Temptation and Lies

by Donna Hill

  “Mia?”

  She breathed deeply. “Thanks.”

  “You okay?”

  “Yes, I’m fine. I’ll, uh, take the call.” Focusing on business would help to clear her head and get her thoughts back on track. She pressed the flashing light on the telephone base.

  “Sharlene, hi…Yes, we’re in the final stages of the plan…”

  Fortunately, the conversation was with a client she’d worked with on an annual basis because, as hard as she tried, she really hadn’t been paying attention.

  Steven. Michael. Steven. How were they connected?

  Ashley knocked lightly on the door and stuck her head in. “Got a minute?”

  “Sure.”

  Ashley came in. She stood in front of Mia’s desk. “I wanted to know if you need me to be here when Michael comes.”

  Mia’s gaze rose slowly and settled on Ashley. “Would you?” she asked and her voice broke. Her eyes filled.

  Ashley came around the desk and knelt down beside Mia. “What is it? What happened?”

  Mia was incredibly torn. She desperately needed to unburden herself. Normally she would tell Savannah or Danielle. But they knew nothing about Michael, and Ashley didn’t know about the Cartel. And Mia was trapped in the middle.

  What she needed was an ally. She needed someone she could depend on. She tugged on her bottom lip with her teeth. It was wrong. It went against her promise and it could very well put an innocent person in danger.

  But protocol had been broken more than a year ago when Savannah made up her own rules and involved her and Danielle. Mia was about to break it again.

  “I think you should sit down…”

  About a half hour later, Mia had spilled her guts about the Cartel without divulging its location or naming names. She told Ashley about her assignment, the card she’d found and her confusion about what to do next.

  Mia sat back, emotionally spent, expecting to hear words of disbelief, laughter, something. She got none of those. What she got was an expression on Ashley’s face that she’d never seen before—hard, piercing, no-nonsense. And she instantly knew she’d made the biggest mistake of her life.

  “I’m not really from Los Angeles. I’m from D.C.”

  Mia frowned.

  “I didn’t just happen to be the lucky one to fill the job opening as your assistant. I was sent here.”

  Mia pushed her chair back a bit. Her gaze darted toward her tote. In her go bag the sample-size “body mist” was a bottle of mace. If she could get to it…

  “I was sent by the D.C. office when I asked to be relocated.”

  Mia blinked several times. Ashley was out of focus. What the hell was she talking about?

  “I was assigned to be here, by Jean.”

  Oh…triple damn.

  Chapter 13

  Mia had every intention of saying something, but she couldn’t find the words. Ashley was one of the Cartel operatives? Right under her nose? What kind of member was she if she couldn’t spot one of her own right in front of her face, day in and day out?

  Then again, that was the whole point of being part of the Cartel. They were all regular, everyday women who could blend in and not draw attention to themselves.

  “All the new recruits with less than two full years under their belt have a shadow,” Ashley was saying. “Even if they don’t know about it. I’m sure you remember what happened with your friend Danielle. Bernard was her shadow.”

  Yes, Mia remembered. Danielle had been assigned an identity theft job and, shock of shocks, Bernard Hassell, Savannah’s stepfather-in-law-to-be was an agent for Home-land Security and a personal friend of Jean’s. He wound up being Danielle’s shadow, and it was with his help that they were able to bring down the ring that had stolen hundreds of identities and millions of dollars.

  “I still can’t wrap my mind around the fact that you’ve been a part of TLC and I never suspected.”

  Ashley smiled. “Then I guess I’m pretty good, huh?”

  “So how badly have I been doing?”

  Ashley settled into her seat. “Not bad at all. I will tell you this. Jean knows everything. Don’t think for a moment that she didn’t know that you and Michael Burke had a past. It’s the main reason she selected you for this assignment. If his hands are dirty, he would never suspect that you were the one who was going to clean them.”

  A sick sensation rolled through her stomach.

