Agent U7: Keegan

by Joni Hahn

  Picking her up in his arms, he stood and set her feet on the ground. “Giving you enhancements to defend yourself is completely different from being an agent, Keegan. You have no experience.” He sliced a hand through the air before placing his hands on his lean hips. “And, if I don’t figure out how to save the others, there will be no D.I.R.E. Agency.”

  She stood on her toes to meet his gaze. “Don’t turn chauvinistic on me now Clint, just when I thought you were perfect.”

  He blinked, his eyes round with surprise.

  She poked a finger in his chest. “I’ve graduated from the school of hard knocks—with honors. Don’t you dare dismiss my goals as impossible. I’ve trained with Riordan and I’ve come a long way. I’ll go even farther once he and the others return.”

  “Kee—”

  “In the meantime,” she continued, “you and I know our enemies better than anyone. I can do this alone, if I have to.” She gave him a hard, passionate kiss on the mouth. “But, I’d much rather do it with you.”

  He glanced away with a hesitant shake of his head. “You have got to be the most stubborn woman ever born.”

  Excitement washed through her in waves. She threw her arms around his neck, her legs around his waist. “Maybe. But, you like me anyway, right?”

  With a reluctant grin, he kissed her. “Look Tiger, the opportunity for something to go wrong is hovering right at the one hundred percent mark. I’d intended this for protection only.”

  She traced the cleft in his chin with her forefinger. “I know. It’s just…” She shrugged. “After living locked away for so long, I feel like I have twenty years of energy just waiting to get out. I want to be in the thick of things.” Glancing down at the base of his throat, she said, “I want to prevent this from happening to anyone else.”

  His pewter-blue eyes grew round with worry. “We’ll discuss the specs of each enhancement. If you’re uncertain about any of them, we won’t install them.”

  “Agreed.” She gave an eager nod. “When do we start?”

  Setting her down, he said, “This afternoon. I need to gather my team and the materials first. If James and my mother intend to use the others for their program, their lives aren’t in immediate danger. I need to take advantage of the time while Austin gets the agents in place.”

  Giving her a hard kiss on the mouth, he turned her around to face the door. “Go get some rest. I can’t think straight knowing you’re naked under that shirt.”

  * * *

  Clint stared down at Keegan in the recovery bed. In slumber, she looked like a mythical goddess, her golden hair a halo around her flawless, lovely face, her delicate features soft and angelic. Her graceful carriage seemed to radiate from her sleeping form, though how, he wasn’t quite sure.

  Maybe, it was the contrast of the bold, copper and gold armbands on each forearm that provoked its brilliance.

  God above, what had he done?

  He’d marred her incomparable glory, forced a responsibility on her that few in the world could handle.

  All for his own peace of mind.

  Never mind that she’d wanted the enhancements. Never mind that James was intent on kidnapping her again.

  If he didn’t succeed with his plan, his friends could all die beside Mitchell and she would end up alone.

  He squeezed his eyes shut. Mitchell…was dead. His mind still reeled with the knowledge. Courageous and loyal to the end, he’d risked his own life to save Jim.

  And, lost.

  They’d all depended on Mitchell’s confident, well-analyzed decisions. They’d counted on his experience and expertise. Even if D.I.R.E. did survive, how would the agency go on without him?

  Clint leaned down and kissed Keegan’s forehead. He wouldn’t be around to see it. If all went as planned, he would go down with his family’s ship.

  Knowing she would sleep for several more hours, Clint made his way to the HQ administration wing. Mitchell’s office was the only room in the complex that ensured certain privacy. No one on site could know his plans. He didn’t want to endanger them, or risk Keegan and the others finding out. They’d never let him go.

  Walking in the door, Clint stopped short. Mitchell’s spicy scent, his commanding air hit him like a brick wall. The office was just as he’d left it, neat, clean, save for a few files on his desk. Memories of Robert and Kate holding them hostage assailed him, Mitchell’s sacrifice and bravery never more evident than on that day. They’d watched as Naylor beat Mitchell to a pulp, and yet, Jacobs never talked. Clint felt certain the only way Mitchell had made it through the ordeal was Angela’s presence in the room.

