, be honest with me. Do you want out? If you do, I’ll figure out a way to get you out safely. Tell me now.”
She groaned. “No, I
want to do this. I believe in what the FLC is trying to accomplish, even though the methods are extreme. We can survive this, can’t we?”
Shaking his head, he drew her across his lap and bent his head to kiss her. The kiss, deep and slow, melted away the worry. All she wanted was him, now, in every way. She opened her mouth for him as the kiss heated. Breathless, she gripped his shoulders as her pulse quickened. She wanted to forget the past, the present and their obligations for the future.
“Nothing is going to happen to us,” he said. The tip of his tongue glided across her jawline to her ear, and he tugged on her lobe with his teeth.
She shivered. “I believe you. What should I do with Celia’s badge?”
“Give it to me. I’ll give it to Frank.”
“Okay, now can you tell me why the president doesn’t attend our FLC meetings?” Zoe asked, sitting back up.
“Plausible deniability.”
She shrugged her shoulders. “I guess that makes sense in light of what’s going on. Who could possibly be the leak? If there is one.”
“No clue. I was talking to Frank about it. He’s started an investigation of each FLC member.”
“Terrific. Right in the middle of an operation? I guess I expected that.” She sipped her coffee. The hint of cinnamon cleared her head. “Time to stop talking about this.”
“I agree.” His tone perked right up. “What would you like to talk about instead?”
“Actually, I’d like to show you what I bought.” She stood up and walked to her bedroom. “I’ll be right out.”
“Hmmm. I think I’m going to like this.”
***
Several minutes later, Zoe came out of her bedroom. She leaned on the doorframe with one hand, a leather flogger dangling at her side in the other. She wore a shiny leather or pleather corset outfit with silver studs and lacing. Ankle boots, thigh-high stockings and a studded collar. Jason felt himself get hard.
“Do you like it?” She spun around, and the thong showed off the cheeks of her ass nicely.
He swallowed and heard his pulse pounding in his ears and felt it down in his dick. Fuck.
She dropped her arm and pouted. “You don’t like it.”
“No, no. I do like it. It’s hot. I’m blown away. Wow.” He stood up and looked at the flogger.
“I thought I’d wear this with Kadir. Melissa said I needed an outfit. She helped me pick it out. So you think I’ll look okay for the scene with Kadir?”
He didn’t answer right away. “It’ll work,” he said stiffly.
She laughed a little. “Jason. Remember this is a role to take down a monster.”
“I know. I was remembering his file. The guy is certified.” He picked up the flogger and slid the tassels through his hand. The idea of another man, let alone a madman, using this on her ripped him up inside.
“And I’ll be surrounded by Secret Service. He won’t be able to hurt me.”
“You will give the safe word if he goes too far, right?” Jason touched her cheek.
“Yes, I will. Stop worrying.”
“Okay. I’ll trust you.” His hands roamed over the tops of her breasts. “This is nice. It’s turning me on.” Did she get turned on by the BDSM routines?
“Can I ask a favor?”
“Name it.” His hands smoothed over her ass and squeezed. She moaned and went up on her toes.
She handed him the flogger. “Here. I want to see how much I can take.”
CHAPTER 21
Zoe held out the flogger to Jason, but he wouldn’t take it. The lustful look in his eyes suddenly turned dark. She had to admit, she wanted to practice more of the BDSM techniques at home to see if they’d both become aroused. When he’d restrained her in her office, they had. This was a new side to their relationship she had to understand. “Jason, come on. Help me here.”
“Why? You know as much as you need to know to play a submissive to Kadir. Melissa will go over a few things this weekend. Etiquette, what else is expected of a submissive during a scene, what else is expected of a Dom, safety, hopefully anything that could happen.”
“I want to know my pain limit. The reception is tomorrow, and Kadir is coming Saturday. I can have my presentation at any time. If I quit after three lashes, he’ll know I’m not a true submissive.” She took his hand and smacked the handle into his palm. “Let’s get this over with.”
“Fine.” He didn’t sound happy.
She knelt on her hands and knees on an area rug in the middle of the living room. A sandalwood candle burned with a sweet earthy scent, and the lights were dim. She took a deep breath to relax. “My safe word is red.”
“Okay. Don’t push yourself too far,” he warned. “I will stop if I feel I’m injuring you.”
“Not unless I say the safe word,” she argued.
“The Dom always must protect his sub. His partner may be in subspace, too dazed to register that the pain is at a harmful level. As your Dom, I will stop before you call your safe word if I think I’m injuring you.”
