Black List_Black Star Security

by Cynthia Rayne

  She held her breath, waiting.

  And then Storm laid it all out, while she listened in horror. Lucy had been in some tight scrapes before, but nothing like this. Evidently, she’d been minutes away from dying.

  “I could’ve lost you,” he choked out.

  His pain was plain to see, and it made her heart twist.

  Tears blurred her vision. “I’m sorry.”

  He gathered her up into a crushing hug, flattening her against his chest. “I’m just relieved you’re alive.” Storm pulled back to examine her face. “How are you feeling?”

  Lucy shrugged. “I’m a little sleepy, but fine.”

  Stormy cupped her cheek. “I’m just grateful there was no permanent damage, despite the drugs. When we get back to HQ, King is gonna check you out, just to be sure. And if there’s anything wrong, you’re going to a hospital, no arguments. I’ll make you a fake ID if I have to.”

  “What about Beckett? He literally got away with murder.”

  She’d failed, and Christy wouldn’t be avenged. All of this was for nothing. Lucy would never forgive herself for botching this operation.

  “Oh, I almost forgot.” Storm pulled a burner phone from his pocket and dialed a number.

  She opened her mouth, to ask him a question, but he held up a finger.

  “Yes, I have an anonymous tip for the FBI. I believe Beckett Walker in Lexington Kentucky is guilty of tax evasion. I have the account numbers if you’d like to write them down, along with his address and place of business. Okay, here goes…”

  He rattled off all the information, while she listened, flabbergasted.

  “There, it’s done.” Storm hung up the phone and then dismantled all the pieces, before tossing them out the window, so the IRS couldn’t track his phone call.

  “The penalty for tax evasion is five years.” It wasn’t the punishment Beckett deserved, but at least it was something. Someone who’d murdered three people deserved to rot behind bars.

  “Yeah, but once they start sifting through his life, they’re gonna get suspicious.” He cocked a brow, all smug and pleased with himself.

  “And they’ll figure out what he’s been up to.” Lucy sagged in relief. She could’ve saved herself a lot of trouble if she’d listened to Storm. “You’re brilliant.”

  “I know.” Storm smirked.

  “Thank you.” She hugged him tightly, burying her face in his neck. Christy could finally rest in peace. Her killer would be put behind bars and Beckett wouldn’t have the chance to hurt anyone else.

  “You’re welcome.” Storm cleared his throat. “Do you have an answer for me?”

  The decision was surprisingly easy.

  “Yes, I…love you, too.”

  She’d been a done deal the first time she’d clapped eyes on him. Fighting him and this attraction had been exhausting.

  Yes, he’d betrayed her, but Storm had been following orders. And he hadn’t known the CIA’s real plans for her. Besides, he truly regretted his actions.

  He sucked in a breath. “I don’t deserve you.” He kissed her then, softly, brushing his mouth against hers, tasting Lucy.

  She pulled back. “Maybe not, but I can’t help myself.” Lucy didn’t want anyone else. “But I can’t settle down with anyone. I can’t even stay in one place for very long.”

  “I know, and I can fix it. Beckett took video footage of you when you were incapacitated.”

  “What…?” Lucy was hit with yet another reminder. She’d come really close to dying.

  “Yeah, and while he was watching the bank transfer on my phone, I copied the information on his. I also know where he uploads his trophies. It wouldn’t be hard to hack into his account and post it myself.”

  Her eyes widened. “And if the feds investigate the case, they’ll assume he killed me.”

  “Yes, Lucy will be dead. I’ll create a new identity for you, a whole new life.”

  “What about Huck? We told him about Beckett. He could blow this whole thing apart.”

  “Once Huck sees the evidence piling up, he’ll come to his senses.”

  She couldn’t believe it. Lucy didn’t have to run anymore.

  This seemed to be too good to be true. Lucy could put down some roots, have a real life. The CIA wouldn’t be looking for her anymore. They wouldn’t waste their resources on a dead woman.

