His Captivating Confidante (Secret Sentinels)

by Lisa Weaver

  By the time she arrived at work, the java jolt had kicked in and she was ready to tackle the day. The library was housed in a gorgeous stone building that, despite being over a century old, was just as grand as it had been in its heyday. The planned renovations would ensure it would remain an integral part of the community for centuries to come.

  Upon unlocking the main entrance, she was greeted by the library’s mascot. Their head librarian had found the sweet-tempered calico cat abandoned outside the building as a kitten last year. She’d brought him in out of the snow that cold November day and the feline had quickly made it clear he’d found his new home.

  The patrons had fallen in love with him and so had the staff, so when no one claimed him the decision to adopt him had been an easy one.

  He plopped down now, offering his belly up in a shameless appeal for a tummy rub. She indulged him for a few minutes before seeing to the preopening preparations. First on the list was feeding the library’s Very Important Kitty.

  “Ready for breakfast, Dewey?”

  Her inquiry was met with a resounding meow that was quite clearly a “yes.” He ran ahead of her to the break room where his food and water dishes were kept. She followed, filling his bowls with kibbles and water before moving on to the rest of her duties.

  Once everything was set for the day, she sent a quick text message to Liz asking if they could do lunch. Her phone pinged with a reply almost immediately. Liz would meet her at noon at their favorite café.

  From the moment she opened the doors for the day, patron traffic was brisk. The crunch left her no time to dwell on the previous night’s events. When her coworker Joella arrived at noon to relieve her, she headed off to meet Liz.

  Joining her boss at a table on the café’s lovely open-air patio, she greeted her with a warm smile. “Thanks for meeting me at such short notice, Liz.”

  “No problem. So how did things go at the gala last night?”

  “Great, until Frank showed up and went all caveman on Damon. Why did you tell him about my assignment? Were you afraid I’d drop the ball?”

  “Of course not. I clued him in because I hoped he’d ask to be a part of your mission, since we all want to find out what we can about Lawrence Mendacci and put an end to his crimes. I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you what I had planned, but I couldn’t risk you appearing anything but surprised when Frank made an appearance at the benefit.”

  “I don’t get it. If you wanted him to work the case, why didn’t you assign it to him in the first place?”

  “Because this mission is about more than searching for evidence that can lead us to Mendacci. It’s also involves protecting Frank without him knowing we’re watching out for him.”

  “Wait a minute. You’re telling me you think Frank is in need of protection? Are we talking about the same tough-as-nails ex-CIA operative we both know and love?”

  “I’m afraid so. And I don’t just think he needs someone to have his back. I know he does. The night of the attack on Lauren Dimitriou, when Frank was shot, the investigating officers recovered casings from a nine-millimeter handgun. The bullet the surgeon removed from Frank’s shoulder was from a .308-caliber rifle.”

  “That means there was a second gunman on the scene.”

  “Exactly. My gut tells me the other shooter wasn’t working with Lauren and Rafe’s attacker. I think he was there gunning for Frank.”

  “Does Frank know?”

  “I filled him in as soon as I saw the report, but he’s entirely unconcerned. He vehemently denies he could have been the target of a separate incident.”

  “That figures. He thinks he’s invincible.”

  “It’s either that or he has a death wish. I haven’t figured out which yet. In any case, he may not be worried, but I am. I’m going to do everything I can to mitigate the risk he’s facing, but I need your help.”

  “Of course. You know I’d do anything for you and Frank.”

  “He thinks the world of you. I told him about your assignment knowing he wouldn’t be on board with the idea of you spending time alone with Damon Landers. I figured given Landers’s playboy reputation and the rumors of his business dealings straying into the gray, there was no way Frank would sit on the sidelines. I hoped he’d want in. And he does.”

  “So you want me to let him tag along with me to Landers’s island?”

  “Right. Letting Frank believe he’s lending a hand with your mission will keep him occupied and out of trouble. In the meantime, I’ll dig further into the second shooting. You can keep an eye on him while I get to the bottom of what’s going on.”

