Keeping the Spy

by Victoria Pinder

  He nodded, but he stared at her legs. She crossed them and her arms. He gazed up and nodded his head. "I want you to check your entire body for any bruise you might have."

  The day Victor's body fell on her left her with a slew of bruises on her hips and legs. She was healing. She raised her eyebrow. He didn't seem lecherous. She pressed her lips together and asked, "Why?"

  Liam's blue eyes sparkled like he was sorry. "I can't find the tracking devise in your bag."

  "That's good."

  The blue dot on his phone seemed closer to the yellow dot. She assumed they were the yellow as she glanced at his hand. "We should run."

  Joe continued to growl and snap.

  Liam placed the phone in his back pocket. "I think it's inside you. I want to check your skin."

  She covered her lips and shook her head. "What? How does a tracker go inside me? Wouldn't I feel it?"

  He shook his head though his phone made a beep. Her heart raced. They were running out of time, though he acted like they had all the time in the world. He crossed his arms and stared at her. "It's like a grain of rice that can be injected. Personally I usually like to go for someone's foot or fleshy hips."

  Her skin felt electrified, but that was from his stare. She swallowed. It had to be him as she shook her head. "I don't feel anything." Then without another word she lifted the sweats off her leg and rolled it up. "I do have this bruise and another on my hip."

  He knelt on the ground in the hallway and then reached for her leg. His calloused fingers on her calf sent a lightening bolt of awareness through her. She pressed her lips together as he asked, "What happened?"

  She closed her eyes and tried not to think that his touch sent a rush of pleasure through her. She blinked and told herself to get a grip. "Victor fell on me as he died. He was too heavy, that's how this happened."

  Then he pinched her bruise and she gasped for air. Liam held her skin firm as he unpocketed a knife. "Or he stuck you with this tracker."

  His phone beeped constantly but he ignored it. She covered her lips. If she was tracked, then they weren't safe. Victor would do anything to get his way. She uncovered her lips though her chin trembled. "I was breaking up with him."

  "Good, hand me the rubbing alcohol in the cabinet." She didn't say a word. Tears rushed in her eyes that she trusted the wrong person. She should have listened to her instincts. Boredom was not an excuse to date someone who would do this. She handed Liam the alcohol and some tissue. He used it to wipe the blade in his hand. Then he stared at the bruise. "We have one minute or less before they come in and shoot us. I have to get rid of this."

  He didn't move. It felt like time stood still.

  Finally, she licked her lips, lowered her hand, but closed her eyes. "Just do it. Hurry."

  Her body jerked in pain. Blood brushed down her leg, but then she felt Liam's fingers pinch. The feeling made her eyes water and her entire body trembled. She clutched the vanity as Joe's growls became more menacing in her hearing. She felt something scrape against her and she held her instinct to kick. Her lips puckered as she sounded out his name. "Liam..."

  He took a tissue and wrapped the tiny thing he pulled out of her. Then he blew air on his leg like he would a child. Her heart ticked as she stared at him. Her leg no longer screamed in pain. Then he picked up the first aid cream and applied the bandage. He stood and nodded. "Yeah?"

  Unlike her bad choices, Liam had helped her. Her heart thumped and she pushed her hair out of her face. Then she nodded. "Thank you for helping me..."

  His phone beeped out of control. They both ignored it. His blue eyes seemed to call to her soul that she was home again. Then he said, "We're friends."

  Impossible now. She shook her head and averted her gaze. Her face heated as she said, "We were never that."

  He stood at the bathroom door and took up all the room. All she saw was how alone they were. Joe barked furiously.

  Her arms ached to hold Liam. Her lips trembled to kiss him. She stayed still and did nothing. Instead he blinked and asked, "What were we?"

  Her hands clenched at her sides. The noise of his phone pierced through her now. It was like an arrow that cut through her. "You never liked me. That's not exactly the basis for a friendship."

  He pressed his lips together and the intake of his breath left goose bumps on her arms. Then he said, "You misunderstood me."

