Executive Bodyguard (The Enforcers)

by Debra Webb

  Any kind of leak could cause a major setback. One on the level Marsh represented would be devastating.

  That kind of publicity coupled with the faction working against the president could destroy Center altogether. One way or another they had to discover what Marsh had been up to and with whom. Equally important, they had to protect the president. If her enemies gained power, the fight would be lost. O’Riley feared that Vice President Redmond may have sold out to the same group the former president had gone into collusion with. Whatever else happened, they had to keep that bastard out of the Oval Office.

  The Collective wouldn’t give the word to take him out without indisputable evidence of his guilt. That wouldn’t be easy. O’Riley laughed, a self-deprecating sound. How the hell could they possess the most highly skilled technicians and analysts on the planet and still not be able to solve a mystery so simple?

  Someone had killed Daniel Archer, the scientist who’d helped make the Enforcers a success, in an attempt to steal his secrets. Center had been successful in uncovering part of the traitorous scheme. Former UN Secretary General Donald Thurlo had been taken out of the picture. One of Daniel Archer’s closest family friends had also been revealed as a traitor. He had admitted that he’d been working with Joseph Marsh in an attempt to steal Archer’s files on his super-gene research better known as the Eugenics Project. Now Marsh was dead. Their investigation had hit a brick wall. How could Center possess such power, such genius and not be able to solve a puzzle so seemingly simple?

  Winslow would ask that same question.

  Too bad O’Riley didn’t have an answer for him.

  Safe House

  48 Hours Remaining

  AFTER THE morning briefing Caroline reviewed and signed the necessary documents her secretary had had couriered over by Rupert. She tucked the documents into the pouch and looked up at her senior advisor.

  Happiness stretched across her lips for the first time in a long time. Justin didn’t remember the awful ultimatum she’d given him and he appeared desperate to make things right. She wasn’t ready to trust that possibility just yet, but she wasn’t going to rule it out completely either. She wanted a real marriage…children. Her life with Justin would be the quickest solution to the problem. And it wasn’t as if she didn’t care for her husband. She was certainly attracted to him on a whole new level now. Perhaps absence really did make the heart grow fonder.

  “Rupert, I’m really pleased with the progress your suggestions helped to bring about. The bill zipped through with hardly a snag. You were right on all counts.”

  He nodded an acknowledgment of the compliment. “Thank you, Madam President. I can’t take full credit, however. A little bird told me how desperate they were to get that particular budget passed. The anti-smoking reform was scarcely noticed. If all goes as planned, health-care providers will be required to provide more aggressive coverage for kicking the smoking habit. Burying that kind of reform deep in the budget of a more popular, complex bill is always a good strategy.”

  A very good thing in Caroline’s opinion. But there were those who didn’t want to pay for smokers’ rehabilitation. Stupidly they’d rather pay for the numerous diseases years of smoking wrought while lining their pockets with under-the-table funds from lobbyists supporting the various tobacco and alcohol industries. Any American addicted to drugs of any sort, alcohol and tobacco included, should have the help needed to kick the habit.

  “How are things with Justin?” Rupert inquired nonchalantly. “If…I may ask.”

  Caroline knew there was nothing nonchalant about the question. He was worried about her…still, though she’d slept soundly the past two nights in her husband’s arms. Heat seared through her instantly as she remembered that kiss. The way his mouth had claimed hers…the feel of his tongue as he’d explored blatantly. She’d felt his body harden against her. He’d wanted to do more than kiss her…she’d wanted more as well. A shiver swept over her skin. She still wanted more. All of it was so wholly out of character.

  “Things are well, Rupert,” she said in all honesty. Yes, there were issues that remained, but all in all, things were better.

  The look of relief that flooded his expression made her heart glad for such a dear friend. “I’m very glad to hear that, as I am sure your mother will be.”

  Guilt immediately plagued her. It had been two days and she hadn’t even called her mother. Of course, she’d known Rupert would keep her mother informed, but that wasn’t the same thing.

  “I’ll call her today,” she said, an apology in her tone. “It’s just been so hectic.”

  “She understands that,” Rupert assured her. “How could she have lived all those years with your father and not have understood the frenzy of political life?”

  “True,” Caroline admitted. Her entire life had been one long, harried roller-coaster ride. But it had been one she wouldn’t trade for anything. It was, apparently, in her genes.

  “So tell me,” she ventured, feeling particularly intrigued, “how is Mother?”

  Rupert blushed and shifted in his chair. “You know your mother and I will always be close, Madam President.”

  Caroline laughed. She hadn’t actually expected to get any more than that. “Of course.” She gave her old friend a look that said “Drop the Madam President crap.”

  “But,” Rupert ventured, obviously deciding to take her less-than-subtle silent advice, “if more were to come of it, how would you feel about that?”

  The unexpected question surprised her…no, it startled her. Was Rupert finally going to make a real play for her mother? Had ten years been long enough for her mother to grieve the loss of her first true love? Yes. Absolutely. More than long enough.

  “Immensely relieved,” Caroline said bluntly. “It’s past time the two of you got on with your lives.”