  Lucy wasn’t concerned about Beckett. The full force of the government was coming after him. And he didn’t even know it. Once they had you in their crosshairs, there was no escape. You could only delay the inevitable. Soon, karma would bite him on the ass.

  “Do you think West would hire me?”

  “If he doesn’t, I’ll quit, and we’ll look for work elsewhere. What do you say?”

  Lucy grinned. “Yes.”

  “Come here.”

  He pulled her onto his lap and threaded his hands through her hair, holding her still for a deep kiss. Storm took his time, nibbling her lips, before claiming her mouth. He kissed Lucy with urgency, intent.

  His hands slipped inside her blouse with practiced ease. He squeezed her breasts, tweaking the nipples. Lucy reveled in the feeling of his hands on her. She couldn’t get enough touch. Lucy was starved for it.

  “You want to do this here?” she panted against his neck.

  “Fuck yes.”

  Lucy unzipped his pants and freed his erection. After wiggling out of her pants, she straddled him. His cock nestled between her legs, sliding up inside her as though he belonged there.

  And he pushed aside her panties, so he could thrust home.

  She eased herself up and down in a gentle rhythm while Storm parted the lips of her sex and rubbed her clitoris, providing the delicious stimulation she craved. He knew just how hard to rub.

  She loved the intense look on his face when he ground into her. Something primal and fierce took him over. He was animalistic, greedy for her. She found it exhilarating to be that needed. That wanted.

  Neither one of them lasted long.

  He howled as he came, filling her to the brim. Lucy followed him into his release, arching her back, crying out.

  Lucy collapsed against him and sleepily kissed his mouth, his nose. Storm wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close.

  Finally, Lucy felt safe.

  Home.

  Epilogue

  A year later…

  Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

  “What are you smiling about?” Lucy asked.

  Storm and Lucy were taking an extended vacation. They’d taken two weeks off to visit the UAB. Both of them had a soft spot for the Middle East, since its where they’d fallen in love.

  “Take a look.” He handed his phone over to Lucy, so she could see the front page of The Lexington Herald-Leader.

  Beckett Walker Sentenced to Life in Prison

  Lucy sighed, closing her eyes. The release of tension was palpable. He could almost feel it.

  “Karma’s a bitch, huh?” Christy’s death had been avenged.

  “Yup. It took a while, but he got his comeuppance.” It was one hell of a headline. Storm wanted to have it framed.

  Lucy groaned. “He’s probably going to appeal, huh?”

  “It’s his constitutionally protected right. I’m betting Walker exhausts all of his appeals, but that’s okay. Let him.”

  “And what if he gets out?”

  “He won’t.” According to the article, the amount of evidence had been overwhelming.

  “But he’s got money and contacts.”

  “Then we’ll come up with a Plan B.” Storm knew there was always a way. He just had to find it.

  “Which is?” Lucy leaned closer.

  “An operation. The two of us can handle him.”

  Storm wouldn’t let the asshole roam the streets. He’d taken an oath to protect the country from all enemies, both foreign and domestic. As far as he was concerned, Walker should never be allowed out.

  “You’re right.” She took a sip of coffee. “We
shouldn’t worry about it, not until there’s a threat.”

  “Sounds like an excellent policy. So, why don’t we concentrate on enjoying ourselves?”

  “We’ve definitely earned this vacation.”

  They were having breakfast at a small corner café. They’d ordered yogurts with honey and figs, along with hot Turkish coffee. The sights and sounds were familiar. He could hear the morning call to prayer. The people around them spoke Arabic, a lovely, lilting language.

  But Storm hadn’t chosen this particular café by accident.

  And he wasn’t hungry. For the food, anyway.

  Storm couldn’t get enough of Lucy. He’d been dreaming of her, fantasizing about being her man for years. And the reality was so much better than his longings.

  She looked amazing this morning, swathed in a gauzy white dress with black and white sandals. Her features were partially obscured by a veil. Women were supposed to "dress modestly” and cover themselves.

