Deadly Contact

by Lara Lacombe

  James leaned back in the chair, gritting his teeth as he considered his options. Kelly was definitely a target; that much was certain. She needed protection, but he couldn’t keep her by his side 24/7. A safe house was out—he wasn’t about to let others do the watching for him. Besides, he wasn’t convinced Caleb didn’t know the locations of the safe houses. Given today’s events, he wasn’t about to take any more chances with Kelly’s life.

  That left one alternative, one he knew she wouldn’t be happy about. His apartment. It was the only place he was confident was secure, where he’d be able to keep her safe. Taking her home with him was completely against protocol, but what Carmichael didn’t know wouldn’t hurt him. Besides, given Carmichael’s earlier behavior, James didn’t feel a need to provide a detailed update on Kelly’s position. The fewer people who knew where she was, the more protected she would be.

  He’d need to leave a convincing trail, something for Caleb and his men to follow that would keep them off her scent. Having the officers and the doctor report them as DOA had bought them a few hours, but Caleb would see through that and would start looking for her again. Who could he trust to help him keep Kelly safe while he led the bad guys off course?

  Right away, a name popped into his head: Thomas. No question about it. The man was an excellent agent, but more important, he knew his way around a computer. In the few months they’d been sitting next to each other, they’d gotten to be friends of a sort, and he knew he’d be able to trust Thomas with this little secret.

  Satisfied that he now had the makings of a plan, James shifted again, leaning to the side and propping his head on the corner of the chair back. It would be several hours yet until morning, and he needed to be sharp for tomorrow. Closing his eyes, he deliberately pushed out images of Kelly, bloodied and moaning in pain, and tried to focus on the rhythmic sound of her breathing. Gradually, his body relaxed and he drifted off into a light, unsatisfying sleep.

  Chapter 7

  It was ten in the morning before they released her. James wasn’t quite sure why it took so long, since the doctor poked his head in around seven and pronounced her fit to leave. Apparently, discharges required a lot of paperwork.

  Thomas was idling by the entry, pointedly ignoring the glares from the valet parking attendants as he read the paper. He glanced up when James tapped on the window, moving quickly to unlock the doors. James carefully maneuvered Kelly into the backseat. The nurse had given her another dose of pain medication just before her discharge, and she was clumsy with drowsiness.

  He slid in next to her and clapped Thomas on the shoulder. “Good to see you, man. Thanks for coming.”

  Thomas checked the mirror as he steered away from the hospital. “No problem. How you doing?”

  James leaned back against the seat as he considered the question. His side was starting to ache something fierce, and the sleepless night was catching up to him. He wanted nothing more than to fall into bed and sleep for a week, but that wasn’t going to happen.

  “I’ve been better. Been worse, though.”

  “I hear that.”

  Kelly gave up the battle to stay awake and slumped against his shoulder. He lifted his arm and wrapped it around her, securing her to his side. She let out a little sigh and snuggled closer, and her hand reached up to rest on his chest. Her touch made his stomach flip-flop, and his breath caught in his throat.

  He must have made some sound, because he looked up to see Thomas watching them in the rearview mirror, his brow raised in silent question. James frowned and shook his head slightly, which caused the other man to roll his eyes, his disbelief coming through loud and clear.

  James knew how they must look cozied up in the backseat together, her head on his shoulder and his arm draped over her. He couldn’t deny that he still wanted her and that this forced proximity was wrecking havoc with his emotions. He didn’t think Thomas knew about their past, but the other man clearly thought there was something going on between them now. The trouble was, James didn’t think he could make a convincing argument that Kelly was just another asset.

  Deciding discretion was the better part of valor, he changed the subject. “Can you lay a fake digital trail?”

  Thomas met his eyes briefly in the rearview mirror again. “Sure. Why?”

  “She’s still in danger. I want to steer Caleb away from her so I can keep her safe.”

  “Why not just put her in a safe house?”

  James shook his head even though Thomas wasn’t looking at him. “I’m not convinced the locations of our safe houses are secure. This guy has been one step ahead of us the entire time, and I’m not about to drop her into his lap.”

  “Fair enough.” They stopped at a red light, and Thomas turned around to look at them. “Where exactly am I taking you guys, then?”

  James met his gaze, determined to keep his expression neutral. “My place.”

  Thomas shook his head and faced forward again, but not before James saw the faint smile on the other man’s face.

  “Playing fast and loose with the rules, I see.”

  “You got a better idea?” James shot back. He knew he sounded defensive, but at the moment he didn’t care.

  “No, no,” Thomas replied, holding up a hand. “This is your op, so we’ll do things your way.”

  “Thanks,” James muttered.

  They spent the rest of the drive in silence, interrupted only by James giving Thomas directions to his condo. Traffic was light, and it wasn’t long before Thomas pulled into the parking garage and killed the engine.

  “Let’s get you both upstairs,” he said, climbing out of the driver’s side.

  James glanced down at Kelly’s peaceful expression. She was totally relaxed, warm and boneless against his side, and he hated to disturb her. She was still too pale for his liking. Hopefully she would go back to sleep once they got her upstairs, since she clearly needed the rest.

