by Taylor Lee
Diamond knew that most of her competitors and even her own clients gave Ian the lion’s share of the credit for the success of LOTN. While she knew how important he was to her accomplishments, lately she’d been chafing more than a little at his oversight. Rather than loosening his hold on the company as he’d indicated in the beginning that he would, he seemed to be interfering more and more often. Interjecting himself into decisions that should have been hers to make. The issue had boiled over when he insisted that she hire Dr. Maya Taveras—who just happened to be his niece.
The idea of hiring a PhD criminal studies specialist who’d never so much as held a gun much less knew how to use one had been ridiculous on the face of it. Diamond had dismissed the idea out of hand. What she hadn’t counted on was Ian’s insistence and Maya’s determination to become as accomplished a warrior as Diamond’s other agents. It was truly astonishing what the neophyte agent had accomplished. But then, like Ian, Maya was richer than God. The two of them hired the best trainers that their combined money could buy and Maya succeeded beyond all expectations.
Diamond had to give the shy young woman credit. Topaz, as Diamond named her, was on a mission, a very personal one. She was determined to take down an international drug lord who’d made the mistake of kidnapping and raping Maya when she was a young girl. The mission should have been a major fiasco resulting in the death of at least Maya and the agents that Ian had assigned to the impossible task. Instead it was ten stroke. Not only did Maya succeed in killing her long ago tormentor, but she captured the heart of Grayson Webb, one of Ian’s premier agents.
Grayson had been known for his provocative humor and his prolific sexual appetites. It was well known that the ‘Surfer Dude,’ as they all called him, liked his many women in pairs—or trios. Certainly not solo, or for more than a night or two. That was before Topaz. Now to Diamond’s horror, all three of her elite agents had literally bit the dust. Sapphire, Ruby and, now Topaz, were all engaged to be married, each to one of Ian’s superstars. Diamond had wrongly assumed that the tough, principled women she’d hired were like her. That they had the same belief system she had. That they felt the same way she did about hooking up with men. God knows, they’d faced the same prejudice and chauvinism that she had in the alpha male environment in which they all worked. She’d assumed that her agents had concluded, as she had, that men, especially the men you worked with, were off limits.
Looking back on her hiring processes, Diamond was annoyed that she hadn’t instituted a no-fraternization policy—like the ones in the military. But naively she hadn’t thought she needed one. Good God, if anyone should know how undependable, how fickle men were, her beautiful agents should. After all, except for Topaz, her agents had all been undercover agents in the military. In those operations it was a given that ninety-nine percent of the time, they played slutty roles. As such, they’d faced the ignominious assumptions that all men had about beautiful women who looked and acted like they were on the make even when it was their job to do exactly that.
And then there were the men who worked with Ian. There wasn’t a man among Ian’s agents who wasn’t a celebrity in his own right. The only thing these handsome, arrogant warriors were better known for than their formidable battlefield skills, was their prowess with women. To a man they were alpha males to the max and oozed sexuality. The train of women who chased after the dashing men was formidable. Clearly the women should have known better, but the horde of bewitched pursuers chased after Ian’s agents even knowing that their bad-boy reputations would put Casanova to shame.
In her rare moments of introspection, Diamond admitted that she was threatened by the actions of her three lovely agents. Threatened, and frankly a little jealous. Which she told herself was ridiculous. It wasn’t as though she herself wasn’t constantly hassled by men. No, her long blonde hair, showgirl body and, she was sure, her disdain, all seemed to attract men like the proverbial moths to a flame. However she was a master at turning all that fire to ice with one of her practiced put-downs and haughty airs. It was no wonder they called her the Ice Queen behind her back. Lately they’d been saying it to her face as if she wouldn’t notice and wouldn’t care if she did. And they were right. For the most part, she didn’t care. Except knowing that was how his friends talked about her to Ian. It shouldn’t have bothered her. But in unguarded moments when she saw him studying her with that amused gleam in his eyes, she admitted it did bother her. A lot.
