Protection

by Jay S. Wilder

  “Not until we get something to eat.”

  “I’m not hungry!”

  Waving her off, Nick added, “Okay, then not until you calm down.”

  She patrolled around now in his footsteps. “I can promise you that isn’t going to happen anytime soon. I’m going crazy here, Nick. You don’t understand. You’re a soldier. You’re fierce and brave and strong. I’m not. I’ve got street smarts. I know things most people shouldn’t. But, goddammit…” She stopped and took a deep breath to say the next thing. “I’m scared to death right now.”

  She collapsed on the bed and let the tears fall, wetting her cheeks with the freedom of the emotions she’d pent up inside. She hated being this weak and letting her fears, trepidations, and feelings get the better of her. Her father would be so disappointed in her if he could see her now.

  She felt the bed dip down before she felt Nick touch her arm. His caress was subtle, gentle, concerning and not just sexual. His arm wove around her, and she allowed herself to relax her head on his shoulder. His energy flowed into her, giving her the courage to lift her head and realize she wasn’t in this alone. He was with her and really did want to take care of her.

  “No authorities?” she asked meekly.

  “I’m the authority,” he said into her hair.

  She shook slightly as a mirthful laugh escaped her. “Okay… thanks.”

  This breakdown told her she wouldn’t be better off taking chances on her own. Still, she wasn’t going to let hiding out with this overprotective hunk be her only option.

  For now, it was best.

  Down the road, maybe not.

  27

  Nick

  Rockland County

  This was Nick’s safe house. Safer than any he’d ever know. Safer than any army barracks, any foster home, or any four-star hotel. Here, he had complete control over everything.

  He’d secured the entire premises with security cameras and trip wires. He had a cellar dug for any type of emergency or safe haven. He had provisions and supplies to last him months. And, he had ammunition, communication devices, alternative identification, and cash. Lots of it.

  In his line of work, he could never be too careful. He never knew if someone would come after him. He’d killed in the line of duty, and he’d done so in the name of order, fighting pure evil, and sometimes, to follow orders with no understanding of the reasons. But if Nicole’s father or someone associated with Terratech or whoever wanted to seek him out or hunt him down, he was prepared.

  Except now, he’d brought Nicole into his fortress. A damned mark herself.

  Yet, the circumstances were beyond both of their control.

  Even though he’d destroyed her phone back at the airport, he wanted to make sure the burner ones he had in the cottage were tucked safely away. Since he was giving her the bedroom, he needed to retrieve the case he had some items hidden in.

  “I’ll only be a minute,” he said to her and closed the door behind her. He went to the bedroom fireplace and loosened the stone at the left side of the mantle to reveal a secret hiding place. The burner phones were all in there—six of them—so he placed them in a towel, replaced the stone, and tucked the package up underneath his arm.

  Back out in the living room, he saw Nicole had settled into the couch and was staring out at the Hudson.

  “It’s almost like a mini-ocean,” she said sort of trance-like.

  “I love the water,” he told her. “Any water. I just want to be near it. Around it. In it.”

  “Same here,” she beamed. “I got my SCUBA certification two years ago at the YMCA. Other than my check-out dives, I haven’t gone anywhere. I’d love to go to the Caribbean or Australia’s Great Barrier Reef or that place where the International Date Line is underwater.”

  “Fiji. It’s in Fiji,” he said.

  “I totally want to do that.” She lifted a brow at him. “Do you dive? Oh, wait… you’re a freaking Ranger. You do everything.”

  “Well, I have done everything,” he said with a laugh.

  He crossed the room and inconspicuously dumped the contents of the towel into his duffel without her noticing. Then, he moved over to her and handed her the large bath cloth.

  “The shower is excellent and I highly recommend using it. It’ll help you relax.”

  She accepted the towel and set it in her lap. “Are you just trying to get me naked again?”

  His mouth fell open, forgetting for a moment that they’d gone there, and he rubbed his chin to think about it. He could see Nicole was mortified with herself for having said that as the red blush stained her cheeks.

  “I’m so kidding,” she said quickly. “Sorry.”

  “Don’t be sorry. It was funny.”

  She dropped her eyes and then stood up, tossing the towel over her shoulder. “A shower sounds nice. Who knows when I’ll have the opportunity again… on the run and all.” She began to walk away and then stopped, pivoted, and considered something. “You know, in the movies and on television, no one bathes. I mean, they’re on the run, fighting the bad guys, solving crime, and doing good all round. They just don’t take a shower or clean up. Why is that?”

  He shrugged and tossed his arms up. “What can I say? It’s a dirty business.”

  “Apparently.”

  She smiled and left the room.

  In no time, he heard the water turn on, so he went into the kitchen to set about making something to eat.

  As he plundered through his supplies, he tried not to think about Nicole completely naked just through the wall. Even though he’d set up surveillance cameras everywhere, the bathroom was private. Now, he almost regretted that decision as he imagined her soaping herself, letting the suds run between the valley of her perfectly shaped breasts. The bubbles covering the tips of her nipples like snow on a mountain top. The cascade of water flowing down her flat stomach, over the crescent moon birthmark, and down to wet the waxed mons leading to what he knew to be a hot cavern of passion.

