by Taylor Lee
~~~
“Wow.”
Caleb prefaced his exclamation with a low whistle.
Nicki nodded. “Wow is right.”
Watching Cherise walk toward the exit, her head in the air, like the wicked queen that she was, Nicki tried to sort through her mishmash of emotions. One thing was crystal clear: Cherise Freeman was a formidable opponent. Nicki wondered if Senator Michaels knew what he was up against.
An involuntary shiver shook her. Grabbing hold of Caleb’s arm, Nicki clung to him. She needed the warmth of a normal human being. Caleb put his arm around her and held her tight against his chest acknowledging her need and his.
After several moments, Nicki freed herself. Pressing her lips together, she squared her shoulders.
“Do you know what I want, Caleb?”
Caleb’s hooded eyes and troubled sigh confirmed he was as rattled by their luncheon companion as she was.
“After that ice bath in corrosive acid, I can’t imagine, hotstuff.”
“I want a quarter pound hamburger and a double order of French fries with gobs of ketchup.”
Caleb stepped back and frowned at her.
“But you don’t eat meat, Nicki.”
“After that lunch, I do.”
She grimaced. “And I want it rare, bloody.”
A smile tugged at the corner of his Caleb’s mouth. “I see. All righty then. How about Mickey D’s? Is that fleshy, bloody enough?”
Nicki sighed shoving down any second thoughts.
“It’ll do.”
Chapter 6
“Hang on, hotstuff. He’s gonna have to work his way through the crowd. When all these vultures see the two of you together, we’re gonna need every man we’ve got to hold them back.”
Nicki nodded and clung to Caleb’s arm for support. She saw Grayson first. The tall man was the epitome of a distinguished gentleman. Slightly graying at the temples, he exuded a calm vibe that was both comforting and erroneous. Only his eyes darting from side to side and the slight bulge at his hip hinted at his profession. Tonight Nicki knew Gray was in pure bodyguard mode—along with the other members of their team. Caleb had told her that the word was out that an important ‘someone’ wasn’t happy with Rafe. That wasn’t unusual. Rafe had innumerable enemies. They all did. It was part of the landscape. But tonight they wanted the focus on Senator Michaels; and, Nicki admitted, on their client and his wife.
Her heart pounded a staccato beat against her chest when she felt Rafe’s presence. It wasn’t surprising. She knew there wasn’t a woman in the room that wasn’t ogling him. In the midst of powerful, wealthy tuxedoed men, Rafe’s formal attire looked casual but astonishingly appropriate. Especially if you were an aficionado of a GQ-styled man. He was tall, lean and strikingly handsome. His custom designed suit emphasized the lithe muscular strength of his body. His silk shirt, open at the neck, made the bow ties and cummerbunds the other men wore look stuffy and old-fashioned. Rafe would have stolen the show at a Hollywood premier. In this rule-bound conservative crowd he captured it. When he saw her, his stormy sea green eyes flashed and a slight smile tugged at his lips. As though the electricity between them were palpable, the crowd separated, opening a path when he moved toward her.
Nicki had spent most of her day gathering the final evidence they needed to screw Senator Michaels’ ass to the wall. As Rafe had anticipated, when the Senator knew that ISA was on his tail he and his staff went into massive cover-up mode. And started making mistakes. Grayson and the team of technical geniuses who worked at Rafe’s state of the art headquarters followed the breadcrumbs Nicki gave them. To everyone’s amazement, they’d found irrefutable evidence that Senator Michaels had accepted a six and a half million dollar bribe from an international arms dealer. That the dealer was an Iranian ‘businessman’ sealed Michaels’ fate. The Senator was looking at a massive fine and certain prison time.
