Harlequin Blaze June 2015 Box Set: Midnight ThunderFevered NightsCome On OverTriple Time

by Vicki Lewis Thompson

  “I’ll do that later. Right now, I want to be with you. And you need to be here. So...” He put his hands on his hips and scanned the plastic tubs full of clothes and food. “Put me to work. I’m yours for the duration.” He smiled at her and rolled up imaginary sleeves.

  Her grin managed to be joyful and mischievous at the same time. “Mine?” Stepping close, she snaked her arms round his neck. “What if I want you for longer than that?”

  13

  NEIL STEPPED OUT of the DC metro station and headed for 9th Street. The message had said to meet in front of the International Spy Museum. A little company humor.

  The spook hadn’t exactly gone through proper channels to obtain his information. But the important thing was, the guy had news.

  Neil jingled the keys in his pocket, worrying them like prayer beads. He hoped it was good news.

  It’d been a month since he’d seen Piper. Another long, taxing month of missing her and thinking of her as he fell asleep, with only texting, and the occasional moment to Skype to take away the ache. Man, he had it bad.

  She was coming to New York next week, though, and he had the weekend off, so they were hoping to meet. If only he could tell her that they’d found her brother.

  Once Neil got to the museum he stopped and bent to retie a sneaker—the prearranged signal to identify himself. If he weren’t so worried, he’d have gotten a kick out of all this cloak-and-dagger stuff.

  “Can you tell me how to get to the National Mall?” The female voice had a distinctive Texas twang.

  Neil looked up to see a plump, blonde woman in mom jeans and a T-shirt with a Lone Star flag on the front. She was holding a metro schedule and seemed lost.

  “Sure.” He straightened and pointed in the direction he’d come. “If you walked from the metro, you just turned the wrong way. Head back to the station and keep going past it.”

  She seemed confused, so he tried again. “Down at this corner, turn left, go about three blocks—”

  “Maybe you could just show me?”

  Neil hesitated. He couldn’t miss this meeting, but she looked so lost. “Uh...”

  “Just messin’ with you, hon. Walk with me.”

  The woman’s dazed expression morphed into shrewd intelligence and there was a definite twinkle in her eye. She spun and headed toward the metro station.

  Neil blinked and a chill crawled over his skin. He’d met some spies on his missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. But this woman had fooled him completely. He jogged to catch up to her brisk step.

  “You want the good news or the bad news first?”

  “Uh, the good.”

  “He’s alive.”

  Neil’s shoulders dropped in relief. “And the bad?”

  “We think he’s in China. In a labor camp.”

  Neil stopped and closed his eyes. No wonder Piper hadn’t been able to find him.

  Before he could ask any questions the woman shook his hand, passing off the metro schedule. “Well, thank you so much for helpin’ me.” Then in a low voice, she said, “Good luck.” She strode off, looking around at the buildings like an awe-struck tourist.

  Neil waited until he got back to his quarters at Little Creek that evening before he opened the folded, crinkled pamphlet. Out fell a grainy black-and-white photo of a row of young men sitting at a table, all wearing jumpsuits, assembling some sort of electronic equipment. One of the boys had been circled with a black marker. His height—even sitting—and obvious ethnicity made him stand out from the other inmates. On the back of the photo, written in chicken-scratch print, was the name and location of the labor camp.

  Neil studied the photo. The boy looked gaunt. At least he was alive. If this was Nandan. But the age-progression software was usually accurate. So there was hope. He could tell Piper that.

  But how was he going to get the boy out of there?

  If an extraction mission failed, it would be a political nightmare of epic proportions. His best hope was to go through diplomatic channels.

  Maybe he shouldn’t tell Piper until he knew more.

  He’d have to talk to someone in the state department. See if there was any way to negotiate the kid’s release. But for that to happen he’d have to call in a few favors. Or rather, his father would.

  And asking his father for something?

  Neil knew there’d be a price to pay.

