“I’m sure you would, Taylor.”
“You’re not really with Faith then, Nate?”
“I could be.”
“No you couldn’t,” Reina tells him. “Stop it, Nate.”
“Fine. I just wanted to mess with him a little more.”
“I get it, but I’m glad it wasn’t real.”
“Nah, man. I’d say she’s like my sister, but that would be kind of gross. It was all just an act.”
“Now that this is all settled, everyone needs to get back to work. I’ve arranged for Faith to be isolated while she awaits her hearing, and I have a call with the head of the NSA in a half hour. We all need to act as if nothing else will work and do what we can to clear her name.”
“And then we go after Selene.”
“Once Faith is free, we will put all our efforts there Isa.”
“I need to apologize for involving all of you,” my mom tells them.
“If we’re right, this was all a plan to get to Faith, and us. So we should be the ones apologizing. The fact that Selene would go so far as to actually sell state secrets in order to exact her revenge should tell you how far gone she is.”
“I’m thinking more about how she actually thought she could take us on and survive. Let’s be real here. The bitch was crazy back when we knew her, and she’s obviously only gotten worse. We can’t let her walk away again,” a gorgeous women with reddish brown hair says.
“Agreed, Jade. One hundred percent. She can’t be allowed to walk away again,” Matt tells her.
“Dammit, I already admitted I was weak. What more do you want from me, Matt? My blood? Maybe I should sacrifice myself,” Reina yells as she gets out of her chair and runs for the door.
Matt reaches her before she makes it. None of us even try to pretend like we’re not watching it all go down as he grabs her and pulls her into his arms.
“Don’t you even fucking think about it. You are the strongest, bravest, most amazing woman I have ever known, Rei. I’ll never let anything happen to you. Never. So don’t talk about sacrificing yourself because that shit ain’t gonna happen.”
He pulls back a little, and then shocks the hell out of me by caressing her cheek before kissing her softly. I haven’t seen anything but rough tough military guy from him. I would’ve never expected him to be so tender, even with a woman. She responds for a minute before pushing him away.
“I have a boyfriend, Matt.”
“I know.”
“Do you even care?”
“When it comes to kissing you? No,” he tells her with a chuckle, trying to lighten the mood.
“You know what I mean.”
He turns serious again. “I care, Princess. But you need someone who’s worthy of you, and I’m not that guy. Be happy. Please be happy. That’s all that matters.”
He walks out before she can respond, tears flowing freely down her face. Damn. I thought I had romance problems, but those two? That’s a whole other ball game. Jane walks over to Reina and hugs her.
“The show’s over everyone. Get to work.”
I wait to see how Aiden wants to handle this. Ainsley walks over as well. “We’re going to need you to contact Selene and Elizabeth one last time before we remove everything. They’ll expect you to be freaking out and get in touch with them. I’m going to give you a tracer. It’ll fit in the metal of your belt, and, hopefully, lead me to them.”
“Shouldn’t you be trying to get Faith out?”
“My whole team’s on that. It’s just as important for me to get a lead on Selene. Since we’re pretty sure she’s involved in the treason too, I need to figure out who else is in on this.”
“What should I say?”
Aiden answers. “Tell them you’re shocked that Faith was arrested. Ask them what’s going on.”
“He has to say something about disappearing and why he looks like he’s been in a bar fight.”
“I’ll tell them the truth.”
“What?”
“Relax, Ainsley. I don’t mean about here. I’ll tell them Nate insisted on meeting and then he punched me a few times.”
“Yeah. That’s good.”
“I can say I was hoping to trap him by showing up in a different car, but then realized I ran out without my phone. I’ll tell them he caught me by surprise and then took off, telling me to stay away from Faith.”
“I think that just might work, Ainsley.”
“It is good. And then you can tell them that your mother’s insisting on having the houses swept for bugs after all of this. I’ve got some special things for you, Aiden.”
He wiggles his eyebrows. “Really? What kind of special things?”
“I’m still here.”
“I know, Zack,” he says with a laugh.
He’s not laughing as he finds himself on the floor with Ainsley’s combat boot on his chest. “I kissed you once to make him jealous. Stop acting like it was more. I’m the only one who’s allowed to mess with my fiancé like that.”
“Sorry. Show me your secret agent toys.”
Zack reaches his hand down to pull him up, and they both shake their heads at Ainsley before following her out. I hug my mom briefly and then take off. I have a date with the devil.
Chapter 7
Faith
Well, I never saw this coming. I knew my job could land me in jail if I was caught on a mission, but I never thought it would be this one. I mean, I’ve taken down some really bad people. Not that selling state secrets isn’t bad, but selling people is much worse. And I’ve rid the world of quite a few people who deserved it. Working in someone’s house and scheduling their fancy dinners should’ve been a piece of cake.
Which is probably the reason I’m here. I didn’t expect a threat and so I missed the one that was lobbed at me. I got my one phone call and used it to call the law firm we have on retainer in case any of us get into trouble. We can’t call the foundation and expose it, but the firm will reach Jane and Reina if they don’t already know what’s going on.