At first she’d been surprised by his amusement at her haughtiness. Usually men were so put off by her irascible ways that they didn’t stick around for additional abuse. But Ian was different. From the first time she met him he’d studied her as if she was a puzzle he intended to put together—in his own good time. She would have been lying if she didn’t admit that the leanly muscled financier/agent with the imperious air didn’t attract her. He did. She admitted that it was probably because he’d made it clear that he wasn’t interested in her as a woman. Which was unnerving. She was accustomed by now to shoving men away, not wondering why they weren’t interested. But Ian had stated in words and actions that they were business partners. No more, no less.
Lately, however, he seemed to be changing. His obvious amusement no longer charmed her. If anything he made her uneasy especially since he seemed to be tightening the reins on the arrangements that they’d agreed to when they became partners. He seemed more arrogant, more authoritarian, if possible. In the past he’d make suggestions, now he gave orders. Or worse, took steps without consulting her and seemed surprised when she complained. They’d had their first serious argument a week ago. In Diamond’s mind it was symbolic of their deteriorating relationship.
They were having dinner with a potential client who naturally was a friend of Ian’s. Admittedly, she had been brusque and dismissive at the fee the wealthy man suggested. In truth she was infuriated, tired of the back and forth negotiations particularly when the prospective client ignored her and asked Ian for the final answer.
Before Ian could respond, Diamond threw her prospective client a disdainful glare. She tossed her head, and said coolly, “Clearly we have a different view of the value of my services. Given that, I think it is time for us to end this discussion.”
Ignoring the man’s startled reaction, Diamond had risen to her feet, gathered her things and prepared to leave. To her shock, Ian grabbed her arm. He rose enough to pull out her chair and sit her back in it. Without looking at her he spoke directly to her potential client. “You’ll have to excuse Col. Davis, Frank. Like many new business owners she finds it hard to accept that you and I might think her proposed fee is a trifle high.”
Diamond felt her cheeks flame. She didn’t know what made her angrier. That Ian had yanked her back into her chair or that he’d sided with Frank, confirming that she was overpricing her services. Several minutes later after some back and forth discussion, Ian and Frank agreed on a fee. Ian turned to her with an ingratiating smile that didn’t mask the iron edge underlying his words.
“How about it, Col. Davis? Think you can live with that number?”
Shocked into stunned silence, Diamond could only nod.
Ian rose when their client did and took the older man’s elbow.
“Let me walk you out, Frank. I wanted to know if you were able to act on the advice I gave you last week.”
Frank’s eyes lit with pleasure.
“You know damned well I did, Ian. Only a brain dead asshole would ignore your advice. I might be the latter, but I’m never the former.”
Frank turned back as if he’d just remembered that Diamond was sitting at the table. He bowed slightly and said with a faint smile, “I look forward to working with you, Col. Davis. You have lived up to your reputation as a hard bargainer.” He nodded at Ian. “You obviously have some well-placed supporters who I dare say have been cutting deals when you were in grade school. I trust you will be able to live up to their faith in you.”
Diamond watched the two of them walk to t
he exit smiling and talking with one another. After they shook hands, Ian started back to their table. Several times along the way he stopped to speak to one of several diners who eagerly reached for his hand. When he reached their table, he met her gaze. Diamond wasn’t surprised to see that he wasn’t smiling. A slight frown creased his forehead and his rigid jaw betrayed his anger. She should have been frightened—but fury, not fear, wracked her.
When Ian pulled his chair closer to hers and sat down next to her, his knee firmly touching hers, she didn’t give him a chance to chastise her as he clearly intended to. Instead she let her fury unfurl.
“Damn you, Ian,” she hissed. “How dare you embarrass me like that? Treat me like a child?”
His voice was cold.
“Maybe if you didn’t act like a rebellious child, I wouldn’t have to, Riley.”
Ian’s eyes were filled with a quiet anger that should have frightened her. Instead his assumption that she was at fault infuriated her more. She jumped to her feet and glared at him, her hands clenched in tight fists at her sides.
