by KaLyn Cooper
Computer code scrolled down one screen as titles that included related words for tracking populated another.
Brett’s hands froze as he stared at a screen. “Do you care where the program comes from?”
Alex shifted his weight. “The last thing I want is federal agents marching into this office to arrest you.”
Head bobbing up and down, Bret concurred, “I didn’t exactly enjoy being a guest of our federal government in a twelve by twelve cell where they monitored every keystroke…unless it was a computer puzzle they brought me, which they never paid me for the answer.”
“Be more specific.” Alex knew the young man would stretch the limits of the law. “No, you cannot hack into Homeland Security and clone their program.”
“No worries, that thing’s an old piece of shit. It’s at least six months out of date.” He held Alex’s gaze. “I’m talking about buying it off the dark web. Given that I only see two contacts, I’d bet my next month’s paycheck that one of those two created the initial program, and the other one did the modifications for Homeland.”
“How much we talking?” Alex prepared himself for lots of zeros.
“Could be as cheap as ten, maybe as high as a hundred.” Bret shrugged.
“Thousand?” Top gasped.
“Million?” Alex said at the same time.
Brett rocked back in his chair. “Bucks. Ten bucks. Maybe a hundred dollars.”
Just to clarify, Alex repeated, “You mean I could buy the program to track a Homeland Security agent for somewhere between ten and a hundred U.S. dollars?”
“Yeah.” Bret looked as him as though he were an idiot. “Now, if you want it to be exclusively yours, meaning it won’t get sold to anyone else, that might cost a thousand.” Snidely he added, “U.S. dollars.”
“Make the deal. Exclusive. Offer him two thousand dollars and if I find he ever sells it to anyone else, I will hunt him down, cut off his balls, and stuff them down his throat.”
Brett laughed as he turned back to the two keyboards. “What makes you think a man designed this program? I didn’t realize you’re so sexist, Alex.”
Momentarily thrown for a loop, Alex wondered what he would threaten to do to a woman? He chuckled. “If she sells anyone else the program, I’ll send Katlin after her.”
“I wouldn’t want to piss off that woman, that’s for damn sure.” Bret focused on the middle screen. “Done. You owe me two thousand dollars.” He faced his two bosses once again. “The program, including all of its past, present, and future variations, will never be sold.”
All of the screens went blank. Then starting on the left, each contained one word. You. Owe. Me. Supper. Tonight. Stud.
“Looks like you got a date out of it, too.” Top turned and walked away.
“Where’s my program? And will work on my phone?” Alex pinned the young man with a gaze that used to make Marine recruits quake in their boots. It had no effect whatsoever on Bret.
“It’s on the company computer. Give me a few hours, and I’ll make it into a phone app.” Bret turned around and touched a button. Every screen came back to life, changing so fast Alex had to look away.
Alex was truly enjoying the private executive jet service Katlin had discovered a few months ago. The company had regular flights to every major airport where Guardian Security had centers. The planes were all first-class with tables, Wi-Fi, and satellite calling. He’d met executives from many of the Fortune 500 companies, networking and expanding their business exponentially. Plus, he didn’t have to worry about the exposure in a commercial terminal. Someone from each center dropped him off and picked him up right at the front door.
As they touched down in Chicago, he wasn’t looking forward to what he had to do. The Guardian Chicago Center would be fine. Steve ran a very tight and profitable business for them.
He dreaded the conversation with Aleta. For the seven years that he’d been single since his divorce, he’d had dozens of women. For the past two years he’d dated Aleta, an assistant state’s attorney in Chicago, if and when it was convenient for both of them. She was a special friend. They’d been lovers almost the entire time, but he wasn’t in love with Aleta. They enjoyed dinner and sex, and that was it as far as he was concerned. They rarely spoke unless he was in the Chicago Guardian Center, or on his way there, which was only every six to eight weeks. Their relationship wasn’t exclusive either. Alex had made sure Aleta was clear on that point several times.
