“Will you two get a room?” Dmitry interrupted as he came up behind Elena, unclipping the handcuffs from his wrists and sliding them an amused glance.
Elena detangled herself from him and stumbled back. He caught hold of her arm to steady her and simply because he couldn’t not touch her. His fingertips tingled as they connected with her soft flesh. She refused to look at him as she attempted to straighten her clothes and finger comb her hair, obviously trying to regain some of her dignity. He could’ve told her she was long past that but decided against it. He was hardly a stupid man. He caught sight of the handcuffs binding her wrists and shook his head.
“Handcuffs again, Elena?” He grinned at her and lowered his voice an octave. “You should have told me you had an affinity for them. I would’ve used them last night.”
He waggled his eyebrows playfully.
***
Elena fought the blush, not at all amused. She hit him hard on the shoulder, smiling sweetly when he winced, not particularly caring for handcuffs. The last pair she’d worn had cut her skin as she’d contorted her body to be free of them so she could help Lucas defuse the situation they’d found themselves in on board Alexei’s boat. The reminder brought back memories of a colder time. Yet, thankfully, there had been a light to the darkness—meeting Lucas. Now she couldn’t even imagine what her life would’ve been like otherwise.
He gently took hold of her wrist and unlocked each handcuff, setting her free. He kissed each wrist, his mouth lingering on the sensitive flesh on the inside. She shivered as he made something so simple erotic. Her blood heated and her heartbeat sped up. She tensed, her body melting and wanted nothing more than to be alone with Lucas. He must have sensed where her thoughts had gone because after a moment of hesitation he stepped back, breaking the sensual tidal wave in which she had gotten caught in.
Looking up at his face she noted with pleasure that his breathing was irregular and that his eyes had darkened with desire. She glanced away from the promises she saw clear as day on his face and over his broad shoulder, stilling as her gaze settled on the entourage coming straight toward them. A man impeccably dressed in an expensive Ralph Lauren suit was flanked by six men all packing heat and unreadable expressions.
She and Lucas immediately moved to stand side by side providing a buffer between the men and Dmitry. She loved that they thought the same way and that no matter who they faced they did it together and that he protected Dmitry as if he were his own brother. She hadn’t thought she could love Lucas any more than she already did, but her heart swelled with such love that she felt as if she could float away.
She recognized one of the men as the agent of the Secret Service whom she had given an antique axe after it appeared all the fire exits of the Winter Palace in St Petersburg had been rigged to close, designed to keep them trapped inside. He appeared to remember her as well as he gave her a smile and a wink. Lucas stiffened beside her. She looked away from the Secret Service Agent to the man they were protecting. It was hard not to recognize the President of the United States. He was a handsome man in his late forties who carried himself well. Of all the broadcasts she had heard, he spoke rather eloquently with a slight southern brogue left over from his formative years in Louisiana.
The president stopped before them. He looked from her to Lucas. “Agent Gates, Agent Ivanova, a pleasure. I hear the country owes you quite the debt of gratitude. I more than anyone. It appears you have once more averted disaster. It seems to be becoming a habit of yours. I’m exceedingly thankful for your efforts in stopping Sundown from being leaked or sold. I’m sure you understand the severity of the situation had you not intercepted.”
Lucas nodded, accepting the gratitude, although she knew no thanks was needed. To men like him he saw it as only doing his job to keep the homeland safe but this was the second time in the not so distant past he had gone beyond the call of duty and she was exceedingly proud of him.
While the president barely gave more than a brief glance about the room, she knew he was taking everything in. His gaze finally settled over her left shoulder where Dmitry stood.
“Dmitry Ivanov, I suppose?” he asked. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
Dmitry stepped forward, shouldering his way between her and Lucas. She wanted to stop him. To hide him away. He was her little brother and it was her job to protect and care for him. She’d failed. She watched with pride as he stood to his full height, unafraid and ready to accept his punishment. She remembered him doing the same as a small boy. He took his responsibilities serious and always faced the repercussions of any act with remarkable aplomb. He held out his hand, and the president shook it.
“Mr. President,” Dmitry said reverently.
The president nodded, his sharp eyes scrutinizing Dmitry. Elena’s heart beat painfully in her chest and she trembled with fear. Dmitry didn’t deserve to be punished for an act he would not have committed under normal circumstances. He was a decent man who may have dabbled in grey areas but never for profit or terror. Whatever happened, she knew she would never stop fighting until he was released.
Lucas gently touched her elbow before stepping forward, making his movement as non-threatening as possible as to not alarm the Secret Service but also to draw the President’s attention to him and away from Dmitry.
“Mr. President, I’d like to speak on behalf of Dmitry. He’s a good, honest man who was a victim of circumstance. He should not be blamed for the theft but instead commended for its safe keeping. If it weren’t for him, Sundown would more than likely be in the hands of our enemies right now.”
Heart thumping in her chest, she blinked back the tears threatening to embarrass her.
No matter what happened today she’d always be grateful to Lucas for backing Dmitry; his reputation and integrity was well respected throughout the Intelligence community.
