The stewardess came back out, “We’ll be taking off shortly just waiting for our other passenger.”
Another passenger? No one told me there would be someone else flying with me. Suddenly I was nervous.
“Is everything ready?”
It was the voice from Duke’s office. The man I’d heard arguing with Duke in hushed tones in the hallway.
“Yes sir, we’ve been waiting for you.”
“Then we’re ready.” His tone was winded as if he’d jogged to the plane.
“Of course, I’ll let the captain know we’re ready for take-off.”
“Excellent.”
His footsteps lumbered towards the back of the plane. Towards me. My heart was racing. I couldn’t look up. His cologne filled the air around me.
“Agent Cooper, or shall I call you Amelia?” He held out his hand. Wrinkled gray slacks. Crisp white button down, sleeves rolled up to the elbows. He was soft in the middle and on the shorter side. Round, clean shaved face, receding hair line but kind brown eyes. He looked to be in his forties.
“Ms. Kinsey will do and you are?” I shook his hand. It was big and meaty.
He smirked. “Good, good, getting into character already,” he said.
I quickly let his hand go still unclear who he was and what he was doing here. He ran a hand across his forehead before taking the seat beside me. Jen came around to us. “We’ve been cleared for takeoff. Can I get you anything before?” Her eyes were on him.
“I’m good thank-you.”
“Of course. Please put on your seatbelt.” Jen left us and headed back towards the front of the plane.
“Have you been briefed?”
“Briefed? Yes. But I’d like to know who you are exactly?”
“I’m Agent Monroe. Our flight arrives in Monaco at 0900 hours which gives us plenty of time to discuss how you will succeed at your mission. What did agent Reyes go over with you?”
“I’ll be attending a wedding as the persona she’s created in her absences. I’m supposed to find the owner of the hotel, a Lord Pierce, get close to him so I can get close to his personal computer where I plant a Trojan.”
“Getting to his computer will be difficult, that’s what I’m here for. I’ve got schematics of the hotel along with plans for the security system. If you are to get to his computer unnoticed you have to know where all the cameras are. My main goal is to help you blend in and go unseen when needed.”
He opened his laptop and put it between us. He showed me blueprints of the hotel. Wherever a camera was he marked it green showing the areas the camera covered.
After I felt like I knew the hotel like the back of my hand he proceeded to show me pictures of everyone attending the wedding including the bride and groom. I didn’t remember all the names but I did the faces including that of Paige Wellford.
After we finished with that Agent Monroe showed me a picture of my target. It was a grainy black and white photo of a man with longish hair standing on the edge of a boat. It was hard to make out the details of his face since he was wearing sunglasses. Not to mention it was taken from quite a distance away. “This is Lord Pierce, your target. You must get close to him at any cost.”
I looked up from the photo, “Do you have a better picture of him?”
“Afraid not. Lord Pierce is very elusive. He’s extremely hard to get close to. Hardly ever leaves the casino. Which is why this wedding is so important. This may be the only chance we have to get close to him.”
I studied the picture. “It’s his computer we want access to?”
Agent Monroe sat back and loosened his tie. “Yes. Agent Reyes has been working hard to gain footing into his inner circle, bending quite a few rules to garner his attention. You mustn’t lose what she’s gained. If he suspects you in the slightest, this whole mission will go up in smoke. I cannot stress enough that you must get close to him, he must trust you, no matter what it takes.” The way agent Monroe said it, and the look he gave me, made it clear sex was on the table. With every new bit of information this mission seemed a little more insurmountable.
No matter what it takes. I chewed that over in my head. I’d never really given much thought about what it might take to get close to his computer. What if I did have to sleep with him to do it? The thought had my stomach bubbling. Sex didn’t scare me, but sex with a possible drug lord did. Who knows how many died at Pierce’s command.
As if reading my thoughts agent Monroe said, “Remember do whatever is necessary to get to his computer, I don’t care the cost.” Easy for him to say. He didn’t have to get involved with the bad guys.
