by A. L Long
I looked over to Peter, shocked that he would consider me the man to go inside. Accepting his decision, I asked, “So, what kind of criminal am I, then?”
Looking over to me, he stated, “We need to mark you with a crime bad enough to warrant the need to have your identity erased. Possibly a murderer or a drug lord, your choice. I’m sure you would be able to come up with something suitable.”
“Geez, boss, could you make it any harder?”
What Peter was proposing was going to take some thought. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to be any of those. I certainly knew that I didn’t want to be known as a murderer. Being a drug lord was beginning to look better and better. Sitting in my chair tenser than an hour ago, not only did I have to figure out what kind of wanted criminal I was going to be, I also had to figure a way to access the security room in order to hack into the system. Giving us each a layout of the facility didn’t help either. It was clear by looking at the building plans that the residents of the facility were on one side of the building while the security room was on the other. I just couldn’t see how I was going to be able to get from one side to the other without being noticed. The security there was unbelievable. The resident area was separated into sections and each section was accessed by a steel door, which required a key card. Having a key card would have been the easiest way to get from point A to point B. The question was, “How do we get our hands on one?” The only other option was through the venting system, but since the layout didn’t show it, it might be just as difficult to get.
Thinking this through, the ultimate scenario would be for a couple of the guys to impersonate security officers and be granted key cards, which I could then replicate and use to gain access. This, again, was going to take some thought. Rubbing my head in frustration, I looked at Peter and asked, “How am I going to get from the resident area to the security room? It is on the other fucking side of the building, Hewitt.”
“I’ve been thinking about that as well, Chavez. I can’t let you go inside alone to handle this, nor would I ever want you to. What we need to do is have a couple of the guys inside to cover you. This is where Cop and Sly come in. If they pose as security guards, they would be able to get you the access you need. We have also come up with a plan to incorporate Nikki into the mix, posing as your plaything,” Peter explained.
At least we were on the same page. As far-fetched as the plan was, it might actually work. With Ash, Cop, and now Nikki inside, the four of us should be able to figure out a way to get to the security room. If nothing else, with Nikki’s drop-dead looks, she should be able to coax at least one of the men to do anything she wanted.
When the meeting was finally over, three hours later, we had somewhat devised a plan. The only thing left to do was present it to Gabrielle and see how much she was going to tear it apart. Even though I didn’t know her that well yet, I was pretty sure she was going to rip it to shreds. No way was she going to allow us to take the lead in this operation while she sat back and watched. If I knew her, she would want to be front and center and right there where the action was going to be. I actually wouldn’t mind if she took Nikki’s place in the plan. Having to role play would be something I would definitely look forward to with her.
CHAPTER FOUR
Gabrielle
It was Friday morning and I had never been more nervous than now. I would be meeting with Jagged Edge, which meant that I would be coming face to face with Chavez. I needed to think of him as any other man, only I couldn’t, because he was much more than any man I had ever met.
Gathering my thoughts and pushing them to the back of my head, I needed to focus on nothing else but the operation. Heading into the bathroom to get ready for what could ultimately be the best day of my life or the worst, I began stripping off my clothes.
As I turned on the faucet to the shower, I just stared at the pulsating water as it bounced off of the tile floor. I was taken from my fixation on the water when I heard the sound of my cell blaring in the other room. I knew, based on the “Who Are You” ringtone, that it had to be somebody from FBI headquarters. Wrapping a towel around my naked body, I approached the nightstand where I had left my phone to charge the night before.
Swiping my index across the phone icon, I greeted the caller and said, “Agent Jackson,” while I waited for a response from the other end.
“Jackson, it’s Delaney. Need you at the FBI office ASAP,” he demanded, his voice cracking on the other end.
Before I could ask why, the line went dead. I had no idea that was going on, but based on the call, it had to have been something pretty important for Delaney to be calling this early in the morning. Turning the water off in the shower, knowing that there would be no time since ASAP meant now to Delaney, I removed my towel and slipped on my trousers, a lacy cami, and a white shirt. Since make-up wasn’t a necessity either at this point, I pulled my hair back into a pony and wrapped it around my finger to create a somewhat presentable bun before securing it with hair pins. Grabbing my suit coat, my firearm, and my purse, I was out the door and on my way to the elevator fifteen minutes later.
As I waited for the elevator, I wondered what could have been so important that this meeting had been moved up. One thing about working for the FBI, there was never a dull moment. I never knew from day to day what kind of surprises would come up. I guess that was one of the reasons I loved this job so much.
~****~
Heading into the FBI headquarters building and straight to the elevator, I noticed the men of Jagged Edge Security entering the building. It wasn’t hard to spot them considering each one of them looked like Mr. Olympia competitors, exhibiting their hard, lean bodies. It made me wonder just how many hours were spent at the gym to create such gorgeous physiques.