  Up until the end, Mitchell had never once said he hated Naylor, or hated him for sleeping with Angela. He’d never badmouthed his former SEAL BUD/s teammate, or accused him of treachery.

  On the other hand, Mitchell had admitted to his own living hell, but all he’d ever said about Robert was that he’d made some bad decisions. Naylor may have pushed him to limits most would’ve crumbled under, but Mitchell continued sacrificing, his loyalty to Naylor, and his children, true.

  Shutting the door behind him, Clint made his way to the computer standing in the middle of the room. That’s why he had to do this. No one had ever sacrificed for Mitchell. Clint owed it to him to save his family and the agency he’d built with Jim.

  Clint checked the time. Seven-thirty in the morning. His mother should be up by now. After all, she had guests.

  Through the encrypted system, he dialed her number, knowing the call would be monitored and logged into Mitchell’s private system. He wanted to see her face this time, to see how she reacted to him now that the truth was out.

  Her face appeared on the large screen, so different, so…ugly. Her pretty features were the same, older, but more vindictive. The laugh lines around her mouth, created from patronizing grins rather than true humor, were more pronounced, her dark blonde brows at a permanent dip. Darkness clouded her eyes in a gunmetal gray, hostility turning them nearly black.

  Despite her appearance, it was her voice, her words, that speared him like the frogman’s pitchfork. “You can’t save them, Clint. We’ve all seen proof of that.”

  Keegan’s enhancements gave him confidence, gave him one less thing to worry about.

  Just stick to the plan, Robinson. Don’t let her get to you.

  “I have a proposition…Mom.”

  He cringed at the informal title when absolute loathing swam in his veins. However, he had to play this up, had to show family loyalty. He only had one chance to do this right.

  Her Hollywood-bad-movie laugh made him grit his teeth. “You? Have a proposition for me?” She scoffed. “You are not in charge here. I am.”

  “No one’s questioning your authority.”

  She blinked, her eyes round with surprise. She didn’t see that one coming.

  “What is it?” she said, with a flip of her hand.

  “I want to exchange myself for the others.”

  Throwing back her head, she laughed with patronizing flourish. After the accident, he used to crave her laughter. That meant she wasn’t thinking about James. When she moved out for good, he’d wished for it every day.

  Today, it chafed his raw nerve endings.

  “Why in the world would I do that?”

  “D.I.R.E. has Teague’s research. We also have Jim’s weapons technology and my enhancements. I can work with them all. I would make you a much stronger organization.”

  One thing he would say, his mother royally screwed up when she sent Jim’s clone to the original weapons deal with Nathan Chalmers’ people. Even though Jim’s life had been spared, the injury to the clone prompted Mitchell to call for an official investigation that confiscated all of Jim’s computer files from the store where he’d worked. Although they now knew the clones were created with a self-sacrificing gene, the clone had no choice but to live with the disability until he died, because he’d been rendered a quadriplegic and couldn’t activate it.

  Ta
pping a finger against her lips, she thought for a long moment. “I know you have the heat suit technology, too. I made sure the Warner’s paid for stealing your design.”

  Shock filtered through him, straightening his spine. “You?”

  “Yes, of course,” she said, with nonchalance. “I made sure their company failed after John pulled that stunt at Harold Mills’ fundraiser.”

  “Why?” he said, dumbfounded at the revelation.

  “Harold is a supporter of the cause. Warner ruined Harold’s chances in the election, and he stole your design.”

  Harold Mills. Jim had mentioned that she’d hired Jock and Harold’s men. Clint would bet his life’s savings that his mother was behind the assassination attempt Mills had put on Dan Meeks. The former senator and district attorney—Keegan’s father—had been a lifelong enemy of the Matheson family. Probably the only thing keeping him alive was Cyrus’s devotion to his daughter.