It became hard to swallow. Maybe I wasn’t cut out for field work but there was no going back now.
Chapter 4
At the airport agent Monroe and I split ways. He would be staying at the casino as well but only as a guest there to gamble and drink. If for any reason I were to see him, I was to act like I hadn’t. Although according to agent Monroe I didn’t have to worry because he was a master at blending in. “You’ll see the wallpaper before you ever see me,” he had said whatever that meant.
I stood outside the airport ready to hail a cab when I noticed Kinsey on a placard being held by a gentleman in a suit. I stepped up to the man, cleared my throat, “I’m Ms. Kinsey.”
The man bowed his head and opened the back door. With a deep breath I slipped into character, leaving Henley Cooper at the curb. I was from this moment on Amelia Kinsey. The driver took my bag as he shut the door once I was inside. I tucked my purse tighter to me and focused my attention out the window. The furthest I’d ever traveled was Ohio when I was ten for a reunion.
This was nothing like that. We coasted along a winding road. Buildings zipped by each more luxe than the last. The streets were bustling with people and cars. I rolled down the window so I could hear and smell it all. We took a sharp turn and the coast opened up on my left. At the marina several yachts were docked. Thank goodness, the bureau provided me with a wardrobe of designer duds. My thrift store finds would never fit in here.
I could seriously get used to this. We pulled up to the La Boule. Never had a building left me in awe like this hotel did. A glass and marble structure that screamed of decadence from another time. I waited until the driver opened my door for me to get out. I stood at the door for a minute taking it all in. A valet came out the revolving door to take my bags from the driver. As the valet loaded his cart a woman walked towards me. “Ms. Kinsey?”
Show-time.
I straightened my shoulders, put my nose in the air and stood to my full 5’7 stature. “Yes. That’s me.”
“Wonderful. I’m Sofia Bornet and I will be your personal assistant, please follow me.”
She guided me inside the hotel. Sofia was tall and long-limbed moving with grace through the hotel’s foyer. It was as if I’d stepped back in time. The filigree, the ornate sconces. The painted fresco ceiling with humongous crystal chandeliers took my breath away. We turned another corner and the slot machine ka-chings filled the air. But even the slot machines were ornate and beautiful. “You are here for the Agner-Huntley wedding?” Sofia asked pulling me from my inner reverie.
“Yes.”
“Bride or groom’s side?”
Agent Monroe had gone over this with me on the plane. The groom, Wallace Agner, had a far more diluted pedigree which would make the friend of a friend angle far more believable. Bethesda Huntley, the bride, had a much smaller, tighter circle. “Groom.”
“Excellent. Wedding festivities don’t start until tomorrow morning. You have today for yourself. You’ll be staying in the La Bella suite.” She gave me a brief tour of the hotel. Restaurants, spas, shopping all of it. I pretended to be engaged in her spiel but I was focused on the people. Scanning every area for the cameras. Keeping a mental log of how many security guards were posted at the security booths and how many strolled among the crowd. Once we were done with the hotel’s amenities we headed towards a bank of elevators towards the back of th
e casino floor.
Inside the elevator she hit the 25th floor. As the cart ascended she handed me a program, “That is the wedding itinerary. It has the time and places for all pre and post-wedding events.” I looked it over. There was a wedding party brunch at 10:30. Then the afternoon was blocked out for the wedding party to get massages and such. At 5:30 there was a dinner mixer. There would be lots of opportunities to get close to Pierce. I continued looking over the program. The rich really knew how to throw a wedding.
You’re rich. You’re a Montlake heir remember. This is nothing to you. You can do this. I could do this and I would.
When the elevator stopped on my floor we got out. I followed Sofia down a hall to a set of ornate double doors. She pushed them open. “La Bella welcomes you,” Sofia said. She stood at the door as I walked around the room. “Is everything to your liking?”
At the back of the living room were French doors that lead to a balcony which had an amazing view of the water. To the right of the living room was a hallway with two bedrooms.
“This will do,” I said trying to hide my excitement as I walked back over to Sofia.