I’m hoping they’re already working to free me. My lawyer got me put into isolation once I was processed. Bad people often have bad friends. Even if they wouldn’t know me by name and shouldn’t know me by face, I don’t like to take chances. But when I already took the biggest chance of all and lost, I should’ve known luck wasn’t on my side this time around.
Gavin looked shocked when they led me out, but I still feel like he’s involved somehow. Maybe he didn’t know I would be framed, but he knows something. As soon as my lawyer gets here, I’m going to ask her to get a message to the girls to keep looking into him. And Elizabeth. There has to be something we either missed or just haven’t found yet.
While I wait, a female officer brings in my lunch. Just a simple sandwich and juice. After she sets it down and I thank her, she opens her hands so I can see the words she’s written there: “we’re working on getting you out.” I blink my eyes to let her know I saw it before she turns and walks out. We really do have friends everywhere.
I try to take my time eating, just to keep busy. Staring at four white walls is not in line with keeping your sanity. It’s scarier than thinking about having enemies in jail. If I don’t get out, I’d rather fight for my life every day than sit alone in a room like this. It really is a punishment, but I know for me, it’s currently about safety. I remind myself that I can do anything if I put my mind to it. Cyndi saw that in me when she recruited me, and I won’t let her down.
My lawyer comes to see me in what I think is about two hours later. She tells me that whoever set me up did a great job of it. So far, Ainsley’s team can’t find any traces of who put my electronic footprint on the crime. She’s hopeful that the judge will grant me bail because no one knows about my real job.
My family is not an option and most of my personal money is hidden well. Anyone looking into me would think I’m just your standard middle class girl. The lawyer lets me know that plans are being put in place for a high bail amount sinc
e I can’t pay it myself, and it would be odd for Jane to do it.
“I’m afraid it’s going to be at least one million dollars. Matt wants to pay it himself, but Cyndi thinks she’d be a better option since she’s hired you for events and has also been seen with you.”
“Matt needs to worry more about taking care of himself than taking care of me. Cyndi is probably the best option. But I don’t like the idea of her getting the negative publicity. If I’d had any idea that this might happen to me, I would’ve made sure I had some assets so I could just go to a bail bondsmen.”
“Honestly, Faith, you’re one of the last of the women I would ever expect to end up in jail. You’ve always been so thorough and careful with everything you do. You had no idea you were being targeted?”
“No. None at all. Of course, I was busy dealing with other things.”
“Like Gavin?”
“You know about that, too?”
“In order to help you, I have to know as much as possible. I’ve been given the basics, but I need you to fill me in on whatever you can tell me. Let’s start with the ball, and exactly how you met him.”
I drop my head into my hands and look down at the floor as I tell her everything. She doesn’t seem shocked when I’m done. I don’t know if it’s because she knew most of it already, or because nothing that goes on with us surprises her anymore. She has been the chief counsel for the foundation since it was created.
* * *
Gavin
Fuck if that wasn’t hard. I just got off my Skype with Elizabeth and Selene. They belittled me for not realizing that they were “sacrificing Faith to save my mother.” Selene made some more comments about wanting to get with me—not even if Hell froze over. And they grilled me about my missing time. They finally seemed to believe me and said they expected my mom to sweep everything. When they said they would sneak a few things back in, I reminded them that Faith is in jail. There’s no reason for surveillance now. Just in case, Elizabeth said she was going to spend extra time here with me. Oh joy.
There’s a knock at the door and I open it to let Aiden in. “I need to sweep for bugs in here.”
“Okay. Sure,” I tell him as I play along.
He smiles while taking out a device. “You can talk freely now. This just scrambled everything in the room. Ainsley’s little friends will take care of the rest.”
“Ainsley’s friends?”
I get another smile as he reaches into his pocket and removes a bunch of dust. Or at least I think that’s what it is. Until he throws it at the wall and it starts spreading out. He takes another handful and tosses it into my bedroom. One last bunch goes into the bathroom. I know I must still look confused because he takes pity on me.
“Nanobots, man. They’re programmed to find the bugs and destroy them.”
“There’s technology that does that?”
“Not any that’s out there on the market. Ainsley likes to make new toys for the girls, and sometimes us, to try out.”
“It’s like James Bond.”
“More like Charlie’s Angels, especially with Faith in jail. But yeah. It’s pretty cool. She’s pretty cool.”
“And you kissed her.”
“Actually, she kissed me. To make Taylor jealous when he was acting like an ass.”
“You guys do that a lot then? Pretend to be with the girls?”
“Nah. I mean, we help on mission sometimes, but not as part of a couple. I was just convenient because I was walking by when Ainsley was mad.”
“But Nate was all over Faith.”
“You hurt her. We don’t let anyone hurt them. He wanted you to know you’d fucked up by picking someone else. Because we know there’s no one better than these ten women.”
“So you don’t think they…umm, slept together?”
“No way. Nate’s got his eye on someone else. Well, when he’s not fucking every other woman in sight.”
“Do you have a girlfriend?”
“Hell no. I like variety, too. Well, and a certain brunette. But she’s not ready for me yet.”