On the way into the FBO building, he decided to call her. This was private, and he knew there was a Guardian vehicle waiting for him just outside the small private terminal.
Her cell phone flipped to voice mail. She was probably in court. “Hey, Aleta. This is Alex Wolf. I’m in town for a couple days and was hoping we might be able to get together for dinner tonight. Italian? I know it’s your favorite. Let’s say seven thirty.”
Steve, the Chicago Center manager, was waiting for him in the company SUV. Most of the conversation on the drive into the city revolved around the rash of break-ins in one particular residential area. Guardian had added external cameras to many of the homes that had not been burgled, yet, hoping to catch the perpetrators on video.
Once on site, Alex walked the entire facility top to bottom before he called for individual reports. After sitting in the conference room for hours, he was ready to go upstairs to the penthouse to change clothes when the Guardian 911 tone burst from his phone.
“If you’ll excuse me please, I need to take this.” Alex walked out of the conference room and into his office. It was the assistant manager in San Francisco. Everything had gone to hell there.
Ten minutes later, Steve pulled the Guardian SUV onto the interstate toward the airport. “Aleta called for you just as I was leaving. I didn’t say anything to her, but I’ve cancelled the car scheduled for the two of you for tonight.”
“Thanks, Steve. I’m sorry I had to bug out on you like this, but San Francisco has become a problem,” Alex said, peeved that he had to leave before he’d finished everything he’d wanted to accomplish in Chicago. “Your Center is tight, and I’m proud of the team you’ve built here. You’re doing a good job. Your success will be reflected in your bonus this quarter.”
“Thank you, sir. That’s a relief.” Steve hesitated before he continued, “I have to admit, for a while I was worried that your personal relationship with Aleta wasn’t the only reason you came here so often. But it’s been months since you were here and…”
Steve had known that Alex and Aleta would be going out tonight, but his local manager had no idea that it would have been for the last time. Alex was with Kat now, exclusively, and except for Griffin, none of his center manager’s knew. How could they? Alex never shared his personal life, but Steve’s proximity to Aleta had made him privy to their relationship. He’d been extremely discrete, for which Alex was thankful, but his life had changed.
If Kat hadn’t shown up a few months ago, he and Aleta would not only be headed to her favorite restaurant tonight, they’d go to her place and to her bed. He had to end things with Aleta. Now.
“Thanks for reminding me. I need to call her.” Alex dialed her home number.
He absolutely hated doing this over the phone, but he had no other choice. He’d planned to take her to dinner and explain it to her gently. They’d never made any kind of commitment to each other, but she deserved more than a phone call.
The call flipped to her voice mail. He wasn’t sure if he was thankful or regretful. “Aleta, this is Alex Wolf. I’m sorry, but I had to leave Chicago on very short notice—”
“If you’re calling me to cancel…” Aleta had picked up.
Alex took a deep breath knowing this wasn’t going to be easy, especially with Steve in the driver’s seat beside him.
Aleta continued, “I’m going to be so disappointed. You’re just going to have to make this up to me…big time.”
“I’m so sorry, but I have to cancel.” Alex took a deep breath an
d saw Steve wince out of his peripheral vision. “And I won’t be able to make it up to you.”
This isn’t the way Alex wanted this to go down. “I didn’t want to do this over the phone…I’ve met someone. Actually, we met a long time ago, but Kat’s back in my life now…and she’s…important. We’ve agreed to be monogamous.” Alex heard her drag in a long breath so he continued, “Aleta, you were special to me. But all it’s ever been—for me—was friends, very special friends.”
Aleta was quiet for a long time. Her short breaths signaled she was fighting back emotions. She was a good attorney and knew how to withhold her personal reactions.
“I’ve always thought there was someone else, but since we were never exclusive, I had no right to ask. I knew you dated—I saw pictures in the tabloids—I never thought you’d get serious about... Did you say her name was Kat? Is she a model? A movie star?” The hurt in Aleta’s voice came through the tenuous cell phone connection as the Guardian SUV sped towards the airport.
