Mindwarp

by Tara Nina

  Wrong move. A slow simmer of sensual heat coated her palm and sent a fiery tingle straight to her core. It took tremendous effort not to visibly shiver from the phenomenal sensation his touch gifted her. Something about him piqued her interest even more. Though she knew she should be concerned about being connected with Dr. Riyad, she momentarily refused to focus on anything other than Nolan’s sexy freckles.

  Was him being a treasury agent the reason she found him so attractive? No. She chewed the edge of her lower lip. She hadn’t known that about him until now. It had to be the honest concern she read in his eyes and the way he kept his gaze directed on hers as he spoke.

  His next statements jerked her out of her temporary daydream. Her job could be at stake. Oh no! Amelia forced her girlish fantasies to retreat and hung on his every word.

  “I believe he programmed you to do a job.” Nolan cleared his throat. “Amelia, Dr. Riyad and his associate planned to use you to remove an item from Fort Knox.”

  Amelia’s jaw dropped and her eyes widened as she stammered, “That can’t be true.”

  Images flashed through her head as she grappled for a breath. The essence of his words struck a familiar chord and she suspected he spoke the truth. Though the whispers inside her head were unclear, she seemed to understand what the gas masked beings said. Anger rippled through her. No one did this to her. No one used her like this at the expense of the job she loved. No one!

  “It is,” Nolan replied. “Do you remember anything from today’s session?”

  Pursing her brows, she leveled her gaze on him and stated in a cool, calm tone laced with anger. “Could you hand me my purse?”

  Nolan followed the direction in which she pointed and retrieved her purse. Amelia rummaged through it and pulled out a small recording device.

  “This should tell us what happened today.”

  “You sure you want to listen to this?” he asked, stopping her hand from reaching the play button.

  “You know what’s on it, don’t you?”

  “Yes.”

  “I need to know as well.” She nodded then pressed play.

  An hour later, she sat stunned. Nolan was right and she had the proof. Tears welled in her eyes as she met his gaze. “All I wanted was to lose weight, not my job.”

  He couldn’t bear to see her cry. Though he knew it broke every rule in the agency’s book, he took her into his arms. Deep sobs muffled against his chest as he stroked her hair. He wanted to whisper everything would be all right, but he couldn’t be sure of that fact. When her superiors found out about this, it could very well mean the end to her career. He got the impression her job meant a lot to her.

  For several minutes, he sat cradling her and trying to comfort her. Then it hit him; he had an idea. Nolan cupped her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze.

  “I think I have an answer to this. One that might help keep your job, if you’re willing to play along.”

  “Is it legal?” Amelia sniffed.

  “Mostly.” He brushed a tear from her cheek with his thumb. Deep down he hungered to taste her lips and make this all disappear if he could. But that kiss would have to wait. The timing wasn’t right. When he did sample her kissable lips, he wanted it to be under different circumstances and not one derived under duress.

  Something about Amelia made him think about love at first sight. Did it exist? Looking in those hot, bright-green eyes, he truly hoped it did. Nolan gathered her hands and assisted Amelia to her feet. The casual bump of her against him lit a fire within him. He had to help her in any way he could and what he had planned didn’t exactly follow procedure, but he didn’t care.

  For the first time in years, he wanted a relationship and a love life. Being a workaholic led one down a lonely path. With Amelia in his arms, he sensed his direction had changed. Once this was over, he hoped she’d feel the same and give this newfound friendship a chance to grow and if it led to something more substantial . . . then so be it.

  “I’m not sure I like the sound of that,” Amelia stated, standing within millimeters of him and staring into his eyes. Heat radiated between them, warming her soul and sending a flush to her cheeks.

  Never had she reacted so ardently to someone’s touch. For several long seconds, she held his hands. Something about this man shot a bolt of energy through her, making her feel alive. She didn’t know him, but she wanted to. The mischievous look in his eyes made her smile. Whatever he had planned, she wasn’t sure she should know the particulars. Could she trust him?

