Rank: Lighthouse Security Investigations Series

by Maryann Jordan

  “I was hoping that you might have time to meet with me for dinner. I have a few things I need to go over with you. I promise we won’t be interrupted this time.”

  Filled with uncertainty, she hesitated. “I would love to say yes, but I do need to check my calendar. Can I call you back in just a little bit?”

  “Absolutely. You can reach me at this number at any time.”

  Pulling into her parking lot, she sat and stared at her phone, wondering how her simple life and business had become so complicated.

  Once again sitting in the local FBI office with Edwin and Bob, Rank brought them up-to-date. He gave them the information he had about Helena’s business, obviously leaving out his personal relationship with her. “I’ve got the files that my co-workers are digging through and have sent copies of them to your emails. They should be able to point us in the direction of Tercelli’s money laundering and how it involves Kozlov. “

  Bob eagerly leaned forward, his forearms on the table as his fingers twitched nervously. “That could be it. That could be what we need to bring him down, even if we can’t get all the evidence of the arms dealings.”

  He looked between the two men before settling his gaze on Edwin, whose quiet demeanor had him wondering what he was thinking. He did not have to wait long to find out.

  “Gentlemen, the money laundering would be fine, if that’s all we had on him. But I want to nail him for the arms dealing and to do that, we need more.”

  “I’ll turn over everything I’ve got so far,” he said.

  Edwin held his gaze and asked, “What about Ms. Jernigan?”

  “She’s not in this,” he assured. “She’s clean and isn’t doing anything with Frank Tercelli until I get back with her.”

  “No. What I mean is, can we use her?”

  His heart seized at the implication and immediately he shook his head. “No. No way. She’s a civilian with no knowledge of what’s going on at all. I won’t risk her life just to prove Kozlov is dealing.”

  “She could meet with them. She could be wired,” Bob said, his enthusiasm showing once more.

  “No fuckin’ way,” he barked out, drawing confused, skeptical stares from both men. Shaking his head, he added more calmly, “She’s not equipped to handle this and I’m not willing to put her in danger.”

  “You don’t think LSI can protect her while allowing her to find out more about what Frank wants?” Edwin asked pointedly.

  “Don’t bring the integrity of LSI into this. I’m talking about you wanting to send a civilian into the lion’s den, just so you can find out what you haven’t been able to find out.”

  Fury warred with fear, but before he had a chance to speak further, he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. Pulling it out, he was surprised to see Helena’s number. His eyes darted up and he said, “I need to take this.” Standing, he moved to the door and shut it firmly behind him before answering the call. “Hey. Whatcha need?”

  “I’m sorry to call, Rank. I can tell from your tone of voice that you’re probably in the middle of something important.”

  “No, no. I was in a meeting, but I’ve got time for you,” he assured, letting some of the tension ease from his shoulders.

  “It’s just that things are getting weirder. I drove by one of the charitable organizations on Frank’s list today. It was one that I had tried to find an Internet footprint for and could not discover anything. When I went by, there’s nothing there, but an empty storefront. I chatted with a lady who stopped in while I was there, but she said she was only there to pick up the mail and wouldn’t say anything else. I tried telling her why I was there but she just got very unfriendly and practically pushed me out the door.”

  “Helena, I don’t want you to do this. If anything is in any way related to Kozlov, you need to stay away. You need to let me handle things.”

  “I’m just trying to do my job, Rank. I’m not trying to do yours,” she bit back.

  He pinched the bridge of his nose with his forefinger and thumb and took a deep breath. “I understand that. But that was a site connected to Kozlov, correct? It was a charity he was associated with?” She didn’t say anything and he took another deep breath.. “Helena, I don’t want you to get in over your head. This man is not to be messed with.”

  “I had no way of knowing if the charity was legit or not without going and checking it out. I have to be able to do my job.”

  “I know. I know, you’re right, it’s just…complicated.”

  “Yeah…” She paused for a moment, then said in a soft voice, “Well, that’s not the only reason I called you.”