  Stephanie rubbed her suddenly damp palms on her pants. She wasn’t sure Frank would be safer with her. She hadn’t fared very well the last time he’d needed her to have his back.

  She felt she had to come clean with Liz, and make her aware of what had really gone down when Rafe and Lauren were attacked. There was too much riding on this new assignment not to.

  “About that. I don’t think I’m the right person to watch over Frank. I’m too close to him to handle things objectively. I’m ashamed I didn’t tell you this sooner, but the night of the ambush I failed you and the team. I had an opportunity to neutralize Lauren and Rafe’s attacker, and I let it slip through my fingers. I had the gunman in my sights, but I didn’t take the shot because I was afraid Frank would wind up as collateral damage.

  “I let my emotions get in the way of doing my job. I didn’t tell you earlier because I was afraid of the consequences. I understand if you need to take me out of the field.”

  Liz shook her head. “Oh, hon. You’re being too hard on yourself. It’s only natural that you reacted the way you did. You’d have to be a machine not to hesitate in a situation like that. Don’t beat yourself up for some imagined ineptitude.”

  “Frank could have been killed.”

  “Yes, but he wasn’t. You responded to the situation like the hero you are. You got Frank out of the line of fire and out of the path of a speeding vehicle at great personal risk. You didn’t make a single misstep. Any of us—myself included—would have reacted the same way had we been in your shoes.”

  “You still think I’m the right agent for this assignment after what I’ve told you?”

  “Absolutely,” Liz asserted with an encouraging smile.

  “Then I’ll do whatever you need me to do.”

  “Excellent. So, you said you wanted to run something by me when you called?”

  “Yeah. Last night, Frank tried to get me to agree to let him tag along on my assignment by offering to finance the entire library renovation project—including the addition of a computer resource wing.”

  “Wow.”

  “My thoughts exactly. The enticement he dangled is huge. It’s too large a carrot for his interest in this mission to be due solely to his concern for me, like he claims it is. The question is, what’s his real motivation?”

  “You’re good friends. Is it so hard to believe he’s just concerned about you?”

  “Truthfully, yes. He’s been upset with me since he found out I wasn’t up front with him about what I really do for a living. He’s been avoiding me ever since he discovered I’m an agent.”

  “He might not be happy you weren’t entirely honest with him, but it’s obvious he cares a great deal about you. He was furious I’d assigned you to infiltrate Damon’s domain, and he insisted I let him back you up on the mission. I made him work for it so he’d think it was his idea, but eventually I let him believe he’d convinced me.”

  “Well, I still think there’s more to it. I guess there’s only one way to find out. I’m not excited about having to deceive him, though.”

  “You aren’t deceiving him. You’re keeping him safe. If we let him go off after whatever demons he’s chasing without covert backup, there’s a considerable risk he’ll get himself killed.”

  If what Liz was saying was true and Frank was in trouble, she knew him well enough to realize his pride would never let him admi
t he needed help. She damn sure wouldn’t walk away from him if there was a possibility he might be in danger. “I’m having dinner with Frank tonight. I’ll tell him he can come with me to Damon’s island.”

  She only hoped that covertly watching over Frank wouldn’t cost her his friendship. And she hoped she could shake off the silly notion there could ever be anything more than friendship between them, because unless she did this assignment could cost her more than Frank’s friendship. It could cost her her heart.

  Chapter Six

  Considering Stephanie had successfully completed the “acquire access to target” portion of her assignment, Frank fully expected her to morph back into the endearingly shy and bookish version of his friend—the version he was most comfortable with.

  Instead, it was a lovely-in-leather adaptation of his buddy who greeted him when he arrived at her house to collect her for dinner.

  Last night, rocking the elegant-yet-smoking-hot evening gown she’d worn, she’d ranked a solid ten on the sexiness scale. Tonight’s look trumped that in spades. Once again, she’d ditched her eyeglasses in favor of contacts. Rather than constraining her gorgeous hair in a bun, she’d set it loose to tumble free down her back.