  * * *

  NEIL PULLED HIS truck under the portico of the River Oak Country Club. The valet scrambled over to take the keys, and when Neil mentioned Senator Patrick Barrow’s name, the staff directed him to the sixth hole and provided a golf cart.

  He found his father with a couple of other men including—just his luck—Lyndsey’s father.

  “Neil.” His father greeted him with a surprised lift of his brows.

  “Sir.” Neil shook his hand, and then turned to his father-in-law. “Sam.”

  Sam scowled, but he shook Neil’s hand.

  His father coolly introduced him to his other companions. “You remember Congressman Grant, and this is Jed Mahoney.”

  Another round of handshakes.

  “So what brings you here?” His father’s eyes gleamed with the satisfying knowledge that he had the upper hand. He knew Neil wouldn’t come within ten miles of this icon of elitism unless he wanted something.

  “I need to speak with you, sir.” Neil took off his dress hat and clasped it under his arm, adopting an at-ease stance. Even though the July day was a steamy ninety-four, he’d come decked out in his service dress, white with all his medals. He was going to need every advantage he could get for this negotiation. And he didn’t fool himself into thinking this would be anything less than a delicate game.

  Of course, his father made him wait while he pretended to consider whether to speak with his son in the middle of a golf game. It was a strategy Neil knew well.

  “Very well.” He turned to the other men, excused himself and led Neil away from the green. “Sam has been upset by all this business in Miami.”

  Ah, the opening hit. Neil ignored the censure. Any reply he gave—whether defensive or apologetic—would be seen as weakness. “I need you to call in a marker with your guy in the state department.”

  Patrick Barrow came to an abrupt halt and studied Neil closely. “Why?”

  “I want someone released from a Chinese labor camp.”

  His father’s eyes widened, but only for a split second. “There’s an American citizen being held in a Chinese labor camp?”

  “Not American, no.”

  “Then, I’m afraid it’s impossible.”

  Neil shrugged. “It’s been done before.” He gazed out over the rolling green hills of the prestigious old golf course as if he didn’t really care whether his old man did him the solid or not.

  “Not in China.”

  “Maybe not, but we negotiate on behalf of our allies all the time.”

  “Yes, but we usually have something or someone the other country wants.”

  “This kid is an Indian citizen. India is an ally of ours. China wouldn’t want the world to know they were holding an Indian citizen against his will.”

  “Maybe. But why should I use my marker for this?”

  Neil met his father’s gaze. “To save the life of an innocent young man?”

  Patrick looked incredulous. “There are thousands of innocents in camps around the world. Why this one?”

  Neil took a deep breath and gambled. “Never mind. I’ll find another way.” He moved to leave, but his father caught his arm.

  “If I do this, I’ll need something in return.”

  Neil hid a smile and faced his father again. “How many?”

  Patrick frowned. “How many what?”

  “How many cities do you wa
nt me to visit with you on the campaign trail in October?”

  His father grinned. “Only the major ones. But I want you and your wife together. Reconciled.”

  * * *

  PIPER ARRIVED AT the bed-and-breakfast before Neil this time. She’d already caught the train from New York when he’d texted he was running late.

  The quiet retreat tucked away in the Virginia woods was the perfect way to beat the heat of a Saturday afternoon in August. And the plush bed practically begged for a nap. But she couldn’t sleep.

  She didn’t usually sleep well anyway. Except with Neil, in his arms. The next best thing was talking with him on the phone at night.

  After eating dinner alone downstairs, she stepped outside. Piper could hear the creek rushing behind the inn and headed toward the sound.

  Jim followed at a discreet distance.

  The crickets chirped; an owl hooted somewhere in the twilight. But as she looked around, the isolation suddenly turned ominous. What if that creep was still following her? She hadn’t received any more letters from him since that last one in Miami. She and Neil hadn’t been seen together publicly since then, so maybe they were safe now.

  But what if they weren’t?