  “Please tell me you also wanted to make plans for a repeat of last night?” he smiled, lightening the mood.

  “I wish,” she confessed innocently and he chuckled. “Actually, as I was leaving I saw the woman on the phone and within ten minutes I got a call from Frank.”

  “Shit,” he cursed. “What did Tercelli want?”

  She sighed before replying, “He wants to meet with me. I get the feeling that he’s becoming impatient, even though it’s only been a day. He said he’d like to have dinner with me.”

  “What did you tell him?”

  “I put him off. I wanted to talk to you first,” she said.

  Sucking in a deep breath, he let it out slowly. “That’s perfect, Helena. You’re doing exactly the right thing.”

  “Rank, I don’t even know what the right thing is. I have no idea what I’m supposed to do with this.”

  “Go back to your home if you’re not already there and wait for me. I’m gonna finish my meeting here and then I’m going to talk to my boss. Don’t answer Frank’s calls if he tries to get hold of you again. Just wait for me, okay? Can you do that?”

  Her voice soft, she agreed, “Yeah, I can do that. I’ll wait for you.”

  “See you tonight, babe.” He disconnected, her last words reverberating through him, the double meaning hitting him right in the chest. I asked her to wait for me…and she said she would.

  As he slid his phone back into his pocket, he turned around, startling as he saw Edwin and Bob in the doorway, eyes on him.

  Edwin lifted an eyebrow, and said, “Sounds like Ms. Jernigan is ready to go into the lion’s den.” Lifting his hand before he had a chance to retort, he continued, “I’d say you need to go and talk to your boss. After all, you don’t want her going into the den without being armed properly.”

  His jaw clamped tight, he turned and headed out of their office, seething at the idea of Helena meeting with Frank again.

  16

  “I hate this. I fuckin’ hate this.”

  Rank was standing outside Helena’s apartment building with Walker and Drew. As he started up the walk, Walker’s hand shot out and caught him by the shoulder, halting his progress. Swinging around, he glared at his friend.

  “You gotta pull your shit together, man,” Walker said. “I know you hate this, but when you talked to Mace, you agreed that this is what we needed to do.”

  Growling, he said, “I know. I know. That doesn’t mean I have to like it.”

  Drew stepped forward, his face serious. “Look, Rank. Helena’s going to be looking to you. She’s going to sense your vibe and decide what the fuck she needs to be doing based on you. You go in all pissed and nervous, it’s going to freak her out.”

  “And you want her calm and cool, not freaked the fuck out,” Walker added.

  Fists on his hips and staring at his boots, he knew they were right. “Why the fuck is this mission so hard?”

  “Because your heart’s never been involved before,” Walker answered.

  He inhaled sharply, his head jerking up to stare Walker in the eyes. A denial almost shot from his lips, but he held it back. If there was one thing about the Keepers, it was that they knew each other inside and out. It did not matter what he said—they already knew the truth. His denial died on his lips and he shook his head slowly. “Never saw it coming.”

  Drew clapped him o
n the back, and grinned. “They say that’s when it hits you the hardest. Blindsided, man. Totally blindsided.”

  He sucked in another breath and let it out slowly, attempting to calm his mind. “Let’s go,” he said, and led the way up the steps.

  Helena greeted them at the door, her eyes darting between the three of them as he introduced her to Walker and Drew. Not caring who would see, he walked straight to her and pulled her into a hug, feeling her body stiffen before she wrapped her arms around him as well. Her hair, down now, was sleek and shiny. She had changed into jeans and a long-sleeve tee that fit her body perfectly and showcased her curves. Her make-up was subtle and, with her wide eyes now turned toward him, she had an innocent appearance.

  “You ready?” he asked, blowing out his breath.

  She leaned her head back and looked into his eyes, nodding. “I think so.”