  Black leather leggings hugged her long legs like a second skin, and a matching crop top bared an enticing amount of her tanned, toned midriff. He stared at her taut abs in fascination as the light from her porch sconce danced off a diamond belly button stud.

  His kitten had a navel ring? What was she trying to do to him? Every time he saw her, she looked more seductive than the time before.

  He realized she was staring at him now, her expressive features reflecting a mixture of concern and confusion.

  “Is there something wrong?” she asked, sounding perplexed. “You said you were bringing your Ducati, so I thought I’d dress for the bike.”

  He shook his head, trying to focus on anything other than the way the shiny, supple leather clung to her curves. After last night, he was trying hard to put her neatly back into the “friend” box. She wasn’t making it easy for him. Especially not when getting in touch with her inner badass biker chick put her squarely in the sexier-than-hell category.

  His motorcycle was his pride and joy, and he’d begged his doctor for clearance to resume riding. That very day, the poor guy had finally given in to the relentless badgering and taken pity on him, reluctantly agreeing but warning him to keep the rides short and not to overdo it.

  Chomping at the bit to get his bike out again, he’d suggested bringing the Ducati on a whim. He’d expected Stephanie would tell him she’d prefer one of his four-wheeled modes of transportation, but she’d surprised him by agreeing to his suggestion. She’d surprised him even more by dressing for it.

  “Nothing’s wrong.” The cheeky smile he shot her was spiked with more than a hint of wickedness, but he couldn’t help himself. Remaining immune to her considerable charms was beyond his scope of restraint at the moment. “It’s just that I’ve never seen you wear leather before. I like it.” Yeah, he liked it a lot.

  “Thanks,” she said, executing a neat little spin to show off her outfit and giving him an alluring glimpse of her gorgeous backside in the process.

  He swallowed, his throat suddenly dry. “I’m glad you don’t mind taking the bike. I wasn’t sure you’d want to, since you’ve never ridden with me before. I like this new adventurous side of yours.”

  “Actually I’ve never ridden a motorcycle with anyone before, so I wasn’t discriminating based on my assumption of your skills—or lack thereof,” she clarified with a grin.

  “You’re really sure you want to risk it?”

  “Yeah,” she said and smiled. Then her expression turned serious. “The work we do—the danger that goes hand in hand with it—it makes you realize just how short and uncertain life can be. I’ve decided it’s long past time I live a little.”

  Honored that she trusted him to initiate her, he handed her a helmet and made sure she secured it properly on her head before he mounted the bike.

  “Hop on, Kitten.”

  The Ducati barely dipped as she settled her slight weight behind him. Turning the key, he revved the throttle, giving her a moment to adjust to the thrum of the powerful engine beneath her.

  “Ready?”

  “As I’ll ever be,” she affirmed, wrapping her slender arms tightly around his waist.

  Though she hadn’t let on that she was nervous, her death grip indicated otherwise. Easing her anxiety became his top priority.

  “This will go better for both of us if I don’t pass out from lack of oxygen,” he teased.

  The injection of humor worked its magic, and he smiled as she loosened the stranglehold she’d wrapped him in, letting go of the tension that had stiffened her muscles.

  “That’s it,” he encouraged. “Now we’re ready to have some fun.”

  He felt the shift in her the moment she became drawn into the magic of the ride. Cycling afforded an up-close-and-personal view of the road and the surrounding terrain that was unmatched. It was exhilarating and freeing. As ways to destress went, it was unrivaled.

  Well, almost unrivaled. There was one other pursuit he could think of that surpassed the thrill of being on the bike, but sharing that particular form of recreation with Stephanie was not on the table.

  She bent her head to his, squeezing him a bit tighter. “This is so much fun,” she enthused. “I can’t believe I waited this long to try it. Can this thing go any faster?”

  “Yeah,” he chuckled, delighted with her moxie in wanting to push the limits. He supposed he should be affronted that she’d referred to his precious motorcycle as a “thing,” but he was too busy enjoying the soft, heated press of her curves against him to take offense at the insult.