  “That’s why it was more important than ever that you have a shadow—to prevent you from compromising the assignment.”

  Mia’s throat tightened. “So all that pretending to be my friend, listening to all my personal…stuff…it was just all part of the job, too, I suppose.”

  Ashley’s stern expression slowly softened to the one that Mia recognized. She leaned slightly forward. “No. I listened and advised because underneath all this spy stuff, I really like you. I want us to be friends. And everything I told you about me, it was real.” The right corner of her mouth lifted to a hopeful smile.

  Mia breathed a bit freer. “So now what?”

  Ashley straightened. “This is your case. I’m only here to help, not direct. You tell me what you want me to do. That’s how this is going to work. I have no intention of taking over.”

  “Then I guess, since we’re on the same side, I should bring you up-to-date on everything I have so far.”

  They spent the next half hour going over what Mia had recorded from Michael’s home and the information she’d accessed on his office computer. And Jasmine, over at tech support, was able to download the list of names and payments that Mia had found on his office computer. She pulled up the information she’d stored on her PDA and shared it with Ashley.

  “Pretty impressive set of names and numbers,” Ashley said, studying the list.

  “Exactly. But to give him the benefit of the doubt, he is a businessman and his business is to know people, make deals and make money in the process.”

  Ashley flashed Mia a sharp look. “Do you really believe that’s what this list is or is it what you want to believe?”

  Mia flinched. “I guess a bit of both,” she quietly conceded.

  “I can’t impress upon you enough the importance of separating your feelings from the reality of what is going on. If you don’t, you’re going to make some major mistakes that could be very costly…and I don’t mean monetarily.”

  “I know. I can handle this.”

  “Good. So how do you want to proceed? How can I help? Like I said, I’ll be more than happy to take over the project with Avante if that would make it easier for you.”

  “No.” There was a new fierceness in her eyes. “You’re right about what you said earlier. He would never suspect me. And that’s going to be the key to everything. I can get close to him.”

  “Okay. This is your show.” She checked the clock that hung over the door. “He should be arriving shortly.”

  Mia’s heart thumped. She nodded.

  “I’ll be up front.” Ashley got up to leave.

  “Ashley…”

  She stopped and turned. “Yes.”

  “Thanks.”

  Ashley smiled. “That’s what spy friends are for.”

  “Listen, there is something you can do for me.”

  “Sure.”

  Mia explained what she wanted.

  “I’ll have the info for no later than tomorrow.”

  Mia nodded.

  Mia slumped back in her chair after Ashley left, then covered her face with her hands. She was still in a mild state of shock, although she shouldn’t have been. Everyone said that Jean Wallington-Armstrong was a brilliant manipulator and had an uncanny sixth sense about people, not to mention her resources in finding out everything about each and every member of her team. She should have known that if anyone would have an inkling about her and Michael’s torrid past, it would be Jean.

  That fact made Mia more determined than ever to bring the assignment to a swift and satisfying conclusion, no m
atter which way it turned out. Certainly a part of her hoped that all the signals about Michael were wrong, but if they weren’t, she’d deal with it.

  Her intercom buzzed.

  “Yes?”

  “Mr. Burke is here with his client.”

  Mia was caught off guard. She hadn’t expected him to bring anyone, but that was probably a good thing. They wouldn’t have an opportunity to be completely alone. She got up from her desk and walked up front to the small reception and file area.

  “Michael.”

  “Mia, you look great, as always.”

  She merely smiled in response. Then she directed her attention to his guest and walked toward her. Mia extended her hand. “You must be Raven.”

  The stunning young woman stuck out her hand and limply shook Mia’s. She offered a dazzling smile. And Mia immediately saw why crowds would swoon over her.

  Raven was at least twenty, a stunning combination of Japanese and African-American ancestry, which gave her a sleek, exotic look. She had dark, silky hair that reached her waist, large almond-shaped eyes that curved ever so slightly at the corners, and a body like Halle Berry covered in a butter-smooth caramel complexion. She was about five foot five but she gave the appearance of being much taller.

