The End of Lies: The Single Lady Spy 4 (The Single Lady Spy Series)

by Tara Brown

  “Do you have any serious injuries?” He stepped back, inspecting me with those intense eyes. “Are you all right?”

  “N-no?” My answers remained flat, albeit questioning. “Are-are you high?”

  “What?” He flinched as if caught off guard. “Oh, you’re angry? You’re angry with me, though you’re the one who asked me to do this. You begged me for Saransk. This was the only way. You asked for the impossible and I gave it to you, risking all our lives.” He defended himself with a subtle mocking in the tone, as if I were unbelievably ungrateful. "I asked you how far you would take this. You said, ‘All the way.’ This was all the way. To kill a man as highly protected as he was, that was the cost."

  “Are you shitting me right now?” Angry words blurted out before I really thought about what I wanted to say or where to start, “Is this some kind of joke? The only way for what? Maintaining your persona as a terrible and disgusting human being? You managed that perfectly. And lest we forget, your darling Elise is also completely safe. So sure, I can see how you’d consider the mission a complete success. Not to mention, your bad-guy status is untarnished. So whew! That’s a relief.” The sarcasm dripped from me, sort of like how my blood had in the shower.

  "First of all, yes, my reputation needs to be intact so the men and women from the Organization continue to assume I'm with them, so indeed, I played the bad guy, again." His brow lowered, making his eyes impossibly dark. “And secondly, you can’t believe that a man as smart and ruthless as Saransk, who has no interest in women except for the ones he helped bring into the world, would perchance fall for something so ridiculous as spies dressed as harem girls?”

  “Well obviously I did, didn't I?” I wasn't sure I was winning this argument. “Is this why you brought me back here, to laugh at my naivety and mock me for trusting you? Don't worry, it won’t happen again. I’m so fucking done with this whole thing.” I stepped back but he moved lightning fast, reaching and pulling me into his embrace.

  “That’s not why I brought you here.” He lowered his face to mine, as if I would allow his traitorous lips to touch me.

  “Not even touching on the whole betrayal thing, how long have you known he had sex with his kids? Were you aware of that when you started doing business with him?”

  “Evie.”

  “No. Don't ‘Evie’ me, Servario. Answer the goddamned question.”

  “I don't exactly work with honorable men who have ethics or moral fiber.” He scoffed. “You know what the world is like.”

  “I can’t do this.” I pulled back, but he squeezed in just the right spot, triggering a small sharp pain from my ribs. I leaned back in as he kissed me while I struggled to breathe through the agony.

  I didn't close my eyes or let myself believe for a moment this was real. He kissed; I suffered with pain and lingering hatred, until it ended.

  He gave me a disappointed stare. “You can’t kiss back?”

  “Won’t, not can’t. I don't want to kiss you. Why don’t you go see if Elise wants some kisses?” I shoved on his rigid chest and stepped out of his arms, turning to the door, but he stepped closer and draped over me, holding the door shut from behind me.

  “This is done.” He spoke softly in my ear, “We are never having this conversation again. Elise is off limits. Nothing happened. You asked for Saransk, I got you Saransk.” His tone danced around that scary place inside him that I didn't love.

  “Which part?” I asked the door, continuing to face away from him. “’Cause I thought we were done altogether, but then you saved me from the office party of the century. And said I was yours, but you beat and raped me in the shower for Saransk and afterward went to bed with your girlfriend.” I spun, spitting venom from my lips, “So excuse me if I’m confused about what we are and we’re not!”

  “There was no other way!” He started to shout, “He never would have fallen for the original plan. Like you said, bombing the house was no guarantee he would die, and it would start a war with Russia. And if I hadn’t been adamant that you were mine to beat and rape, he would have let his men have you, but I insisted on being first in that lineup, Evie. And there were no cameras. Jack had long since taken care of those, hence the reason I didn't know you were being tortured. I thought he took you to the shower and left you there for me. I wouldn't have let that happen to you. I had to act appropriately in case he was watching.”

