Asset Management

by Annette Mori

  ****pay you****

  Yeah, I know how important Sophie is. She called, so that’s a start.

  ****

  All right. I’ll meet you there in an hour.”

  “I’m sorry that’s the best I could do with cleaning the sound. It’s not much to go on, but we should probably get Ronda to follow him.”

  “Why Ronda? Why not Char or one of us?” Sophie asked.

  “They have pictures of Char, you, and Toni. I’m not an expert at surveillance and no offense, Dani, but that is not your area of expertise either,” Maggie explained.

  “You don’t trust me. I get it, because I don’t trust you either. Fucking government employees are all a bunch of traitors if you ask me,” Ronda spit out.

  “Can we please shelve the pissing contest? Ronda, you need to get going because our friend, Ted, is getting ready to leave,” Char interjected.

  “Fine, but when I return, the feebie and I are going to have it out once and for all. I’m not going to tolerate her incessant barbs,” Ronda growled.

  After Ronda turned to leave, Sophie flipped her the bird.

  “God, you are a Neanderthal five-year-old. I’m just glad Ronda is now the recipient of your charm. I’d be willing to place a bet that you two are far more alike than either of you would admit to.” Toni chuckled.

  “Oh, you have no idea how right you are,” Char added.

  “Youth. I wonder if I was ever this…never mind, we’ve got a lot of work to do,” Maggie said. “I hope the three of you are up to it. It’s time we moved around far more assets than you’ve been able to accomplish during the past year and a half. We may be able to help quite a bit with Dani’s financial tracking program. We’ve been able to isolate all of the financial resources tied to the mob. They are vast and, unfortunately, like a spider’s web, they are very intricate.”

  Maggie walked to one of the monitors and pointed at a screen that did indeed look a bit like a spider’s web to Kim.

  “Look, if you don’t mind, may Kim and I take a break? Although I have a certain amount of expertise with computers, this really looks like something that’s more up Toni’s alley. After she’s had a chance to thoroughly review and evaluate your programs and technology, come and get us and we can work on brainstorming a plan of action,” Sophie suggested.

  “Of course. I’m sorry that, from the moment you arrived, we haven’t exactly pulled out the welcome mat. Most of our other agents are at the Virginia compound, so we have plenty of empty quarters for you to relax, rejuvenate, and maybe catch a quick nap. I’ll take you myself,” Maggie offered.

  Toni leaned in and whispered in Kim’s ear, “FYI, I think this is kind of like a college dorm and they don’t always knock before entering, but go for it. I would if I were you.”

  Kim blushed as Toni winked at her.

  Sophie raised her eyebrow. “Is there something I’m missing here?”

  “No, nothing important. Toni is just being Toni. Maggie, lead the way please,” Kim responded.

  Chapter 17

  Maggie led Sophie and Kim down a long tunnel and opened the door to a cozy living space.

  “I think you will find the accommodations impressive. Dani has quite a few inventions that rival those of your friend, Toni. She has unlimited untapped brilliance that will only blossom with Toni’s guidance. Most of the cutting-edge technology is a result of Dani’s hard work.” Maggie smiled.

  Sophie was impressed with the warm and inviting living area. A fireplace was nestled in the corner. She assumed it was fake, but unless you inspected the crackling logs carefully, you’d never be able to tell the difference. Even the heat from the fireplace felt real. She supposed it was another one of Dani’s inventions.

  Maggie pointed down the hallway. “There are two bedrooms and a master bath down there. Feel free to use one or both of the bedrooms. Help yourself to any of the T-shirts, shorts, tank tops, or sweats that are located in the drawers. I believe they will fit you nicely. Fresh towels are in the bathroom if you decide to shower or freshen up. Help yourself to any of the food in the refrigerator. I believe there is also some beer and wine. We try to keep these quarters stocked for guests. We can regroup in a few hours and talk more about our concerns about a leak. I don’t think the end of the world will happen in the next few hours. Please make yourselves at home.”

  Maggie quietly exited the guest quarters and left Sophie and Kim alone to explore.