  The world disappeared. All that mattered was them. She reached out her hand and brushed it against his. "I don't see how."

  He opened his palm and took her fingers in his. His touch was like a magnet that pulled her to him. The smell of pinecones overtook her. "Can we be friends now?"

  "Yes." No. Friend was too tame. His gravelly voice was like a match. She closed her eyes and prepared for a kiss.

  Then a huge bang rang outside the cabin. She opened her eyes as he tugged her out of the bathroom and down the hall. Joe hooted and jumped in the air. She hustled as he said, "Stay with me. We have to get to the door in the kitchen. I have a boat in the bay that's ready to sail."

  She fled into the kitchen, and he waited at the kitchen door. Joe ran at her heels. Liam's hand pressed against her back as she passed him. Then the front door, near where the bathroom, blew open in a blast.

  Her heart raced and she reached out to drag Liam out with her. Instead he turned and pummeled toward the door. Joe jumped to join him. The room felt heavy.

  She didn't move, but then noticed a kitchen knife. She grabbed it and prayed that the attacker didn't have a gun.

  Liam was hit in the face as Joe jumped on the guy and gnawed at his leg. She cringed and then she ran into the house to help him.

  The man kicked him in the groin, and Liam tumbled. He then tried to kick off Joe, but Joe's teeth marred into his skin. Her mind screamed she'd not let Liam or Joe fall dead on top of her too. She pushed her hands on his back as he steadied himself.

  The man tried to jump around him to get to her.

  Liam stood and took the knife out of her hands. She curled her fists into balls the moment she lost the weapon. Then Liam regrouped and tackled the man's waist. Joe jumped on him and the huge man tumbled.

  The small hall worked to his advantage and Liam twisted him around. Joe worked like Liam and he had trained together.

  Sherry refused to stand here. Adrenaline coursed through her now and she surprised them both and kicked the man's neck.

  A second later, Liam grabbed the attackers' neck and squeezed. She pressed her hand on his back because she had to touch Liam to know if he was safe. A moment later the man's body fell to the ground. Last time Liam said the person wasn't dead. Right now, she didn't care.

  "Hurry." Sherry pressed her hand into his shoulder and motioned for him to get up. "I think someone else is here."

  "Likely." He squeezed her hand and stood. "He's alive. He'll wake up from this." Without a blink, he jumped up and placed his hand on her waist. "Run."

  No kidding. The ice in her spine told her they had no time. As they made it to the kitchen door; a shot rang out.

  Screams rang out behind them but Joe was with them still. They were good.

  Liam took her hand and rushed her toward his yacht. She didn't think about anything else other than one foot in front of the other. At the dock, she leapt over the side onto the yacht. Liam followed and Joe jumped like he was trying out for the doggie Olympics. Liam untied one rope and she rushed to the front to untie the other rope.

  Her hands were raw, but she finished fast.

  Closer, she knew how to ensure the engine worked, so she ran toward the command deck. Another shot rang in the air. Joe began to growl and bark. She cringed. Liam wasn't here. She prayed he was alive as she turned the engines on and tugged the lever to ensure they motored away.

  A moment later, Liam stood in front of the glass window. Someone cocked a gun at him from the shore and held his finger on the trigger.

  "Times up, Liam."

  She had to do something. She refused to let him d
ie. She jerked the wheel and ensured the boat tossed. The door flew open. She could hear Liam shout, "What are you doing here?"

  He knew the man. Her heart beat grew in her ear. She paced closer to the door as the man answered, "Ensuring you get your girlfriend back to Langley. Did you forget you're quitting?"

  Langley meant the CIA. He must have been after her. She crossed her arms. She should never have trusted him. No one could know about her.

  Liam then said, "If you are not on the take we'll meet you in Boston at the wharf in two days."

  Her stomach knotted. There was no way she'd meet that man, ever. Liam was out of his mind. She returned to command and increased the sped of the yacht.