  “But you forced sex on me, hit me, and then you went and climbed into bed with Elise. Did you fuck her too? Is that how you get off? Fucking her, thinking about me hanging in that shower?”

  “Careful, Evie.” His tone warned. “We played a part. Yes, we slept in the same bed. We maintained a friendship of the likes you cannot understand. Can you admit any of the same things about that boy?”

  “Oh my God.” I took a deep inhale. “This isn’t about Coop—”

  “No. Tell me you didn't betray me with him. Tell me you didn't fuck him after I gave you my heart, a ring, a glass slipper?”

  My lips parted, so desperate to lie. But my heart whispered to me that I owed him more than that. Despite hating him in this moment, I couldn't lie. A rogue tear filled my eye, spilling down my cheek when I blinked, and I clenched my jaw, forcing my words, “You know I can’t. And this isn’t about him.”

  “It’s always about him!” His words burst from him, flinging hatred at me as he lost control for one small second. He huffed his breath and regained his composure. “You will forgive me for what happened at Saransk’s in the shower where no one else was looking. And you will forgive me for playing a part with Elise. And we will agree to disagree that I was saving your life and getting you the impossible, Saransk’s head.” He stepped closer, but I turned away, forcing him to embrace the back of me.

  “You still let him hurt me.” I was dumbfounded by that. I couldn't get past it.

  “There was no other way.” His words carved into me a little. “You’re a spy, Evie. As much as I don't want you to be one. As much as I didn't want you to go after Saransk, I helped you do your job because you asked me to. A job you have chosen to do regardless of how dangerous it is. Surely, torture is part of your expectations.”

  “Shitty forced sex isn’t,” I shot back with no strength in my cracking voice. My chest tightened, along with the rest of me, as he stepped closer, pressing himself against my back.

  He lowered his lips to the top of my head and inhaled me once more. “Do you remember when we first met?”

  “Of course,” I whispered my answer, scared of where this was going.

  “I warned you once, about making me love you, Evie. I warned you what happens to the things I love. And what I will do to rid myself of feelings I no longer want.” His fingers trailed up my arms, brushing against the goose bumps I was covered in. “Don't make me regret letting you live.” He placed a soft kiss on my head, lingering too long. “And never betray me again.” The sentence was the softest whisper but it felt as if he shouted it against me.

  My head shook back and forth in tiny movements, twitches of an answer I didn't hesitate to give. He was still the monster I’d always imagined him to be.

  “Go and rest before we say anything else we will regret.” He dismissed me but didn't get the door for me, suggesting he was still angry. Or maybe he just wanted to be sure he had my attention and I understood the bold threat I had just received.

  Lifting an unsteady hand, I grabbed the knob and opened the door, unsure. What was he going to do to me? Would he let me leave or was this part of the game? Was he going to slam the door and drag me back inside? Why was there always a game? Why did he make my stomach ache with regret and fear simultaneously?

  Elise sat at the front of the plane, head down and quiet, but Luce’s eyes met mine, assessing how I was or maybe asking with a look.

  I hoped I offered nothing. I wanted to talk to her, but not within earshot of Elise.

  I’d been told how things were and asked whether or not I was going to be trouble or a good girl.
The stubborn and aggressive girl inside me wanted so badly to fight and argue, but the other girl, the one who knew this wasn't the right place or time, shut me up.

  I took my seat and stared at the back of the seat in front of me, waiting for the plane to land so this could all end.

  16

  The end of lies

  “You!” Coop pointed at me as we entered the house and growled through his teeth, “In here.” He stalked down the hall toward the office.

  Jack gave me a look of apology as he rushed to Luce and hugged her tightly.

  “Why am I always the one who gets into trouble?” I muttered but followed the raging Coop down the hall. I could tell he’d been doing his tiger pacing. No wonder Fitz had taken the kids sightseeing. And fortunately they weren’t back yet, I didn't want them to see me like this, bruised and beaten.