  Kim walked down the hallway and opened the first door on the right.

  Sophie didn’t want to crowd Kim so she took a few steps more and opened the second door. She rummaged in the dresser drawers until she found some cotton gym shorts and a t-shirt. After she quickly donned the borrowed clothes, she looked in the mirror. The T-shirt was a little snug, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. She usually wore clothes a couple of sizes too big because she hated any kind of restriction in her movements.

  Her head peeked out the door and she saw Kim exit the other room and head to the couch. Leaving her room and walking toward the couch, Sophie admired Kim’s toned body as she relaxed on the couch in the borrowed shorts and tight fitting T-shirt. It wasn’t often she saw her friend—well, maybe more than a friend now if she got her way—in casual attire.

  Sophie sat next to Kim, picked up her hand, and began caressing it.

  “So what do you make of the audio playback we heard?” Kim asked.

  “I don’t know. In some ways, it looks bad for Ted, but I might also interpret it in another way. I never told you or Toni this, but when I left the FBI, they nearly begged me to stay. They offered a huge raise and all kinds of other perks. When I called Ted the other day, he mentioned again how much the FBI wanted me back and would reinstate me no questions asked. It’s possible he was talking to someone in the bureau and they are just concerned about my safety.”

  “Yeah, that’s possible, I guess. Do you really think Ronda could be involved?” Kim asked.

  “You know, I get the feeling that Ronda is former CIA. She acts a lot like a spook. They are an especially paranoid bunch and they’ve never drawn inside the lines. Spooks think nothing of taking out a life. It’s not like Toni has spent a great deal of time with her. It seems like she’s left to her own devices quite a bit. She’s probably had ample opportunity to meet with Viktor and his goons on the sly. Besides, if she is former CIA, they’re known for playing both sides of the fence—as long as in their pea brains, the end justifies the means,” Sophie offered.

  “What do you think of Char?” Kim asked.

  “I’ll only admit this to you, but I think you’re right. I’ve been watching her and I think she genuinely has feelings for Toni. Despite the initial subterfuge, I actually trust her. At first, I didn’t trust Dani when she was undercover and meeting with Nat, but it’s hard not to like her youthful exuberance. Have you seen how she worships Toni? She’s a bright little thing. I think her inventions come damn close to the brilliance of Toni’s. She has an innocence about her that I want to protect somehow. Kind of like a little sister. I can see how protective Char is and I admire that about her. I also see the sadness in Dani’s eyes and I’m sure it’s related to Nat. I knew that Nat was in love, but I didn’t realize how much it was reciprocated.”

  “So either Ted or Ronda could be the traitor—what if we fed both of them different pieces of false information and see where it goes?” Kim suggested.

  “Kim, you’re a genius. We could also get Toni to plant one of her little biologic tracking devices on Ronda and then see where she goes. Perhaps we should pull Toni and Char together later today and float this by them,” Sophie added.

  “Soph, things could get crazy for us in the very near future, so maybe we should capitalize on these precious stolen moments before all hell breaks loose. I want you to know that I’m glad Toni called us out today. I was coming close to fessing up anyway. It was getting too hard not to. Life is too short and I’ve wasted far too much time already.”

  Sophie was pleased when Kim
leaned in and captured her lips, gently exploring them.

  Sophie responded and sought entrance with her tongue, gently sucking and increasing the intensity of the kiss. Sophie’s heart raced and she questioned whether Kim was prepared to go where she desperately wanted to take her. She pulled back and looked into Kim’s eyes.

  Although she saw the arousal, she needed to ask. “Kim, I really want to make love to you, but if it’s too soon, I understand.”

  “Not too soon. I’m just glad it’s not too late for us. I’d like nothing better than to make love with you. I’ve been waiting a very long time for this,” Kim responded.

  Sophie had a mini meltdown in her head wondering whether she would be good enough for Kim. She wanted to make Kim sing with pleasure. One look from Kim was all it ever took to shake her to her core and leave her breathless. She decided the risk was worth it and she would do everything in her power to show Kim just how much she loved her.