“I...I am not a child, Ian, and you have no right to treat me as one.” Her voice rose shrilly. “Goddamn you, Ian. You are an arrogant son of a bitch and I…I despise you.”
Ian shook his head and huffed a hard sigh. Glancing at the diners at the neighboring tables, who weren’t hiding their interest in their altercation, a bitter edge of amusement underscored his soft reply.
“That’s just great, Col. Davis. Exactly the kind of response I would expect from a naughty child, not an accomplished agent.”
Too embarrassed and angry to respond, Diamond had fled from the restaurant.
She didn’t see Ian for three days, which was unusual. They usually talked at least every other day. What was even more unusual was the delivery she received on the third day. It was a stunning arrangement of tropical flowers. And a large box filled with every kind of candy she’d ever had. The enclosed note said: Here’s hoping that rebellious little girls like flowers. Just in case, I included a box of candy.
A day later, he called to ask her to partner with him on the Senator Walker case. She might have been reassured that he wasn’t angry with her, if he hadn’t added insult to injury. Clearly amused, he proposed that they pose as lovers. Rubbing the skin off Riley’s already abraded heart, he’d added, “For a limited time, of course.”
Chapter 10
“Please, John, before you deny the truth of my assertions, remember Proverbs 12:19: ‘Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed.’ ”
Senator Walker drew himself up to his full height and glared down at his opponent. Deacon Brunson stood five feet eight inches but visibly shrank as Senator Walker moved a couple of inches closer. The smaller man stepped back as if he feared the scowling man next to him. Putting up his hand he appealed to the moderator. His voice was shrill.
“Would you…would you please instruct my opponent to stand on his own side of the podium?”
Before the surprised moderator could respond, not hiding his anger, Senator Walker moved another two inches closer to the trembling congressman.
“First of all, Representative Brunson, please have the courtesy to refer to me by my title. I’m Senator Walker to you. Only my family and friends refer to me as John. And you, sir, are not my friend.”
Brunson’s face flushed a ruddy purplish color. Sticking out his chin, he shoved his clenched fists at his sides. He returned Senator Walker’s glare but the sweat beading his lip betrayed his anxiety. Assuming a defiant pose, he stuttered, “Are you telling me that you have never told a lie about your… record, or, about your private life?”
Ian shuttered his frown, forcing himself to maintain an unconcerned expression. He knew Walker well enough to know that Brunson had gotten under the Senator’s skin. He didn’t know whether Walker was incensed at having the Bible thrown in his face or if there was some truth to the Bible-thumper’s implied accusation. Ian hoped like hell it wasn’t the latter. He wasn’t reassured when Walker’s expression darkened and something akin to rage flashed in his eyes. He jumped on his opponent full force.
“Let me just say, Rep. Brunson, Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.”
Senator Walker leaned forward, heaping his scorn on his startled opponent.
“Since you apparently don’t recognize the quotation, let me tell you it was said by a true man of God, Martin Luther King. Unlike you, Representative Brunson, Dr. King didn’t wield the Bible to attack his opponents. However, he didn’t suffer fools gladly. Tell me Representative, are your unwarranted accusations about me due to your sincere ignorance or conscientious stupidity. Or more likely both.”
Clearly rattled but obviously trying to act as dismissive as the glaring Senator, Brunson puffed up like a boreal toad intent on having his say.
“You can sneer at me all you wish, Senator Walker, but no matter what you say I will be unafraid to quote the good book in the face of evil.”
Scott Wilson, the local a.m. anchor, and moderator of the rancorous debate turned to the Congressman and said mildly, “Evil is a strong word, Rep. Brunson. Are you calling Senator Walker evil? Or are you referring to something he has done? If so, can you be specific?”
Brunson squared his shoulders, his angry flush deepening. He started to speak, then glanced at Rudy Kramer, his campaign manager who was standing just off stage. As if reconsidering his response, the candidate hesitated then drew an audible breath and spoke smoothly.
