Code Redhead - A Serial Novel

by Sharon Kleve

  Maya reached for the memory card she’d just put on his desk.

  “Your memory card. I just finished the memo.”

  He took it from her hand, placed it in his briefcase, and then closed it.

  “Good Night, Ms. Redmond.”

  She watched him walk out. Not a smile, or a thank-you. Not even a kiss-my-ass! Maya laughed at her last thought. Not that she’d want him to. Then she realized her search had been unsuccessful. He must keep all confidential files locked in his laptop, and he took it home every night. She needed access to that to find what she needed. The only way she’d get that was to go home with him. He’d been flirtatious but hadn’t given an invitation. Maya figured there was only one way to access those files.

  At the end of the next business day, she removed her blazer and loosened the top button of her blouse before she entered his office. It was time to play his game. Quinn didn’t look up from the file in his hand. Maya walked over to the sofa. She sat, and then crossed one leg over the other seductively to grab his attention. Maya watched his eyes move from what he’d been reading to her legs and then upward to the cleavage that peaked from her blouse.

  Quinn cleared his throat. She assumed her actions had made him uncomfortable.

  “It’s late. Let’s leave this until the morning.”

  He stood, and then reached for his jacket, “Join me for dinner.”

  It sounded more like a command instead of an invitation. She didn’t care. She needed to search his laptop for the files that would incriminate him. Even if that meant getting into his bed.

  “I’d love to. I’m starving.”

  Maya slowly pulled her leg from its resting place. She slowly moved from the sofa, allowing her skirt to rise up her thigh. She could hear him swallow hard from across the room. Maya confidently smiled. She had him where she wanted him. He held open the door as she gracefully brushed against him on her way through.

  “Mr. O’Neill, always a pleasure to have you join us. I have a table by the fireplace available.”

  Quinn nodded. He placed his hand on Maya’s lower back as they followed the maître d’. He hardly said more than a few words on the way to the restaurant. He spent most of his time on the phone to a man she’d met earlier in the week. She overheard Quinn mention a meeting in Paris the following night. He sounded tense when he restated the importance of meeting the next day. She’d heard something that a transfer had to take place within forty-eight hours. Maya knew he had to be talking about the weapons. It only made her more determined to follow through with her plan of seduction. It the transfer of weapons was to take place tomorrow night or the following day, she needed to gather location and contacts from his laptop. For the past few weeks, business had been all been about buying and selling real estate. She’d even questioned her assignment more than once. Now she knew he was the ruthless man she’d studied. She took a deep breath as Quinn held her chair. Maya felt as though she was about to sell her soul to the devil. She was about to sleep with this man to put him behind bars.

  Quinn hadn’t been born with a silver spoon in his mouth. Maya could tell he was a little rough around the edges. He had to be. If his business dealings had been as corrupt as she’d been told, the man didn’t have a conscience. From what she’d read about him, he’d been raised by his grandfather on a farm in Northern Ireland. He moved to Dublin at the age of eighteen and put himself through college. In fact, she’d read he paid his way through college working as a dishwasher in a restaurant like the one they were about to eat in. Maya figured somewhere along the way of building his business, he’d made choices that only made him the man he was today.

  “Join me for a drink at my place.”

  Again, it sounded more like a command rather than an invitation. But it was what she’d wanted. Maya smiled, “I’d like that.” She turned to look out her window as they drove through Dublin. You can do this, she silently reassured herself.

  “Allow me.”

  Quinn offered to take her coat, and then tossed it on a chair on his way to the wet bar. His house certainly yelled money. From the mixed collection of antiques and paintings, he was all about show.

  “Whiskey?”

  Maya nodded. Anything strong would ease her nerves. Not that Quinn wasn’t attractive. His dark eyes would make any woman weak at the knees. There wasn’t a gentleness about him. He had the heart of a lion. Quinn O’Neill stood just over six feet. He had a slim, muscular build with a perfectly symmetrical bone structure. His jawline was strong. His body was firm. Besides the fact that the man had more money than he knew what to do with, he made the bachelor-most-wanted list. Maya also had read an article on him in People’s Magazine. Quinn was a beautiful man, just a corrupt one.