She hugged herself tightly, needing reassurance that all would be well, knowing it was far from it and that this man held her brother’s future in his hands. Her stomach spasmed painfully as she waited for the president to speak.
“I agree,” the president said. “The United States is indeed indebted to Mr. Ivanov and extremely grateful for his involvement. I had a long talk with SAC Fitzgibbon and he too spoke on your behalf. It seems there are many who sing your praises. I’ve spoken to the US Attorney and your case has been dropped and your record expunged. Just don’t go hacking any more government sites.”
Elena exhaled; she hadn’t realized she’d been holding her breath. “Thank you, Mr. President. You have no idea what this means to me—to us.”
He smiled back at her. “No, I think I do, Agent Ivanova. I have a younger brother myself. Well, I must be off. I am a busy man, you know. Have a country to run and all. Again, thank you—all of you.”
After watching him leave, she turned to the two men in her life. It all seemed so surreal. The fear they’d lived in for the past few days gone. Dmitry looked about the room, his body relaxed, and his demeanor lighter despite all that had transpired. She would never forget what he’d done for her or the look on his face shortly after he’d killed a man to protect her.
Her gaze followed his. The FBI agents Lucas had brought with him were currently escorting the National Security Advisor’s lackeys out the door in handcuffs. The young tech, Harrison, was wide eyed as he took in the fact that the man he had worked for had tried to steal a security protocol and kill innocent people.
“Good might not always triumph but technology is here to help,” Dmitry said.
She shook her head. If there was any religion her brother believed in it was technology. His philosophy was that you could do just about anything with a computer and there were always men out there like him who were there to clean up after the ones who used that fact to their advantage.
Lucas’s cell vibrated and he retrieved it from his belt before answering it with his usual style—which meant no pleasantries at all. He caught her gaze, his eyebrow raised. “Elena, I have Director Mis
hkin on the phone. He would like to talk to you.”
Elena grimaced and seriously considered ignoring him. This wasn't a conversation she wanted to have. She knew exactly what the SVR Director wanted to say but wasn’t interested in hearing it. She nibbled on her lower lip, deciding whether or not to take the call then decided to get it over with. It would do no good to delay the inevitable. She took the phone from Lucas and put it to her ear.
“Director Mishkin,” she said crisply into the phone before moving the phone away from her ear as a tirade of loud Russian came through. She glanced over at Dmitry and made a face. Her brother looked pained as he shamelessly listened to every word. Lucas, too, watched her face closely. Probably trying to read her expression to decipher what was being said. He’d just have to be patient. She let out a deep breath and waited for the Director to finish. A moment later she delicately hung up the phone feeling ragged and despondent.
“Elena, I’m so sorry.” Dmitry spoke first. His voice soothing, his face riddled with guilt. “You should not have jeopardized your career for me.”
She smiled at him. “It’s not your fault, Dmitry. He would have done it sooner or later. I don’t play by his rules and cause ripples in his perfect world.”
She and Mishkin had never seen eye to eye after he’d approved the verdict on her husband’s murder as a simple case of burglary gone bad. She’d never agreed and had voiced that opinion and ruffled his feathers until he’d benched her from active duty, only reinstating her when Lucas arrived six months later as no one in the office had wanted to work with an American.
For a time, after the St Petersburg incident they had existed in harmony but her time with Lucas had irrevocably changed her—unfavorably so in Mishkin’s opinion. She no longer followed the rules to the letter and that grated on him who was the very embodiment of procedures. He liked a tidy world and she had disrupted it.
Lucas looked from one to the other. “What’s going on?”
Elena shrugged. “Director Mishkin just wanted to say in no uncertain terms…” Her voice broke.
Her brother half hugged her, his arm draping across her shoulder and giving her a squeeze. “He fired her.”
“What?” Lucas was outraged. “Give me that phone. I’ll talk to Mishkin and smooth things over. Under the circumstances—”
She kissed him, effectually shutting him up. “I don’t care.” She shook her head. “No, that’s a lie. I do care. But it’s not important. It’s just a job and I would do the same thing all over again knowing the end result.”
She smiled at Dmitry again before turning to Lucas. “So, is there still room at the Gates hotel?” she joked to cover the underlining vulnerability she felt. She was feeling lost without purpose, unsure of her role in life—his life. She knew he wanted her but did that extend to every moment for the foreseeable future? She might outstay her welcome when he discovers some of her less delightful quirks and habits.
He pulled her into his solid chest, holding her close. She inhaled his unique scent, feeling as if she were home. He kissed her hard, taking his time. Reminding her of everything they had shared. The whole world blurred around until there was only Lucas. When she finally broke away, they were both breathing heavily.
Fighting for breath, she heard him say, “Always for you, sladkaya, always for you.”
Epilogue
Two Days Later…
CIA Headquarters
Langley, Virginia, USA
Elena stood beside Lucas in SAC Fitzgibbon’s office. The man had just finished verifying the charges against her brother had been completely dropped, as promised. She felt an invisible weight lift from her chest, one she hadn’t even been aware of. The evening news had reported the untimely death of the National Security Advisor in a single motor vehicle accident and the country mourned for him. There was no mention of the DoD being hacked or the theft of project Sundown.