  “Kelly,” he said softly, shaking her a little.

  She opened her eyes, only to stare up at him with an unfocused gaze before her eyelids slowly lowered again.

  He tried another time, saying her name a little louder. “We’re here, baby,” he added.

  She blinked up at him once more. Then her face lit up with a beatific smile that hit him like a punch to the gut. “James,” she breathed.

  He couldn’t help but smile back. “Hey,” he whispered.

  She reached up with her hand, cupping his face in her palm and pulling him down. Before he realized her intention, her lips were pressed against his, warm and soft.

  His brain short-circuited at the contact, all rational thought deserting him as he let himself get caught up in the sensation of her mouth. She kissed him with drowsy abandon, her lips parting and her tongue darting out to administer teasing licks.

  More, he thought, needing to taste her. He slid his tongue into her mouth, kissing her deeply as he sought the contact he craved. He’d been so lonely the past few months, but now she was here, with him, and it felt so right to be kissing her again. Better than ever before.

  She arched up, pressing herself against his chest, and he groaned at the feel of her breasts. What he wouldn’t give to feel them again, to let the soft weight of one fill his palm as he caressed her. His hand moved of its own accord, sliding down her back and around her side. Just a few more inches...

  The sudden tap on the glass next to his head poured cold water over his heated arousal. Kelly jerked back with a gasp, her hand covering the wet sheen of her lips.

  “Who is that man?” she asked, her face flaming. She looked down, fiddling with her clothes—something James had come to realize she did when nervous.

  James cleared his throat before responding, feeling a little embarrassed himself. Christ, he had just been making out in the backseat of a car with an asset in front of another agent! Could he possibly be any more unprofessional?

  “That’s Special Agent Thomas Kincannon. I work with him, and he picked us up from the hospital
.”

  Kelly nodded, still not looking up. “I see.”

  “Uh, why don’t you give me a minute? I’m going to talk to him, and then I’ll take you up.”

  “Okay.”

  He climbed out of the car and took a few steps to stand by Thomas, who had thoughtfully walked away and was standing with his back to the car.

  “Sorry,” the other man said as James approached. “I wanted to give you guys privacy, but it looked like things were heating up rather than winding down.”

  James ran a hand through his hair. They had been heating up indeed. “No, it’s no problem. I’m glad you knocked.”

  Thomas cast a quick glance over his shoulder. “She okay?”

  “Yeah. Just a little embarrassed.”

  Thomas nodded his head. “Anything you want to tell me?”

  James let the question hang there for a moment. Did he want to share the details of his past with Kelly? No. But Thomas deserved an explanation, and it was probably the only way to avoid getting written up and taken off the case.

  “We were together once. A few months ago. We used to be friends.”

  “Used to be?” Thomas’s voice was neutral, but James could practically feel the other man’s curiosity.

  “Yeah. It didn’t really work out.” And that was all he was willing to say about the subject. No way was he going to rehash the details while standing in a parking garage, of all places.

  “Well, if what I just saw back there is any indication, I’d say you might want to give it another shot.”

  James shook his head. “I don’t think so. That was probably the painkillers talking, not her.”

  Thomas snorted. “Think what you want, man. But I’ve been around women on painkillers before, and they’ve never tried to suck my face off like that.”

  James narrowed his eyes at the other man, which had Thomas raising his hands with a laugh. “I’m just saying.”

  “Look. Could you maybe not report this? I need to stay on the case, and I don’t want Carmichael to pull me because he’s pissed about our...contact.”

  Thomas smiled, the expression making him look like a mischievous choirboy. “What contact? I didn’t see any contact.”

  James stuck out his hand, relief lightening his mood considerably. “Thanks. I owe you one.”

  Thomas shook it. “You owe me several, but who’s counting?”

  “Fair enough.” James turned to head back to the car, but Thomas’s hand on his shoulder made him pause.

  “Why don’t you give me your keys, let me check out the apartment before you bring her up?” He nodded in the direction of the car. “That’ll give her a few minutes to get over her embarrassment at being interrupted.”

  James fished the keys out of his pocket. “Thanks. I appreciate it.”

  “No problem. Grab the bag out of the trunk on your way up, would you? I stopped by her place before heading to the hospital and grabbed some clothes for her.”

  James shook his head. “I hadn’t even thought about that. I’m glad you’re here, picking up the slack for me.”

  Thomas grinned. “We’ll let this one slide, seeing as how you got shot and all.” With that, he turned and headed into the building.

  James walked back to the car and slid into the backseat again. Kelly glanced up at him, her expression guarded. Clearly, their moment of intimacy was over.

  “Where are we? Is this a safe house?”

  “Not exactly,” he hedged, searching for the right words to explain his plan.

  She raised a brow, clearly expecting him to elaborate.

  “I’ve brought you someplace safe. Someplace off the grid.”

  “And that place would be where?”

  He was just going to have to tell her. “My place.”

  “What?” The word was a shrill outburst that made him wince. “You’ve got to be kidding me! How is this place safe?”