  Maya turned the glass up and drank the whiskey. She felt it trickle down her throat and warm her.

  “A woman after my own heart. She likes her whiskey. Another?”

  She accepted his offer and took the second as she’d taken the first drink. Quickly.

  He stood for a moment, and then tossed his whiskey back.

  “Are you okay with being here, Shana?”

  He called her by her first name. It was the first time he’d ever called her by it. The whiskey gave her more of an edge and she answered him with a question.

  “Will I lose my job if I stay?”

  She seductively gazed into his eyes and awaited his reply.

  He laughed. Another first. The man could show emotion. Maybe he’d even make a good lover.

  “No, your job will still be yours in the morning. Perhaps, with a raise; depending on—”

  Maya placed a finger on his lips. She took his glass from his hand and set it on the table with hers. She moved in closer and took in his scent, a mix of whiskey and cologne. His stare pulled her in closer until her lips met his. She tasted the whiskey from his lips, and then took her tongue across his bottom lip. She felt his hands on her hips and he pulled her hard against him. She felt his arousal build. Maya had him exactly where she needed him.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Maya woke to the aroma of breakfast. She smiled and then realized where she was. She stayed beneath the silk sheets for a few moments to regain focus. Part of her felt remorse. That part she had to quickly remove from her thoughts. Quinn was nowhere in sight. She lifted the sheet from her naked body. Her eyes met the robe placed at the end of the bed. She reached for it and slid out from his bed.

  What have I done? Maya thought as she leaned against the closed bathroom door. She held her clothes and purse tight against her body, and then took a deep breath.

  Forget it Maya! Release the memory of what you did to retrieve what you needed, she told herself.

  Once dressed, she opened her purse and reached for her lipstick. She’d hidden the memory card inside with the key. The key that held her identity and cash to escape when the assignment became too dangerous. She held the drive in her hand and wondered if she’d reached that point. She’d successfully retrieved the information Ken told her they’d been searching for, Quinn’s contacts for his weapons dealings. The CIA had been tracking his dealings for the past year but had come up with empty warehouses across Europe.

  The property dealings Quinn bought were sold to other hands too quickly. The contents were shipped faster than the CIA could track movement. The man she’d worked with for the past month was indeed what Ken described. A ruthless businessman out to make money no matter what deals went through his corporation. Her assignment to retrieve his contacts had been completed, but she knew what she held in her hand might not put the man behind bars. She needed the location of the weapons, along with his signature on the deal. Quinn O’Neill made his millions through real estate. Simply put, he bought and sold properties. Sometimes he’d hold on to them for a short time for investment income, but mostly he sold them within a short frame of time for a profit. It looked legit, in theory and on paper; but Maya knew deep down the man she worked for knew what he was doing.

  Maya inserted the ca
rd into her device and sent the information to Blue with a short message, I believe this is what we need.

  Within seconds, Blue replied. His message of thanks then followed with his normal concern, Are you safe?

  She wondered herself. She hadn’t yet spoke to Quinn. She replied, I think so. Keep you posted.

  His simple reply of Please, touched her heart.

  He’d been her only contact outside of her secret world with Quinn. They chatted daily. First with updates, and then more personal. Not breaking the identity rule of the CIA but with more general information. She considered Blue a close friend. Something she hadn’t allowed herself since her sister’s death. She missed that. Since she’d started messaging Blue, she realized how lonely she’d been over the years without close contact with anyone. Each time she felt it, she forced herself to forget. That part of her life ended. The CIA was her life. She reminded herself she’d never have close contact again. She’d never love again.

  “Well, good morning.” Quinn’s cheerful greeting told her she was safe. He had no idea what she’d done while he slept.

  She returned his warmth with a smile, “Good morning. Something smells great.”

