Sweet Reward: A Last Chance Rescue Novel

by Christy Reece

  “And that’s all?” Still in the too quiet voice that for some reasons sent shivers of delight through her body.

  “We went to dinner a couple of weeks later. That’s it. That’s the last time I saw him.”

  “Did you sleep with him?”

  “Of course not.” She surged to her feet and stood in front of him. “Do you think because we slept together, I sleep around a lot?”

  Anger flared in his eyes. “Hell no. I asked because if you renew your acquaintance, he might expect to pick up where it left off.”

  Okay, so maybe she had overreacted. “I don’t think he’d give that any thought. Philippe is a few years older than me and didn’t act as if he found me that attractive.”

  “Then either he’s an idiot or women aren’t his thing.”

  She managed to keep the smile off her face, but the glow inside her went brighter.

  “So since you know the man, tell me about him.”

  “As I said, I haven’t seen him in a few years, but I remember him as polite, attractive … very much a gentleman. Proper manners and all. Doesn’t have much of a sense of humor about himself and is very dedicated to his family’s legacy of philanthropy.”

  Jared nodded. “I did some research on him last night. Looks like his family has done some damn good things. It’s going to take a hell of a lot of proof for anyone to believe he’s in the business of kidnapping and selling babies.”

  “The work the Ricard Foundation has done is phenomenal.”

  “You sound like you admire the man. Are you going to be able to be objective?”

  “I’m not as gullible as you seem to think. I admire what his foundation has done, but the man has never really impressed me, so yes, I will have no problem being objective.”

  “Okay.”

  “That’s it? No more questioning my qualifications or abilities? You’re actually going to trust me?”

  “Lack of trust was never the issue.”

  “Then what was?”

  Answering that was going to get him into a hell of a lot of trouble, but he wasn’t going to lie. Other than undercover work, the lies had ended with his marriage. “You don’t look or act as if you’re capable of handling yourself.”

  “There are female LCR operatives who are smaller than I am. And several are younger than me. Do you think they’re not capable either?”

  “It’s not your size … it’s your demeanor. Who you are.”

  “And who am I?”

  He could tell her everything. That he’d never imagined that anyone as sweet, kind, and beautiful could be capable of killing a man. Now that he knew she was a trained operative, her abilities were no longer in question. Still, there was an incredible sweetness and artlessness to her that he found almost impossible to reconcile with what he knew she was able to do.

  He struggled with how to explain himself without insulting her or hurting her feelings. “You look like the kind of girl a guy would bring home to meet his family.”

  Her smile of delight told him he’d explained it right. He was glad, since he’d been enjoying their new relationship and hadn’t wanted to see it end so soon.

  “You know, you really are the sweetest man I know.”

  Hell, maybe he’d given her intelligence too much credit. “Can we get back to the plan?”

  A secretive smile played around her beautiful mouth, and Jared almost groaned. How the hell he could want sex after the hours they’d spent in bed, he didn’t know.

  She returned to her seat. “Here’s what I propose we do. I’ll call Philippe and let him know I’m in Paris for the next few weeks.”

  “Wait. Won’t he know about your rescue business?”

  She grimaced and shook her head. “I changed my name when I left home.”

  “Why?”

  “My family’s name and my father’s career would make me a target for the nut jobs of this world. It was my concession to them. My dad wanted a bodyguard to stay with me when I left home. I refused and changed my name to alleviate the threat.”

  “So what’s your real name?”

  “Still Mia, but my family’s name is Maxwell.”

  “Your father is Quinton Maxwell?”

  “You’ve heard of him?”

  Either he needed sleep or he trusted this woman more than anyone he’d ever known. The damning admission that he’d heard of her father had put him in dangerous territory. Jared’s vow never to lie again was a personal commitment. But as a former operative for IDC, he’d sworn an oath never to tell anyone about the organization that had saved countless lives throughout the world. IDC was a secret organization, and only a handful of people in each participating country even knew it existed.

  Years ago, while with IDC, he’d arranged a meeting between Quinton Maxwell and an informant for an extremist religious sect. He’d met Maxwell only one time, and from what he remembered of the man, he’d been impressed.

  “Jared?”

  “A few years back, I had a job that brought me into contact with him.” Before she could start with the questions, he added, “It’s not something I can talk about.”

  “I understand.”

  And she did, he could tell. Maybe it was because of her father’s job that she understood the need for such secrecy. However, he was beginning to see that trying to pigeonhole Mia would be a fruitless endeavor. The woman was too unique.

  “So what have your parents told people about you? I’m assuming they keep it to themselves that you own a rescue business?”

  She grimaced. “They wouldn’t talk about it even if they could. I’m not exactly their crowning achievement. My parents don’t speak of me a lot, making me a bit of a mystery. My sister is the perfect diplomat’s daughter.”

  “So you have a sister, too?”

  “Got the whole package. Mom, dad, and an older sister. What about you?”

  Yeah, he definitely needed sleep. If not, he never would have led her to a comfortable discussion that involved asking him questions. Before he could tell her that his family wasn’t up for discussion, she surprised him by saying, “Oops, sorry, forgot you don’t like to talk about your past.”