  When I got to the office door, I almost didn't enter for fear of being threatened again. Twice in one day suggested fairly bad odds of surviving said threats. But I forced myself inside, finding him pacing the office in front of the comfy chairs Luce and I had spent our weeks watching him from.

  His jaw was tensed, the angry clench he did before shouting. But the words didn't leave his rage-trembling lips as a shout. It was much worse as a soft and suggestive tone, “Do you have any idea how irresponsible that was? You could’ve all been killed.”

  “Coop—”

  “Don't Coop me, Evie!” he exploded, spinning and meeting my widened gaze with his fiery eyes. “It just pisses me off more, hearing you say my name. Jack said you were basically raped and beaten for two days.” His eyes questioned the validity of the facts but traveled my body and face, possibly coming to conclusions.

  I parted my lips to deny it but snapped them shut.

  His hands lifted like he might strangle me as he drew closer. “Fuck, Evie.” He grabbed my shoulders softly but dug his fingers in as his eyes inspected further. “What did they do to you?”

  “I mean, it wasn't exactly—” I fought the tears in my throat as the lies refused to come out.

  “I don't even want to know more than I already do. Servario fucking betrayed you and Luce and left you high and dry so he could maintain his cover. For fuck’s sake! You see how dangerous he is, don't you? Or are you still so hung up on him—”

  “Coop!” I snapped. “Stop. It’s done. The mission is over.”

  “Mission? Evie, there was no mission.” He was dangerously angry. “Just you and that fucking drug dealer going off on the Evie and Servario show again. Only this time you endangered the lives of my agents.”

  “It worked,” I defended us, also raising my tone. “Jack had Interpol raid the brothels. Saransk is not only dead, but he’s also out of business. He and his daughters and high-ranking officials are all dead and all his information went to the CIA. We didn't kill a single person on the Organization’s list. It was a success. It looks like a CIA hit on a human trafficker.”

  “At what cost?” he raged, lightly shaking me, his dark eyes burning a hole through me. I flinched, softening his expression when he realized I was a little afraid of where this was going. “Evie.” He cupped my cheeks delicately, inspecting the wounds on my face. I tried not to savor the feeling of his warm trembling hands on my cold cheeks. Or melt into the safety of his body.

  “The cost was high, Coop, but only for me,” I admitted weakly, losing steam. “And I paid it and it’s done. Luce is fine. A couple of small bruises but fine otherwise. He's not ever going to come for me, or my kids. All those slaves are free. Do you have numbers for how many they saved? How many arrests were made?” I wished he could see the bright side of it. I wished I could too but I was stuck in the ultimate betrayal.

  “No. Jack will have that. I just don't understand why we couldn't have worked out a better way. Why couldn't you wait? Or talk to me? Is this because of Simo—”

  I cut him off, “No. It’s because Servario had a plan. And yes, he set me and Luce up. But it worked. As much as I hate to admit it, it worked. We were genuinely surprised, and Saransk likely would have seen through it if we weren’t. It was a smart plan to catch a smart man.”

  “It was a cruel plan. Don't kid yourself. This was all about him protecting himself, not you. Don't you see that? It’s always about him protecting his bad name. He always puts you second.” Our eyes locked and for a second I didn't breathe, terrified he would kiss me and I would kiss him back and the world would crumble. But he swallowed hard and lowered his hands. He stepped back and began to pace again, tilting his head back and deep breathing. “I’m going to kill him.”

  “Can it wait until after the Burrow is dealt with?” I joked half-heartedly.

  “Is it honestly over? You and him? Is it over?” He paused and glanced my way.

  “Honestly, I don't know. It is for me.” That wasn't a lie. I didn't know if Servario would ever let me go. It was a worry I could admit to myself silently.

  I didn't need to tell Coop I was concerned. He saw it.

  “Why couldn't you just love me more?” Coop asked me without making eye contact.

  “It’s not about more, Coop. It never was.” My chest tightened and the threat of tears blocked my throat. It was never about more with him.

  “Evie,” he whispered, beholding me again with his blazing eyes.