  When she released his hands, coldness coated her skin, making her miss his touch. Trust was a big issue. Looking into those big brown eyes, she sensed she could trust him. He had this aura about him that soothed her soul and made her like him. And her instincts about people usually proved to be right. Yet, how could she have been so wrong about the doctor? It had to be her desire to lose weight that clouded her judgment. He’d handed her an easy weight loss option, but at what cost?

  “Just follow my lead and you’ll be fine.” He smiled, gifting her with a sexy set of dimples. “I’ll need your recording as evidence.”

  Her recording revealed more sounds than he’d noticed earlier. A drawer opened and closed. Nolan figured they must have gotten the gas masks and a vial of the lavender powder. Gut instinct told him that powder was bad stuff. Amelia’s recorder picked up Riyad’s and Mina’s voices when they left the room more clearly than the device he’d planted. Their conversation suggested future plans and hinted of another party’s involvement. They didn’t go into detail as to who that person was or their plans.

  “You can have it.” Amelia handed it to him. “I hope I never have to hear it again.”

  “I can’t promise you that.” Nolan’s hand lingered, touching hers. “You’ll probably have to appear in court and testify. This is evidence and will more than likely be played at the trial.”

  Nolan’s cell phone rang and he excused himself to the kitchen to take the call. A few minutes later he returned.

  “Riyad and Mina have been taken into custody. They weren’t in this alone. It seems they had a lab set up in a house outside the city where they were producing some new drug. I’ve got a feeling they tested this drug on you and everyone else they hypnotized.”

  “Louisa,” Amelia gasped.

  “Would that be Louisa Langley?”

  “Yes. How’d you know?”

  He grinned. “Let’s just say, I saw her name somewhere.”

  “She’s my best friend.”

  “Then you might want to call her and have her meet us at the hospital. I’ve been instructed to take you there for tests.”

  Chapter Seven

  Three days of non-stop testing and Amelia and Louisa were exhausted. Every test possible had been used to determine the effects of Dr. Riyad’s drug. Nothing concrete turned up on anything. It seemed the drug was untraceable with one exception. It had a distinctive ingredient that tended to accumulate in the root of scalp hair. Samples were collected from Amelia, Louisa, and the four female bank robbers. The results were conclusive that they’d all been exposed to this drug. After the scientist downtown finished with the powder, they knew its properties and genetic uses.

  “It seems the powder turned into a gas the moment air hit it,” Nolan explained. “Though they haven’t finished all the tests, the preliminary theories point toward some sort of mind-controlling substance.”

  Every day, Nolan made a point to visit Amelia in the hospital, bringing little things to cheer her. He even made a special trip to her apartment to acquire a romance novel she was reading. But when she asked for clothes, he took a female agent with him. He felt uncomfortable collecting personal items such as underwear. Since she’d blushed when she’d asked, he doubted she was comfortable with it either. When he’d returned with an overnight bag for her and Louisa, he explained, “One of our female agents acquired the items on your lists for you.”

  The instant relief that flooded Amelia’s face told him he’d made the rig
ht decision.

  “Agent O’Connell, you think this drug helped the doctor hypnotize his clients?” Louisa asked. Under Federal protection, she and Amelia shared a hospital room. They were quarantined until it had been determined neither of them was infectious.

  “That’s what it looks like.” He sat on the edge of Amelia’s bed and absently held her hand. He’d liked Amelia’s pajamas from the moment she’d first put them on, especially the parrot imprint. When he’d commented on them, her admission of always wanting a bird as a pet added to his growing list of reasons she was the perfect woman.

  Louisa was a pretty, buxom brunette with a fun personality, if you liked that type. A couple of the agents on guard did. Nolan only had eyes for Amelia. Something about her drew him in every time he was around her. He liked everything about her from her infectious laugh to her brilliant intellect, to the wondrous curves of her figure. In his book, she was the total package.

  “What about those women in jail for bank robbery?” Amelia asked. “Will they be released? It wasn’t their fault.”

  “Since the money was found in a safe in the basement of Riyad’s house, the women are free.” Nolan smiled. “They’re being treated and released, but they’ll have to report for medical observation once a week for six months.”

  “That beats sitting in jail,” Louisa quipped.