  He told himself he had no reason for regret. She’d known the rules up front. Still, the niggling thought of disappointing her lingered.

  “So you’re going to call Philippe, tell him you’re interested in seeing him again, maybe learning how a large charity works. What then?”

  “I’ll ask if I can work with him. With my family connections and the fact that we have a bit of a past together, he already trusts me.”

  Jared hated to admit it, but this might well be their best chance. If they sent in someone else, it could take months, if not more, to establish the kind of relationship Mia already had with the man.

  “Won’t you need to put together some kind of a cover? If the man hasn’t seen you in years, he’s going to want to know what you’ve been up to. Might even do his own snooping.”

  She shook her head. “Not a problem. Part of my protection includes a tight cover. If Philippe does his own snooping or hires someone, all they’ll find is that Mia Maxwell works for the State Department as a hostess and occasional French and Italian translator. If asked, a dozen people or more will verify that they’ve worked with me and will vouch for my competence and professionalism.”

  Jared nodded approvingly. “Impressive.”

  She grinned. “Thanks. So far, it’s worked out well. My parents aren’t embarrassed, and I get to live my life on my own terms.”

  If ever there was a loaded sentence, she’d just uttered it. As much as Jared wanted to ask why the hell her parents would be embarrassed by a lifestyle that included saving lives, he wouldn’t. She had been considerate enough to back off from questioning him. He could do no less for her.

  Jared shot a glance at the clock. Almost eleven. He’d been awake for over forty hours. He needed to go home, but he didn’t want to leave. At that admission, he shot to his feet. They hadn’t talked about w
hat had happened between them or if it would happen again. But one thing he knew for sure: it wasn’t a permanent thing.

  “I’d better get home and let you get some rest.”

  She stood and went to him. Her smile one of invitation and promise, she whispered, “It’s late. Stay.”

  Jared pulled her into his arms and lowered his mouth to hers. Damned if he could argue with such logic.

  thirteen

  Ricard Foundation headquarters

  Josette squealed with delight as she peeked at the contents of the envelope. Her supervisor had assured her that she would be rewarded for her discovery. Since the culprit had still not been found, she couldn’t share the information with anyone. She’d been told that Monsieur Ricard wanted to make sure she knew how grateful he was, and his gift of appreciation would be in her mailbox when she came in to work tonight. A two-day all-expenses-paid getaway at an exclusive spa just outside Paris.

  Two whole days of not having to share a bathroom with six other people. She could eat when she wanted and sleep all day if she liked.

  She bit her lip as she looked at the card again. The words were actually “you and one guest.” She and André had been seeing each other for over a year. Since neither of them had a lot of money or spare time, their dates were usually a meal with his or her family and the cinema once a week. But this? Two entire days. Could she issue the invitation? Dare she?

  Recently, André had mentioned marriage. Was this the impetus he needed to finally ask? How romantic it would be to spend two days alone with him, making love. And then, maybe right before they left, he would take her into his arms and propose.

  Determined to make her fantasy a reality, Josette picked up the phone. She was twenty-seven years old. André was a year older. She loved him; he loved her. It was time to start a new chapter in their lives. What better way to start it than with this romantic trip for two?

  Philippe leaned back in the sumptuous leather seat of the limo and stared hard at Garwood Kinsey. As an employee of the Ricard Foundation, he was adequate at best. As an employee of Philippe Ricard, he was exemplary. Or at least he had been, until this fiasco.

  “And you’re very sure that Josette, André, and Paul Raymond are the only ones who know of this?”

  “Absolutely sure.”

  “You have ensured that they’ll never tell anyone again?”

  “After this weekend, not a living soul will know.”

  “I’m not happy about this.”

  “I know that, sir. I’m sorry.”

  “I would recommend that you not make mistakes again, Monsieur Kinsey. They have a tendency to come back and bite you in the ass. No?”

  “Yes sir.”

  “And I don’t like meeting with you like a criminal in the dark. What we do is important work. Those in the legal realm may frown upon it, but my heart tells me I’m doing the right thing. That’s why our computer communication has worked so well.”

  “I wanted to tell you face-to-face, so you could see my sincerity.”

  “I believe you. And I’m glad that you’ve arranged a solution already. Now, since we are together, why don’t you tell me about our latest acquisition? His new parents are beyond eager to meet him.”

  “He’s three months old. Lives in squalor with his prostitute mother.”

  “How do we know the child isn’t tainted with drugs or disease?”

  “She goes to a free clinic for the baby. I obtained the health records. The child is a perfect, healthy boy. Blond hair and blue eyes, just like they specified.”

  “Excellent. And when will this package arrive?”

  “By the middle of next week.”

  “You’ll alert me if there are any problems?”

  “Immediately, sir.”

  “Good.” Philippe checked his watch. “I’m running late for a dinner meeting. As I’m the guest of honor, it would be unseemly to be tardy.”