  “I love you,” Sophie uttered those three little words.

  Kim tugged gently on her hand and Sophie stood, pulling her into a warm embrace. They walked hand in hand down the hallway to the first bedroom on the right.

  “I love you too, and I want this and everything that goes with what this means for me. I don’t want one night with you, so if that’s all this will be…well, as much as I want you, I can’t go there,” Kim whispered.

  “Never, I’d never just want one night. I’ll always want more and there will never be another for me. It’s always been you and it will always be you. I want this to be for the rest of our lives and you’ll break my heart if you don’t want the same.”

  “Oh, Soph, I can’t tell you how happy that makes me. Of course I want the same.”

  “You know, Toni is going to act like an insufferable know-it-all tomorrow.” Sophie sighed.

  “Oh, I wouldn’t worry about that. I think if she opens that door, it’s fair game for us to bring forward her blossoming relationship with Char. I’m convinced it is a relationship and not just one of her one-night stands. Teasing can go both ways.”

  The couple entered the bedroom and Sophie smiled as she spied the bottle of lotion on the nightstand next to the bed. She pointed to the lotion. “Hmm, I wonder if there are more presents in the drawers. Let’s check it out.”

  “I don’t need toys. I practically come every time you touch me, but I’ll admit a back rub with some of that lotion would be particularly welcome right now.”

  “Your wish is my command. I’ll need you completely undressed to do this correctly.”

  Kim quickly shed her shorts and T-shirt and stood naked in front of the bed.

  Sophie didn’t think she’d ever seen anything more beautiful. Kim’s compact body was curvy in all the right places, but muscular everywhere else. Her flat stomach created a lovely path to her shock of curls, offset in a perfect triangle. Her breasts were small, but pert, and her nipple erection gave away her response to Sophie’s obvious adoration of her body. It was the most erotic thing Sophie had ever seen. Sophie wanted to press her naked body against Kim’s. She yanked her T-shirt above her head and pulled down her own gym shorts.

  “Why don’t you lie down on your stomach and I’ll give you that back rub you’re jonesing for,” Sophie offered.

  Kim climbed onto the bed and laid down with her head turned to the side. Sophie grabbed the lotion from the nightstand and straddled Kim’s body as she poured lotion into her hand. Sophie didn’t wish to shock Kim’s body with cold lotion, so she used the friction in her hands to warm it before massaging the cream into Kim’s back.

  Kim moaned. “Ooh, that is sooo good. Might I also add that I can feel your hair on my ass and I think I might actually be dripping right about now.”

  Sophie leaned down and kissed the back of Kim’s neck. Her hands traveled down Kim’s back as she scooted further down to allow herself access to Kim’s perfect ass. She lovingly stroked the firm behind as her thumb caressed down Kim’s bottom, brushing the velvet folds beneath.

  Kim arched up into Sophie’s touch. “Um, I think I’d like to continue that back rub later because what you are doing right now is driving me nuts.”

  Sophie continued to stroke Kim—panting and bucking was her reward. Sophie moved to the side and gently turned Kim and continued her loving touch. Using a teasing approach, she brought Kim to the edge and then covered her naked body with her own.

  Kim whimpered at the loss of Sophie’s fingers, but quickly adjusted to the new sensation of Sophie’s body grinding on top of her. Sophie felt Kim’s hand reach across to her ass and begin to stroke her from behind.

  Both women began panting wildly as they reached climax at the same time, each calling out the other’s name.

  As Sophie’s breathing calmed, she rolled to the side and began caressing Kim’s breasts and stomach with utter devotion. “I’ve never experienced that before.”

  Kim’s expression showed astonishment. “You’ve never had an orgasm before?”

  Sophie blushed. “No, I’ve had sex before and yes I’ve experienced release, but I’ve never had a simultaneous orgasm with anyone. That was the most beautiful experience I’ve ever had. I guess it really does make a difference when you’re in love with the person you’re intimate with.”