  All he wanted was to feel her pussy clenched around his dick again.

  Fuck.

  He fought the desire to kick down the bathroom door and drag her to the floor all wet and hot and cover every inch of her with passionate kisses, deeper than they’d shared before.

  Shaking out of it the best he could, he sorted through the food choices and withdrew several items he could work with: cans of tuna, green peas, mushrooms, cream of mushroom soup, some potato chips, and a box of pasta noodles. GI barracks food – good old tuna noodle casserole. He was no gourmet, but he knew this would satisfy both of them. Well, their appetites, that was.

  He mixed everything together and preheated the gas oven in no time. He put the ingredients into a dish and then crumbled the potato chips on top before placing into the oven. He set the timer and then heard the water stop. Nicole had taken one hell of a long shower. Had she been in there thinking of him and pleasuring herself?

  Moving to the fireplace, Nick took several pieces of kindling and wadded up some paper underneath. He struck a large match and touched it to the small teepee he’d built. Soon, the fire ignited, spread around, and began warming the room. He added a couple of logs, and soon the flames were crackling and dancing about in the hearth. Setting the screen in front of it, he turned to see Nicole standing at the opening of the hallway with her wet hair combed in place and the blue towel hanging from her thin frame.

  “Sorry. I was going to put my clothes back on, then I remembered the suitcase we got at the airport. Do you mind if I look to see if there’s anything clean in there I can wear?”

  Nick swallowed hard, trying to find the strength to breathe normally as he took in her appearance. Most women couldn’t carry off looking so goddamned sexy coming straight from the shower. Not Nicole. She was glowing, and her skin smelled so good that he wanted to… well, the exact same thought he’d had earlier in the kitchen.

  “Umm, yeah, sure. It’s over there.” He pointed toward the front door, but then caught himse
lf. What was he thinking? There was no need for her to go all the way over there. “Here… hang on.”

  He picked up the suitcase and carried it into the bedroom for her. She followed along and waited while he opened the zipper. He flipped the luggage flap back, and both of them gasped a bit too hard.

  “Holy shit,” she exclaimed.

  Nick lifted out the item on top. A hot pink, red, and yellow flowery dress he could only describe as a “moo moo” or a really dressy house coat. Also, the size was an XXXL which wouldn’t only swallow Nicole whole, it might get him too.

  “I wasn’t going for functionality,” he said. “I just wanted a prop.”

  He continued sifting through the horribly designed clothes with designs of chickens and flying mushrooms, wondering not only who would wear such items, but where the fuck on earth had they purchased them?

  Nicole stepped over and tugged out a pair of extremely large underwear and held them up. “I don’t think these will fit me,” she said.

  “Definitely not,” Nick said. “We can wash your stuff out in the sink and hang it by the fire to dry.”

  “What? No washer and dryer?” she quipped.

  He rolled his eyes. “It’s being installed next week. Work with me.”

  She retrieved the first dress with the brightly colored tropical flowers. “I guess this would work if I can borrow a belt or something.”

  “We’ll throw that shit away,” he said.

  “Wait,” she said. “That’s a gorgeous designer bag right there.”

  He retrieved the purse and tossed it to her. “All yours. Now, for clothes, I can help you out.” He went over to the closet and opened the door wide. The aroma of cedar wafted out, pleasing him greatly since he’d designed and built the closet himself. He got a folded white undershirt and a pair of boxer briefs and handed them over to her. “Not stylish, but good to sleep in. I should know.”

  She inspected the items and smiled. “This’ll work for the night. I’ll go wash my clothes out and get dressed.” As she walked toward the bathroom again, she stopped and sniffed the air. “Damn, something sure smells good.”

  “Tuna Noodle Casserole,” he announced proudly.

  She looked him up one side and down the other. “Umm, umm, umm… all that and he can cook, too.”

  He laughed hard and tossed a pillow from the bed at her.

  She danced away and waved.

  Oh God, was he going to make it through the night without ravishing her?

  He couldn’t promise he could.

  28

  Nick

  “Damn, this is delicious. May I have more?

  Nicole held her plate out, begging for another helping. Nick spooned out more of the creamy concoction his adoptive mom had taught him to make. She knew he was going into the Army, and they’d feed him three squares a day, but she wanted to be sure he could fend for himself when needed. He’d never been happier than right now to have been an unwilling pupil to his adoptive mom all those years ago.

  “You really like it?” he asked. “Or… is it you’re so hungry you’ll eat anything.”

  Nicole scooped another forkful into her mouth and moaned with pleasure. Since he’d heard that very same sound emitted from her during the throes of passion, he took it to mean she was enjoying herself.

  “Wiiits deeewishhhus,” she said with her mouth full. He interpreted that as delicious, so he was pleased.

  They continued to eat until they’d both had their fill. Nick appreciated a woman with a hearty appetite and not picky eating bowls of healthy grains and strange leafy greens. It was clear Nicole faced life head on, full-steam, and didn’t let shit slow her down.

  “You like chocolate?” he asked.