  “Raven, it’s a pleasure to meet you. Michael has told me a lot about you, and the Internet is full of stories. Please, have a seat.” She waited until Raven and Michael were seated. “Michael told me that you’re very shy, which must be very difficult in your business.”

  “It is. I’m trying to deal with it,” she said softly.

  “We plan to make this event spectacular and as easy on you as possible.” She buzzed Ashley.

  “Yes?”

  “Would you mind bringing in the details we’ve worked out so far for Raven’s red-carpet event?”

  “Sure. I’ll be right in.”

  Several moments later Ashley came in with a thick folder.

  “Ashley, this is Raven. Ashley is my event coordinator and is going to be responsible for logistics.”

  For the next few minutes, Mia explained the layout and how they planned to use video and audio clips throughout the night in lieu of Raven having to be engulfed in the throngs of people. Ashley gave a video presentation, detailing how they were going to lay out the space.

  “The highlight of the evening will be your performance, which will happen toward the end of the night. Right after you finish, a limo will be waiting to take you back to your hotel. We are creating the image of untouchable for you and I think it will work. It will keep the media guessing and keep you out of the spotlight.” She took a breath. “So what do you think?”

  Raven beamed in delight. “I love it.”

  “Wonderful. We’ll work out the final details, get the invitations out, handle the RSVPs and then set up the interior.” She turned to Michael. “Any questions?”

  “I think you’ve covered everything.” He turned to Raven. “I told you she was the best.” He stood. “I’m going to head back to the office. I know you ladies are busy and I…we appreciate your time. Mia, I’ll be in touch. Good seeing you again, Ashley.”

  “You, too. I’ll walk you both out.” She spoke to Mia over her shoulder. “I’m going to take care of that errand. If I get finished in time, I’ll be back.”

  Mia nodded.

  She slumped back into her chair. Her day had been exhausting, to say the least, and it wasn’t over yet.

  While Ashley was on her assignment, Mia made a call to the girls.

  Chapter 14

  Steven and Blake were closing up shop for the night and walking to their respective cars.

  “So how are things going with you and Mia? Ever have that talk?”

  Steven shrugged slightly. “Sort of.”

  “Okay.” He dragged out the word. “What does that mean?”

  “We talked. I told her how I felt…kind of. I mean, damn, she’s my woman. She’s supposed to know how I feel.”

  Blake chuckled. “Listen, my good brotha. Here is a lesson in Women 101. Whatever you think you know, you don’t. Did you tell her how you feel, what was bothering you?”

  “Yeah…kind of.”

  “Man.” He laughed full out. “You sound like you have communication issues, which equals a brother’s biggest downfall, not being able or willing to communicate.”

  “It’s just not me, man. The words are in my head, I feel ’em, I just can’t get them to cross my lips.” He chuckled without humor. “But she has to know how I feel about her. Would I have given up my carefree life, my own crib, if I didn’t want to be with her?”

  “I know to you it seems obvious. But a woman doesn’t always see the surface things. She needs to feel it, she needs to hear it.”

  Steven blew out a long breath. “I did ask her if she was seeing anyone.”

  “What did she say?”

  “She said no.”

  “Did you believe her?”

  He hesitated for a moment. “Yeah.”

  “Well, that’s something. A start. You just have to talk to her, man. Once you get started, it gets easy. I swear.” He grinned, seeing the pained looked on his friend’s face. He slapped him on the back.

  “I almost hooked up with this woman I met the other night.”

  Blake stopped in his tracks. “Say what?”

  “I don’t know. I was angry, confused, so I went for a drive and found myself out by Chelsea Piers. Stopped in this bar and grill. Remember when I was dating Renee McDonald?”

  “Vaguely. They were coming and going so fast and furious it was hard to keep up,” he teased.