  “Simone,” I countered, reminding him of his commitment. “She’s young and probably wants to get married and have kids and live a quiet life in the suburbs. Give you everything you need.” I knew that story too well. She would leave her work for him. Raise the kids and take care of the house. She would buy a minivan and forget the person she used to be. She wouldn't have time to look in the mirror and wonder about the stranger staring back at her. She wouldn't need to look. Not for a long time. She would believe she was happy being his and theirs.

  “Why can’t you see I don't care about kids or marriage or some white fucking picket fence?” Coop took a dangerous step closer, looming perilously over me. “You think you know me so well. You think I can’t imagine a life with us, the four of us?” His voice cracked.

  “Coop,” I pleaded. I wasn't strong enough to fight the way he made me feel when he loved me and my kids.

  “You love me, Evie. Maybe more than you love him. You know how I know that?” He leaned closer, his eyes glistening. “You gave up on us because you believe I want some life that everyone wants, that I deserve kids and a wife who will take care of me like my mom does for my dad. You want that for me. So you chose him to protect me from the fact you’re still bitter. You risked everything with him to protect me. But you love me. Even now, you’re breathing me in as much as I am you.” He hovered over me, his lips twitching as though he might kiss me. I angled my head to receive the kiss, regardless of being a hot mess and it would likely hurt more than I was prepared to endure. But he didn't kiss me. “I thought I could move on. I told myself I needed to.” He wrestled with himself internally, letting reason or something along those lines win out.

  He sighed and brushed past me, leaving the office, and me more conflicted than I’d ever been.

  I followed him, turning right to go to my room and hide in the shower before my kids came home and saw me.

  I made the water as warm as my wounded skin could take and sat on the floor, letting it pour down on me. It was almost therapeutic to sit in the shower and run back over the memories of the past forty-eight hours.

  Bruises and cuts covered my skin. They would heal but there was no washing the horrible feeling of Saransk’s shower off delicately. Sitting there, I scrubbed until I bled again and eventually climbed out and patched myself up.

  After I was bandaged, I carefully got into bed and curled into my body pillow, adjusting a few times so my ribs didn't hurt as much.

  A light tap interrupted the closing of my eyes as my mom came in. She didn't speak, just walked to my bed and climbed in, moving the body pillow and lying to face me. “The plan was that Gustavo would do the beating and torture for Saransk. He
thought you were in the cell, being held. He couldn't rush it, he had to make it seem as if he was indifferent to you. But Saransk knew you were the one who caught his daughter, so the plans changed, only we didn't know.” She stroked my head. “I am so sorry, darling. We honestly had no idea.”

  “It’s fine,” I said, realizing it didn't matter anymore.

  “It’s not fine. It’s dangerous and scary. You’re my baby. I don't want you in this line of work.”

  “Mom, you’re in this line of work.” I scowled.

  “I know, so I have no right to ask you to stop doing it. But I am. I’m asking, begging you. When this Burrow situation is done, please, step down. Take an office job back home. End things with Gustavo. Just be a mom and let that be enough.” Her eyes filled with tears, taking away some of the intensity of her request.

  “You first,” I challenged her.

  “Fine. Fitz and I will both step down. We’ll retire. All of us.” She was lying. She was quite good at it.

  “Okay,” I agreed, also lying. “We’ll all retire. Now let’s get some sleep so my body can heal a little before the kids get here.” I closed my eyes, enjoying the feel of her stroking my hair.

  “Okay,” she whispered.

  The darkness and exhaustion took me.

  17

  Hannibal the composer

  August 2013

  “Can I ask you a question?” Simone stepped into the office where Jack normally hid out. We’d all agreed she should of course come to the estate where it was safe, instead of being on Portobello Road with minimal security, in case of a Saransk retaliation. It was weird explaining her to my kids, but Coop had done a masterful job of not making it sound as strange as it was. And they were never openly affectionate with each other, in fact, I started to wonder if Coop and Simone were dating at all.