  Storm hated to admit it, but the enticing glimpses of her ankles and wrists were even more erotic in a way. There’s something to be said for mystery.

  “How do you think they’re coping without us?”

  “No doubt they’re holding down the fort at HQ.” Storm wasn’t overly concerned. He hadn’t had a vacation in years, and he was way past due.

  Lucy had accepted a gig as a bounty hunter working for Black Star Security, and she was damn good at her job. She’d already help them track down six fugitives in the surrounding area.

  And she fit in with the team as well. Everybody loved her, including Storm.

  Since he’d uploaded the supposed video of her death to the dark web and persuaded/bribed a coroner to produce a death certificate with Lucy Scott’s name on it, the CIA wasn’t hunting her anymore.

  Storm had given her a completely new identity along with all the requisite paperwork. She was free and clear now, no strings. Legally, she was now Jane Jones, which is the blandest, non-descript name he could give her, but she’d always be Lucy to him.

  “Although, I figured we’d work a little freelance operation this morning.”

  “What did you have in mind?”

  “Take a casual look over your left shoulder and tell me if you recognize anyone.”

  Lucy slowly reached around as though retrieving something out of her bag, which was slung over the back of her chair.

  With a gasp, she turned around. “Basma.”

  Storm had been keeping an eye on him for nearly twenty minutes. He had a laptop open on the table, working on something.

  “His computer should have access to Hussam’s banking accounts, right?”

  “Yes,” she said slowly.

  “So, I could build a backdoor into his system, and follow the money trail all over the world, right?”

  “In theory, but it would take—”

  “Months?” Storm held up a thumb drive. “It’s a good thing I’ve been working on this.” He’d been tracing Hussam’s movements, looking for the perfect opportunity to present itself.

  Snickering, she shook her head. “You and your drives.”

  “I think you’re owed some compensation for doing your patriotic duty, don’t you?”

  “You can’t be serious.”

  “But I am.” Storm handed her the tech. “All you have to do is slip this into the right slot.”

  “He knows me,” she hissed.

  Yet Storm could see the excitement in her expression, the way she kept sliding glances back at the man. They were cut from the same cloth, willing to risk it all if necessary.

  “Your face is covered and I’m going to create one hell of a distraction.”

  Lucy nodded after a moment. “We should turn those records over to the CIA. When I left, they lost access to him.”

  “And we will, after you’ve been paid for your work. Take a stroll over there.”

  Lucy grabbed her bag and walked down the aisleway, as though she were heading to the restrooms. When she got near the table, Storm brushed his coffee cup and the carafe full of scalding hot java to the ground. The liquid spilled everywhere, and everyone whirled to look at him. A waiter hurried over to pick up the shattered pieces of porcelain and mop the floor.

  Storm apologized effusively, as he helped the man clean up the mess. He planned on tipping handsomely, too.

  While Basma was taking in the scene, Lucy quickly slipped the thumb drive in as she lingered by the table. If Storm hadn’t known what she was up to, he wouldn’t have noticed it. When the upload was complete, she pocketed the drive once more and headed to the restroom.

  Basma didn’t have a clue what happened.

  After the waiter had brought him fresh coffee and a new cup, Storm checked his phone. Sure enough, the program had sent him an email, along with a link to access the system.

  Hot damn. We’re in business.

  “Did you get it?” Lucy asked, as she joined him once more.

  “Yes. Wanna take a ride out to the desert for old time’s sake?”

  “We’re having breakfast.” She took a bite and then licked a bit of honey from the corner of her mouth.

  He groaned. “We’ll get it to go.”

  “Storm…”

  “Come on, let’s have some fun.” He clicked the link. “How much would you like? Two million?”

  Her eyes widened in shock. “It’s a huge withdrawal. Hussam will notice.”

  “You’re right. I better make it three million, just to be safe. And I’ll forward this to Langley. If they’re smart, they’ll start tracking his cash today, before this little window of opportunity closes.”