As I entered the elevator, all I could do was hope that the door would close before they reached them. As I pounded on the close door button, the door began to close and I looked to the heavens thankful that I had made it, or so I thought, until a strong hand slipped between the door and frame, causing it to slide open. Never had I seen a more gorgeous smile than the one Chavez was giving me as he stepped inside the car. Looking straight at me, he took his place beside me, which gave my body a tingle, sending an uncontrollable sensation between my legs.
Tilting his head sideways, he said, “Morning, beautiful,” as he adjusted the ball cap that he was wearing that had the Boston Red Sox logo on it.
Since he was a good seven inches taller than me, I looked up to him and replied, giving him a smile of my own, “Morning.”
I was pretty sure that they knew what his presence was doing to me by the way my voice cracked. The air in the elevator all of a sudden became very warm and I began fidgeting with my shirt trying to readjust my girls as they unknowingly began to reveal themselves. I knew the minute I walked out of the Excelsior Hotel that I should have chosen a different shirt to wear, but I didn’t want to take the time to search for another since it was urgent that I get here as quickly as possible. My saving grace was putting on the lace cami underneath. It kept me from having what could have been a very embarrassing moment if the buttons of my shirt decided to pop open.
When the elevator door opened, I was off in a flash. All I wanted to do was get away from these alphas and seated in the conference room, where I would be able to hide behind my laptop computer. Making my way past seven men was not an easy task, and I realized that being the first one off might not have been one of my best decisions, especially considering they were now all behind me and I was pretty sure they were getting an eye full as they watched my ass sway with every step I took. With the ‘mmms’ going on behind me, my bad choice was confirmed.
Keeping my head forward and knowing they were within speaking distance, I pushed my chest out and said, “Eyes off my ass, fellas.”
I knew they heard me when one of the men replied with a, “Yes, ma’am,” behind me. I would know that voice anywhere. It was Chavez, and he seemed to be a little too happy that I knew.
Although I entered the conference room first, Delaney was already seated at the head of the large table. He must have been here for a while. He had scribbled a few things on the white board behind him and also taped up what looked to be a map.
Clearing his throat, he looked up and said, “Men, please take your seats. We have a lot to cover,” His voice was demanding and louder than normal as he got everyone’s attention.
Confused by the reason behind the meeting, I looked at where he was seated and asked, “What is this about, sir?” More than being confused, I was a little perturbed that he didn’t give any indication what this meeting was about when he called us together this morning.
As soon as the room quieted, he began. “There have been some new developments on Gateway that could be a concern for this operation.”
At first, there was a little chatter among the team, but then the room fell silent. All attention was drawn to the beautiful woman that entered the conference room. She couldn’t have been much older than me. Her hair was blonde and her eyes were a sapphire blue. It would have been better if she didn’t remove her sunglasses when she entered the room. The blue in her eyes looked like they could cut you like a knife. What really got my attention about this woman was the way she was dressed. Her clothes were designer, no doubt, and the large bag she was carrying with the Michael Kors logo on it was an indication that she had money. Based on her age, it was more than likely she either had very wealthy parents or she inherited a fortune.
“I know you are all wondering who this is. I would like to introduce Ms. Kataryna Laurent,” Delaney said with an ear-to-ear grin of lust.
She was very attractive, I had to admit, but not so much to warrant the look that every man in the conference room had. Even Chavez was salivating at the mouth. While the men were watching her swing her hips, thinking she was being sexy, she took her place next to Chavez. I thought for sure he was going to fall out of his seat the way he quickly got up to assist her. Although it was very gentlemanly, I was laughing inside at the way he was stumbling all over her. I wasn’t sure who this Kataryna Laurent was, but one thing I did know was she was trouble with a capital ‘T.’ When she began speaking my instincts were confirmed.
In a sultry French accent, she addressed the men. “Bonjour. Many of you do not know me, but may be familiar with my father. His name is Elliott Crawford.”
The minute she said his name, my heart began to pound like it was going to pop right out of my chest. I was all too familiar with that name; so was every hard-working small business owner, especially the ones that worked so hard to make a name for themselves in America. It was the Italian and Russian citizens that were hit the hardest. I was only ten when everything in New York began to change. A lot of the businesses depended on the import of their supplies from freight liners that docked at the Port of New York/New Jersey. All of that ceased and it caused many small businesses to shut their doors. No products to sell, no business. It was proven that Elliott Crawford was responsible. It was also proven that he was responsible for many deaths. The FBI had him in custody until he escaped. It was very well planned. The best they could figure out was that he was given a guard’s uniform and walked out of the state prison where he was being held and nobody was the wiser. That happened fifteen years ago, long before I became an FBI agent, and to this day he had never been seen nor spoken of, at least not until now.
Tapping my pen against the wood surface of the conference table, I was beyond agitated with this woman. “So what does your father have to do with this meeting, Ms. Laurent?”
