Rendezvous with Danger (Reunited Series)

by Cooper, Sharon C.

  “You’re right, I should have known better.” She sat on the edge of the bed and released a breath. “All I can say is I’ve had disappointment after disappointment and it’s hard to think positive when there has been so much negative in my life. I’m sorry for thinking the worse.”

  “Listen, let’s forget it. We have more pressing issues to discuss. Hopefully you have time to talk today.”

  “I have errands to run, and it’ll probably take me a little longer since my car is out of commission, but maybe I can meet you somewhere.”

  “Actually, I took care of your car. It’s at my mechanic and should be ready by Monday. As far as meeting me, that won’t be necessary.”

  Alandra glanced at the ring of keys in her hand and realized her car keys were missing.

  “Quinn, I appreciate you taking my car in, but you didn’t have to do that. Let me know the cost and I’ll take care of it.” Money was tight, but the last thing she needed was to be indebted to him.

  “Don’t worry about it. Now, can your errands wait until I get there? I’m not comfortable with you traipsing around the city alone, especially after last night. That could have been you in that house.”

  “Do you know if Isabella’s body has been identified?”

  “Nah, it sounds like the authorities are still investigating. Lan, just stay put. We don’t know what we’re up against.”

  Pinching the bridge of her nose, Alandra paced in front of the kitchen counter. Why does he keep saying we? This was her mess and she no longer wanted his help. How could she tell him thanks, but no thanks? Anyway, after the house explosion last night it wasn’t safe for him to be around her.

  “You know, Quinn, I appreciate you taking care of the car, but I don’t expect you to be at my beck and call while it’s being repaired. As for me doing things alone, I’m used to it. I can take care of myself.” Besides, she could not afford a repeat of last night. The connection between them was too powerful. Each time he was around, her heartbeat strayed away from its natural rhythm.

  “But you don’t have to. I want to help.”

  “Quinn, please. I appreciate your willingness to help me figure all this mess out, but once I answer the remaining questions you have for me, I think its best we continue on our separate ways.”

  “Are you aware I’m not the only one who’s been digging into your background? There is someone or some people out there who are looking for you. Your life could be in serious danger.”

  Wasn’t he listening? “Quinn, I’m an ex-spy. My life will probably always be in danger. Besides, this is not your concern.”

  “Alandra! You need to get this into your head. It is my concern if it involves you. I’m not going to keep arguing with you about this. We are in this together, and together we will find out who was behind the ambush in Tzbekystan. Now be ready in an hour.” And with that he hung up.

  Okay, that went well.

  ****

  “Damn, that woman is infuriating!” Quinn said when he walked back into Malik’s gourmet kitchen. Unlike Quinn’s, Malik’s kitchen represented his love for cooking. The top of the line stainless steel appliances, more oak cabinets than he probably needed, and a long island positioned in the center of the floor. Most people would be shocked he was a culinary genius.

  Quinn reclaimed his seat on the bar stool next to Wiz and picked up his now cold cup of coffee.

  “Trouble in paradise?” Malik laughed. He glanced over his shoulder as he loaded dirty dishes into the dishwasher. “That’s why I will never get married. Who needs that type of stress?”

  Quinn shook his head. “Whatever, man. There’s not a woman alive who could put up with you anyway.”

  “I don’t think you have to worry about getting married, Malik,” Wiz added.

  “Ha, ha, there are plenty of ladies out here vying for my attention. I’m just not willing to give up my freedom to an infuriating woman.”

  “Man, shut up,” Quinn chuckled.

  “All right you guys, it’s been fun but unlike you two, I have better things to do with the rest of my Saturday.” Wiz stood and took his dishes to the sink. “Quinn, I’ll start working on the information you’ve given me about Isabella Blanchard, and see what I find.”

  “Cool. And just so you know, while she worked for the CIA, she went by the name Sarah Olson. I’m not sure if that’s her given name or another alias.”

