The Consequence

by Karin Tabke

  He released the brake and put the Jeep into gear then merged onto the freeway. “That wouldn’t have anything to do with meeting my men would it?”

  “Only one turns my head.”

  “Which one?” he groused.

  “The jealous one.”

  He grinned as he got it. “Good, I like that guy.”

  “Me too.”

  Though Simon was gone most of the day and part of the evenings, she felt at home in his space. She liked the casual comfort of his surroundings and his personal affects. He liked nice things, and everything in his home from his luxurious leather furniture to his cloud soft bamboo cotton sheets testified to that. He was neat, but not anal, structured but not rigid. He could cook and he cleaned up after himself. As compatibility went, they were simpatico on all the important things, down to their love of fresh ground coffee and adventurous romps in bed.

  No matter how their story ended, she would always cherish this time alone with him.

  And like clockwork, first thing each morning, Simon gave her self-defense lessons that she practiced throughout the day. She spent time in his home gym and a lot of time studying the floor plan of the Opera Building, memorizing every nook and cranny of the vast, complicated building. She familiarized herself with every designated safe place so that in case something went south and for some crazy reason one of the team couldn’t get to her, she could safely wait for the cavalry.

  Finally, Friday, the day before the gala, Simon took her in with him for a final briefing. Once again she was overwhelmed by the testosterone in the room, but this time there were female cops, who would not only pair with the guys as attendees, but also act as servers and security. From the moment Simon stepped into the briefing room, he had control of the room. There were several sly glances at him from more than a few of the women, a few nudges from the men, and with the exception of a few questions, Simon set the tone, laid out the final plan down to the nth detail and then stood back asking if there were any comments or questions.

  When there were none, he nodded, closed his folder, and said he’d see them back in the briefing room tomorrow at three.

  As they exited the conference room, Katy was itching to get him naked and inside of her.

  As they passed a door marked “Utility”, Katy grabbed Simon’s hand and yanked him toward it as she opened the door. It was clean, and lit up when the door opened.

  “What the hell?” Simon said as she slammed the door closed and locked it. She dimmed the light and smiled as she pulled her form fitting shirt up and over her shoulders. She tossed it onto the small desk then sauntered toward him. Grazing her fingers along his suddenly rising trousers, she pushed him against the wall. Rising to her tip toes, she kissed him. It quickly ignited into a firestorm of desire.

  Simon slipped his arm around her waist and turned her, pushing her back against the wall as he unzipped his pants with the other hand. When he was done, he slid that hand up beneath her skirt along her bare thighs to her wet center. “Oh, Cinderella, you are so bad.” She wasn’t wearing panties.

  “Simon,” she breathed just wanting him inside her. “Please hurry.”

  “All I could think about in that briefing room as I watched my men lust after you was how you were mine and how much I wanted to climb inside you.” He thrust into her. “God damn that feels good.”

  She clung to him. “Shut up and fuck me,” she breathed.

  And he did. Fuck her like there was no tomorrow. Just in case tomorrow never came.

  Saturday morning, Katy woke with an upset stomach.

  “It’s nerves, baby,” Simon said. “Let’s go for a run and get rid of some of that anxiety.”

  That sounded like a good idea and five miles later, sweaty but feeling better, she looked over at Simon who had barely broken a sweat. “I didn’t have you pegged for a runner.”

  “I run, but the ring is my exercise of choice.”

  “The ring?”

  “Boxing. I go to the Y in the city and a fight club in San Jose. And when I can’t get to either, I beat the hell out of the heavy bag in my garage.”

  “You’re one tough guy aren’t you?”

  He leaned down and soundly kissed her. “The toughest.” He swatted her on the ass and challenged her to a race home.

  Of course he beat her. She pretended that she let him. Smiling happily, they made it back to the house by mid-morning…they had a lot to do.

