The Single Lady Spy Series Boxset

by Tara Brown

  “They told you that?”

  “No. I know because of sources, people who still work to protect the Burrow. They gave me the hits and said they were testing you.”

  I frowned, keeping my voice low, “the CIA knows my dad's alive?” I’d barely had time to register it myself.

  “Yes. It was in the documentation James must have found. You presumably had something at your house, something that linked me and your father to the Burrow. Information from sometime after he had died. I played along and said I’d been working your dad over all along because I had to have the Burrow. Selling your dad out was the only way to protect my identity. I acted as though I was willing to do anything to get the Burrow. They wanted to make your life so hard that your dad would be forced out of hiding and they could track him back to it. They still believe your father is the master key. They were trying to frame you for a variety of things. Mob ties and other unsavory details. Prostitutes and murderesses lose their children.”

  I gasped. “And you were going to let them frame me? Take my kids away?"

  “Yes and no.” He laughed so quietly that I barely caught it. “I would do whatever it took to keep the Burrow safe. Risking you is a price I may still have to pay. Fortunately you're better at this than anyone thought."

  "I'm not." My focus went to Coop. “It was them. They set it up perfectly. They don't trust this situation. They think something is wrong.” I looked back at him. “You still let everyone believe you were having sex with me against my will? How could you do that? And why did they believe you wanted the Burrow so badly?”

  “Really? I’m a gunrunner, Evie. I always want anything to do with weaponry. And your pride is nothing compared to the secrets I keep. I’m sorry you were embarrassed to be with me. But if it makes you feel better, I also told them I wanted you because I wanted to avenge the death of my father, more than anything. They think I'm going to kill you.”

  My entire body tightened. “Is that true?”

  “Yes.” He whispered, “I told them I wanted to work out a few weeks of fun with the daughter of the man who destroyed my family. Your running away from me only made me look even more like a monster. I suppose I owe you a thanks for keeping up appearances.”

  My insides tingled. “My dad killed your dad?”

  “Of course he did. It was the bitter end of the Cold War and the Star Wars were out of control, and at one point or another everyone’s father was murdering someone. Mine caught wind of the Burrow. He wanted it. Your father, being the Master Key, was dispensed to remove the interest in the Burrow. It’s our job.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  He added, “Don’t be. Your dad saved my life and took me under his wing. I was young and on a secret organization’s payroll, not to mention given the freedom and finances to do whatever the hell I wanted. I ran the family business the same as my family always had, to avoid suspicions. Only I didn’t have to worry the way my father did. I was given resources to be able to develop the business and make my family more money than we could ever spend.”

  I pointed at his face. “You’ve got a bit of arrogance, just there in your teeth.”

  He chuckled. “You Americans have a saying for that: ‘don’t hate the player, hate the game.’”

  A sickening amount of disgust filled me as I processed the fact that he’d said such nice things to me, and yet had bargained to have me, agreeing to kill me.

  The jet hit cruising altitude and Coop was out of his seat and back with us within seconds. He knelt on the seat in front of me, staring intensely at us both. “What the actual fuck is going on, Gustavo?”

  Servario sighed and I offered, “He doesn’t like swearing unless it’s referring to sex.”

  Coop rolled his eyes. “I care about the terrorist’s feelings?”

  “Watch yourself.” Servario’s gaze lowered. “I am not a terrorist.”

  “Arms dealer, terrorist—same shit, different pile of shit.”

  “Stop. No one wants to see two grown men have a pissing contest,” I snarled.

  “I’m game for it.” Coop tilted his head, challenging Servario, “Your call.”

  Servario scoffed. “I’m comfortable with my cock’s size and how far it can piss, young Cooper.”

  Coop’s expression didn’t improve. His steel-blue eyes didn’t lose their intensity, and his jaw didn’t ease up on its clench. He was ready to go.

  I put a hand on his arm. “When we land, we’ll talk about it. Right now, we need to remember that none of us can win this alone and it’s my kids at stake.”