She wasn’t surprised. The last thing the government wanted was for the public to know how vulnerable they’d been just days ago nor that a well-respected man had initiated the incident. Sometimes it was best to keep some secrets from the light of day and it had all worked out in the end and that was all that mattered.
She wore jeans and a blouse, her pale hair hanging loosely around her shoulders. It was a rather impromptu meeting. Had she known she would be standing at Langley she would’ve dressed for the occasion. Lucas stood beside her similarly dressed and at ease. He’d taken a few days off to spend time with her. This was the first time they had gotten out of bed for anything besides food. She felt delightfully exhausted and knew she must be glowing from sheer happiness—and good sex.
Dmitry had moved out into a hotel while he toured D.C. She knew he wanted to give her and Lucas as much alone time together as possible and she loved her brother for it. Secretary Mann had been overjoyed to have Sundown back. Since no one actually got a look at the contents, he’d determined the protocol was still valid, and he ensured it was about as secure as it could get. He had even asked Dmitry for suggestions and had taken on one of his own security programs to keep it safe.
“Well, thank you very much, Jim, for all your help,” Elena said.
He smiled, the skin around his eyes crinkling. She was more grateful to him than she could express. If it weren’t for him and Lucas, she didn’t want to think what might’ve happened. She owed a lot to them both.
“And you, Elena. It was a pleasure, I assure you,” Jim stated. “I’ve worked with your countrymen before. You’re a hard lot. Give it as good as you get, though. But you’re also loyal and I’m proud to be counted among your friends. I must say I’ve never seen Secretary Mann get put down so eloquently in my entire time here at the agency. You have quite the talent, which leads me to something I’d like to ask you.”
Elena raised her eyebrow and waited.
Lucas snorted. “Now that you’re sufficiently buttered up.”
“Can it, Gates.” Jim shot him a glare. “On behalf of the CIA, I would formally like to invite you into our little club. We could use a good liaison and I heard you were between jobs.”
Her heart raced. An opportunity to stay here with Lucas. She would be crazy not to grab hold of it with both hands. The last few days, she’d been feeling adrift, unsure of her future. While Lucas went out of his way to show her that she belonged here with him, she hated being idle and couldn’t stand the thought of being a kept woman. She wanted to contribute to her life with Lucas, to the country, and to the world.
Lucas scoffed and Jim shot him another look to be quiet. Like always, he didn’t heed the warning. “She’d make a fine commodity to the agency, what with all her contacts around the world.”
“We all have our strengths,” Jim agreed. “Elena is a fine agent and I heard she would be staying in Washington for some time.” He looked Lucas in the eye, waiting to see if he would deny it. He didn’t. “Dmitry has already accepted my offer of employment. It appears you aren’t the only one who plans to stay.”
Her eyes widened in shock. If there was one thing her brother always said, it was that no government would ever rule him. Incredulously, she asked, assuming she heard wrong, “Dmitry is going to be working for the CIA?”
Jim shrugged. “We thought it best to have him on our side, working with us rather than against. He got a good package too and is already filling out the employment forms and visa application.”
She let out a deep breath. “And just how did you manage that?”
Jim shrugged like it was no big deal, just an ordinary everyday occurrence. “Oh, you know, I promised him if he signed on I would drop the hacker charges and involuntary endangerment…the president left those off the original immunity document.”
She scowled. “I hope he didn’t fall for that and give his countrymen all a bad name.”
“Hell no,” Jim grinned. “He told me to go get stuffed.”
She nodded. “That’s more like it. Well, then, boss…I accept.”
Lucas grinned. Jim
shook his head at his obvious pleasure. She turned toward Lucas and kissed him soundly. “I know,” she told him. “Me too.”
He looked deep into her eyes and saw the love for her reflected in his gorgeous blue ones. He made her feel alive and cherished. That she was the only woman in the world for him. After Nikolai, she had thought she would never feel this way again and knew he would approve of Lucas. He would not want her to be sad and lonely and live a life full of regrets. She would never forget Nikolai. He was her first love and had been taken entirely too soon but he was a part of her past now and her future was right in front of her and looking more promising by the minute.
Everything seemed to be coming together. She and Lucas were finally on the path they were meant to be on and now Dmitry was remaining close. She had everything she could possibly want.
“One thing, though,” Lucas said, breaking into her thoughts. “It will be a cold day in hell before you’ll be decorating our home.”
Her eyes narrowed as she immediately took offense. She broke away from their embrace, her hands automatically going to her hips. How dare he insult her decorating skills. Sure, she wasn’t Martha Stewart, but who the hell was? Although she admitted to herself her home-making skills were less than desirable but he sure as hell shouldn’t be saying so.
“Surely I couldn’t do worse than you,” she threw back. “What do they call your decorating style, anyway? ‘Early American college boy’?”
“Beautiful and quick witted. I can’t go wrong,” Lucas said.
Jim cleared his throat. “One more thing before you leave. My wife, Maggie, would like to invite you both to dinner. She seems fascinated with you, Elena, and can’t wait to meet the woman who captured Lucas’s heart.”
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