“Yes, actually it’s Katlin, and no, she’s not famous. She’s my best friend.” Alex saw recognition sweep across Steve’s face although his eyes never left the road.
“She came back into my life a few months ago,” he admitted with a small degree of guilt. Alex wiped his face with his hand. “I never meant to hurt you. You’ve been a good friend.” A friend with very delightful benefits.
“I’ve known from the beginning what we were and I understand.” Aleta took a slow, deep breath and obviously regained her composure. “If anything ever happens that you find yourself free and available again, call me. I wouldn’t mind taking…what we had…to the next step. I have to admit, I’m a little jealous of her. I’d hoped that maybe, one day, we could be more than just friends. If your situation ever changes, I’m here.”
“I don’t see it changing, but thank you. Take care of yourself, Aleta.”
“You too, Alex. Good-bye.”
The line went dead.
Chapter 10
Alex awoke early in the Chicago penthouse apartment of Guardian Security Inc. so excited that he would see Kat that night for supper. It had been over seven weeks since he kissed her good-bye in Quantico. His only solace had been the new app on his phone. Several times a day he checked to see if the little dot had moved.
When his phone rang, he smiled at the caller ID. “Hello, beautiful. I’m lying in our bed with the morning hard on that I’d planned to use on you. I can’t tell you how bad it sucks that you weren’t able to get here yesterday.” He was more than a little pissed that Jack had required Katlin to come into the office for briefing on her last mission.
“What a fucking waste of my time.” Katlin had been seething when they talked last night. Obviously eight hours sleep hadn’t improved her mood. On the other hand, she was never a morning person. Perhaps she just needed more caffeine.
“Please tell me you have a cup of coffee nearby,” he teased.
“My second, and I may need a third.” She sighed heavily. “USSOCOM just let me know that we might need to go back.”
Alex sat straight up in bed. “What the fuck?”
“They have identified more viable threats to the U.S. Olympians.”
“Fuck!” Alex said on a huff. “What the hell’s wrong with these people?”
“Americans are easy targets,” she volleyed back at him. “Most are extremely naïve about world affairs, yet, if you’re wealthy enough to attend the Olympics half a world away, you are an easy target for kidnapping. Every cause needs money.”
“Unfortunately, you’re right.” He rolled onto his side and propped his head on his hand. “I’m going to be in a courthouse all day. I hate going there. I feel naked. I can’t even take a jackknife in there. Everyone gets scanned.”
“Except all the people already carrying guns,” she pointed out. “How easy is it to take a gun away from a prison guard?”
They both knew the answer to that question…milliseconds.
He reconsidered his plans and decided that someone from Guardian would take him over and pick him up. He absolutely hated to go unarmed, but inside a courthouse it was necessary. He quickly told Katlin his revised plan.
“I’m sorry, I had no right to take my frustrations out on you,” Katlin apologized. “I can’t wait to get there this afternoon, but I’ll have to. What time do you testify?”
“I don’t have to be to the courthouse until ten o’clock.” Alex looked at his watch and decided he needed to get moving. Looking down at his cock, he decided to give himself the next ten minutes in the shower. Just talking to Kat made him unbelievably hard. He couldn’t remember when he’d gone this long without sex with a woman. “I love you, babe. I’m counting the hours until I see you.”
As Steve drove him to the courthouse, Alex found himself checking Kat’s location on his phone. It had become habit during her long absence. He’d check it first thing in the morning, between meetings, and even while he was working in. Any time he had a moment free. He learned to tell the difference between when she was working out, running, sleeping, or normal activity. He felt closer to her knowing that she was okay…and exactly where she was. The best part, was when he saw the dot move across whole countries, it meant she was headed home.