  He nodded and placed a hand over mine, holding it to his arm as he squeezed. “Keep telling yourself it’s all going to work out and he doesn’t have an ulterior motive. It’ll make banging him that much easier.”

  Servario growled as my jaw dropped. Coop got up and left for the seats at the front.

  Swallowing hard, I eyed Servario. “He shouldn’t bother you if you’re so heartless.”

  I couldn’t see the answers in his face.

  Then something else occurred to me. “Why are you interested in me? I get that you lied about wanting revenge for your father’s death to appease the CI and CIA, but you didn’t have to actually be with me. You could’ve just taken me to the hotel and made me kill the fat man and that would’ve been the end of it. Or we could’ve run from the beginning, like we’ve been doing. You could’ve told me the truth and not treated me like a whore.”

  He smirked. “Evie, I wasn’t lying to them. I wanted you. Not to mention, I needed to keep up the façade of the evil arms dealer.”

  “Nice try.” I shook my head. “You haven’t told me anything or utilized the time we had to help me, or my father. You've legitimately flown me around the country and had sex with me. Why?”

  "Evie." He raised his eyebrows. “I’ve always wanted to have you. Before you were married, of course. I saw you before, at twenty-one. You were full of life and excitement and piss and vinegar. I didn’t know that girl was gone until I saw you about six months ago, when I discovered James had knowledge of the Burrow. I began watching you the same time this lot did.” He gestured toward Coop and continued, “When James died, you seemed even worse until you found out about the affairs. That’s when I saw it. There it was, a tiny spark of the girl who was once there. She resurfaced for a moment and I knew she wasn’t lost, only buried in your sad existence.”

  The tingle in my belly grew. “You made me—"

  “I didn’t make you do anything. You did it all on your own. You wanted everything we did.”

  “You’re wrong.” I trembled. “I did it because I thought I had to. You scared the hell out of me. You made me kill someone. We could’ve run. I believed I had to keep my children safe. I thought I was—I hate you.” I unbuckled and paced to the back of the plane. I closed the door to the bathroom and sat on the toilet.

  There was no denying any of it. I did it—him—because I wanted to. I wanted him. I was an idiot. He'd toyed with me, remembering some version of me from before and fulfilling his boyhood desires. I'd let him toy with me like a fool.

  There was no room left for the things still floating outside, waiting to be dealt with.

  It was all too real now.

  My kids.

  My mom.

  My dad.

  Me.

  All the lies.

  My throat grew thick and my cheeks soured as I contemplated everything. I turned and threw up in the sink, leaning against the wall and heaving until there was nothing left. I lifted my face, startled by the girl staring back at me.

  Filled with remorse and disgust, I flushed the sink out, washed my face, and fled for the safety of the dressing closet.

  I sat there, dumbfounded at the way I had lost control until Luce came into the back.

  “This it?” she asked, already pulling her shirt off.

  "Yup." I smiled because it was better than crying.

  She started pulling things on. Her tight, fit body was leaner than I had t
hought and fit the fours perfectly. She made a face at the tightness and plucked at the dress she had on. “See? Too tight.”

  “It’s perfect. That’s how it’s supposed to fit.”

  “I don't know.” She wrinkled her nose.

  Roxy pulled back the curtain. Her expression was fierce for thirty seconds until she clapped. “Makeover!”

  I laughed, unable to fight it, as Luce moaned.

  Roxy pointed, whispering savagely, “You bitches want to try on my clothes and steal my shoes? Then I get to make over the lesbian.”

  “What?” Luce’s jaw hung open. “I’m not gay.”

  “Yes.” Roxy nodded. “Yes, you are. You just don’t realize it yet. Here, feel these.” She grabbed Luce’s hand and placed it on her perky breast. Luce shook her head and attempted to pull her hand back. “No—no, I’m not.”

  “What?” Roxy frowned. “I have incredible breasts. Lesbians always like them.”

  Luce pleaded for my help with her eyes.

  “Sorry.” I cringed. “I seriously thought you were gay.”