  Thirty minutes later, Helena had no idea what was going on with Rank. He groused, grumbled, muttered, and ordered her about. As Drew demonstrated how she would be fitted with a necklace that contained a video and audio recording device, he hawked over them. As Walker went through her mannerisms, questions she could ask, how to read body language, he circled her living room snapping at them constantly. As they discussed the restaurant seating and who would be there observing, he grew increasingly irritable. She tried to listen to what they were telling her, but her attention waned as her focus was continually snagged on him.

  Patting her shoulder, Walker asked, “How are you doing?”

  Her gaze jumped to his and she said with a shaky voice, “Fine. I think I’m getting this.”

  “Think? You think you’re getting this?” Rank bit out, whirling around and staring at her and the guys with his hands on his hips and his legs planted apart. “This, is why we are professionals and don’t send nonprofessionals into the middle of a mission.”

  Embarrassment flooded her cheeks and she blinked back tears. “I’m trying, but you’re making this so difficult.” She lifted her hand and dashed away one of the errant tears that was sliding down her cheek. Biting the inside of her cheek in an effort to quell the quivering of her lips, she looked down at the floor, avoiding the eyes of the others.

  “Darlin’, you’re doing great,” Drew assured her. “I don’t know about you,” he said, standing, “but I sure could use something to drink.” Walking over and placing his arm around her, he gave a light squeeze and pulled her to stand. “Now, I know a northern girl like you isn’t going to have any sweet tea in your refrigerator, but I wouldn’t mind some water.” He gently guided her into the kitchen, regaling her with the virtues of sweet tea, and she let him lead her away. She could use a break from all the tension in the living room anyway.

  Once Helena and Drew were out of earshot, Walker looked at Rank and jerked his head to the side, indicating for him to follow. Rank sighed heavily, knowing his friends were pissed and rightfully so. They walked to the other end of the room, where family pictures hung in frames on the wall and he stood, staring, for a moment.

  A few were of her and her parents at various stages of her life. One showed Helena with an elegantly coiffed older woman and he knew it must be her namesake, Grandmother Helen. Another frame contained a photograph of her with college-aged friends wearing Habitat for Humanity T-shirts, a half-built house in the background. Another had her ankle deep in dirt on a farm, picking crops. Her smile was wide in those and he realized she really did walk the walk when it came to helping others.

  Keeping his voice low, Walker said, “You want to tell me what’s going on?”

  Remaining silent for a moment, he gathered his thoughts. Finally, with a shake of his head, he replied, “I like her. I like her a lot.”

  “Well, I’m no romance expert, but I’d think you might want to tell her that sometime.”

  He swung his head around and stared, his friend’s dark eyes boring into his while a slight smile played about his lips.

  He didn’t say anything, so Walker continued. “Look, I know you like her. I’ve got no idea if she knows that right now, because all you’ve done is bark at her since we got here. She’s nervous and she’s trying to remember everything we’re telling her, but she’s smart. She’ll get it and she’ll do fine, especially if she knows that we believe in her. You’ve got her so wound up, she’s barely listening to what Drew and I tell her.” Leaning forward slightly, he invaded his personal space a little. “Man, you know that’s when people fuck up missions—when they’re not focused. You’ve got the experience and you need to pass that on to her.”

  He nodded slowly, knowing Walker was right. He glanced toward the kitchen and saw Helena smiling as Drew joked with her, putting her ease. “You’re right. I’ve got to get my shit together for her.”

  Taking another moment to force his thoughts to the mission at hand, he made his way back toward the kitchen. Drew eyed him carefully and, then, with a smile shot toward Helena, he headed into the living room.

  With just the two of them, Rank turned and faced Helena, hating that her eyes focused on the buttons on his shirt instead of his face. “Hey,” he said softly, drawing her attention back to his face. “I’m sorry.”

  She sucked in her lips, saying nothing, but gave a slight nod.

  “I’ve been an asshole today and, for that, I really am sorry, Helena.” He stepped closer and sighed. “The fact of the matter is, you’ll do fine. You just need to be yourself, don’t act any different at all, and Frank will talk to you. And because we’ll be around, you’ll be completely safe.” Sucking in a deep breath, he let it out before adding, “I’m not worried about you not doing well.”