“That’s your call, then.”
She waited there, on her knees, expectantly. The whoosh of the leather thongs circled in a figure-eight pattern. Jason cracked the tips of the flogger in the air. “I love the outfit, but it has to come off. Stand up and remove it for me.”
She stood, facing him, and unfastened the front hooks. The back laces were tied tightly to fit her curves, and the garment had hooks in the front to make it easy to put on and take off. Melissa had pointed that out when they were shopping.
Her nipples puckered when the cool air brushed them. She dropped the corset in a nearby chair.
“Now the panties,” he commanded. “And don’t forget to respond when given an order.”
“Yes, sir.” She had forgotten, caught up in the moment. A chill went through her, and her pussy throbbed with need.
“Now kneel again.”
“Yes, sir.” She did and was thinking about the party the next night, how turned on she was getting, wondering if Jason was getting hard, when the first strike hit her shoulder. Zoe wasn’t expecting it because her mind was everywhere but in the moment. The leather bit into her skin, and she yelped.
“Stay focused.”
“Right.” Lesson one for the evening: Don’t let your mind drift during a scene. He continued to lash her shoulders, back and buttocks with light and hard strokes, stopping at times to smooth her skin.
“How are you doing?”
“Okay, sir.” Her skin felt tingling and heated but not too bad so far.
“Kadir may be harder on you, and he may not check in to see how you’re doing. Don’t be afraid to ask for a break.”
“I understand.” She was wet and so freaking hot. What would Jason think of her if he knew pain got her excited?
“You’re stiffening up. Too much?” He stopped swinging the flogger.
“I’m fine. Don’t stop. You’re not hurting me.”
“We’ll take it up a notch and try something else.” He slid his hand between her thighs and shoved her legs apart, then slid his hand to her pussy. “Wow, you’re getting wet.”
Heat rushed to her face. She laughed awkwardly. “That’s because I’m naked, and you’re not. And I’m thinking about what we’re going to do later.”
“Focus on the now, Zoe.”
His sharp words stung. The flogger caressed her skin gently this time. Then he swung it like a pendulum between her legs, the thongs stroking her swollen clit. She groaned and raised her ass. If he continued, she’d come like this. No, she didn’t want to come. But a coil of sheer pleasure stirred deep in her belly, and the rhythm of his strikes continued. She couldn’t bear it any longer. “Jason. Slow down.”
“What? Are you giving me your safe word?”
“No, not yet.” Too late, she cried out as the orgasm slammed into her. He must’ve realized what was happening, because he dropped the flogger and knelt beside her. His hand slid between her legs, and a finger slipped inside her channel, thr
usting in and out until her cries subsided. Pulling her into his arms, he held her close.
He half-laughed and kissed her. “Hmmm. I guess you were enjoying yourself.”
“You don’t think that’s weird?” She searched his eyes and wasn’t sure what she saw.
He shook his head. “Just the opposite. I couldn’t see doing this twenty-four/seven, but I don’t mind mixing our love life up a bit. As long as you’re not turned on when you’re with your targets.”
Her stomach churned as reality gripped her. “I won’t. Don’t worry.”
“Hey.” He lifted her chin and brushed his lips over hers. “Don’t worry. I’ll be there.”
Did she want him there, or would she be too self-conscious? She picked up the flogger and handed it to him. “This time don’t hold back.”
***
“Since this will be a cocktail party, we don’t have to worry about seating arrangements,” Faith said to Julia and Melissa. Rarely did the first lady show signs of fatigue, but bloodshot eyes and slumped shoulders made Melissa think she hadn’t been sleeping well. This evening she was serving coffee, not tea, in the East Hall.
“What would you like us to do, ma’am?” Julia asked delicately. Melissa sensed Julia also noticed Faith’s worn state. “When do you expect the delegates to arrive?”
Faith took in a long breath and let it out slowly. “By eight p.m., security will be stationed outside to keep the media away. Secret Service will be inside. I’ve asked General Guzman not to wear his uniform. We want the delegates to feel at ease, especially the ones I plan to pull to the side for a private tour. A few of our most attractive interns will be invited. They’ve been instructed to be friendly and make the delegates feel welcome, although these young women have no idea I’m using them to stir the men’s interest.”
Melissa rested her cup in her lap. “Would you prefer Zoe and I not engage with these men?”
Faith nodded. “I’d rather you observe them from a distance, let the interns talk to them. But don’t ignore them if they speak to you.”