“I have reason to believe that my father is alive and well in New York City. A man approached me two days ago while I was having lunch at the Lafayette Grand Café. There was something about him that seemed familiar, but I couldn’t figure out what until he called me “Chaton.” The only person that ever called me that was my father. The man who walked up to me was like my father in so many ways except one. He didn’t look like him at all. The face wasn’t his,” she confessed.
“So why did you come forth to the FBI?” I questioned.
“I want you to find him. Even though he is my father, for what he did to all those people… he needs to pay,” she responded.
I didn’t believe her for one minute. If it was my father, I could never turn him in like that. There had to be another reason she was here. “Ms. Laurent, why would you want to help the FBI find your father? It doesn’t make sense, and I’m sorry, but I just don’t buy it.”
“Ta salope. You don’t know me and my reasons are just as I said. It took a lot for me to come here and share what I know.” Taking a note from her fancy purse, she threw it on the table and hissed, “Do whatever you want with this information. I don’t care.”
Her face was beet red as she pushed from her chair and headed to the door. I may have overstepped my authority, but this woman was as phony as a three-dollar bill. If I wasn’t already pissed off enough by her performance, Chavez rose from his seat and went after her. My temperature began to boil as I reached for the note she threw on the table in front of me. Reading to myself, ‘Please meet me at Grand Central Station, 4:00 p.m., and I will tell you everything,’ I still wasn’t completely convinced that Ms. Laurent was sincere about finding her father, but it did have me wondering. Why else would she share a note telling her where to meet him and what time?
CHAPTER FIVE
Chavez
Even though Gabrielle was absolutely breathtaking, the woman that entered the conference was like a goddess. Her standards were clearly above any man in this room. If I had to guess, she probably only dated men with money and power. One thing I knew was that I couldn’t let her leave the conference room thinking that she had no place to go. We were all professionals, but I had to admit, Gabrielle’s comment was a little harsh. Since no one else was making a move, I knew that I had to do something.
Opening the door, I could see Kataryna standing by the elevator waiting for it to arrive. I could tell by the way she looked that she was upset. Tapping her on the shoulder to get her attention, I said in a sympathetic voice. “Don’t let what Gabrielle said get to you. She can be a bitch sometimes, like you said. Luckily she doesn’t understand French.”
“Then I’m sure you know what ‘Va te faire foutre’ means,” Kataryna hissed, pounding on the down button.
“Wow, you really are pissed. I am not going to fuck off, but I will walk you out.” This woman was more of a firecracker than Gabrielle and just as sexy, if not more.
When the elevator door opened, I guided Kataryna inside by placing my hand on the curve of her lower back. There was a moment when I thought a good spank on the ass was in order, but I refrained. The bedroom would be a much better place to discipline this little minx. Pressing the bottom floor, I stood behind Kataryna and admired the view as the elevator descended. She was definitely a fine specimen of a woman.
When we hit the lobby, I was surprised when she turned towards me and asked, “Why are you being so nice to me? People tend to dislike me.”
“I believe that on occasion everyone needs someone in their corner, and right now I think you could use a friend.”
“I don’t have friends. It would be nice to have at least one,” she admitted as she lowered her head.
As we stepped outside the building there was a white Bentley SUV waiting next to the curb, which I presumed was her ride. The driver, who was dressed in a black suit, rounded the front of the car and opened the back passenger door. Before Kataryna got in the car, she handed me a card and said, “I hope you will call me. I would like very much to thank you for being so kind.”
Tipping my head, I kissed her gently on the cheek and said, “You can count on it.”
She gave me an amazing smile before she slipped inside the car. I stepped back from the curb and watched the driver pulled away. Noticing the license plate, I had to laugh to myself when I read the word ‘CHIENNE’ on the plate. It did seem appropriate, in a way. Maybe ‘DÉESSE’ woul
d have been a better word, because she truly was a goddess.
~****~
When I got back to the conference room, everyone was pretty much gone except Gabrielle, who was working diligently on her computer. I was pretty sure she knew that I had entered the room, but was pretending that I hadn’t. Taking a seat beside her, I crossed my leg, placing my ankle on my knee, and leaned back in my chair. I could tell by the way her face was beginning to tense that something was going on with her.
Leaning forward to break the ice, I asked, “So where did everybody go?”
Looking over to me, she rolled her eyes, which by the way, I hated. “If you would have stuck around instead of taking off after that fake bitch, you would know.”
Slamming the lid down to her laptop, she stood from her chair, heading to the conference room door. My male instinct must have kicked in, because no sooner than she was out of her seat, I had her in my arms. Looking into those intense, gorgeous eyes, I lowered my head to place my lips upon hers. My efforts were shunned the minute Gabrielle turned her head, but that was not going to stop the feel of her lips pressed to mine. Placing my hand on her chin, I moved it gently towards me and captured her mouth with mine. It wasn’t long after that her lips parted, allowing me to explore the depths of her warmth.