  A smile tickled one corner of her old friend’s mouth. “I suppose you’re right, but I’m not sure your mother sees it that way.”

  “Give her a push,” Caroline suggested. “She won’t resist for long.” She knew her mother as well as any daughter could. Lora Mattson loved Rupert Downy. She always had, in a way. Her failure to act on that emotion, which had clearly grown over the years, was only due to her undying respect for the husband she’d lost. She hadn’t been ready to put the past behind her. Perhaps with a bit of prodding, Rupert could make that happen now. It would please Caroline immensely for her mother to be happily married again.

  Perhaps she was finally going to have the opportunity herself. Slow down, Caroline, she ordered. She had to take this slowly or risk shattering her heart completely.

  “Well.” Rupert stood. “I should be on my way.”

  Caroline rose and handed him the pouch. “Be safe.”

  “You needn’t worry. Levitt and Copeland are making sure of that. They won’t let anyone close to this place. My driver had to rendezvous with their security detail about twenty-five miles from here. Then the diversionary route took a full hour. If I understood Copeland right, they have dozens of variations of those routes. No one gets brought in or out the same way twice.”

  Copeland and Levitt were thorough. The best of the best. If anyone could protect her, they could. “Enjoy your drive back to civilization then.”

  She skirted her desk and gave Rupert a quick hug. That was one good thing about working from a remote location, she didn’t have to stand so carefully on formality.

  “Give my best to Justin,” he offered as they strode to the door of her office.

  “I’ll do that.” Caroline wondered as she watched Rupert go where Justin had been this morning. His side of the bed had been cold when she’d awakened. After coffee and a Danish she’d closed herself up in her office for the usual briefings and then Rupert had arrived. She glanced at the clock, 11:00 a.m. What had he been doing with himself all this time?

  She closed the door and walked slowly back to her desk. Perhaps he’d had business to attend to as well. A smaller office, complete with eve
rything he would need was housed on this floor as well. Justin had likely taken possession of that one.

  It hadn’t crossed her mind to ask him if he planned to step back into his role as partner at his computer company or even if he felt up to going back to work. Funny she hadn’t thought of that. In fact, she hadn’t considered any of the repercussions of his return other than that of their personal relationship. His estate hadn’t been probated, since a body had not been found, and she hadn’t pursued official proceedings, so that wasn’t an issue, but there were other things. She’d had his wardrobe and other personal items stored. She would need to see that they were relocated to their bedroom at the White House. The small wardrobe that had been supplied for them during their stay here would certainly never be enough. And Justin would want his things returned to their proper place. He’d always been a stickler for organization.

  She hadn’t actually wanted to store his things, but she’d had no other closure in the matter, so she’d done it. Now it seemed premature. She couldn’t change that she’d taken the step, she could, however, reverse that step.

  Not wanting to put the task off a moment longer, she made the necessary calls, including one to her mother. As she sat down at her desk her private line rang. She frowned when the caller identification display remained blank. Had Rupert forgotten something? Would his secure cellular number not show up on the unit’s readout? Since they had arrived, the only time that line had rung was for the morning briefings or whenever Rupert called. Had his number shown up before? She hadn’t noticed.

  Gingerly she reached for the receiver, then chastised herself for behaving so foolishly. It wasn’t going to bite her. “Hello,” she said expectantly.

  “Caroline…”

  Fear slammed into her chest. Why would Justin be calling her? He was…here… He wouldn’t need to call.

  “Justin?”

  “Help me…”

  The voice trailed off with those two anguished words.

  “Justin!”

  A succession of clicks then the dial tone echoed in her ear. She stared at the receiver, her heart thudding painfully. Had someone kidnapped him…was he lost on the vast property?

  She didn’t wait for her brain to analyze and evaluate the possibilities. “Agent Copeland!” she shouted as she raced toward the door. He would be right outside. Never more than a few feet away.

  “Agent—”

  The door burst open two seconds before she reached it. “Madam President?” Copeland filled the doorway, his weapon palmed, his gaze immediately taking in the room around her.

  “Where’s Justin?” she asked, fighting the hysteria climbing into her throat. She’d only just gotten him back. Things were…different…better. She didn’t want to lose him again. They finally had a chance. The memory of that kiss…of the way he’d made her feel made her want to weep.

  Two more agents joined their superior, weapons drawn.

  “Get me a twenty on Mr. Winters,” Copeland said into his communication piece located on his lapel.

  Caroline didn’t hear the response since it would go directly into his earpiece but she watched the changing expressions on his face. The blood roared so loudly in her ears she felt lightheaded with the sound of it, the feel of it coursing through her veins.

  Please, let him be safe…

  Footsteps sounded in the entry hall and Justin was suddenly there, his gaze colliding with hers. “What’s happened?”

  Another agent stood behind him. The one who’d located him, wherever he’d been and given him the news that the president needed him. Not his wife…but the president. No one would ever be so presumptuous as to…

  Her mind was rambling. She pushed away the crazy thoughts. “We need some privacy,” she said to Copeland. “I’ll brief you later.”