  “I think I’m going to do my makeup and hair here, but should I dress at the office?” The team was meeting at three at the task force briefing room. They’d hook her up with the wire, and she and Jack would be picked up in a town car. It would be manned by a cop who’d drop them off across the street at the opera house where they would go mingle and bring down Evan’s house of cards.

  “Sounds like a good plan,” Simon said with a smile.

  He fixed her lunch, even though she said she was too nervous to eat. But as she ate the yummy grilled cheese, she caught him staring at her.

  “What?”

  He didn’t answer at first. Instead he slowly chewed the bite he had just taken, then swallowed. He set his sandwich down and wiped his mouth with his napkin then set it aside.

  He looked to be struggling for words, but she patiently waited for him to find them.

  “I told you not too long ago that I have a knack for screwing things up. I also told you I wasn’t one of those kinds of guys who waxed poetic. And those words still stand, but there’s an addendum you need to know about.”

  He reached across the small table and took both of her hands into his big warm ones. “I love you, Doctor Winslow. It scares the shit out of me. I want to run…far and fast, it scares me so much. But my heart is telling me to stay. It’s telling me you are the only one for me.” He turned over her hands and kissed each of her palms. “I promise I will never lie to you, cheat on you or intentionally hurt you, and in return I want your promise that you will come to me first and not believe anything anyone says, because I will always tell you the truth.”

  Hot tears welled in her eyes. She nodded.

  “Once this case is in the can, I’m taking some time and we’re going to fuck ourselves senseless on a warm beach somewhere.”

  Katy smiled as tears spattered down her cheeks. “I’d love that.”

  He leaned across the table and kissed her. “Good.” He stood bringing her with him. “Now let’s get this show on the road.”

  A few hours later, dressed to kill in an electric blue empire gown of gossamer silk, Katy stood still as Special Agent Jennifer Rigatti aka the “Ball and Chain” who she’d met at yesterday’s briefing attached a lovely crystal flower broach to the fabric between her breasts. “The piece in the center is a camera,” she explained. “Embedded in the petals is the receiver.” Once it was attached, Special Agent Rigatti scowled and looked up to Simon. “No ear piece for her?”

  “No, can’t risk the target looking for one.”

  “And he will,” Katy said, her voice nervous. She shivered when she realized Evan would touch her and she’d have to be felt up to prove she wasn’t wired. “He’ll pat me down.”

  Simon growled. Strangely, so did several others on his team. She’d hate to be on the bad side of that.

  Katy grinned despite knowing what lie ahead, and looked past Rigatti to the assembled group. Most of the men were in formal wear, the ladies dressed beautifully. Support officers were dressed as event security as well as servers and management. They were all armed, dangerous and wired for sound.

  As Simon, Katy and Special Agent Jack Thornton exited the back of the vast building to the waiting limo, Simon pulled Kat into his arms. “I’ll be right outside, Cinderella.” He kissed her softly then handed her off to Special Agent Thornton who settled her into the back of the town car and slid in beside her.

  He squeezed her hand and smiled. “It’ll be over before you know it.”

  Katy exhaled loudly. “I hope so.”

  She clutched her small
purse with the flash drive and her new burner cell in it like it was her lifeline. Once they were in the building, she gazed in appreciation at the architecture and decor of the grand structure. She’d always wanted to go to the opera, but felt funny going it alone. Evan could never be bothered to take her. Of course, she knew now that he had been a lie, and lies didn’t care about other people’s feelings. Maybe Simon would like to go? But, even if he didn’t, she decided she would. Gone were the days she needed someone to hold her hand.

  She smiled to herself. But she was happy to have Simon’s hand to hold.

  Special Agent Thornton tucked her hand into his arm and steered her toward the bar. “Would you like a drink, Kat?”

  “No thank you, Special A—”

  “It’s Jack.”

  “—Jack, I’m afraid if I have a drink I might not stop.”

  He chuckled. “Simon just told me no drinks and to take my hand off you.”

  Katy smiled and giggled, touching Jack’s forearm. With his out of the box cop look, he was the perfect choice to be her date. “Oh tell him to stop being so silly. We have to look like we know each other and like each other.”