“I will let the good book speak for me, Scott. As we learn in Proverbs: ‘Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature.’ ”
At Walker’s growl, and the audible gasps from the audience, Scott Wilson leaned forward, not hiding his surprise at the implications of Brunson’s quote.
“Again, Representative Brunson, those are very strong words.”
The angry murmurs from Walker supporters echoed by a few supporting whistles from Brunson supporters confirmed that the audience was as surprised as the moderator.
Pressing his point, Scott Wilson continued.
“I have to ask you, Sir, are you implying that Senator Walker has done something sinful—in fact something so sinful that it will cause his death?”
Meeting his campaign manager’s gaze and consenting nod, Brunson seemed to gather courage. He stared at the moderator and then said with a dismissive shrug, “Please, Scott, don’t be dramatic. I am merely quoting the Bible to underscore my strong beliefs that we all pay for our sins—including United States Senators. To answer your question regarding sin, I refer you to the Ten Commandments. Those Commandments are crystal clear as to what constitutes sinfulness. I will only say that breaking any one of those commandments is a sin and will be so judged. To break two or more…well, what can I say?”
At the catcalls and sounds of scuffles in the audience, Senator Walker stepped forward and held up his hands. His dark eyes gleamed with intensity. The smile curving his lips looked positively demonic.
“Now now, friends. Relax. We all have come to know what kind of a man Rep. Brunson is. Listening to him spew and spout the Bible, I agree with my good friend Pat Robertson who said, “I have a zero tolerance for sanctimonious morons who try to scare people.”
At the shouts of approval from Walker’s side of the aisle and foot stomping from the other side, Senator Walker continued. Rubbing his hands together clearly relishing the moment, he said with a bright smile, “Just so you don’t think my opponent is the only one who reads the Bible, let me point you to a few of my favorite passages. Listen up, folks, because the Bible truly does warn against self-righteousness. And if ever there was a self-righteous man, he is standing next to me.”
Raising his voice in true preacher tradition, the Senator turned and spoke directly to his opponent who stepped backwards at the overt challenge from the larger man.
“I recommend that you consid
er Matthew 7:1’s wise caution, Rep. Brunson. No doubt you know his warning: Judge not or you too will be judged. Or given that you seem to like Proverbs so much, you might want to consider Proverbs 13 that cautions: Those who guard their lips preserve their lives but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.”
Wild applause greeted Senator Walker’s challenge. As the moderator attempted to bring the unruly crowd to order and turn the discussion away from Bible, Ian moved closer to Diamond and spoke softly.
“We need to get to the bottom of this. Particularly, we need to find out what dirt Brunson has on the Senator. I’m going to talk to Rudy Kramer and push him. Kramer is a pro which leads me to think that they must have some dirt on the Senator or he wouldn’t let his candidate make such radical insinuations. I still find it hard to believe that Brunson’s campaign is responsible for the e-mails but they sure as hell need to address them.”
Tugging on Diamond’s arm, Ian continued in a low tone. “While I’m dealing with Kramer, I want you to take Peter Kennedy aside. Push him hard. If anyone knows the Senator’s vulnerabilities, it’s Peter.”
At that moment Brunson upped the ante. Clearly sensing that his opponent had captured the high ground on Bible quoting, he apparently decided to go to the constitution for support.
“I’m not surprised that Senator Walker is defensive. He has reason to be. However, insulting me in an attempt to silence me is not the answer. If the good Senator objects to my citing the Bible perhaps he will heed the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States that guarantees my right to Free Speech—”
Walker broke in before Brunson could continue. He focused on his sweating opponent with a steely eyed gaze worthy of a stalking lion closing in on his prey. Letting his disgust flare, the Senator said with a dismissive snort, “No one is questioning your right to say any damn fool thing you want to say, no matter how foolish it makes you look. And yes, we agree, that wise document that our predecessors crafted says your right to free speech is one of the guarantees of our constitution. But when you misuse that right and fall back on the constitution to support your lies, I will once again defer to Dr. King, who said: Never forget that everything Hitler did in Germany was legal.”