But as much time as she had spent going after Michaels, Nicki had focused more energy on Freeman. She was convinced that neither Michaels nor Freeman deserved to be president. If it were up to her, neither would be. Freeman’s philandering was common knowledge in the halls of power. As disgusting as it was, the Congressman was correct when he said adultery was no longer an impediment to high office. But ten days ago, Nicki got hints of a truly explosive scandal involving the Congressman. If it went public, it would end his career. The problem was, Nicki didn’t have proof. She’d gone to Cherise Freeman in hopes of getting that proof. Before she met her, Nicki had assumed that Cherise was an innocent party—just one more political Washington wife who’d sold her dignity in exchange for the opportunity to bask in the shadow of her husband’s power. Her meeting with Cherise shot that theory to hell. Cherise was nobody’s victim; she was a vicious instigator and collaborator.
Freeman was known in Washington parlance as a limousine liberal. Shorthand for wealthy men who championed the rights of the poor while living an extravagant lifestyle that was fueled by the money made by their long dead ancestors—or more often their wive’s ancestors. Ah, yes. Family fortunes. What earned them the derisive moniker was their hypocrisy, not an uncommon attribute in D.C. What rankled their cronies more was the wealthy liberals using family money to buy their seats in Congress. All relatively legally, of course. Freeman upped the ante, and went one better. Now he intended to buy his way to the presidency.
A hallmark of the politically correct Congress was its emphasis on multiculturalism. While men still ruled, at least for the cameras, women, blacks and other minorities were in full view. Given the importance of appearances in Washington, even avowed racists had added color to their staffs. But Freeman’s staff was remarkably white. The absence of anyone but white men on Freeman’s core staff intrigued Nicki. It also closed down potential witnesses, as women and minority groups had their own grapevines. For good reason they had each other’s backs. Nicki had excellent access to that underground network. Lacking her usual sources, combined with the significance of the scandal, had the signals on the back of Nicki’s neck screaming for attention.
But all of her research and begging potential witnesses for evidence was for naught. No one with irrefutable proof had come forward. But today the gods were with her. Today they did.
One of Freeman’s regular prostitutes had tipped Nicki off to the bigger scandal. At first, Fantasia refused to do more than hint at the wrongdoing. But Nicki was persuasive, as was a significant amount of money. When Fantasia finally broke her silence Nicki knew this was a scandal that the American public wouldn’t ignore—and the Freemans couldn’t survive. Now that she knew that Cherise was integrally involved, Nicki planned to confront Freeman and his wife with the proof and give him the opportunity to withdraw from political life.
Rafe saw her across the room and started toward her. She was a vision. Her flaming red hair was piled up on her head anchored by sparking diamond studded pins. Alluring tendrils broke free surrounding her face and neck with vibrant curls. Rafe loved removing the pins one by one, allowing the fragrant mass to fall free in a glorious curtain around her shoulders and back. Even from across the room her striking cat-like eyes gleamed. When she spotted him, her cheeks flushed an enticing rosy peek. She gnawed on her full bottom lip, sending a double spike of energy to his cock. It didn’t matter what Nicki wore. Her stunning body was a designer’s dream. But unlike the usual rail-thin runway model, Nicki’s body could have outshone any Playboy cover model. She was wearing a body-hugging black sheath that clung to every delicious curve of her body. The fact that it ended just six inches below her curvy ass didn’t hurt. Neither did her four-inch Jimmy Choo strappy sandals that made her already sensational legs drool-worthy.
Rafe’s simmering anger dissipated at the sight of her. How could he be angry with the woman who’d changed his life, almost obliterating the emotional scars of his ugly past. Seeing the uncertainly cross her face, Rafe quickened his steps. He crossed the room and pulled her into his arms. Resting his hand on the small of her back,
a possessive gesture that must have made 95% of the men in the room groan with envy, he leaned down to whisper in her ear.
“Yes Darling, I was mad as hell at you; but I have a couple of ideas about how to make you listen to me from now on.”
Nicki’s cheeks flushed. “Will I like them?”
“Have you ever not?”
Nicki’s eyes danced. “You know, big guy, that works two ways. I was angry at you, too.”
Rafe raised a brow and then winked at her.
“Bring it on, Darling.”
He leaned in closer.
“Don’t look now, Nicki, but you’re about to become even more of a center of attention.”
Four large men wearing obvious ear pieces and loose-fitting jackets signaling concealed weapons formed a phalanx around Senator Michaels. The ISA team stood at a discreet distance. Rafe ignored the approaching Senator himself, and instead nodded to the lead agent protecting Sen. Michaels.