She handed me a business card on thick card stock. Nothing on the card but a gold embossed phone number. “That is my personal number if you need anything call me immediately. I am at your disposal for the course of your stay.”
I nodded. “Thank you.”
“Can I get you anything?”
“I think I’ll have a nap, get my beauty rest before I go exploring.”
“As you wish.” With that Sofia left. I waited a breath before screaming with joy and throwing myself onto the couch. I kicked my feet in the air as I pinched myself repeatedly. I only wanted to do field work for the rest of my life. I opened the door to one of the bedroom suites. A king-sized bed never looked more inviting. My bags were already parked beside the bed. Impressive. I’d definitely give this place a thumbs up on Yelp. I rolled my eyes as if the rich used Yelp.
My first order of business was heading to the pool. That was the only place agent Monroe didn’t have a schematic of. Sitting out in the sun by the pool sounded relaxing and seemed like the perfect place to start re-con.
I slipped on my black lace two-piece swimsuit, braided my hair so it would fit underneath a sun hat and put on my sunglasses. I grabbed a cover up, rhinestone encrusted sandals, and my bag before heading out to the pool.
Chapter 5
The pool was packed with people. Of course, the weather was beautiful who wouldn’t want to be out in it. The sky was clear, only a few puffy white clouds floated on a cooling breeze. I stopped by the bar and grabbed a Pina Colada (heavy on the rum) before I found an abandoned cabana. It couldn’t hurt to go home with a tan. I settled back onto a lounge chair. I studied all the people. There was a security booth near the beach end of the pool area. By the looks of it there were no cameras keeping watch out here which was surprising.
Over by the bar about a hundred feet away, a group of men stuck out. Five of them all wearing black suits even in this heat. Then I noticed the pieces in their ear and realized they were private security. They parted slightly and that’s when I saw him.
My target.
Lord Pierce Huntley stood in the middle of these men. He had a commanding presence. Then again why wouldn’t a drug lord? All that murder. I shook off the thought and watched him. The black and white photo agent Monroe showed me did not do this man justice. He was in profile staring back towards the hotel. Dark hair, olive skin, with the body of a Greek god. The only thing I couldn’t judge from this distance was his eye color. I was dying to know what color they were.
Pierce ran a hand through his locks before turning towards the bar giving me a view of his backside. His gray slacks and white dress shirt were tailored to him. They hugged his body in ways that made me want to worship at his altar. Get it together.
He was the epitome of what Bernini tried to capture in marble. God wept when he made this man. I wanted to weep. The only place men looked this good was in magazines and most of that was lighting and airbrushing. I bit my lip. Whatever it takes, popped into my head. With a man like that I wouldn’t mind doing everything it took.
He’s a drug lord. Right.
I pulled my bag over to me and grabbed my iPad. This was my chance to get a picture of him. I checked around me to make sure no one looking and snapped several photos. I made sure to catch a few photos of his entourage. I continued staring until he turned around, his gaze locked on me. I froze unable to look away. His brow crinkled as if he was confused. Had I been caught? Did he know I was taking his picture? He placed his drink down on the bar top his eyes never leaving mine as he pulled his phone from his pocket and put it to his ear. His mouth moved but I couldn’t hear a thing. Then he tapped the arm of one of the suits and pointed directly at me.
I couldn’t breathe. Had I been found out already? What the hell did I do? I didn’t even have a gun with me. The man in the suit made his way over to me. I closed the camera app on my iPad and opened an e-book.
“Excuse me miss?” The man in the suit said when he approached me.
“Yes.”
“This cabana is reserved.” His accent was light but I placed it as English. He towered over me his stature blocking the sun placing me in his shadow. He was beefy, bald, and intimidating as hell.
You are a Montlake heir.
“Excuse me?” I sat up. I tried to take an insolent tone.
“You must reserve the cabanas.”
I licked my lips keeping my composure going for aloof and unaffected. “Fine, then I’d like to reserve this cabana.”
The man adjusted the cuffs of his jacket. “I’m afraid that is impossible.”