  “Ha!” Roxy started massaging her own breasts with more vigor, of course still using Luce’s hand.

  Luce scowled and yanked her hand back. “I had a boyfriend named Lance, up until three weeks ago. I’m not gay.”

  “Luce and Lance?” I couldn't help but ask.

  “Yes, you are.” Roxy grabbed her hand and dragged it back to her pert breasts as she burst out laughing. “And he was gay too. Lance is such a gay name. He’s a closet gay, like you.”

  “I knew it.” Jack walked into the back room, grinning. “I suspected this was what the girls’ changing rooms looked like. One girl watching while the other two made out.”

  “I’m not watching!” I threw a tissue box at him.

  “Yeah, you are.” He ducked back out, but he folded his arms and stayed in the entryway.

  “Go!” Roxy closed the curtain. “You can’t see her, not until we’re done.” She set to work. I watched but withdrew from them. They chatted and laughed but I didn’t have it in me.

  “You okay?”

  “What?” I answered Luce. “No.”

  Roxy offered, “I tried to warn you. He’s a pig.”

  “He isn’t what I’m thinking about.” I winced and then smiled. “But you’re right, he is a pig.”

  “A likeable pig.”

  “Yes, absolutely. I can’t make myself hate him. He’s lied from the start. I think he’s hidden my children away from me and—used me.” The last part of the sentence was nearly silent. I didn’t want to face that part because he’d been right when he said I let him do it all. I had wanted him. And maybe even a little adventure.

  Roxy vanished through the curtain and came back with a fishbowl-sized glass of wine.

  “Thanks.” I sipped and peered down, imagining it was a magic crystal ball and would tell me my future. Trying to take my mind off things, I drank and watched as Roxy made Luce into something I never imagined possible: delicate.

  She wore a Marc Jacobs navy asymmetrical dress that hit mid-calf and was off one shoulder. The neckline of the dress ran across her tight and perky chest. She had cleavage and even a little side boob with the bare arm and shoulder. She lifted her delicate-looking foot with the Jimmy Choo glittery platform sandal. “They look and feel like ankle boots but they’re sandals. They’re really comfy.”

  “That’s because they cost a grand, no doubt.”

  Roxy affirmed, “Yeah, that’s about the price. The lacy shoe is what makes it a sandal, but the lace coming all the way up to your ankle, gives you the sturdiness of boots. Jimmy Choo is a genius.” She handed her a small blue Coach shoulder bag and I marveled.

  “You look amazing.”

  Luce smiled at me. “I look pretty.” It wasn’t the response I expected from her.

  “Roxy, you have done an amazing thing here.”

  “Oh my God!” She beamed and clapped again. “I love it!”

  Luce took my hand as I put down the empty fishbowl. I could feel the bottle of wine I’d drunk. We walked out to the front of the plane.

  Servario glanced back, doing a double take.

  Coop’s jaw hung open and Jack dropped his iPad onto the floor.

  Steve grinned. He looked hungry.

  Luce’s dark eyes were smoky and sexy with a heavy winged liner. She appeared almost like Cleopatra with the makeup.

  Her dark hair that I had imagined was short was actually quite long. It hung in a side ponytail in tendrils and small curls over the bare arm. Her lips were red, Russian Red.

  Her nails were navy to match the dress but tipped with stark white, also matching the trim of the dress. The hem and neckline were lined with stark white which combined with the navy to create a somewhat nautical look.

  She resembled a model with her tanned, tight skin and zero body fat. The curve of her arm was thick, but with a lean and sexy muscled look.

  She made Roxy seem plain which was a feat.

  Servario turned back around. “We land in half an hour.”

  Luce’s head went down as she blushed. The other three men continued to stand and stare.

  Coop closed his mouth. “You look hot.”

  Steve nodded. “Too hot.”

  Grinning, I went to my seat and buckled in.

  Luce walked to hers and right away Jack was sitting next to her as Steve seated himself on the other side.