  “Sarah Olson, Sarah Olson,” Malik repeated. “I’ve heard that name before. There was some type of scandal years ago about her and some Congressman. I might be wrong, but I’m almost positive the woman’s name was Sarah Olson.”

  “Got it.” Wiz typed notes into his cell phone and hooked it back onto his belt before he grabbed his jacket from a nearby kitchen chair. “I’ll be in touch.”

  Quinn refilled his coffee mug. He had decided that if he couldn’t talk Alandra into moving in with him until all of this was over, he would hire one of Malik’s guys to keep tabs on her. Not only was the neighborhood she lived in sketchy, but Quinn didn’t believe in coincidences, and it was too much of a coincidence that Isabella’s house was mysteriously set to blow while Alandra was inside.

  Earlier, on the way to the fitness gym, Quinn had filled Wiz and Malik in on the little he was able to get from Alandra, but there were still too many holes. Like, how did she know he was in Tzbekystan? And how did Sarah know she was there, and how did Sarah get her out without he or Malik seeing her?

  He needed to find out everything Alandra knew in order for he and Wiz to dig deeper. Most important, he had to find out what she was doing in Tzbekystan and how she got there.

  “So what type of Intel do you think this Isabella or Sarah Olson had for your girl? You never did say if Alandra got any information from her before she died.” Malik said while he wiped down the countertop.

  Quinn stretched his arms out and yawned. “I’m not sure if she got much of anything from her. By the time I walked in, the woman was dead. I can assume she was alive when Alandra arrived. I just don’t know if she told her anything.” Malik’s question reminded Quinn that he needed to find out why Alandra took a book from Isabella’s house. As for the cell phone she grabbed, he’d have Wiz see what he could pull.

  “Hold on, let me get this straight. You didn’t ask Alandra about her meeting once you guys left?” Malik looked at him confused. “I’m surprised you didn’t question her the moment you got in the truck.”

  “She wasn’t in any condition for me to question her at that point. Once I got her home she told me a few things about why she left Virginia, and being accused of selling secrets, but when I started asking questions about Tzbekystan, she fell apart. After that…you know…” Quinn shrugged off the rest of his statement.

  Malik looked at him for a long minute then burst out laughing. “Ah yeah, my man. I guess you didn’t waste any time hitting that, huh? I should’ve known something was up since you played ball like shit on the courts this morning. Your ass was probably too tired from performing last night.”

  “Man, shut up!” Quinn grabbed his jacket from the back of his seat and shrug into it. He knew Malik didn’t mean any disrespect, but he didn’t like him talking about his wife the way they might discuss relations with other women. Grabbing his hat, he scowled at Malik. “You just ID someone to look after her and I’ll call you later.”

  ****

  Shivering the moment she stepped outside, Alandra shoved her gloved hands into her pockets and headed to the post office. She would admit that she didn’t live in the best neighborhood, and walking alone probably wasn’t a good idea, even during the daytime, but sometimes you had to do what you had to do.

  Thoughts of her night with Quinn invaded her mind despite her efforts to keep them out. Being with him again seemed surreal, feeling his hands against her skin, hearing him whisper all that he was going to do to her body, and even the way he took charge this morning and found her a mechanic. It reminded her of how it used to be between them. A protector by nature, he
always looked out for her. And to know he hadn’t left without leaving a note, made her feel better about what they’d done last night, though it didn’t change the fact that she needed to stay focused and not get sucked into the idea of being with him again. Three years was a long time to be apart, and she could tell last night and even talking with him moments ago that though some things were the same, things were different between them.

  Alandra stopped at the corner, waiting for the light to turn green. She shifted from one foot to another in an effort to keep her blood circulating when a wave of foreboding crept over her. Glancing around, she didn’t see anything that looked out of place, and the few people on the streets had their heads down, hurrying in various directions. With the steady flow of traffic, there was no one lingering in or around their vehicles. Everyone seemed to be focused on getting to their destination. This was the third day in a row she’d had these feelings. She blew out a shaky breath. Relax girl, ain’t nobody thinking about you.