  What puzzled Clint the most was that his mother still felt some kind of…loyalty toward him. Yet, she’d killed his boss and kidnapped his friends. She’d gotten him the job at D.I.R.E. through Jim, and was now trying to destroy it.

  “Do you have the time travel technology?” She studied him, her mouth puckered.

  Her question woke him from his jumbled thoughts. He’d hoped she wouldn’t ask, but had expected it, anyway.

  “It’s been archived. The machine’s been dismantled.”

  She searched his gaze. “You can still get it, Clinton. I have faith in you.”

  That’s a first. He gave a brief nod.

  Her gaze remained on him a long moment. “What about the agents I have here? I can’t free them knowing their powers will remain in effect.”

  He waved a hand in front of him as a sign of assurance. “I can shut down their systems before they leave. That’s not a problem.”

  Tapping a finger against her mouth again, she squinted her eyes. “I want the Meeks girl, too.”

  No. If he’d ever needed a poker face, it was in this moment. He couldn’t let on how much Keegan meant to him.

  How much he loved her.

  With a nonchalant shrug, he said, “I don’t even know where she is. Can’t we just create another clone for James? Why do we need her?”

  Carol gave an impatient sigh. “He’s loved the girl for years.”

  “She doesn’t love him.” The words spewed from his mouth without thought.

  “I know, but she keeps him motivated.”

  He feigned an annoyed expression. “James can figure that one out on his own. I’m not a matchmaker.” With a long-suffering sigh, he said, “Look, we both know that by killing Mitchell, you’ve destroyed D.I.R.E., which is what you set out to do. Without my science, there’s no chance of it continuing on.”

  “I still want DNA samples of them all before they go.”

  Was there no end to these so-called negotiations? In reality, they both knew she had complete control. His only bargaining chip was Teague’s DNA research. His mother needed a cure.

  “Fine,” Clint said. “But, I think you should know that Teague’s already concerned about how much longer she can do her job.”

  His mother appeared deep in thought, her forehead wrinkled.

  Come on, come on…

  “Why take on any extra risk?” he added. “We don’t need her. I have it all.”

  Her squinty eyes held a look of distrust. “And you’re doing this only to free your friends…?”

  Don’t blow it, Robinson.

  Going in for the kill, he said, “The world is headed in a dangerous direction. Something has to be done. D.I.R.E. is no longer an option. Bringing my technology and yours together is the best possibility for peace.”

  Several seconds ticked by before she said, “I have to admit, I like the idea of us working together as a family, Clinton, and you are out of a job.” She watched his face for some kind of reaction. “I agree to your terms. If you try to double cross me, they all die.”

  Chapter 13

  Keegan woke to someone shaking her. The incessant movement caused rivulets of pain to shoot up her arm and through her shoulder. If he or she didn’t stop, she’d give them a good, right hook.

  When she could lift her arm.

  “Go away.” She turned her face into the flat pillow under her cheek.

  “What is that on the back of your head?”

  Coming wide awake, Keegan lifted her arm. She stared in fascination at the array of items stuck to the back of her hand: a pen, a screwdriver, a nickel and…Clint’s Einstein lapel pin.

  She had magnetic hands.

  “What the hell?” Monica said, her eyes round with shock.

  With a knowing smile, Keegan removed the items and touched the back of her head. Clint had installed the microchip and capacitor for her strength enhancement. Sitting on the side of the bed, she nearly pulled over an IV tower connected to a vein in the crook of her elbow. On her forearms were matching copper and gold armbands.

  She had her enhancements.

  Monica gave her a thorough perusal, her eyes wide with incredulity. “What in the world have you done?”

  Keegan’s body hummed with a low undercurrent, the blood flowing through her veins, thick and sluggish.

  “Clint gave me enhancements.” Staring down at her arms, she watched as nanobots skittered from her armbands and assembled into a fork on the bed.

  Monica said, “Holy shit, Keegan.”

  A grin blossomed on her face. “Holy shit, is right.”