  Luce shook her head. “There are plenty of other seats. You two scram.” She was still Luce.

  Steve got up and sat in his regular chair but Jack stayed. I tried to focus my eyes. I was drunk from the fishbowl and the empty stomach.

  Servario didn’t talk to me which was probably for the best since I was stewing inside.

  After a lot of thinking and processing, I questioned him, "Is everything you do and say to make me hate you?"

  He licked his lips. “No. I have genuinely tried to keep you and your children safe, but I have to protect the Burrow too. Yes, there have been risks. There is always cost with me, Evie. I did try to warn you. There's a chance you might not be able to go back to your normal life after this is over."

  “What about the bank accounts and the payroll that belong to James?”

  He pointed at the computer. “It’s all there for you and your children. You may have it. I will grant you access to it the moment I’m safely back to being a scummy arms dealer, and you are back to being the prudish mother you were. Or you are living whatever life you have to.”

  “What about them?” I tilted my head at the rest of the people on the plane.

  “I don’t know.” His tone turned grave. “I will ensure you are all safe to the best of my ability.”

  “So everything has been to protect the Burrow?”

  He gave me a grim stare and said nothing.

  “But you will let us all live?”

  His eyes narrowed as he thought on the answer, but never spoke.

  I unbuckled my seat belt, needing to be away from him, and went to the front of the plane to sit next to Jack. I buckled my belt and tried not to contemplate how sick it all was, how sick Servario was.

  I needed to warn them that he might not protect any of us if the Burrow was at risk.

  15

  Silent as the grave you promised me

  When we landed it was dark and humid. I wasn’t excited about the tight pants I was wearing in the heat. We walked to the limo awaiting us on the dusty tarmac. Looking back, the sleek white jet and black stretch limo seemed out of place at the tiny run-down airport. I slumped into a seat in the car and closed my eyes to block the world out.

  We drove for what felt like an eternity. The limo bumped along the road until we reached our destination and it came to a stop. I opened my eyes, seeing worry on Coop’s face. I nodded subtly.

  The doors opened. My heart picked up pace as we got out into the damp heat. We were outside a villa of sorts. There was a huge gate. As it opened Servario leaned in. “You will be sleeping
in my room tonight.” Chills ran up my spine.

  We entered the courtyard of a beautifully lit home. Torches brightened the way through the courtyard. “The way to the sea.” Servario pointed.

  The home was massive and every room was lit making it warm and inviting. We entered the house and were greeted by a small woman in a maid’s uniform.

  Servario held his hand out to everyone. “Pick rooms in the wing to the right, shower, and rest up. We leave again tomorrow.”

  Luce stepped out of the heels. “Night.” She strode down the hallway. Jack followed her but Coop watched me for a second.

  “You coming?”

  I glanced sideways at Servario speaking with Steve. “You know how we are, always thinking with our dicks.”

  He saw it. He knew what I meant. “Be careful,” he mouthed and went down the hall.

  “Night, Coop.” I was almost trembling when I turned back to the other two men talking. “Which way to your room?”

  Servario pointed down the hall, in the opposite direction my team went. I walked past his arm and headed for the room.

  Of course it was ridiculous. It was massive and lush. If I hadn’t seen his cock I would assume he was trying to make up for things with the extravagance in his life. I closed the double doors and found my way into the huge en suite. I started a bubble bath and stripped down, tying my hair up. He had bath salts, bubbles, and soaps all in a dish. I climbed into the steamy tub, nearly moaning. It was an oversized corner unit.

  I closed my eyes and planned my next move. I’d let him have his way, wait for him to fall asleep, and get them out. But was that risking my kids? Did he have them or did my mother, or did he have them all? Where had Fitz gotten the private jet? Why was my father in hiding and did my mother know? What did I know for a fact?

  Nothing. Everything was up in the air.

  James might be alive, or not.

  Servario might be the Master Key, or not.

  Maybe my dad was still and Servario was trying to get him to come out and save me.

  My team might be murdered, or not.