  Jack’s eyes smiled. “That’s what I say.”

  She was just about to agree to that drink offer when she saw Evan making a beeline for her.

  “Evan at my twelve o’clock and closing fast,” she whispered, digging her nails into Jack’s forearm. “Now kiss me like you mean it.”

  e slid his arm around her waist, pulled her passionately to him, and laid one on her. She could just hear Simon sputtering obscenities and threats in Jack’s ear piece, but she had to hand it to Jack, he was a good kisser. In character, she wound her arms around his neck and kissed him back.

  It wasn’t a chore either. Jack Thornton exuded the same sensual power as Simon. He was damn good looking with his suntanned skin, dark soul patch and easy smile.

  When enough time had passed to be sure that Evan should have witnessed their kiss, Jack broke first; his deep green eyes, so much like Simon’s yet so indelibly different, danced.

  “West, you’re a lucky mother fucker,” Jack softly said.

  Jack winked at Kat who shook despite the warmth of the man holding her. “Easy does it, sweetheart.”

  Protective and playing his part, Jack brought her in close. Katy locked stares with Evan. Hatred ruined his handsome face. Her body shook more as she realized there was nothing she could do or say to soften Evan toward her now. It was just as well because if he showed the slightest bit of remorse she might feel sorry for him and stumble.

  “Relax,” Jack’s soothing voice softly said. “We’ve got this.”

  She nodded and in total character, she lifted up on her tip toes and whispered in Jack’s ear. “He’s coming straight for us, now laugh and do something sexy.”

  Jack chuckled deeply, and spun her around dropping a kiss on the curve of her shoulder. “Let’s get a drink, baby girl,” he cheerfully said.

  Smiling she looked up at Jack who scowled as Evan approached. Evan dropped his mask of indifference even though it was obvious to her he didn’t like that she was with someone and a very hot someone at that. Not because he had any designs on her. No, she was not alone and, therefore, not as vulnerable.

  “Katrina,” Evan said, his voice light, his smile so conniving she wanted to rip it off his face.

  “Evan,” she saccharinely said with an equally saccharine smile. “What a coincidence bumping into you here, since you said you deplored opera. Are you here with your wife?”

  Evan looked up at Jack who didn’t have to say one word to alert Evan to the fact that he would kick his ass if he misspoke.

  Evan actually blushed as he looked down at his feet in perceived shame. “No, we—we split up.”

  “Oh that’s too bad.”

  Katy glanced up at Jack’s stalwart face. “This is my,” she smiled flirtatiously at her date, praying Evan believed her line. “My very good friend Jack, Evan, he’s my Karate instructor.”

  Jack extended his hand.

  “Jack, this is Evan, I dumped him when I found out he had a wife.”

  Katy knew Simon was probably blowing a gasket or two because she was totally off script but damn it, she wanted Evan to squirm as much as humanly possible.

  Jack dropped his extended hand, refusing to shake Evan’s. Evan’s color rose. Katy smiled smugly at him. “Was there a reason you came by, Evan?”

  “Yes,” he pointedly said, glancing at her brooding date.

  “Would you like a glass of champagne?” Special Agent Rigatti, dressed as a server, asked.

  Jack took two flutes from the tray and handed Katy one. He raised it and smiled then said, “Here’s to kicking this cheater’s ass to the curb.” They clinked glasses and turned to look at Evan who was fighting the urge to put his hands on her.

  “Katrina,” Evan carefully said. “I’d like a private word with you.”

  “Not happening, asswipe,” Jack said.

  Katy giggled at Evan’s stunned look. They were not making it easy for him. His hazel eyes narrowed dangerously, but he turned and stalked away.

  Katy let out a huge sigh of relief. Evan wasn’t going far. He knew she had the goods, he’d circle and come in again for another try. And when he did, she would be ready.