  Her eyes widened. “Have you just met me?” She paused, then laughed. “Oh, right… you have just met me. Yes, I love chocolate in any shape or form.”

  He had some chocolate bars in his stash. Good for a sugar fill and a lift of caffeine, if needed in a survival situation. He could spare one of the dark chocolate bars if only to put a bigger smile on her face.

  “Here you go,” he said.

  “We’ll share.” She opened it up and broke it cleanly in half. “Damn, I’m good.”

  “Yeah, you are,” he muttered. When she quickly lifted her dark eyes to his, he clarified, “I meant, in your job and such. Programming computer code for military contracts isn’t your run of the mill work.”

  She tilted her head sideways as she sucked on the chocolate and considered what he said. “I have a head for math and logic and figuring things out, so I naturally tended to the programming. What can I say? I’m a geek to the core and really love what I do. I’ve been able to work on some cool projects.”

  “Like when you worked for Delta Shandong?”

  “How did you— oh, right.”

  “It was in your dossier.”

  “It was a cyber-security firm, and we did do some innovative products. They were always talking about more. Bigger and better things, ways to control the back doors of the internet.”

  She plucked another piece of the chocolate, and instead of putting it in her mouth, she served it to him. He opened his mouth slowly and accepted it, careful not to connect his lips to her fingers. “How so?” he asked.

  “They wanted full knowledge of key searches so they could sell the data to marketing and advertising firms. Knowing exactly what people are looking up all the time. Also, they were in the market for any kind of encryption devices which never came to fruition.”

  Nick furrowed his brows. “Encryption codes?”

  “Codes, messages, data, anything traveling on the information superhighway that they could glom on to like shopping preferences, login locations, personal information, and then turn into money.”

  “As much as I like using it—and need to use it—the internet sometimes fucks with my mind at how much people can find out about you.”

  “Right,” she said. “That’s all part of the programming and the keywords you search on.”

  He propped himself up on his chin as he set his elbow on the table. He tried not to focus on her dusty nipples, free of her bra, almost showing through his white T-shirt or how his boxer brief rode low on her hips when she got up to pour herself another glass of cola. He averted his eyes, trying not to remember the feel of her soft ass in his hands, grasping and needing, experiencing all of her.

  Coughing a bit to clear his throat, he asked, “So, is that what’s on the data drive everyone’s after?”

  She bobbed her head up and down. “See, I got a recommendation from Delta Shandong to go and work at Terratech. I thought it was some sort of pull my father had there since it’s a strict military contractor, yet it turns out my friend in China, Mei Ling, set me up for her dad’s sake. He’s the owner of Delta Shendong, and he was one of the three Chinese men I saw in the boardroom that Saturday morning when no one knew I was there.”

  Shaking off this information, Nick halted her. “Wait… I don’t know about this. Start from the beginning and fill me in.” Here, he’d had it made out to him that Nicole, a company programmer, had absconded away with some stolen software programming codes the company wanted back when that wasn’t the case at all. He listened intently as she explained working through the night, going to the kitchen in the early morning for water, and seeing and hearing the exchange between three Chinese businessmen and executives at Terratech. Now, he understood why she was on the run, especially after she shared how they’d called her in for a company interrogation Monday morning and how the goons from the airport had shown up at the building to do God knew what to her.

  “So, that’s why I copied the TDE-5X data, source codes, and the security takes from Saturday morning to show that executives high up in Terratech are selling US military commissioned and getting paid to sell our programs to the Chinese government.” She set down the chocolate and pushed it away. “I mean, what the fuck was I supposed to do, Nick? Let them walk away with a million dollar piece of
software like that? Let them bully me and do who knew what else? I had to take matters into my own hands. I had to protect the United States.”

  “That’s a tall order for someone so small,” he said.

  “That’s just it. It’s not small at all. It’s fucking huge.”

  His alpha male protective urges kicked into higher gear, and he was now more sure than ever he’d done the right thing by intervening. “Why would Delta Shandong want something like that if you say all they’re into is marketing data and selling shit to people.”

  “It’s a ruse. A cover. Delta Shandong is a front for the Chinese military and their government. This is the level of international crisis shit, I’m telling you,” she said passionately. “You have to understand, TDE-5X isn’t just some device enabling our military to encrypt anything. It’s got a hidden back door to it allowing the potential to decrypt anything. Anyone’s encryption, no matter where it comes from. The algorithms and coding have keyword search criteria that make Google’s search engine seem like a box of alphabet cereal.”

  He mulled this over and scrunched up his mouth. “Uncle Sam wouldn’t take it too kindly, the idea of a foreign government having that much access. Or control. Especially after the US government footed the bill for the development.”

  “Exactly,” she said. “There’s always been a saying that ‘knowledge is power.’ It’s never been more accurate than now. So, you see why I did what I did. I don’t know who to take this to or what to do about it. That’s why I have to get to my dad. In his position, he’ll be able to get it to the right people and take care of everything.”

  Nick wondered if that were the case. Damn right, there was no way TDE-5X could fall into the hands of any other world power. However, his biggest question right now was how did a retired Air Force Brigadier General fit into all of this?