  “What about us? Our jobs?” Amelia inquired. Nolan didn’t miss the sadness in her tone. From earlier conversations, he knew she loved working at Fort Knox just as much as he loved taking money from the bad guys.

  “You and Louisa are listed in the official report as undercover agents for the Treasury office.” Nolan grinned as he gently strummed the inside of Amelia’s palm with his thumb, hoping to calm her nerves. He continued, “As far as anyone knows, you were recruited for this assignment, and for security purposes, no one outside of my office knew of your involvement.”

  Amelia couldn’t believe her ears. Nolan told a white lie for her. Tears welled in her eyes and her bottom lip quivered. “Nolan, I can’t let you . . .” He cut her off with a touch of his hand to her cheek then cupped her chin in his palm.

  “No matter how it happened, you were instrumental in preventing this nut job from unleashing that drug on the world. Once perfected, something so easily administered through the air could’ve turned entire armies against each other, or he could’ve cleaned out every bank in America simply by walking in, wearing a gas mask, and opening a vial.” He released her chin and gently brushed a loose strand of hair from her eyes. “Be proud of what you’ve helped accomplish. It doesn’t matter how we got there. It only matters that we succeeded.”

  “Thanks, Nolan,” Amelia said on a heavy sigh as she captured his hand in hers.

  For a split second, she thought he’d lean in and kiss her, but he didn’t. The sideways glance he shot at Louisa made her remember they weren’t alone. If they were, would he have kissed her? Amelia’s heart skipped a beat. Every day, stuck in the hospital, she waited, anticipating Nolan’s return. She yearned for each visit and hated when he left.

  The doctor entered. “I’m happy to inform you ladies you’re being released.”

  “Finally,” Louisa huffed as she stood and gathered a set of street clothes. “I’ll be glad to be out of pajamas for a change.”

  “I’ll take you both home as soon as you’re ready.” Nolan stood and headed toward the door. “I need to make some calls. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

  Amelia watched him go. The man looked fine in a gray suit.

  “Girl, you’ve got it bad.”

  “What?” Amelia stammered as she quickly slid out of bed and started to change.

  “Don’t what me,” Louisa jested on a laugh. “The chemistry in the air between the two of you is so thick it’s got its own zip code.”

  “That obvious, huh?” Amelia asked. “Think he noticed?”

  “Honey,” Louisa laid her arm across Amelia’s shoulders, “there’s no way he didn’t. He looks at nothing else but you.” Louisa hip-checked Amelia, making her laugh. “It’s about time you had a hot looking fellow chasing your skirts. Wonder what your brothers will think of him?”

  “Oh, Lord. Think he’ll survive?” Amelia’s overprotective brothers would put him through a heavy, third degree grilling.

  “I’m betting he can handle himself.”

  A few minutes later, Nolan returned. “You ladies ready?”

  “Yeah.” Louisa grabbed her bag and sashayed past. “But I’ve got myself another ride home. I’ll catch you two later.”

  She handed her bag to one of the agents on guard outside the door. The agent looked at Nolan, who in turn gave a nod. A broad grin crossed the agent’s face as he extended his elbow to Louisa. “I’d be delighted to escort you home, Miss Langley.”

  Nolan held his elbow out to Amelia. “Shall we?”

  She didn’t hesitate. It felt good to leave the hospital. Outside in the sunlight, she breathed in the fresh air. He led her to his car. As he unlocked the door, a man came out of nowhere, slamming Nolan into the side of the car. The keys and her bag hit the ground. Amelia screamed.

  The ski mask over the man’s face hid his identity. He lunged at Amelia. Nolan tackled the masked man to the ground between the parked cars. The man flipped onto his back, kicking and punching at Nolan. Punch for punch, it looked as if Nolan had him. Amelia scrambled out of the way. In an amazing feat of strength, the man tossed Nolan off of him. Nolan rolled across the trunk of the car and landed on the other side.

  The masked man jumped up. Amelia ran, but he caught her, grabbing her around the waist from behind. This time he held a gun in his hand. “I’m gonna kill you. You cost me a fortune.”