  “Yes, it does and yes, that was damn near a religious experience for me too. That’s my first time too—you know together like that.”

  Sophie closed her eyes and let out a sigh. “I wish we could stay right here like this forever.”

  “Me too,” Kim caressed Sophie’s cheek. “But we both know we can’t.”

  Sophie nodded. “One day we will.”

  “Count on it.”

  “I am.” After kissing Kim once more, Sophie shook her head. “I hate to switch gears, but I’m worried about how we’re going to possibly move those vast resources without getting caught. I have total faith in Toni’s inventions, but we barely made it out last time without collateral damage. I don’t have the foggiest idea how we’re going to pull this off,” Sophie admitted.

  “I get the sense that Char is a master strategist, so maybe she has an idea. I’d let Char, Toni, and Dani work out the details and I’m sure they will involve us in a way that will capitalize on our unique talents. It will be kind of nice having more people watching our backs.”

  “I’ll volunteer to watch your back any day of the week. It’s such a lovely backside.” Sophie leered at Kim.

  Chapter 18

  Char, Dani, and Toni leaned over a table, pushing around reports, maps, papers, and other diagrams. Coffee cups and empty Coke cans littered the table, along with open bags of chips and crumbs from devoured sandwiches.

  “No, that won’t work.” Toni pushed her hand through her hair in frustration. “We can all assume that Viktor is wise as to how we obtained Byron’s retinal access. Besides, his weakness is not beautiful women.”

  “Unfortunately, Toni is correct. That bastard’s taste is more along the lines of his business. He always picks from his own group of new girls and tosses them aside like a piece of garbage when they get too old,” Char spit out.

  “Then how are we going to obtain access without getting the retinal scan?” Dani asked.

  “I say we shoot him, dig out his eye, whack off his hand, and, voilà, two birds with one stone,” Ronda offered.

  Char turned to Ronda. “When did you get back? I didn’t even hear you enter. So what’s the update?”

  “It was hard to follow him from out here in the boons and I think I might have spooked him because he went back to his residence, or at least I think it was his residence. He didn’t meet anyone that I could see.”

  “Fuck,” Dani said.

  “Since when did you start swearing?” Char chastised.

  “I’m not three, you know. I can swear if I want.” Dani jutted out her chin.

  “Um, can we get back to our plans please?” Toni suggested.

  “So what do we know so far, Dani?”

  “
Well, it seems like Viktor is getting a little nervous because, even though we hit Byron, he’s made contact with him and we can assume he needs Byron’s banking influence—probably money laundering. I think that means something went wrong with his previous connection,” Dani explained.

  “I was almost to the point of learning more about his connections when he approached me to handle some of his more legitimate businesses, but then he canceled our meeting and unfortunately everything went to shit after that. Eighteen months of work down the drain.” Char shook her head.

  “Maybe not. I think his previous connection may have been that other banker who we ruined. They fired his ass after we managed to redistribute thirty percent of his clients’ assets. Do you think we might be able to dig through those old records and discover something of use?” Toni asked.

  Dani clapped her hands together. “Oh, goody. I have just the program to use.” Dani looked up at Toni. “It’s a new program that I’d love you to take a look at.”

  Toni smiled at Dani. She liked the young woman. “I would be honored to check it out. I’m sure I can learn quite a few tricks from you.”

  Dani beamed and Char whispered in Toni’s ear. “Thank you. She’s brightened more around you than in the entire two years since Natalie’s death.”

  Toni grabbed Char’s hand and gave it a little squeeze. “Do you mind checking on the lovebirds while I look at Dani’s program?”

  “Sure, I can do that. Besides I understand Sophie has her own expertise with computers that I think we might need right now.”

  †

  Sophie was sprawled out on the bed, with Kim wrapped in her arms, when she heard the light knocking sound.

  “Just a minute,” Sophie called out.

  Kim scrambled off the bed and looked around the room.

  Sophie picked up a pair of gym shorts and grinned at Kim while she held them out by her forefinger. “Looking for these?”