  “I figured the aroma might reach your senses. Join me for breakfast.” He seemed different. It worried her. He’d always been pleasant with her but his tone had changed. She wondered if it had been because she’d slept with him, or if he knew what she’d done. She took a seat at the table across from him.

  “Thank you, I’m starving.”

  “Worked up an appetite?”

  His question startled her. He looked up from the paper he held and winked.

  Maya let out a snort through her laughter. “Must have.”

  Silence followed. Quinn continued to read his paper as Maya helped herself to the food at the table. Then Quinn smiled, and set down his paper. “About last night, Shana.” He paused as he intertwined his fingers. He held his grasped hands beneath his chin. She wasn’t sure whether his stare was filled with warmth or regret.

  “Yes,” her tone questioned his remark.

  “I hope last night will not change our professional relationship. We work well together. You fit perfectly in my daily business. Now, I find you fit perfectly in my bed.”

  His statement made her swallow hard. She had just received a compliment from the man she planned to take down. She knew to continue the game, she should compliment him as well and then agree to keep their professional arrangement the same. What happened last night would not change her focus. That much she knew.

  “Thank you, Quinn. Last night was incredible, but it won’t change our professional relationship.”

  She could sense his ego just grew. He smiled.

  “Wonderful. I believe we can manage both.”

  It didn’t sound like an agreement for both parties involved. Maya felt his statement told her she’d keep her job along with the extra-curricular activity outside of business. She wondered if she should use that key or stay to make sure this man was put behind bars.

  Maya decided to stay. The intense thought of danger decided for her. She took a bite of food. She figured his last remark didn’t require further comment. Maya’s eyes drifted toward Quinn as she gulped her coffee. She caught his stare and watched him put down his paper again.

  “Once you’re finished with your breakfast, Marcus will give you a ride home. Pack for an overnight trip to Paris. We have a dinner meeting there tonight. It’s formal-wear.”

  No invitation, just another order. This man certainly enjoyed giving them. Maya nodded as she swallowed her coffee, and then asked if she needed to prepare for the meeting.

  “Is there anything from the office we need for tonight?”

  Her calm demeanor was as good as his. She never allowed her thoughts or her nerves to get the best of her and jeopardize everything she’d worked for.

  Quinn confirmed she didn’t need to retrieve anything. He informed her he had the files needed and would email them to her for review on the plane.

  “Our flight is at three o’clock. Marcus will pick you up at one-thirty.”

  Maya finished her breakfast and stood.

  “I’ll see you this afternoon. Is there anything else, Mr. O’Neill?”

  He chuckled and then raised an eyebrow above the tip of his paper.

  “I like you, Shana. You can call me Quinn in private. See you later.”

  Maya’s smirk was enough. She made no further remark and left the dining room. She sensed his stare as she left. Part of it thrilled her. Part of it scared her to death. She had to admit that last night was incredible like she’d told him. Quinn was an attractive man who knew his way around a woman’s body. Pleasure had been successful. During their love-making, she’d forgotten who she was and why she was there. She reminded herself on the way home that she hadn’t sinned, she simply enjoyed part of her assignment. It only worried her how deep she’d gotten. If Quinn found out who she really was, her life would end at his order.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Maya was happy to be a witness to the deal that allowed the CIA to make their arrests and locate the weapons before they’re re-distributed to another location. The Paris business dinner ended, names were signed, and now she had to find a way out. The thought of spending another night with Quinn sickened her. She stepped out of the bathroom and found Quinn sitting on the bed. In his hand, he held a memory card. Maya hoped it was his. But the look on his face told her he’d found the one in her purse. The one with the information she’d taken from his laptop the night before. Damn! Why didn’t I put that back in my lipstick case?

  Quinn stood and moved closer to her. He raised his hand to her, and then called for Marcus, his right-hand man. The man that did all of Quinn’s dirty work. Maya felt the sting from Quinn’s hand strike against her face. Marcus entered the bedroom and then pulled Maya out to the main area of the hotel suite. He pushed her into a chair and tied her hands behind it.