  Recognition washed over her. That voice she knew. “Terrence?”

  “Doesn’t matter who I am,” he growled. “All that matters is you’re dead.”

  He pressed the gun against her temple, but she’d have no part of it. No one threatened her. If her brothers had taught her anything, it was how to protect herself. In a maneuver he didn’t see coming, she did a reverse head butt and at the same time removed the air from his lungs with a swift elbow to his ribs. Crumpling to his knees, Terrence dropped the gun. Before he could react, Nolan had him in handcuffs.

  Louisa and her agent were on the other side of the parking lot when they heard Amelia’s scream. They got there in time to see Nolan slap on the cuffs. The agent picked up Terrence’s gun and tucked his own into his shoulder holster. Hospital security guards along with the other agents on duty came running to their aid. Nolan gathered Amelia in his arms. He didn’t care if everyone watched as he hugged her tight.

  “You okay?” he asked. The heat of his breath against her hair sent chills down her spine. He stepped out of the hug still holding onto her upper arms as he grinned. “Where’d you learn to fight like that?”

  “I’ve got six older brothers,” she replied meekly.

  Nolan laughed wholeheartedly, causing her to smile. He leaned close to her ear and whispered, “Guess I’m in for a difficult time dating their sister.”

  Heat seeped up her neck and pooled in her cheeks. Someday she’d have to learn how to stop blushing.

  She didn’t get a chance to reply before he added, “I’ve got to take this guy downtown. I want you taken to a safe place until we can find out if there are others working with Riyad.”

  He reached in his pocket, pulled out his business card, and jotted an address on the back. He handed it to the agent who was taking Louisa home. “Take her here. Make sure you’re not followed and that she gets safely inside.”

  “Yes, sir.” The agent nodded.

  Nolan turned to Amelia, shoved a key in her palm as he leaned close and in a low tone so only she could hear said, “Make yourself comfortable. Turn on the TV. It’s programmed to come on and play Jeopardy. You don’t have to do a thing and you’ll be safe as long as you turn on Jeopardy.”

  Before she could ask anything, Nolan jerked Terrence to hi
s feet and shoved him in the direction of a waiting squad car. He crossed to his car, got in, and followed the squad car out of the parking lot. The beautiful woman in the rearview held his heart in her hands and she didn’t even know it. When he’d seen the gun at her head, anger fueled his movements, but he hadn’t reacted quickly enough. Seeing her defend herself made him want her even more.

  It didn’t take long to get everything out of Terrence. He’d been hired to locate the Sacred Diamond of Shabib. It hadn’t been his idea to use Dr. Riyad to obtain the goods. That had been the brilliant idea of the man who hired him. A man he couldn’t name. He bragged that he normally worked alone. Upon further investigation, they learned Terrence’s true identity. He was the elusive cat burglar, Tyrell “The Ghost” Swanson, wanted in connection with a multitude of heists around the world.

  When he came out of interrogating Terrence, Francis informed Nolan that fingerprints helped identify Dr. Riyad and Mina. They were both scientists who disappeared four years prior after having been dismissed from lucrative positions with a German pharmaceutical company. The computers confiscated from the lab contained information about their extensive research into new chemical weapons. It appeared they planned to auction the lavender powder they labeled Mindwarp to the highest bidder. The bank robbers had just been test subjects. It was the Sacred Diamond of Shabib they wanted.

  There wasn’t a mystery man who hired Terrence. Riyad had paid a Shiite militant to hire Terrence and made him think an infamous member of a Middle Eastern terrorist sect orchestrated the whole event. Lured by easy money, Terrence took the job. Riyad believed in the powers of the Sacred Diamond of Shabib. His ancestry led back to the original owner Sheik Azir Hajeem Shabib. In his mind, the diamond and its rumored powers belonged to him. He was the rightful ruler of the desert, not these crazed militant terrorist groups.

  “Think if we let him loose in his homeland with this supposed magical diamond, he’d rid the world of terrorists?” Francis joked.

  “Nah,” Nolan replied, shaking his head. “That’s a job too big for one crazed lunatic equipped with a stone to handle. They’d just kill him before he got close.”