  Even under Jim’s watchful eye, the walk wasn’t a pleasant idea anymore. She turned around and went back up to the room.

  She was drying off after showering when she heard footsteps in the hall outside. There was a soft knock on the door. She almost forgot to check the peephole before she yanked open the door and launched herself into Neil’s arms, kissing his face from cheek to cheek and ending with his mouth.

  Oh, she’d missed this. His strong presence, his lips moving over hers. Her towel slipped and only his arms around her waist stopped it from falling to the floor. He carried her into the room and kicked the door shut behind him. But he broke the kiss off to stare into her eyes. “I’ve missed you.”

  He seemed so serious. She smiled. “I missed you, too.”

  Frowning, he turned to lock the door.

  He seemed distracted, troubled. Maybe he was tired. “Sorry, my dripping hair got you wet.” She lifted her arms to wring her hair with the towel and grinned, letting him get an eyeful of her nakedness.

  His gaze roamed over her, hungrily, yet with something weird in his expression... Piper froze. “What’s wrong?”

  He blinked and met her gaze. “I need to tell you something.”

  An arctic chill slithered over her skin and settled in her chest. Did it have to do with Nandan? It didn’t sound good. Had she always known in her heart that he was dead? If that was his news, she didn’t want to hear it. She marched to the bathroom and shoved her arms into a robe. Neil didn’t follow her or try to stop her or reassure her.

  She hesitated, hiding out in the bathroom. Maybe this wasn’t about her brother. Maybe Neil was tired of having to sneak around. He was such an honorable guy. This couldn’t be easy for him. He was a good man. Whoever had written her those notes was right. Neil was too good for someone like her.

  He’d moved to the window, staring out into the darkness.

  She braced herself for bad news. “So is this over?”

  “What?” He seemed to snap back to their conversation. “No!” He closed the distance between them and folded her into his arms. “No. I’m just— I’m going on a special op, and I don’t know how long I’ll be gone.”

  For the first time since he’d walked in, she really looked at him. His smile was weary. There were dark circles under his eyes that hadn’t been there the last time she’d seen him. And his jaw was covered in more than simple evening stubble. He was tired—no. Exhausted.

  She laid her head on his shoulder. His body was warm and she inhaled the subtle scent of his cologne and...him. “When do you leave?”

  “I’m not sure yet.”

  “But it’s something dangerous?”

  He shrugged. “Every op has its risks.”

  Arms wrapped around his waist, she closed her eyes and held on to him. The thought of him risking his life, getting hurt, or worse... She couldn’t stand it. But that was his job, wasn’t it? The job he loved. If she wanted to be in his life, she needed to get used to it. It wouldn’t make things any easier on him for her to act all worried and weepy. She drew in a deep breath. “Something tells me you haven’t eaten. Why don’t you shower and I’ll go bring up some dinner.”

  His arms squeezed her tight. He tucked his nose into her neck. “I don’t want food. I just want you.”

  She lifted her head away and smiled up at him. “Well, you have me, silly.”

  An expression of pain flashed across his face, then was gone. “So I do.” He smiled.

  She stared into his warm brown eyes. Honorable eyes. Kind eyes. Emotion overwhelmed her. She almost blurted out that she loved him. But what if he didn’t say it back? Or said it only because he didn’t want to hurt her? With a seductive lift of her brow, she stepped away, curled her fingers under his belt and brought him over to the bed. For now, it was enough simply to be with him.

  Sitting on the edge, she tugged him between her knees and began unbuttoning his shirt. Something felt different, but the thought passed when he bent and kissed his way down her neck, nudging her robe off her shoulder with gentle fingers. “Piper.” His voice sounded strangled.

  Missing him desperately already, she covered his mouth, took the kiss deep and then lay down, pulling him on top of her.

  He moaned and pressed his erection against the place she wanted him to be.

  Setting to work unbuckling his belt, she raised her head and kissed his chest softly, trailing her mouth over to tease each nipple with her tongue.