“Good evening, Tom. Good to see you.” He turned to Nicki, “Darling, this Tom Cody, one of the secret service agents who’s been assigned to protect Senator Michaels in the event that you find it necessary to throw another knife at him. Tom, this is Nicki Powers, one of my partners. She also happens to be my fiancé.”
Agent Cody managed to suppress a grin but didn’t hide his wink.
“Good to see you, Rafe.” He bowed slightly to Nicki. “I’m pleased to meet you Ms. Powers. I’ve… I’ve heard a lot about you” At this point he couldn’t shut off his grin.
The veins on Senator Michaels’s forehead throbbed dangerously. Unable to hide his anger, his phony smile disappeared replaced by a glower.
“If you are finished exchanging pleasantries with the young woman who assaulted a United States Senator, Agent Cody, perhaps we can end this charade.”
Rafe faced the senator.
“Indeed, Senator. Let’s end the charade. I believe you have something to say to my colleague.”
Obviously wanting to get the ordeal over with, Senator Michaels glared at Nicki.
“Look, Ms. Powers, you misunderstood my intentions. I was appropriately angry that you had the gall to come into my office and accuse me of buying my senate seat with dirty money. I admit I responded badly and I apologize for my crude words.”
Nicki smiled.
“There was nothing appropriate in your behavior or that of your staff, Senator. But I accept your apology. I expect that you won’t do it again. At least not for the next twenty years or so.”
Senator Michaels frowned. “Are you threatening me, Ms. Powers?”
Nicki smiled. “Do you feel threatened, Senator? Or perhaps guilty?”
The Senator growled a low ugly sound, but he stepped back when Rafe closed in next to Nicki.
“Perhaps the Senator is concerned that you aren’t through with him, Nicki. And knowing how persistent you are, I wager that he has a reason to be nervous.”
As if aware that the crowd surrounding them was jockeying to get closer to the action, Senator Michaels lowered his voice and glared at Rafe.
“Look you arrogant asshole, I’ve apologized and Ms. Powers has accepted my apology. Now, Boudin, the only thing that’s left is for you and me to ‘settle up.’ On that point, it’s only fair to warn you that my office has begun a Congressional investigation of ISA regarding your abusive tactics. I’m convinced that there are plenty of men who will testify against you.”
Rafe shrugged. “I’m sure there are, Senator. We’ve taken down a lot of assholes in the short time we’ve been in business.” He added pointedly, “And the list is about to get longer. “
Rafe tightened his arm around Nicki’s waist and spoke in a dangerously low voice.
“A final point, Senator. I’m the one who will decide when we’ve ‘settled up.’ Not to ‘threaten you’, but I’m not nearly finished with you.”
Chapter 7
“Rafe, I got it! We really are going to take him down. He’ll be in prison by the end of the year!”
Pulling Nicki away from the crowd, Rafe smiled at her.
“Gray showed me your report on Michaels, Nicki. Extraordinary work, Darling. Damn, just when I want to beat the hell out of you for going off on your own, you pull off something like this. I’m proud of you, Nicki.”
Nicki couldn’t hide her pride, but downplayed her role. “It helped that Michaels assumed his privileged position made him above the law. His arrogance helped. We just needed to get the hard evidence to take him down.”
“And, Darling, because of you, that’s exactly what we’re going to do.”
Nicki couldn’t hide her excitement. She was dying to tell Rafe what she’d learned about Freeman. She knew he’d be amazed. She hoped he wouldn’t focus on her tactics, instead that he’d be proud of her.
She pulled him closer to her and motioned for him to bend down. Her excitement was palpable.
“Rafe, we’ve got Michaels, but I think—no make that I know—we’ve also got Freeman. Today I finally got someone to talk to me and you won’t believe what I’ve got. I promise you, there is no way that Freeman can get out of this. Within a couple days, the two frontrunners for the presidency will be no more.”
Rafe frowned.
