Mr. Charming_A Mistaken Identity Bad Boy Romance

by Nicole Elliot

  “Yeah? Get used to it. We’ll have our eyes on you.”

  I bet you will, I thought, glaring at my reflection.

  “Let’s go,” the man in the room said. “I’ll escort you out.”

  I stepped toward the door.

  “Oh, Cooper, one more thing.”

  “What?”

  “Stay away from Jade. If you go near her, we’ll bring you in and throw the book at both of you. Do you understand?”

  “Yes,” I muttered.

  “Good. It’s just until we get all of this resolved. Thanks for understanding. Have a nice day.”

  I walked out of the room and down a nondescript hallway devoid of life. They treat me like this? After I served my country in Afghanistan?

  Memories of everything that had gone on in connection with the smuggling filtered through my mind, images and sounds rushing past my consciousness at a high speed as I walked.

  One step in front of another took me to the elevator. After a ride down to the lobby, I went outside, stopping to look up and soak in the fresh air. Determination took hold of me. No matter what happened, I had to contact Jade. She was all that really mattered in my life.

  If one person could help me see her without getting caught, it would be Logan. They were likely listening to my phone, but I didn’t want to destroy it. Instead, I bought a roll of aluminum foil from a corner store and wrapped the phone in it, cutting off the signal.

  Jade might call me and not be able to get through, but the feds couldn’t track my movements as I went to find Logan, the man who had made my time served in Afghanistan tolerable because of his humor and friendship.

  I hated to drag him into the mess, but I had to have someone trustworthy watching my six. Logan fit the bill to a T. I respected no other man more than him. As I headed toward his apartment, taking back alleys, I thought more about my next move. What to do, what to do…

  THIRTY-TWO

  Cooper

  Logan sat next to me at the bar of a dark and seedy dive in the Bronx. He stared into his beer, not saying a word as he digested everything I’d told him.

  “None of it makes sense,” he said.

  “You’re telling me. The only thing I’m worried about is getting to Jade.”

  “I knew you two would get together,” he said, a familiar smile sliding over his face.

  “She’s my life now, bro. Help me get to her.”

  “It won’t be easy.”

  “No, and that’s why I called in the best.”

  “I have an idea, but you won’t like it.”

  “What is it?”

  “Remember what we did in that hotel in Kabul?”

  “Oh no,” I said, shaking my head. “Not that.”

  “It’s easy and safe. No one will get hurt. Or they shouldn’t. We pull the fire alarm, everyone comes out of the building, and I bring her to you.”

  “You might scare her. And they’re probably watching her.”

  “That’s why we get everyone out of that building.”

  “She’ll be pissed.”

  “It’s the only way. And it’s safe. I’m done with killing people.”

  “Alright. Let’s do it. Tonight?”

  “I’ve got your back. You know that.”

  I lifted my mug into the air. He raised his too. We clinked them together then drank.

  With a little luck, I might actually get to Jade to warn her.

  *

  Traffic passed by, clueless, as I waited on the opposite side of the street from Jade’s building, far enough away that the spooks keeping watch wouldn’t be able to see me.

  Come on, Logan. You got this.

  I shifted from one leg to the other, ready to jump into action when people exited the building. Two blocks away, we had found a place to talk.

  All of a sudden, I heard the fire alarm. Dozens of people stormed out of the front door a few minutes later. This is it, I thought as I slipped back into the alley.

  I broke into the neighboring abandoned building, the spot we determined was the safest to talk. Anxiously, I stopped and leaned against a wall in a dark corner.

  I hated waiting, but it was necessary. My only thoughts were of making sure Jade would be safe. Helping the feds was the least of my worries.

  She was my priority plain and simple. Our relationship had sparked quickly. I didn’t want it to extinguish so soon. Not someone like her.

  I heard noises outside.

  Braced for anything, Jade walked in the lobby with walls covered in graffiti. She rushed over when she saw me. I stepped forward, my arms stretched out.

  She ran into them. I hugged her tight, so damn tight.

  “Are you okay?” I asked, pulling back, my palms on her cheeks.

  “Yeah,” she said, nodding. “A little surprised, but okay.”

  “I can’t believe they dragged you into this mess.”

  “Jade, I’m involved because I’m part of your life now, and I wouldn’t change that for anything.”

  I kissed her.

  “Hurry, you two,” Logan said from the doorway as he peered at the street outside. “I have to get her back before the spooks get spooked.”

  “I’ve been researching more,” she said.

  “No, you shouldn’t be…”

  “Anyway,” she interrupted. “I kept following the money, and it’s scaring me.”

  “What do you mean?”

  I moved my hands to her waist.

  “This smuggling operation made billions. It goes all the way to the top.”

  “What do you mean all the way to the top? The President?”

  “Okay, maybe not that far, but at least a general or too. Quite a few people got rich off Afghanistan.”

  “Be careful.”

  “We need to get going,” Logan said. “The clock is ticking.”

  “You should just run. Get out of the city,” I grabbed her hands tightly.

  “And go where? This is the FBI we’re talking about here. I can’t run from them.”