“Why?” I asked meeting his gaze with a glare.
Mister Tall Dark and Scary remained unaffected. “I’m afraid it’s been booked out for the weekend by a couple.”
“I don’t see anyone around. Can’t I just have a few more minutes?”
“No.”
“Pretty please,” I said with a pout.
He cleared his throat and pointed over my right shoulder. I sat up and looked behind me. An older couple stood there looking displeased. “Is that the couple?”
Goon man nodded. I stared past him over to the bar where Pierce stood no longer watching me.
Game on Bitch. I would enjoy taking that smug bastard down. “Well then, I guess that’s that. Sophia will be hearing about this.” I said.
The goon looked unimpressed by my threat. “Sophia can absolutely help you reserve a cabana,” he said.
“Thanks.” There was nothing sincere in my words. He was the head honchos right hand man, of course he wasn’t threatened by little old me and my fake millions. Whatever, I needed to check-in with home office anyways. I gathered up my things. Someone was watching me. I glanced over my shoulder to see Pierce once again staring at me.
A man had no right to be that good-looking. Especially a bad guy. Bad guys should be fat, hairy in the wrong places and smelly. Not so sexy it was sinful. It was time to see exactly what Pierce Huntley was made of. Instead of slinging my bag over my shoulder I dropped it.
Slowly, I bent down to pick up my stuff, making sure to add a wiggle as I did. When I stood back up Pierce was still watching intently. There was only one way to describe his look, smoldering. Our eyes locked.
Agent Monroe’s words echoed in my head, “Any means necessary.”
I licked my lips as my mind pictured him without his shirt on. Pierce arched a brow as if reading my dirty thoughts.
Stop it. Stop it.
“Do you need help?” I’d forgotten all about Mr. Scary Security. He was still there. I turned towards him giving my back fully to Pierce. “I’m good thank you.” With my head held high I made my way back inside the hotel.
Once I was in the elevator headed up to my room I exhaled. My hands were shaking as my heart raced. A staring contest had unnerved me. Inside my room I went straight to the mini bar and poured myself a
stiff drink.
I was still shaking from my encounter with Pierce as I fell back on the couch in the living room of my suite. I stared up at the ornate ceiling completely shaken. Ringing perked up my ears. I followed the sound to my room and realized it was coming from my purse. It was my burner phone. Only two people had the number. Agent Monroe and my boss Duke Bernard.
I checked the time. Three o’clock. I wasn’t supposed to check in with Duke until four o’clock. I took a deep breath before I answered. “Hello.”
“Ms. Kinsey tonight you will rendezvous with Paige Wellford at Club Denoir at 8:30. She will be wearing a green sequin dress.” It was agent Monroe.
“Hello to you too.”
“Wear something lovely.”
“What am I … hello … hello?” He hung up on me. I guess being on a mission did away with manners and pleasantries. I finished my drink and called Duke. I let him know I was sending him an encrypted file and to have Lilah open it. Then I ordered room service and took a nap. Unfortunately, my dreams all involved a very sexy lord doing very dirty things to me.
Chapter 6
The black sequin dress was tight, giving me little wiggle room. Though it had no right being classified as a dress. A handkerchief covered more. One wrong move and my dignity would be lost. I prayed I didn’t drop anything or have to sit.
Duke’s words played in my ears, “She has no choice but to be ready this mission is to important”, as I made my way further into the club. Find my target and get close to him by any means necessary. Hence the dress. I’d spent hours tying my hair up into a sexy braid bun. I’d spent even longer on my make-up. I was flawless. I would prove I belonged here. That I could do this better than any trained field agent. I double-checked the flower pin on my dress. It was a mini-camera. Something that might come in useful tonight if I bumped into my target.
With a deep breath I made my way through the crowd headed towards the bar where I would be meeting a woman by the name of Paige Wellford. She was a socialite in her twenties. An heir to the Weinstein fortune and my invitation to the wedding. Her connections to the bride, and Reyes connections to her, are what got me here in Monaco where I’d make a name for myself.
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