“Nicki, I told you to back off. At least until we could talk through the implications—”
Nicki jerked her arm away. Her latent anger flared. “Why, Rafe? Because you don’t want to jeopardize your fee?”
Rafe’s frown deepened. “That’s not worthy of you, Nicki, or me.”
Nicki squeezed her eyes shut to close out the hurt she saw underlying his stern expression. She wished she could take back her insulting insinuation. Rafe was right. It wasn’t worthy of either of them. Rafe was cavalier about his motivation, insisting that money was his goal, but Nicki knew differently. She knew that that the primary reason he formed his company was to take down the bad guys and even the playing field for the good guys. Charging, and getting, extravagant fees was his way of meeting powerful men on their own turf.
“I’m sorry, Rafe.”
His troubled sigh made her feel worse. She was grateful when he pulled her close.
“We need some time away, Nicki. Just the two of us. I need about a week of holding you in my arms….”
Grayson interrupted, his expression serious.
“Sorry, Rafe, Nicki. I apologize. I promise I’ll get the two of you out of here in the next twenty minutes. But Tom Cody asked if he could have a few words with you, Rafe. Privately. I think he may have additional info about Senator Michaels. Apparently we’re not the only ones who smell the stench of graft surrounding the good Senator. Cody is waiting for you in Stew Wourst’s office.”
Grayson threw Nicki an apologetic gaze.
“I promise, hotstuff. I’ll have him back to you soon.”
Nicki nodded. Watching them walk away, their heads together, engaged in a somber conversation, Nicki knew how unlikely it was that Gray could keep his promise. One of the prices they paid for the work she and Rafe did was that they had to fight for every private moment together. She hoped that Gray was right. She needed time tonight with Rafe. To apologize again for her hurtful remark. And to fill him in on what she’d learned about Congressman Freeman. She had to believe that once he understood the incendiary nature of her evidence, that he would forgive her ‘lone ranger’ tactics. She sighed, remembering how many times Rafe had warned her not to go off on her own.
As if the universe wanted to rub her nose in the reason for Rafe’s concern, she heard someone call out to her. Turning, she saw Congressman Freeman approaching. Her stomach did a wild California Screamer-worthy pitch and roll. For once, Freeman’s smarmy smile was gone. Seeing his grim expression, Nicki decided his plastic grin wasn’t so bad. At least, that was phony. His apparent anger was real.
“May I speak with you, Nicki?”
“Of course. How can I help you, Stephen?”
The tic beside his eye fluttered dangerously.
“I want to ta
lk to you, Nicki. Privately. Please come with me.”
Nicki eased her hand along her thigh. The hard steel was comforting. It would have been better if her dress had allowed another knife or even a gun. She had a feeling she might need backup. The kind of backup that Rafe insisted every good agent shouldn’t work without. She sighed. Damn. Okay, God. I get the message. This is the last time I’ll go it alone.
Freeman stopped in front of a private office. He rapped twice, then opened the door and gave her a little shove. Nicki couldn’t hold back a groan. The opulent office was empty except that sitting behind the desk was a very pissed off looking Cherise Freeman.
Nicki forced herself to appear calm.
“Good evening, Mrs. Freeman. You’re looking well. That is a lovely dress. I didn’t have an opportunity earlier to tell you how much I like it. You never can go wrong with Fendi.”
Nicki’s attempt at collegiality fell flat. The scorn in Cherise’s eyes deepened. The self-important woman didn’t bother to answer.
Nicki didn’t have time to dwell on Cherise’s anger. The Congressman got right to the point, making it clear he was as angry as his wife looked.
“My wife told me that you engineered a luncheon meeting with her today. That you asked her very personal questions and made a number of ugly insinuations. If I didn’t know better, Nicki, I might think that you misunderstood why we are paying your company over a million dollars. We asked you to find evidence of Senator Michaels’ wrongdoing. We did not ask you to stick your meddlesome nose into our personal lives.”
Nicki heard the anger in his voice but also saw a glimmer of anxiety hovering behind his stern expression. She braced herself for what she knew was coming. The congressman didn’t keep her waiting. And he didn’t pull any punches.