  The ship went up and down with the heavy waves, but she stayed on course. Liam joined her a few minutes later. Her body shivered and she couldn't look at him.

  "Who was he?"

  "No one I trust." Liam said.

  Her mind replayed that. She didn't trust anyone anymore either, including Liam. If he was a spy, then who knows what he might do. It was better if she lost them all.

  6

  Sherry

  Lightness warmed her eyelids. Then wetness licked against her cheek and she knew it was Joe. She batted her lashes as the private room in the yacht rolled up and down. New England waters weren't exactly the waves that lull people to relax, but to Sherry, this was normal. Her stomach wasn't curled like a newbie out-of-towner. She sat in her bed and glanced at the cold, hard Atlantic outside.

  The horizon made her breathe deeper. They were home.

  She cleaned herself up and checked her skin. The tracker was gone now and the cut was healing. Victor had set her up. She bent down and traced her leg. She shouldn't have his voice in her head. She knew better. At least Liam had been good to her, and she could trust him a little. Her heart began to hammer. Perhaps home wasn't a good place. Whoever was after her would her address.

  Her mind zeroed in on that one thought as her entire body went cold.

  Now wasn't the time to be here. A cabin in the middle of nowhere should be a dream. Liam must see that. She pressed her lips together and then flung open the bedroom door. Joe followed her. She stormed up the small staircase. Her rubber sneakers slipped a little on the next landing, but she held onto the railings as she made her way to the captain's room.

  She slid the door open and then ran right into Liam's huge wall of muscles. Her entire body turned on like Christmas lights, but she pulled away. Attraction wasn't necessary. He had always hated her. She tugged her clothes in place, and glanced at him.

  "I don't know if I should be home."

  He steered the yacht past the lighthouse that told her they were on Cape Cod already. Then he licked his lips and spoke softly.

  "Where else are you going to go?"

  Joe walked into the next room and happily ate his food in a bowl that Liam must have served him.

  Electricity sparked through her. She hugged her waist. Liam wasn't her Valentine, and she shouldn't be with him tomorrow, of all days. She gazed at the floor.

  "Anywhere. My home isn't safe."

  "Mine is."

  The Collins family owned everything in the town. His voice was like steel. She gazed at him and for a moment his blue eyes were all that mattered. She inhaled the scent of pine trees and sea salt, but then she traced her sides. She never lived in fantasies and the day shouldn't affect her.

  "Liam, you're not going to protect me forever."

  He crossed his arms. "And you can't run out-of-town forever."

  Yes, she could. People leave home all the time and never return. The yacht went up and down with a massive wave. Liam turned and kept the ship on course. Then once they were out of the wave, she let go of the door and she asked, "Why not?"

  She walked towards the stern of the room to check the gauges for the water. Her entire body grew warm as he said, "For one, I'd miss you."

  The boy who never spoke? Impossible. She turned around and stared at his back. He steered the ship. She had almost believed him, but she shook her head. This was insane. She swallowed and the taste of home rushed through her. She stood away from him.

  "You're never here."

  "I'd be with you every day, if you let me."

  Tomorrow shouldn't have Valentine's. Her eyes widened. At least he couldn't see her. Every cell in her body woke up. She clutched the seat next to him and hopped into the tall black stool. She must have misheard, so she raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"

  He moved the rutter gage and the yacht bobbed. He corrected his mistake and then turned to her in his seat.

  "The house I own here is probably the safest place you'll find, and if you stay, then you get to keep the life that you built for yourself."

  No. She had to find the answers to what happened to her. There was a reason Victor always returned uninvited. She averted her gaze and stared into the ocean.

  "I'm not ready."

  His eyes widened. "For living your life?"

  Perhaps she wasn't understanding the conversation. She pressed her lips together and weighed her options. Perhaps she should tell him. Right now, she coughed and stalled.

  "I have unanswered questions."

  He checked the wheel and then stared at her again.

  "Which are?"

  She licked her lips. Her heart whispered to trust him. She blinked and held herself together.

  "Who were my parents?"