  Flexing her fingers, the magnetic bones felt different. Not lighter, but smoother, more fluent. Holding out her palm, Monica’s cross necklace rose in the air and shot into Keegan’s hand.

  “Hey…” Monica’s gaze flew to the necklace dangling free in Keegan’s palm.

  Laughing aloud, Keegan clapped her hands—and winced. Damn, that hurt.

  “How do you feel?” Monica said, attaching the necklace around her neck.

  “Tired, bulkier—but…” She frowned as she took a mental inventory of her body. “Strong. Really strong.”

  “Good,” Monica said, her tone all business, “because Clint is gone. No one has seen or heard from him in over three hours.”

  “What do you mean, gone?” She rose to her feet. The room spun in wide circles.

  Why did her back sting?

  Doug, one of Clint’s assistants, jumped up from a far desk and rushed over to the bed. “No, you can’t get up. You’re still deep in the recovery stage.”

  “Where’s Clint?” she said, watching his face.

  A rosy hue blossomed in his cheeks as he busied himself with making her comfortable. “He said he had to leave.”

  Keegan shared an incredulous glance with Monica. “He left now? Without ensuring I recovered okay?”

  Clearing his throat, Doug said, “We’ve been through these procedures many times. He has confidence in our staff.” His sharp gaze connected with hers. “As long as the patient cooperates.”

  Screw the procedure. What about them? The intimacy, the exquisite lovemaking they’d shared?

  Fluffing the pillow, Doug found an envelope beneath it. Glancing at the front, he handed it to her.

  Keegan was written in Clint’s slipshod scrawl.

  No.

  Pain slammed into her middle like a meaty fist, leaving her hollow. He wouldn’t do this to her. Not Clint.

  Opening the envelope, she pulled out a note written on D.I.R.E. stationary.

  Keegan,

  If you’re reading this note, you’ve recovered from your enhancement installation. The procedure went extremely well. Over the next few weeks, the staff will help you acclimate to each enhancement. The challenge will come in using them together. But, you have a sharp mind and a strong will. I have no doubt you will adapt at a record pace.

  Now, you’ll never have to live in fear again.

  I’ve gone to be with my family. It’s where I belong.

  Thank you for proving me wrong.

&n
bsp; – Clint

  Shaking her head adamantly, she handed the note to Monica. “I don’t believe it.”

  Scanning it, Monica watched as Keegan stood again. “You were the one that suspected him all along.”

  She thought they’d started something good. Something worth fighting for, worth keeping. In his arms, he’d made her forget the past, made her thankful for her scars and fears because they were what led her to him.

  Could she have been that wrong? She never would’ve thought Clint capable of using her like that. If he did use her, why did he give her the enhancements?

  Doug pressed a hand on her shoulder. “You need to lie down. You don’t have the strength yet. This IV is feeding you straight carbohydrates for your strength enhancement. Your blood needs to process the gold and copper compound. The armbands need to monitor and train your brain activity. If you don’t allow it all to happen, your body will reject the enhancements.” His voice lowered to a somber tone. “You could die.”

  “He did it so you couldn’t follow him,” Monica’s voice held a dawning note of alarm. “He knew you’d need time to recover.”

  Keegan shook her head. “He did it to keep me safe.”

  While they argued, Doug remained suspiciously quiet.

  “Did he say anything to you?” Keegan said, studying his face.

  “All he told me was to make sure I followed procedure with you. He didn’t want any complications.”

  “Did he say when he’d be back?” Monica said.

  Doug shook his head. “I thought he went to sleep. He’d been up for over twenty-four hours.”

  He left his staff without a word. A staff that had been loyal to him for years.

  The black hole in her stomach stretched to unbearable proportions, eliciting a wince. She needed him. He was her haven, her peace. How could he leave like this?

  “Text Austin,” she told Monica. “See if he’s heard from Clint.”

  Seconds later, Monica read the message on her phone. “He said Clint told them to stand down until they heard otherwise.” She gave Keegan a haughty brow. “Very convenient.”