  “They probably let us both out to watch us. We need to be careful.”

  “We’re innocent, Cooper. It’ll be okay.”

  “If only the world worked that way,” I said.

  She stepped back.

  “I’ll follow this last lead.”

  “Let me come with you. We can do it together,” I suggested.

  “No, that would be less safe. Think about it.”

  “You’re right,” I said, unable to stop staring at her.

  “I’ve been adding to an article as I find more information. This will be the story of my career, Cooper.”

  “I believe in you,” I said then kissed her again.

  “I’ll talk to you soon.”

  “Wait about ten minutes, bro,” Logan said from the door.

  “Thanks. I’ll get with you in a few days after things calm down. They have to know something was up tonight.”

  “They’re not dumb,” he said.

  After they left, I paced back and forth in the dusty lobby of the condemned hotel too shitty for even the poor bastards running amok in the city.

  I have to save her.

  THIRTY-THREE

  Jade

  Logan left before we reached my apartment building. I went inside alone, sending Laura a text message on my way up to the eleventh floor.

  “Come over. Need to talk.”

  The feds were likely listening, but I didn’t care. I had been using the neighbor’s WiFi, so hopefully they didn’t know about my research.

  As I found out more about the players involved in the smuggling operation, everything made more sense. Following the money trail had paid off. That is, if they let me get the story out.

  A story this big wouldn’t be accepted by many traditional news outlets and most of the bloggers like Huffington Post.

  By the time Laura arrived, I had myself worked up, ready to take on the world. She walked in my apartment, glanced at the printed sheets of paper strewn everywhere and
whistled.

  “You got some serious Erin Brockovich activity going on in here.”

  “Close the door. You haven’t been with Max, have you?”

  “No…Why?

  “You can’t see him again.”

  “I wasn’t planning on it,” she said, stopping by me as I stared down at the stacks of paper neatly arranged on my glass coffee table.

  “Good. He’s a bad man.”

  “He’s bad in bed too.”

  She laughed, still clueless.

  “You don’t understand. He’s a criminal, and there’s no telling what he’s capable of doing.”

  “This is Max, the guy you set me up with, right?”

  I furrowed my brow, frowning.

  “I’m so sorry. If I had known, I would never have recommended it. Do you forgive me?”

  “I guess. Honestly, I’m still confused.”

  “It’s easy. Max, and maybe Cooper, were involved in a smuggling operation out of Afghanistan.”

  “Cooper was involved too?”

  “I’m pretty sure. From what the FBI said, they’re ready to pardon him.”

  “The FBI?” She tilted her head back and stared at me. “You’re putting me on, right?”

  “No, Jen. I’m serious. I’ve been freaking out. They told me not to get in contact with Cooper, but…”

  “Let me guess,” she interrupted. “You talked to him anyway.”

  “He came to me, to check on me. He loves me.”

  Her eyes widened.

  “Already?”

  “I know, right? This is the real thing. I’ve never felt this way about someone before. We connect.”

  “But now the FBI is saying you can’t see him.”

  “Exactly. Unless I can unravel the mystery of who is behind this smuggling operation and where all the money is going.”

  “Oh!” she exclaimed.

  “You have an idea to help?”

  “No! I almost forgot to tell you. I’ve met a new guy.”

  I resisted rolling my eyes.

  “That’s nice, but…”

  “No, really. He’s great, a rock star.”

  My eyes rolled on their own.

  “I’m serious, Jade. We’ve been getting along well so far, and we haven’t even slept together.”

  “That’s great. I’m glad for you, but I’m kind of in middle of an emergency right now.”

  “Have you called your dad?”

  “Um, no. Why would I call him?”

  “Because he’s a spy…” her voice trailed off.

  “I’ve told you, he’s not a spy.”

  “And I’m telling you he’s definitely some sort of spy. It’s the only thing that makes sense.”

  “You back on drugs?”

  “No. I can’t believe you don’t believe me after all of this time. There’s something off there, and it’s because he’s a secret-keeping spy.”

  “I’m a journalist, Jen. If my mother were alive and said she loved me, I would look into it.”

  “Yeah, yeah, I’ve heard that line before. I’m going. All this talk of the FBI and spies has me spooked.” She giggled. “Spooked. Get it?”

  Many people might hate Jen for being so goofy and seemingly unconcerned with helping me, but I understood she would only get in the way. I had a hell of a lot of work to do if I would bring down the people smuggling precious minerals out of Afghanistan on a massive scale.

  Clearing Cooper’s name as well as my own was my first priority. I saw Laura out of the apartment then returned to my laptop. Running the Tor browser made it more difficult for them to watch where I went on the Dark Web, a real source of information that flew fast and free.

  As I worked on the story of my career, I realized if Cooper was going to be a part of it, he’d have to go on record. My first instinct was to protect his identity, but having his name attached would give the story even more credibility when it broke online. If I ever finished.

  THIRTY-FOUR

  Jade

  As much as I hated to admit it, Laura had given me decent advice. Even though my father wasn’t a freaking spy, he was my superhero and might have an answer to my dilemma.