  He shrugged, "I didn't know Mr. And Mrs. Worthing personally, but my parents always said good things about them."

  Exactly what she always heard too. Living in a small town meant everyone knew each other, so how had no one ever whispered to her that her family had some large secret. She clutched her necklace.

  "My grandparents, who raised me, made me believe they were saints."

  He rubbed the back of his neck as his eyes stayed wide open. "They wanted the best for you."

  The secret burst out of her. She picked up her medallion and brought it forward. "Then why leave me this?"

  He reached out and fingered the gold. She unhooked it from her neck and handed it to him as he asked, "What is important about the necklace?"

  She reached out and traced his big hand to show there was something else on the chain.

  "I think it's what Victor wanted from me."

  He handed it back to her. She clutched the medallion to her heart as he said, "Okay. He was a thief and it's probably expensive. He'd want it, but you think this clue is why Victor targeted you?"

  Probably. Her body buzzed. From the clipped tones of Liam's lips, she understood. He had a different opinion. She licked her lips and stood next to him. "Why else would a thrill-seeking liar date a full-time librarian in a small town?"

  He turned and stared at her until she blushed. "Because you're pretty."

  No, it wasn't because she was passably attractive. Most everyone was. She averted her gaze, but didn't move.

  "What?"

  The air between them cracked with electricity. Liam switch the yacht to automatic and then stood. Her muscles quivered. The smell of pinecones overwhelmed her.

  "And because he saw something else in you."

  She turned towards him and sighed. Every part of her woke up like she had been Sleeping Beauty.

  "What's that?"

  He brushed the hair out of her eyes. His rough fingers on her soft skin left every part of her he touched alive. The room became smaller.

  "There has always been something magnetic about you, Sherry."

  "Liam, cut it out." She stepped away from him and took a deep breath. "I'm not safe in town anymore and I need to find out about my parents and this necklace."

  He made a sound with his throat. She glanced up and saw how he licked his lips. Her own began to tingle with a desire to kiss him. She kept her mouth sealed. He had no idea of his effect on her. He couldn't.

  Then he asked, "Can you give it a few days?"

  Valentine's eve with Liam might be perfect. Her heart skipped a beat
as it believed he cared about her. She blinked.

  "Why?"

  Liam placed his hands on the two stools and swung them as he stared at her. He took up the entire space, but she'd never complain.

  "Let's gather facts. I want to have the tracker analyzed. Victor might have encoded some data on it. It might be why people are after you."

  If he was right, then she was free from constant followers. Victor's secrets were not hers. Her eyes widened and a smile grew on her face.

  "You think?"

  He nodded and stepped closer to her again. The smell of him overwhelmed her, but she didn't move. He said, "Yes. I think Victor had something that someone wanted. It's why he died."

  Liam should know that she wasn't truly in love with Victor. She seriously dated him for about a month. Then his character began to shine through. She had better taste.

  "I broke up with him a few times. The first time we didn't see each other for a month after I told him to leave, and then he came back. The second time he was gone three months. I kept telling him we were never getting back together, but he didn't get the memo."

  His hands fell to his sides and she wanted to reach out and touch him. They were an inch apart, but it felt like a mile. Her entire body craved him as he asked, "Then why did you say yes to his proposal at New Year’s?"

  Her lips parted. "We were on national television. I felt bad. You know he lost me in the crowd for a few hours that night."

  Liam's jaw clenched. "He was robbing the Federal Reserve."

  Her eyes widened. "What?"

  He set the engine on autopilot and then turned. His blue eyes had a steely gaze now. "Being on TV with you was his alibi when the hit was reported."

  Defending Victor wasn't who she was. She shook her head.

  "No one asked me for my testimony. I would have told the police that I was alone in the crowd for most of the evening."

  His cheeks reddened. "I shouldn't have told you that."

  Her gaze narrowed. "Why not?"

  Then he averted his gaze.

  "It's a matter of national security. Sherry, I promise I'm not like Victor."