  “You like living dangerously, don’t you?” Lucy shook her head in bemusement.

  “So do you.” He offered her his hand. “Shall we…?”

  She beamed. “Yes, let’s get out of here.”

  They hopped in the rented Range Rover and headed out into the desert. There was no one and nothing around, except for the blue sky above and the sand surrounding them.

  Storm pulled over and threw the car in park. He brushed his mouth against hers. Lucy moaned as she leaned forward. He kissed her like he wanted to drink her down, and swallow her whole. They were both panting, out of control.

  Finally, he pulled back. “You know, we’re both insane. Premarital sex is against the law here.” And the punishment was a year in jail.

  “The religious police aren’t here and screwing in cars is kind of our thing.”

  His cock throbbed. “Yes, it is.”

  She shut her eyes. “I can’t even think right now. I need more of you. We might as well give into it.”

  “Straddle me,” Storm growled.

  He hitched her caftan up and positioned her on his lap. Storm dragged her panties to one side. Lucy was a livewire, writhing on top of him. He placed one hand on her hip to guide her movements.

  “Kiss me, ya rouhi,” he muttered as he threaded his fingers through her hair. She was in his blood, his bones. He couldn’t exist without her.

  Soon, they were moving as one, at a frantic pace. Storm couldn’t hold out much longer. He arched into her, slamming his cock home.

  Lucy keened as she finally came. Storm stiffened beneath her and let loose with a roar, gasping against her neck.

  “That was…that was…” She pressed her forehead to his as they both strained for breath.

  “Amazing?” he supplied.

  “Mind blowing.”

  “We could make this legal you know.” The words popped out of his mouth, and they felt so right.

  Her brows cinched together. “Did you just propose?”

  “Yes.” Storm should’ve asked her sooner. It seemed like a fucking fantastic idea. “You could consider this the honeymoon.”

  “I thought the honeymoon comes after the wedding.”

  “In case you haven’t noticed, we’re not conventional people. What do you say?” Storm held his breath.

  “Yes!” Lucy threw her arms around his neck.

 
***

  Grab a FREE Black Star Security

  Short Story

  And get to know Storm a bit better.

  Sign up here: https://www.subscribepage.com/c8l4s4

  ***

  I hope you enjoyed Lucy and Storm’s story.

  If you did, would you please leave a review to help other readers find it?

  Thanks in advance.

  *

  Black Star Security is a rapid release series.

  A new release every month.

  Or FREE with KU

  *

  Keep reading for a sneak peek.

  Black Book

  Black Book Blurb

  Thief in the Night

  Jonathan Quinn, known as John Doe, is a notorious thief. In reality, Quinn was on a black bag mission, working on a CIA/FBI joint task force, when he uncovered corruption. The FBI Deputy Director tried to silence Quinn permanently. He went underground, stealing to fund his cause—bringing his old boss to justice. Now, he’s a fugitive on the run and his past finally caught up with him.

  Stolen Moments

  Mack is a former FBI agent and she left her job in disgrace. Since then, she joined Black Star Security and put her old life in the rearview mirror, but buried secrets rise to the surface. Quinn swears he’s innocent and she wants to believe him, but can Mack trust a convicted felon? Quinn needs her help to clear his name and expose the corruption, once and for all. But can they get the man who wronged them both?

  And will Quinn steal her heart?

  Black Book

  Three days.

  Mack stared at her phone, willing a text message to appear. John Doe hadn’t communicated with her in three days. Mack couldn’t figure out what was going on, and she was starting to worry.

  What the hell is wrong with me?

  Why do I even care?

  Supposedly, she was using him for information. And yet their connection felt personal. If she were still working in law enforcement, and a confidential informant hadn’t spoken with her in a couple of days, it wouldn’t have bothered her.

  But this was different.

  It was a little after three in the morning, and she should be getting back to bed. Yet, she couldn’t put the phone down. Mack knew she wouldn’t be able to relax until she knew he was safe.