  Kinsey opened the car door and got out. Philippe tapped on the privacy window, which shielded the backseat from the driver’s view and hearing. Immediately the engine started up and the car began to move. Philippe settled back into his seat with a tired sigh. The day had been a long one and the night would be, too. A normal man—one who didn’t possess his dedication or unyielding commitment—would go home. The average man would reject all the pomp and splendor that came with his job, see it as bothersome or not worth the time. Not so Philippe. But, of course, there was nothing average about him. He understood how important it was to let the masses see him. He appeared to be a normal human being who performed extraordinary work. Allowing the public to see him this way made them feel better about themselves and their contributions. He, Philippe Ricard, sacrificed much for the causes he believed in. How could they not give just a little of their money or time? Compared to what Philippe did, it was nothing.

  Few people could accomplish what he had done in the short amount of time he’d been in charge of his family’s foundation. Many people had believed his cousin Jacques should have been named CEO, but he had proven his naysayers wrong. With tenacity and skill, he’d brought millions into the coffers. Before he took over, the Ricard family had already been considered extraordinary, their generosity known and admired worldwide. Because of Philippe, they were now legendary. He wouldn’t be surprised if one day a statue was created in his image.

  He had never intended to get into the baby-selling business. In fact, the terminology turned his stomach. But a one-time favor for a friend of a friend had made a nice little profit for him, and a family had been created because of his contribution. How could that not be a good thing?

  He insisted that his people take only the children who desperately needed to be taken—the ones who weren’t wanted. When necessary, he paid the lowly creatures who’d given birth to them money to keep them quiet. He was doing them a favor, so paying wasn’t the norm, but he would do it if necessary.

  A couple of months ago, he had made an unusual exception. He had attended a weekend party—a fund-raising event. While milling around, mingling, he’d overheard a young mother complaining about how her child wasn’t sleeping at night and how very tired she was. He’d stayed for almost ten minutes, pretending to listen to some man describe his last hunting safari, but instead, he had homed in on the conversation next to his. The woman was unhappy, unappreciative of the child.

  Two weeks later, that child had been taken from the undeserving mother and given to a woman who would appreciate the gift. And Philippe had received a nice profit in exchange. A most worthwhile endeavor for all concerned.

  He had heard later that the mother of the child was a doctor. That her husband was a doctor, too, and was on the board of directors for one of Ricard’s minor charities. They’d both reportedly been very upset. Philippe refused to give that any concern. The woman was still young; she could have more children. Maybe she would appreciate the next child more.

  Philippe hated the necessary messiness that sometimes went with the job. Having three employees lose their lives over Kinsey’s careless mistake was unfortunate. If Kinsey didn’t provide such a valuable service, Philippe would be happy to merely end their employment and have Kinsey terminated instead of these seemingly harmless people. They had been trying to do a good thing and, unfortunately, it was going to cost them their lives. Philippe didn’t take that lightly; his heart grieved for them.

  The limousine pulled up in front of the Ritz, and Philippe checked his appearance once more. No, he didn’t take eliminating these people lightly at all. In fact, once it was over, he would have an event for them in their honor. Three of the Ricard Foundation’s family members were gone, and everyone mourned their loss. Perhaps it would be televised throughout the world. People would see it and send money in their memory. More good could be done with those donations than what those three employees had managed to do on their own. Their deaths would actually help people. How could that not be a good thing?

  Emerging from the limo, Philippe nodded and waved his
way through the throng of people applauding, snapping photographs, and shouting out their admiration for him. He tried to smile at as many of them as possible. They needed to see that he could relate to the common man. That though he was extraordinary in many ways, he was also just like them. Thus, inspired by him, people would turn around and try to do something extraordinary themselves.

  Such was the nature of the human condition. People needed role models to look up to and aspire to be like. And Philippe did his best to oblige.

  Waking in a man’s arms was a uniquely wonderful experience. She’d only done it with one other man, and that was years ago, with her ex-fiancé. Of course, that was before she’d learned that the nights he didn’t spend with her, he was spending with her sister.

  Her parents didn’t know the real reason she’d broken her engagement to Lewis, and they would never hear it from her. Probably not Nadia, either. She and her sister had never been close or had that much in common. Turned out the only real thing they’d had in common was that they had both slept with the same man. That reality had an ick factor Mia had never been able to get over.

  Walking in on them in the midst of the act itself was a memory she had successfully suppressed. The knowledge that her sister had set up the entire scenario so Mia would find out about their affair was less easy to forget. She had known that Nadia had little affection for her; she just hadn’t known how little.

  Everything had ended abruptly. She’d broken her engagement to Lewis and broken ties with her sister all in one big blowup. Even though Nadia hadn’t created the incident to help her, Mia was still grateful that she’d learned what a cheating weasel Lewis was before she’d been stupid enough to marry him.

  That night had been the last time she’d seen him. And though she still had to see Nadia on occasion, they kept their distance. Mia knew it bothered her parents that she and her sister disliked each other, but there was nothing she could do about that. That incident had been the final end to the old Mia’s personality. She had made a promise to herself to be who she was, not what other people told her she should be. The Mia who was too structured, who pleased everyone but herself, had disappeared forever. In her place was a messier, wilder, but freer version. And she made no apologies for being herself.