  He appeared surprised yet happy when I appeared at his doorstep. I threw my arms around him and hugged tightly. No matter the situation, he always made me feel better.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked. “Come inside.”

  I stepped in the apartment.

  “How do you always know when something’s wrong?”

  “How long have I been your father?”

  “Don’t remind me,” I said. “I’ve got a problem, and I thought you might be able to help me solve it.”

  “What’s that, dear?”

  “I need to sneak into a building unrecognized.”

  He tilted his head to the side as he studied me.

  “You sure everything is okay? You can talk to me.”

  “I know, Dad. Everything’s fine. It’s just… for my job.”

  I hated lying to him, but he didn’t need to know the FBI was after me. Some things were better left unsaid.

  “Well, you need a good disguise.”

  “Like a mask or something? Maybe a wig?”

  He laughed.

  “If you want to look conspicuous, that will work, but if you want to blend in, you’ll need to work on it more. Lucky for you, I can help.”

  It was my turn for me to tilt my head in curiosity.

  “When did you become such an expert at disguise?”

  “It’s been helpful in my career.”

  “As a traveling salesman?”

  “Yes, dear, as a traveling salesman.”

  We made eye contact for a few seconds. I looked away first, not ready to push him about his past. I needed to get to Cooper and convince him to agree to being in my story on the smuggling operation.

  A few minutes later, he had me sitting on the toilet seat as he straightened a blonde-haired wig on my head. I struggled like a schoolkid.

  “Hold on,” he said. “Let’s accentuate your eyebrows and make you look foreign.”

  “No!” I said.

  He stepped back and peered at me down his long, thin nose.

  “No?”

  “I mean, it’s fine. As long as I look different.”

  “That’s better,” he said, going back to work.

  “How did you learn this?” I asked to change the subject.

  “Oh, don’t worry about it right now, dear. Let’s finish your make-up.”

  Forty-two minutes later, I looked like an entirely different person. When I saw my reflection in the mirror, I didn’t recognize the woman staring back at me.

  “Well?” Dad asked.

  I smiled.

  “This will work.”

  “Go get your story,” he said. “Don’t be like me. I failed your mother, and…”

  “Stop it, Dad!” I interrupted. “Seriously. You’re the best man I know, the only one I know who could pull off both roles for me growing up.”

  He frowned. I put my hand on his arm, rubbing it gently.

  “Dad, I’m serious. I love you.”

  “I love you too, dear. Now go before you get emotional and smear your mascara.”

  “Makeup tips from my salesman father. Gotta love it.”

  He smiled meekly then walked away. I heard the garage door slam and knew he’d snuck off to have a cigarette. I mean, Laura was overreacting in thinking he was a spy. Not my dad.

  *

  Lucky me, I thought as I nodded my head at the doorman, not saying a word. He winked but said nothing. Did he know? Would he let me go upstairs then rat me out to the feds?

  Calm down, I told myself. How could he even know they’re looking into you? When I made it to the elevator, I hit the button, pacing back and forth impatiently while waiting for it.

  The second it arrived, I dashed inside and pressed the button for his penthouse suite. I remembered the federal agents busting us right after fucking, but I didn’t car
e. With his help, I would be able to run my story and at least make our story public. If I pulled that off, it would receive immeasurable attention and we’d finally have more protection.

  At the top floor, I got out and knocked on the door in the private foyer. He answered, eyes opening wide as soon as he saw me.

  “What are you doing here? Come inside.”

  “I couldn’t wait to talk to you. I’ve found out some stuff on Jeffries you need to hear. My story is almost done.”

  “Are you crazy?” he asked, killing my mood.

  “What do you mean?”

  “You can’t run this story. It’s too dangerous.”

  “Think about it,” I said, putting my hand on his thick arm. “If we go public, they can’t disappear us. At least not as easily.”

  He shook his head.

  “I don’t like it.”

  “Well, to be honest, I don’t really need your information or to even source you in the story,” I fought back, not believing how quickly he was shutting down my idea.

  “Other journalists will look into it and see I was at FOB Cobra during the same time period. Are you willing to ruin my life like that?”

  “Ruin your life? What about me? Are you not interested in a life for both of us?”

  He took a deep breath, taking a few steps away before stopping and turning. “No.”

  “No, what?” I asked, following him.

  “I’m not helping you with this. I’ll go to the feds and tell them it was all me.”

  “Don’t be an idiot.”

  “Name calling? Really? Are you twelve or something?”

  “You can be such an asshole sometimes. You know that?”

  “And you can be a…”

  He grimaced, not finishing the thought.

  “Fuck you, Cooper. I came all the way over here to share the good news with you, and you’re not interested in anything other than controlling what I do.”

  “Come on, Jade. I’m trying to protect us the best way I know how. Don’t be like that.”

  “Like what? Someone who stands up for myself? Maybe I should hook you up with Laura.”

  “I love you,” he said, putting a strong hand on my waist.

  We made eye contact.

  “Prove it.”

  He sighed, removed his hand, and looked away.

  “You should go,” he said. “We don’t want them to catch you here. They probably followed you.”

  “I don’t have my phone on me, and I took some evasive measures.”