  “First of all, I had the police report you as dead and the hospital admit you under a false name. Second—” he held up another finger “—Thomas is going to lay a false trail for the bad guys to follow. And finally—” up went the third finger “—no one will think to look for you here. It’s completely against protocol, and I have a reputation for doing things by the book. My team, with the exception of Thomas, doesn’t know where you are, so on the off chance there is a mole, they won’t know where I’ve stashed you. Add to that the building security and the fact that either Thomas or I will be with you at all times, and you’re going to be pretty safe.”

  She glared at him as she sat with her back against the opposite door. “Please. Your address is public record. Do you honestly think they won’t come looking for me here?”

  He shrugged. “How will they find you? After we get you inside, you’re not leaving until the danger has passed.”

  “So now I’m your prisoner?” Her tone was icy and deadly calm. The lingering warmth from their earlier kiss vanished, leaving a decided chill in its wake.

  “It’s not like that.” He scrambled, knowing he had fumbled the presentation. She was truly angry now, and he had to work fast to ensure her cooperation.

  “I’m not going to let another man control me,” she continued, ignoring him. Her jaw took on a stubborn set as she folded her arms across her chest.

  “Another man? What do you mean by that?”

  Her composure slipped for an instant, her cool facade cracking the tiniest bit. Even though he knew it wasn’t fair, James pounced on the momentary display of weakness.

  “Who’s tried to control you before, Kelly?”

  “No one.” She shook her head, rallying to rebuild her defenses in the face of his question.

  “Did someone hurt you before?” he pressed. A series of memories flashed by as he spoke: the way she’d stiffen if he touched her without warning, how she’d moved away when he’d approached her in the lab, the way she’d chafed when he’d given her instructions, her flinching away when he’d raised his hand. Moments that had nagged at him but he hadn’t examined at the time. Now a picture was forming in his mind as things clicked into place. Had someone physically abused her?

  “Kelly, I—”

  “Let’s go,” she said, twisting around to open the door.

  He quickly climbed out of the car, staring at her over the roof. She wasn’t looking at him; instead she focused very intently on the door to the building. She was clearly trying her best to ignore him, which meant he’d touched a nerve.

  He collected the bag from the trunk and motioned her forward. Falling into step beside her, he said softly, “This discussion isn’t over.”

  She didn’t break stride or look at him, but he saw her shoulders stiffen. “There’s nothing to talk about.”

  Oh, yes, there was. But he was content to wait.

  For now.

  * * *

  Caleb paced the hotel room, limping slightly from the wound in his thigh. He had underestimated Kelly yesterday, and her little stunt with the cart had slowed him down. The shard of glass he’d pulled out of his leg had been long and lethal-looking, but fortunately it had missed vital parts. Now the pain was a welcome distraction from his thoughts.

  Could this operation go any worse?

  He didn’t think so. His plan had been simple: take Kelly in, using the gun if necessary. When he’d heard the FBI agent’s voice in the hall, he’d adapted, intending to take him out so Kelly would be easier to grab. A good plan, but the execution had been sorely lacking. Not only had he missed the FBI agent, he’d hit Kelly instead.

  She had looked pale and groggy this morning as she’d left the hospital. He’d kept his distance, using binoculars to watch the agent escort her to a car and help her into the backseat. Then he’d climbed in next to her, putting a proprietary arm around her shoulder as a redheaded man drove them away.

  She wasn’t dead, which was the good news. The problem was, he’d tipped his hand when it came to her, and she was now under heavy guard. If the grim look of determination o
n the FBI agent’s face had been any indication, it would be even more difficult to get to her now. He’d put out feelers, having his men check all the known safe-house locations, but that was eating up precious time. Time he didn’t have.

  His boss would be calling soon.

  Think, he had to think. Had to come up with a way to salvage things so he wouldn’t be blamed. He sank down onto the bed, fisting his hands in the scratchy bedspread. Maybe it was time for him to disappear. After all, if a middle-aged scientist could dodge the organization, maybe he could, too.

  A blast of cold air from the wall unit danced over the back of his neck, causing him to shiver. No, running wasn’t the answer. It would only anger his employer, and it would make things much worse for him in the end. He took a deep breath, deliberately relaxing his hands. He smoothed out the wrinkles in the spread, trying to clear his mind of the thoughts whirring around, zinging to and fro like a flock of birds.

  He had two options: find Collins or try to get Jarvis again. After his bungled kidnapping attempts, he probably wouldn’t be able to get close enough to grab her. Besides, based on what Collins had told him, she really didn’t know about the project. Oh, he could bring her up to speed, but that would take time, and she would likely refuse to cooperate. He could “convince” her, but he didn’t have the luxury of time. Besides, he mused, it would be a shame to mar that pretty skin of hers....

  Better to focus his energy on finding Collins, he decided, massaging his temples with his fingertips to stave off a burgeoning headache. But where would the man go? They had eyes on his home, had checked nearby hotels and had even gone so far as to check out his niece’s place in New York. So far, nothing.

  He’d spoken with George’s friends, all four of them. From all accounts, Collins was a quiet man who was never far from his wife’s side. She was the key, Caleb decided. He’d threatened her to ensure Collins’s cooperation, but he should have taken her to make Collins stick around and finish the job.