  The agent in charge of her security nodded and cleared the room, closing the door behind him.

  Several emotions descended upon Caroline at once with the sound of the door’s latch clicking into place.

  Only a few days ago it had been speculated that she might be losing her grip on reality because of a call like the one she’d just received. Because of a letter no one had seen but herself and the vice president, who now denied any such knowledge. The caller had been her husband, Justin. She knew his voice. Had known him for more than twenty years. No one could be that good…it had to be his voice.

  Until the call had come moments ago, she’d forgotten the horror of hearing his voice on those seemingly nonexistent calls. She’d put the missing letter out of her mind. She’d pushed it all away as if it had not happened because it had been easier to do that than to dwell on the other possibilities.

  Her sanity had no longer been in question.

  She closed her eyes and drew in a deep bolstering breath. The phone had rung…she had heard the voice. His voice.

  “What happened?” Justin moved closer, his gaze boring fully into hers as she opened her eyes at the sound of his voice.

  For two beats she couldn’t bring herself to say the words. She knew already how it sounded. How it would make her look. She did not want to go down that path again…but what choice did she have?

  None.

  “Where were you?” she asked trying her level best not to sound suspicious or accusing. Dear God, could he really be capable of hurting her this way? It would all make sense. His sudden change of heart. His long absence then his sudden appearance back from the dead. Could he have been in cahoots all along with those who would like to see her out of office? Or was she simply going off the deep end as Redmond suspected? There was only one way to find out.

  “I was surveying the grounds. Evaluating security.” His expression immediately closed.

  Her suspicions rose in tandem with his reaction to her question. Why would he scrutinize her security? He’d certainly never done such a thing before. What did he know about security? She had professionals like Copeland and Levitt who took care of that. Justin knew the caliber of agents who served her. There was no room for doubt.

  “Why would you do that, Justin?” She folded her arms over her chest and demanded, “Do you have reason to doubt my security detail’s performance?”

  Cain took his time before answering her question. Whatever had happened she was shaken. Badly shaken. And it had something to do with him, which was the reason for the underlying annoyance he heard in her tone. He hadn’t lied when he’d said he was evaluating her security but he hadn’t been that far away. Just outside the house. O’Riley had called him on the secure cellular phone he’d requested from Copeland.

  The call had only lasted a couple of minutes. Not that he’d had to worry about a trace or infiltration. Center scrambled all calls. There simply had been no reason to draw out the call. He’d received the latest intel and his instructions had been amended accordingly.

  Marsh was dead. He could expect the possibility of change in either timeline or strategy. In other words, his mission status had not changed. He remained on the highest state of alert.

  Level VII.

  To his knowledge Center had never gone on Level VII before. Even the indiscretion with Archer had only been Level VI, which indicated a serious breach. With a Level VII, however, imminent disaster was presumed.

  Cain moved closer to Caroline, using his much larger, physical presence to push her into a reaction. “Your life has been threatened. Isn’t that reason enough to distrust anyone and everyone?”

  She didn’t look away as he’d expected her to do when he paused scarcely two feet from her. He hadn’t forgotten that kiss…neither had she, judging by the way her pulse fluttered at the base of her throat and the way her pupils flared. His own body reacted in spite of his tight grip on control. That realization surprised him. He quickly shoved the confusion aside.

  “Why are you doing this?” she asked. Her voice quavered ever so slightly.

  His gaze narrowed as he attempted to read her. He usually found the task quite easy…effortless almost. But not this time
. She’d thrown up a wall between them. Hard as he tried, he couldn’t quite penetrate it.

  “What is it you think I’m doing?” he asked softly, approaching the matter from a blatantly personal direction.

  Her breath hitched as she attempted to fill her lungs. She moistened her lips, then pressed them together for a moment as a new burst of fury flashed in her eyes.

  “You made that call. I know it was you. Don’t try to pretend it wasn’t.”

  He stared directly into the fire in those lovely eyes. Whatever this was about, she thought he was responsible. “What call?” he countered. She couldn’t know about the call from O’Riley. Even if her people had the technology to trace the call he’d received, which they didn’t, it was too soon.

  “Just tell me the truth, Justin.” She lifted her chin and stared back up at him defiantly. “About everything.”

  Chapter Six

  Caroline blinked.

  He didn’t know.

  That was her first impression as she held Justin’s gaze two beats longer. His expression was completely open now, allowing her to see that he truly had no idea what she was talking about.

  Or was that simply what he wanted her to see?

  She wanted to believe him. That realization dawned so swiftly and abruptly that she staggered with the weight of it. She really wanted all of this to be real. His kisses…his promises.

  She was thirty-seven years old! The president of the greatest nation on the planet. And still she could be reduced to a sap by a man who’d never touched her sexually before that day. A man with whom she’d thought she would spend the rest of her life, share her greatest dreams.

  How ironic. No matter what potential one reached, basic human needs never changed. And, by God she would know here and now if he intended to give it to her. If he were in any way responsible for the calls…the note, the threats to her life. The last sent a cold chill skittering over her flesh. Surely Justin would not wish her harm.