  Alandra laughed at herself. She had a black belt in Taekwondo, and before moving to Chicago had started teaching self-defense classes in L.A. If that weren’t enough, she now knew how to handle a gun. Why was she tripping? She shook her head and pulled her jacket collar up higher, but as she stepped out into the street, a hand gripped her arm, and jerked her back.

  With the quickness of a ninja, she twisted the man’s arm over her shoulder, elbowed him in the stomach – causing a burst of air to gush through his lips then flipped him to the ground. He cried out in pain while adrenaline pumped through her veins as he struggled against her hold. Her heart pounded against her chest while she held his rigid arm straight up and behind him, her booted shoe against the back of his neck.

  “Why are you following me?”

  Her attacker cried out again when she increased the pressure on his neck and bent his arm back further. “Arghhh…a ca…car coming.”

  “What?” She loosened her grip, but didn’t let go.

  “A car was coming, trying to stop yo…you from get…getting hit.” He winced, still struggling against her.

  Embarrassment heated Alandra’s cheeks when she realized what he was saying. What have I done? She glanced around and saw everyone staring. She carefully loosened her grip and backed away.

  “I’m so sorry. I thought…”

  He struggled to his feet rubbing his shoulder. “Crazy ass,” he mumbled, but kept his distance. “I should have let your stupid butt get hit.” His voice trailed off as he straightened his clothes, and slowly moved away from her, cursing her for what she’d done.

  I have lost my mind. Alandra couldn’t believe she had attacked an innocent man, a man who had saved her from getting hit by a car. She had no reason to be as paranoid as she’d been over the last few days. No one knew she was in Chicago. Heck, only a hand full of people knew she was alive. Yet, she was jumpier than a jackrabbit.

  Alandra pulled her wool cap lower, almost covering her eyes. She kept her head down and hurried back to her apartment. The post office could wait.

  Ten minutes later, she stood inside her apartment, her back against the door, horrified by what had just happened. The feeling of being watched, the house explosion last night, and the conversation with Quinn earlier was making her crazy. She had to get it together.

  She jumped when someone banged on her door. Frustrated with herself, she glanced at her watch surprised Quinn was forty-five minutes early. Then again, it wasn’t a surprise. He was the most punctual person she knew.

  She swung the door open shocked to see her sister.

  “Hey sis,” Natasha said and stepped into the apartment, rubbing her gloved hands up and down her arms. “Whew, it’s freezing out there. What took you so long to open the door?”

  “Uh, I was just in the middle of something.” Alandra took her sister’s jacket and hung it up. “What are you doing here?”

  Natasha hesitated, looking at Alandra strangely. “What’s wrong with you? You look flushed. Are you feeling okay?” She touched Alandra’s forehead, concern written across her face.

  Alandra pulled away. “I’m fine. Just a little jumpy these days.”

  “Why? Did something happen?”

  Alandra hadn’t told her sister about the weird feeling of being watched and there was no way she was telling her about Isabella. Once authorities identified the body, Natasha would find out soon enough that one of her nurses was dead.

  “I’m fine. It’s nothing. What are you doing here? I thought there was an emergency at the hospital.”

  “When I hung up from you I called Terry. Since he’s second in command, I figured why not let him handle this situation. I still have to go in, but I have about an hour to kill. So where do you need to go first?”

  Alandra tossed aside a striped brown and gold throw pillow and then sat in the center of the sofa before grabbing the TV remote. “Thanks, but don’t worry about it. I’ll take care of things on Monday.” Right now she didn’t want to go anywhere or do anything. Still embarrassed by her behavior moments ago, she ran her hands through her curls and then swiped her hands down her jean-clad thighs. She glanced at Natasha who was leaning against the counter that separated the kitchen from the living room. “Help yourself to something to eat.”

  “Girl, what’s wrong…” Natasha’s voice trailed off when “Breaking News” flashed on the television screen. She grabbed a seat next to Alandra.