  She tilted her head slightly to the side, and asked, “Then what are you worried about?”

  “I’m worried about you.”

  Helena opened her mouth to speak, then snapped it closed quickly, uncertain what to say. Rank stepped closer, until his feet were almost touching hers and she had to lean her head way back to hold his gaze. He bent over slightly, his lips touching her forehead, and mumbled, “In case there’s any doubt, please know how much I like you. I’ve never done this before, so I guess I don’t know what the rules are.”

  She loved the feel of his warm lips on her skin and lifted her hands, placing them on his chest. The feel of his thick muscles under his shirt sent his strength into her. “What have you never done before? Be involved with someone in a mission?”

  She felt him nod against her head, but then he amended, “I’ve never felt like this for someone else before.”

  Her eyes closed as he kissed his way to the tip of her nose and then down to her lips, taking her mouth in a gentle kiss. Pulling back slightly, he said, “Because this is new for me, I’m bumbling along blindly.”

  Her tension eased as her heart lightened. Her hands slid up to cup his jaw, and she said, “Please know how much I like you, too. I’ll be fine in this, and we’ll be fine together.”

  His arms wrapped around her and he pulled her tightly to his front, taking her mouth. This time, the kiss flamed white hot and she gasped before kissing him back with everything she felt. She dug her fingers into the thick muscles of his shoulders, before sliding her hands upward to tangle in the thick tresses of his long hair.

  All sense of time left as their tongues vied for dominance, each drawing out the essence of the other. The sudden sound of a throat clearing broke through the haze of lust and she jerked away. His arms slowly loosened their grip and he turned his gaze from her kiss-swollen lips to his friends, scowling at their expressions of amusement.

  “Hate to interrupt a kiss like that,” Drew drawled, “but Helena’s got a phone call to make.”

  His words had the effect of an icy bucket of water being poured on them and they separated as she sighed heavily. Sucking in a fortifying breath, she nodded, and said, “I’m ready. Let’s do this.”

  Dialing Frank’s number, she held her breath, almost wishing he would not answer. Flashing a wobbly grin toward Rank, she listened as her wish w
as not fulfilled and he picked up.

  “Mr. Tercelli? This is Helena Jernigan, returning your call.”

  “Helena, how nice to hear from you. And, please, call me Frank.”

  “What can I do for you?” she asked, straining to keep the nervousness from her voice.

  “I realized after I gave you the money and my list that you might have some questions. I’d love to take you to dinner so we have a chance to talk.”

  “That sounds wonderful, but my evenings are fairly full. Would we be able to make a working lunch?”

  He replied easily, “Absolutely. In fact, this week is clear for me for lunch.”

  She jerked her eyes toward Rank, who mouthed, “Tomorrow.”.

  “Tomorrow would fit my schedule.” Following the script they had given to her, she added, “Would the Blue Rose, over on 5th, be okay? Say, about noon?”

  “Perfect,” Frank responded. “I’ll see you then.”

  Disconnecting, she let out a sigh of relief. Rank approached, letting out his own sigh. “You okay?” he mumbled against the top of her head just as Drew announced, “Perfect. You were perfect.”

  Rubbing his hands together, Drew continued, “Now, for the good stuff.”

  A small giggle slipped from her lips as she witnessed Drew and Walker’s enthusiasm. “So, now what?”

  “We get you ready. Leave your office early tomorrow and meet Rank. We’ll get you wired so we can listen and watch from close by. Don’t worry, you’ll be great.”

  With goodbyes said, she watched Drew and Walker walk out before she turned her attention back to Rank. She lifted her hand and smoothed the line creasing his brow. “I know you’re worried.”

  His arms encircled her body and he pulled her close once more. “Babe, I’ve never felt like this before. When I plan missions, I’m comfortable with all the variables. This one? Shit, I’m totally out of my element.”