  An hour passed and they maneuvered themselves around to the quieter part of the floor. “I’m going to the ladies room as planned,” Katy said. When she exited the restroom, it was expected Evan would be waiting and likely pull her aside to a private alcove and demand the flash drive.

  As Katy broke away from Jack who had not left her side and who she found highly intelligent and entertaining as he regaled her with tales of dumb criminals, she knew Evan would follow her just as one of the female undercover officers would follow her into the ladies room.

  She had to go so bad she didn’t wait to see if the officer had followed her in, but breathed a sigh of relief when she heard the restroom door open and shut just as she locked her stall door.

  A few minutes later stepping out of the stall, Katy smiled about to thank the officer when she stopped short catching her breath.

  Standing just inside the restroom at the door with the trashcan wedged beneath the door handle was not a female undercover cop, instead it was the man they were protecting her from. Her heart rate accelerated. She could do this.

  “Hello, Katy,” Evan purred, the glint in his hazel eyes triumphant.

  “Evan, really, you followed me into the ladies room?” She sounded irritated, not terrified.

  “It’s the only place that gorilla won’t follow you.”

  “He’s not a gorilla. Jack is a very nice man. And he’s not married nor is he using me.”

  “He’s your rebound guy?”

  “He serves his purpose.”

  “You’ve turned into a little whore, Katy.”

  She smiled and owned it. “I never thanked you for daring me to bring a man into my bed who could do it for me, Evan. So thank you for that. And after him I found another guy who could do it for me too. Who knew the world is full of real men?” Okay so that was a little off script, but damn if she as going to allow him to call her names and get away with it.

  His face reddened. “Give me the flash drive.”

  Katy shook her head. “Not until we strike a deal.”

  “No time for deals.”

  “Is Mr. Sung waiting for you?”

  At the mention of Sung’s name, Evan’s face blanched white.

  Katy chuckled. “I thought that might get your attention.”

  “How do you know that name?”

  “My proposition first, then maybe, if you accept, I’ll tell you.”

  Evan checked his watch then said, “Make it quick.”

  “It’s simple. I want my half of what you sold my patent for.”

  His eyes narrowed. “What are you talking about?”

  “That was my work you stole, Evan. You sold my work. I want half of the
money you got for it!”

  He strode toward her and grabbed her, manhandling her roughly as he ran his hands above and below her dress.

  “Jesus, Evan!” she gasped, twisting out of his grasp. “What are you doing?”

  He pushed her away. Thank God. “Do I have stupid stamped on my forehead?” he spat.

  “What does that have to do with feeling me up?” she asked knowing exactly why he did it. According to plan.

  “Checking for a wire, baby.”

  “A wire?” she dumbly asked.

  “Wire as in the cops listening in.”

  Katy shook her head making a disgusting sound. “I learned my lesson with cops, Evan.”

  He smiled nastily. “That captain really took you for a ride.”

  “Yeah, but I took him for one last ride and got a hold of his case files. Dumbass kept them on his laptop.”

  He held out his hand. “The flash drive.”

  “We strike a deal first.”

  “No deal.”

  As they expected. Greedy bastard. So Katy nodded, dug the drive out of her purse and handed him it to him. Evan pulled out a small tablet from his tux jacket and plugged it in. She watched his face go from gloating to furious to terrified in less than five seconds. His eyes bored into her.

  “How did you get this?” he hissed.

  “The how isn’t important, Evan; the fact that I have it is. And given that I do have it and you’re being so uncooperative, I’ve just changed my mind. Not only do I want half of the fifty million you were paid for my patent, but I want in on the deal you’re about to broker with Sung for the bacterium. Half.” Not according to script but this way she could show him she was greedy too and with that hopefully buy into what she was selling.

  He threw the drive onto the tile floor and crushed it with his heel. Katy laughed just as he had laughed at her when she destroyed his cellphone.

  When he stared daggers at her, she taunted him further. “I might be naïve when it comes to men, Evan, but my IQ shits on yours when it comes to insurance policies. Now, do we have a deal or not?”

  “Yes,” he roughly said.