  There are new developments on the story we brought you last night regarding the single-family house, on Chicago’s south side exploding just before 11 p.m. Authorities tell us there have been two bodies discovered on the premises. A male, found near the side entrance of the house, and a woman’s body found inside. The bodies have yet to be identified, but foul play is suspected. We’ll bring you more information as it becomes available.

  Alandra’s hands flew to her chest. “Oh my God, there was someone else there?” It was bad enough Isabella had lost her life, and she wondered if the other body belonged to the person who had shot Isabella. Two bodies?

  “That’s so sad. I hope it turns out that it was an accident. I would hate to think there are people out there intentionally blowing up homes.”

  Alandra forgot Natasha was sitting next to her.

  “Wait a minute,” Natasha turned to face her. “Why did you sound so shock when they said two bodies, as if you expected one but two was impossible?”

  “What do you mean?” Alandra didn’t want to lie to her sister, but she would if she had to.

  Several seconds passed before Natasha spoke. “What is going on? You’ve been acting strange since I walked in here.”

  Alandra waved her off and went to the kitchen. “I’m fine.”

  “That’s the third ‘I’m fine’. So I know something’s up. What is it? You know you can talk to me about anything.”

  “I know.” Alandra opened the refrigerator door, unsure of what she expected to find. She still needed to grocery shop.

  Natasha braced her hands against the countertop. “So, you’re not going to tell me?”

  Alandra met her gaze. “There’s nothing to tell.”

  Natasha threw up her hands. “Fine. I give up. I’m going to use your bathroom and then I’m outta here.”

  ****

  At 1:15, Quinn pulled up to Alandra’s apartment building. He had to do something about her living situation. His windows were rolled up tight, yet he still heard the thumpity thump thump of rap music blaring from a car parked several doors down. Two teens lounged on the front stoop as if it were 75 degrees, instead of the low 30’s smoking cigarettes, but the worst hit him when he stepped into her building. The musky smell of beer mixed with the stink of trash sitting near the entrance made him cover his mouth and nose as he took the first flight, two stairs at a time. This was not the place for a woman, especially when the woman was his wife.

  He knocked and Alandra answered the door.

  Quinn didn’t think he would ever tire of looking at her. Free of the disguise she�
��d worn yesterday, her long curly hair hung loose around her shoulders, and brown eyes devoid of the hideous green contact lenses held his gaze. She glanced away and then back at him. A rosy tint spread across her cheeks as he openly admired her beauty. No hospital scrubs today. The red v-neck sweater and black boot-cut jeans looked incredible on her. She appeared harmless, but he knew better. Sexy, intelligent, and had feet that were considered a deadly weapon in the martial arts world. She was anything but harmless.

  Instead of greeting her with words, Quinn stepped across the threshold and pulled her into his arms. His lips covered hers before she had a chance to protest. She gasped against his mouth, but soon her tongue was tangling with his and her moans filled the air. Oh, yeah, this was what he looked forward to all morning, the sweet taste of her lips. His hands moved along her spine and he gently pulled her in closer wanting to feel every inch, every luscious curve of her delectable body.

  He prided himself on being a man of great self-control, but even now, when it came to her, all common sense went out the window, especially when she fit so perfectly in his arms. When he left her this morning, he had vowed to keep his hands off of her and concentrate on finding the person or people involved in taking her away from him, but it was impossible to be in the same room and not touch her.

  Her hands glided up the side of his biceps until her arms wrapped around his neck, encouraging him to deepen the kiss. Surprised by her response, he wanted nothing more than to take this further, but someone behind her cleared their throat and his head snapped up. Alandra stepped out of his arms and visibly shuddered. “Uhh, come in,” she said and closed the door behind him. “Quinn, this is my sister, Dr. Natasha Lockham. Tasha this is Quinn.”

  An easy smile lifted the corners of Natasha’s lips and she extended her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you brother-in-law. I’ve heard interesting things about you.”

  Quinn shook her hand and quirked an eyebrow at Alandra. “Interesting, huh? I’m not sure I want to know.”