  “Very funny. Anyway, she had this friend, Michelle Dennis. Well, that’s who I ran into the other night—Michelle. She was working the bar.”

  Blake’s brows rose. “And…”

  “And she made it clear that if I was willing, so was she.”

  Blake lowered his head and shook it slowly. “But good sense prevailed…”

  “Yeah, that’s not what I’m looking for. I’m not on the prowl anymore, don’t want to be.”

  “Hey, none of us can afford to be. Black folk have the highest rates of HIV/AIDS and the numbers aren’t coming down. These days you play, you pay, and it could be with your life. It ain’t worth it, man.”

  “Humph, who you telling? I had my scare just before I met Mia. Don’t plan to go down that road again.”

  “So where are things with you and Mia? You two on the same page or what?”

  “I think so, man. I know I have work to do. It’s just gonna take some time.”

  Blake draped his arm around Steven’s broad shoulders as they walked across the underground parking lot. He leaned close. “If it’s in your heart, man, just say the words.” He grinned. “It feels almost as good as great sex.”

  Steven chuckled. “Yeah, okay.”

  They parted ways and Steven got in his car and sat there for a few moments as he watched Blake drive off.

  Tonight he’d make a special effort. He’d show Mia how much he cared.

  When he arrived at their condo, Mia hadn’t gotten in yet. It was a little after six, plenty of time to plan a romantic evening in New York.

  He walked into the bedroom, tossed his briefcase and jacket onto the lounge chair then went to the phone by the bed.

  He knew it was too last minute for any of the high-end restaurants in the area, but there was a local Italian place, totally family-owned, that Mia swore by. He placed an order with special instructions for delivery.

  With that task out of the way, he went in search of some candles. In moments, the air was filled with the soft scent of vanilla. Mia’s favorite. He checked the time. If Mia stayed true to form, she should be getting in between eight and nine, although lately it had been closer to nine. That gave him close to two hours to find the right music, break out the special dinnerware, put the chocolate-colored satin sheets on the bed and still have time to run out for some flowers and take a shower before she got home.

 
Steven smiled as his plans for the evening began to take shape. He may not say the right words all the time, but he knew how to put on a grand party.

  Mia was the first to arrive at The Shop. The trio—Savannah, Danielle and she—had been coming to the little West Village bistro for years, Mia having discovered it during one of her canvassing jaunts of the city in search of venues for clients or possible events. She was so pleased with the atmosphere, the service and the food that she made it a permanent stop and the girls adopted it as well.

  She secured their booth in the back. By the time she got settled, she looked up and Danielle, stunning as always in an exotic kind of way, was walking through the door, with Savannah, still holding on to the lush postbaby curves, right behind her.

  The moment Mia saw her two dearest friends walking through the door, the tightness that had lived in the center of her stomach for days and days began to ease. These were her girls, her friends. She needed them now more than ever, but if they were to be in any kind of position to help her, she would first have to come clean. She drew in a long breath of resolve and let out a breath of determination.

  “Hey, girl,” Danielle greeted her, buzzing Mia’s cheek with a light kiss.

  “My turn,” Savannah said, the glow of happiness brimming in her eyes as she followed Danielle’s greeting.

  They both settled down into the worn leather booth seats.

  “Dinner on you,” Danielle asked, “since you convened this soiree?”

  “Sure, and drinks, too.”

  Savannah’s wide brown eyes widened even farther. “Must be serious with you springing for dinner and drinks. Do I need mine now?”

  Mia’s expression pinched for a moment. “You might.”

  Danielle raised her hand to signal for the waitress. “I’ll have a cosmo,” she said upon the waitress’s arrival.

  Savannah ordered a daiquiri and Mia an apple martini.

  “So what’s up, sis?” Savannah said. “I don’t think I can wait for drinks.” She lowered her voice. “Is it about your assignment?”

  “Partly.”