  She wanted to go faster? He could make that happen.

  He gunned the throttle and the bike instantly responded, shooting forward with a surge of power. She laughed in delight, and the sound warmed his heart.

  “Wow!” she breathed in his ear.

  Yeah. Wow.

  Because with her plastered to his back like a sexy little sea urchin, his body was no longer registering that she was off-limits. It was responding in ways it shouldn’t be. He knew if it was anyone other than Stephanie sharing the saddle with him, the trip would end in another, far more pleasurable sort of ride.

  He edged the needle a bit further up the speedometer. The twinge in his shoulder told him he’d pay the price for it tomorrow, but at least the adrenaline rush that accompanied the move succeeded in pushing the illicit thoughts he was currently having aside.

  He dipped the bike as they rounded a curve in the road and she laughed again, squeezing him just a little tighter. He was glad she was enjoying herself; glad he could grant her a temporary escape from the pressures of the life they’d chosen. He had a feeling she didn’t make a whole lot of time for fun in her busy schedule. Like him, she pushed herself too hard.

  Despite their passion for their chosen careers, their work could still extract a toll. It was an all-consuming lifestyle choice—one that demanded everything and gave back very little.

  But like anyone committed to serving and protecting, they understood the sacrifices that went along with the mantle they’d assumed. And there was gratification in knowing that the long hours, the danger, the lack of companionship and normalcy meant that others would be safe.

  That Stephanie had chosen to walk the same path as he had filled him with pride. He was thankful to count her as a friend, and he would not screw that friendship up because a sudden spike in testosterone had him thinking about what it would be like to take their relationship to the next level.

  ∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

  For at least the hundredth time since she’d joined Frank on the bike, Stephanie asked herself what she’d been thinking when she’d agreed to the idea. What on earth had possessed her to tell him it would be fun to ride with him tonight?

  Worst. Idea. Ever.

 
; Not only was she pressed up against him in ways that had liquid heat pooling between her thighs, but the intoxicating scent of his cologne—a lust-inducing blend of woodsy pine forests, fresh ocean surf, and hot-blooded male—was doing dangerous things to her libido. Breathing in the familiar scent that was 100 percent Frank, she barely resisted the urge to press closer to his lean hardness.

  Yup. Agreeing to this ride was a bad idea. Very bad. Whenever she was near him, every traitorous neuron in her body misfired, leaving her incapable of focusing on anything other than Frank.

  On the other hand, she had to admit being this close to him was as thrilling as the ride itself. It was as wondrous as being wrapped in his arms when they’d danced together last night.

  Frank steered the Ducati off the main road and onto a narrower lane that looped down toward the ocean. A few miles in, he signaled another turn and pulled into the parking lot of a seafood restaurant tucked at the end of a cove.

  Frank’s billionaire status afforded him the luxury of dining at the most exclusive of haute-cuisine establishments. But while he could—and often did—rub shoulders with the wealthiest of the wealthy, he was happiest when hosting an impromptu picnic in his living room or indulging in seafood from a beachside restaurant.

  It was one of the many things she loved about him. He might have been born to affluence, but he didn’t let his wealth define him. He remained down to earth, caring, compassionate, and unentitled.

  Their hostess seated them at a quiet corner table with a breathtaking view of the water. After perusing the menu they both decided on the house specialty, a mixed seafood platter featuring sweet, succulent shrimp and chunks of tender haddock tossed in the chef’s special batter and fried to a golden brown—accompanied by French fries and onion rings.

  Between the amazing food, the beautiful backdrop of the sun setting over the ocean, and his company, the evening was Stephanie’s idea of pure bliss.

  She was utterly relaxed until he reached for an onion ring at the same time she did and their hands brushed. The tingle of awareness that zipped down her arm at the contact was a jarring reminder that she couldn’t let herself lose sight of why she was with him. She needed to stay focused on the reason she was here, instead of letting herself get sucked into the depths of those gorgeous blue eyes of his.