“Ellie, huh?” I ask, remembering the way he looked at the beautiful woman with the long brown hair. I know her name from the files I was shown.
“What?”
“I may not be ex-special forces, but I have two eyes. I saw the way you were looking at her in the conference room.”
“Like I said, she’s not ready for me. Now let’s get back to work.”
He takes out his cell phone and calls Ainsley as he walks through all the rooms. When we get back to the living room, I’m a little freaked out to see my cell phone covered in the little bots. Aiden laughs at my wide-eyed expression.
“You really do get used to it.”
“I’m not so sure that I could get used to all of this. All the spy stuff, and secrets.”
“You said you love Faith.”
“I do.”
“Then you’ll adapt. Because if you don’t, you’ll force her to make a choice that has her losing no matter what she decides.”
“I’d hope she’d choose me if it came down to it.”
“And lose everything else in her life.”
“You’d all abandon her?”
“Never. But think about how she’d feel if she was hanging out with us, but couldn’t know what we were doing, or help us. Some women have left, and they’re living happy lives without the foundation and Society, but I don’t think Faith’s made that way.”
“I know you’re right. I’ll adapt. Having a girlfriend who’s a secret agent is pretty hot, actually.”
“She’s not your girlfriend.”
“I know. But she will be. I can’t let her get away.”
“She’s in jail and thinks you’re with someone else.”
“I can’t go see her, can I? Even when she gets out?”
“Not a chance. When we take down the she-devil, you can. But it’ll be up to Faith.”
“Is there any way you can get a letter to her for me?”
“You wrote her a letter?”
“Not yet. But I need to tell her things, and if I can’t see her, that’s the only option I can think of.”
“It’s probably doable. You write it and I’ll see if I can have the lawyer take it to her.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it.”
“You know if you fuck her over again, I’ll kill you. The girls would kill you first. And then Matt and Nate would beat your dead corpse. But I’d at least shoot you.”
“I know. And I’d stand there and let you do it if I hurt her again.”
“We might be friends one day. Not now because Faith has to forgive you first. But if she does, I’ll hang out with you.”
“Thanks.” I think. That didn’t sound like a complete compliment, but then again, I’m thinking the guys only hang out with the girls. And random women, of course. So it’s kind of cool to know at least one of the people Faith loves thinks I might be okay.
“I’ve got to take care of the cars, and the grounds, but I’ll stop back if you think you’ll be done today.”
“I will.”
My eyes widen again as he takes a little pouch from his pants and puts it on the ground. The little bots all climb inside. Aiden laughs as he scoops up the pouch and walks outside.
“Catch you later.”
I sit down to write. It takes me about fifty tries before I feel like it’s good enough. I start a fire and burn the papers that I crumpled up. I’m glad I took the extra precaution since Elizabeth decides that she needs to stop by.
“Hello, darling,” she says as she tries to kiss me.
I dodge her mouth and glare at her. “Business only. There’s no one here for you to try and make jealous.”
“I don’t know. That new security guy your mom hired is pretty hot.”
“Have at him, then.” Aiden would kill me if he knew I sent her his way. It wouldn’t even be worth the fuck—she keeps up the desperate act in bed and despite her efforts to be sexy, it falls shor
t. It’s a wonder my dick stayed hard enough to finish. Granted, I was thinking of swimsuit models instead of her, but still.
“You’re jealous.”
“Umm, no. That’s the last thing I feel when it comes to you. Well, that and love. There’s none of that for you, either.”
“You’re such a charmer.”
“Did you have a reason for bothering me today?”
“We told you I’d be stopping by to try and get some more bugs placed after the sweep.”
“Do what you need to, then leave. I don’t have the patience for you today.”
“We helped you protect your mother. You should show more appreciation.”
“I appreciate that my mom isn’t in jail for something she didn’t do. That doesn’t mean I’m going to fuck you.”
“You’ll be begging.”
“For you to leave? Yes, yes I will.”
She stomps around the pool house while I sit on the couch and pretend to watch the news. Aiden knocks at the door around five and she opens it with a smile. I almost feel sorry for him when she starts putting the moves on him. When she asks him to take out his phone to put her number in it, she doesn’t realize her mistake.
“Dude, has anyone else been in here since I left?”
“I don’t think so. I did go to the main house to get lunch before I wrote some emails.”
I’m hoping that he picks up on me trying to give him a hint that I didn’t leave. He nods, making it look like he’s lost in thought, but I know he got my meaning.
“Well, someone came in here. I haven’t stationed anyone at the gates with detectors yet, so it could’ve been anyone coming through. The app I have on my phone just alerted me there are new bugs. I’ll need to sweep in here again. I’ll make sure to have the detectors set up tonight, so everyone can be monitored.”
“Damn. That really sucks. I’m sorry you have the extra work to do.”
“It’s fine.”
“No, really. I was going to give you a bonus anyway for getting everything done so fast. Now you’ve definitely earned it. Here you go.”
I hand him the envelope and he smiles. “Thanks. It’ll come in handy.”
“I should be going. I’ll see you both tomorrow,” Elizabeth says.
Devouring the SECRET (Corrigan & Co. Book 2) Page 8