Alex had left his weapons in the Guardian vehicle and breezed through the building security. He’d found the courtroom where he’d be testifying, and took a seat on a bench across from the door. He was instructed to wait for the company’s attorney and they would sit in on the rest of the proceedings together. In the meantime, he checked on Kat, who should be headed to the airport within the hour.
“Alex?” The familiar female voice asked. When he lifted his head, Aleta gave him a warm smile. “What you doing here?”
His gaze started at her navy blue pumps. The three-inch heels made her long legs look even more athletic. Her professional attire could not hide her beauty. The tailored blue pinstripe suit hugged every curve of her body. Curves Alex knew very well. Her silk blouse covered ample breasts that he had tortured for hours, exciting her to the breaking point. Her chic hairstyle curled under at her jawline, emphasizing her oval face.
He stood, not sure what to do with his hands. Part of him wanted to hug the woman who had satisfied his sexual needs for the past two years whenever he came to Chicago. But in his left hand, he held Katlin’s heartbeat.
Aleta had always stirred him the moment she came into sight, but not today. He only had regret for the way he had ended their relationship with a fucking phone call.
He’d lost his place in the non-conversation. Oh, yeah. She’d asked the question.
“I’m testifying in a burglary case.” He gestured toward the double doors.
She awkwardly pointed down the hall. Pasting on a smile, she said, “I’m going to put away a pedophile today.”
“Good.” Could this be any more uncomfortable? Probably. Shut up before you jinx it.
“Are you in town for long?” Her question put him a little on edge. Was she fishing?
Hedging, he said, “I’m really not sure. I am expected to testify today, but they might hold me over.”
There was a long pause before she nodded. “Well…I…um…I need to get court.” She reached out to take his hand.
Fuck it. He pulled her into a light embrace. Her musky perfume had always stiffened his cock before, but not today. It didn’t even twitch. With his mouth close to her ear, he spoke so only she could hear. “I’d like to think we were still friends, but I know that might be difficult for both of us to handle.”
“You know where I am if anything changes.” They both stepped back at the same time. Her forced smile told him that she had thought their relationship was more than he had ever considered it to be.
He stared as she walked down the hall.
Without looking, he knew the instant their Illinois attorney approached. “Great ass, but she doesn’t share it with anyone. There isn’t a straight man in this courthouse who hasn’t fantasized about t
apping that, but no one has. One of the judges has a pool going as to who’s gonna break that ice barrier down first. One of the women bailiffs thinks she swings the other way, but she hasn’t had any luck either. Want to place a bet?”
“No thanks, I never lose.” It wouldn’t be fair to take all their money. He could also verify that she was strictly dickly, and damn good at it. “Anything I need to know before you put me in the hot seat?”
They’d made Alex sit around all fucking day, as though he didn’t have anything better to do than wait for attorneys to decide to question him. Thankfully he could do some of his work on his smart phone. He must’ve checked on Katlin’s whereabouts at least once every fifteen minutes. It warmed his heart when he saw she was at Reagan International Airport’s FBO, where the private executive jet service flew out.
Katlin was in the air. Alex decided to leave her a message that she would get as soon as she landed.
“How about we eat at my favorite Italian restaurant around seven thirty? I’ve missed you so much. I’ve been hard since I saw that your plane is headed to Chicago. How am I supposed to appear in court with a raging hard on? Just knowing that within a few hours I can slide into you and listen to all those little noises you make when you come. Going without you for the past months is tough on a man. See you soon, babe.”
He’d made reservations at one of his favorite Italian restaurants that he thought Kat would absolutely love. Then he’d checked in at all of his centers, and chatted with General Lyon during the lunch break.
As he stormed out of the courthouse, trotting directly toward the Guardian Security SUV, he called Katlin. “You’re here.” It was a statement not a question.
“Yes, I am in Chicago. And I see my ride.” He heard her talking with Steve. He could tell when she was inside the vehicle. “Since you’re talking to me, I guess you’re finished with court for the day. Do you have to go back tomorrow?”