  Marcus pointed his gun to her head and ordered her to start talking. Maya just sent Blue the location of the weapons before she’d stepped out of the bathroom. She only hoped they’d get to it before the weapons were shipped again. The files Quinn had sent her before their flight had already been forwarded to Blue. The file included the deal, contacts, and the next location. It was only at dinner that Maya discovered the existing location of the weapons. She knew they’d be shipped within twenty-four hours of signatures on the dotted line. Maya was thankful they hadn’t found her device used to communicate with Blue.

  Marcus backhanded her and she felt the sting above her eye. The next one went to her mouth. She felt the warmth of blood on her lips. Her face throbbed. She couldn’t tell which part of it hurt more. Marcus appeared frustrated. Maya was ready to die for the mission. She’d succeeded. Quinn and his operation were about to go down. Many arrests would happen from the information retrieved. Marcus left her to talk to Quinn in the bedroom. She heard them argue. Quinn sounded pissed and desperate to find out who she spoke to and about what. She’d said nothing since he confronted her. Silence had taken over. She wasn’t even about to make up a story and she wasn’t going to give him the truth. She was ready to die for the mission. She had nothing to live for. Everyone she’d ever loved had died or she’d pushed aside. Besides Ken and Blue, no one would know her existence had ended.

  Maya thought of Blue. She’d miss him. He’d been her only friend. A decent man who kept her determined to complete the mission. But he’d also gotten through to her. He’d been the first she allowed inside her personal circle. She silently prayed his identity was safe. She heard Quinn announce he was headed to the hotel bar.

  “Deal with Shana, or whoever she really is.”

  Maya inhaled deeply. She wasn’t ready to die. She worried about Blue, her only friend. She’d realized she had let him in. She’d shared her most intimate thoughts with him without giving her real identity. It hit her hard. She loved him. She had to live and find him. Maya glanced at the table beside he
r. Quinn’s Italian Stiletto switchblade sat on it. She quickly took her stare away from the table as she heard Quinn leave the bedroom. He paused for a moment with a look of disgust in his eyes. That didn’t worry her. He was corrupt. Besides being a controlling man who always got his way. She showed no emotion, said nothing; but smiled inside knowing he’d end up where he was meant to be, behind bars. He turned and left the suite.

  Marcus came back from the bedroom. His stare told Maya she needed to get herself out of the situation before his fists met her face again. His smirk told her it might not be his fists she needed to worry about. He held his gun in her direction.

  “You and I are going to have another chat, and then you’re going to meet your demise.” He laughed and then placed his gun behind his back. “First, I have to pick up a few supplies for our chat.” Marcus walked over to the table. Maya prayed he wouldn’t take the blade. Relief set in when he picked up one of the napkins. He shoved it in her mouth.

  “There, that should keep you quiet. I won’t be long.”

  Maya watched him exit the hotel and waited only moments before she began to lift herself and the chair to move closer to the table. She maneuvered the chair so that her hands would be closest to the table. She pulled the tablecloth slowly to bring the blade closer to the edge of the table.

  “Damn it!”

  The blade fell from the table. She didn’t hesitate to rock herself to the point that the chair tipped. Maya lay on her side, still attached to the chair. The blade was a mere inch from her fingertips. She wiggled enough to grab it with one hand and open it. Quickly but carefully, she began to cut the rope that held her hands together.

  The rope fell from her wrists and she freely moved her arms to her front. She sat on the floor and rubbed her arms. She reached for the blade and raced to the bedroom. Luckily, her purse lay on the bed. She grabbed her device and lipstick from the bathroom. All she needed to do was to get the hell out of there and return to Dublin. Her passport to freedom remained there. Maya searched her purse, she hardly had enough cash for a taxi let alone a flight. She had to get out before Marcus or Quinn came back but she knew where a stash of cash would be. Quickly she searched Quinn’s briefcase and grabbed the roll of cash in there. She shoved it in her purse and left.