  Someone rapped on the door.

  With a sigh, Neil scrambled from the bed and began buttoning his shirt as he went to answer it. Piper pulled the robe up over her shoulder and adjusted the belt.

  She heard the receptionist’s voice speaking softly but couldn’t understand her words. Neil answered her and then closed the door. He turned to her with a confused expression. “I have to talk to someone downstairs. I’ll be right back.”

  Piper got up from the bed and clutched at her robe. “I didn’t think anyone knew you were here.”

  He scowled and tucked in his shirt. “I didn’t, either.”

  “Do you think it has to do with your mission?”

  “Maybe.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Just wait here. I’ll be right back.”

  “Make sure Jim is watching for reporters.”

  He cupped her face and gave her a quick peck on the lips. “I will.” Then he was out the door.

  Piper waited a few minutes and then another few minutes. Neil didn’t return. Patience was not her forte. She quickly got dressed and headed downstairs.

  The lobby was empty, but she saw Neil outside on the terrace talking to a woman. Not just talking. Arguing. Neil’s fists were clenched at his sides, his body rigid.

  Who was this woman? She was tall and slim, her brunette hair cut in a short, stylish bob. Her gray designer suit was impeccable; the pencil skirt fit her slim hips and the hem stopped just above her knees. The expensive shoes alone told Piper that the woman wasn’t a reporter.

  No way was Piper going to wait obediently in the room now. She opened the door to the B and B and went to Neil’s side.

  The woman stopped talking and the look she threw Piper was positively venomous.

  Piper raised a brow, slipped her hand around Neil’s arm and leaned into him. Neil might as well have been made of granite. “Neil, would you like to introduce me?”

  The woman’s mouth tightened. “I know who you are.” Amazing how she could convey such disgust with only a few words.

  “Lyndsey.” Neil’s voice had gone all low, but with a raw edge to it. And he knew the woman’s name? Who exactly
was she?

  “Piper, this is—”

  “I’m his wife.”

  14

  “PIPER!”

  Neil grabbed her arm as she swayed. Her face had turned ashen.

  Piper stared at him. Devastation with a hint of hopeful denial flared in her eyes. “Neil?” She shook her head. “That’s not true, is it?” She glanced from him over to Lyndsey and back to him.

  “No. Well, not really,” he answered.

  The glimpse of hope died, her expression hardened. “What do you mean, not really?”

  “We were married, but—”

  “Are married,” Lyndsey interjected. She wore a satisfied smirk as she held up her left hand and wiggled her ring finger with a large diamond on it.

  Piper flinched. “You lied to me, Neil?”

  “No, I can explain. Let’s go inside. Back to our room.”

  Piper wrenched out of his grasp and stumbled to one side. She gaped at him as if he were a plague-carrying rodent. “I told you everybody lies, didn’t I? I just didn’t know how right I was.” She spun and scanned the front lawn. “I’ve got to get out of here.”

  Neil reached for her again. “Piper. This can all be explained.”

  She slapped his hand away. “Don’t touch me.” She tore down the porch steps. “Jim!”

  Jim appeared.

  “Get the car,” she called out. “I’m leaving.”

  Neil couldn’t let her go like this. As Jim headed down the drive, Neil followed Piper.

  “Please listen,” he pleaded. “It’s just a matter of signing the divorce papers, Piper. She won’t be my wife anymore.”

  “Do give it up, darling. You’re causing a scene.” Lyndsey had in turn followed them from the porch steps.

  Piper clamped a hand over her mouth as if she might be sick. Then, gradually, she underwent a transformation. Her shoulders straightened, her eyes lost their bleakness and she focused a cold stare on Lyndsey. “You can have him back. I’m done with him now.” She strode off down the drive, her hips swishing as she headed to the waiting car.

  Done with him? Not by a long shot. He knew she didn’t mean it. Not after what they’d shared. Neil went after her. “Piper! Just listen—”