by Dee, Bonnie
“Honestly. I’m concerned about these guys Brody sent yesterday and I’m not sure I want to throw in my lot with him anymore.”
Justin’s eyes locked with hers, weighing and judging her as Brody had done him. The woman was trouble, her loyalty as changeable as the wind. Trusting her was dangerous, and yet, deep inside, instinct assured him it was okay this time—or maybe it was his lust-addled body in her thrall.
“Please, Justin. I know you don’t have any reason to trust me, but give me a chance to prove myself.” Her hazel eyes were so bright and clear. It was impossible to detect deception in them.
He sighed. “Fuck me over this time, Elyse, and you’re dead.”
“Absolutely.” She nodded.
“And I’ll help him,” Trina muttered then turned and mouthed one word at Justin. “Bugs?”
Justin doubted they were being monitored in Brody’s private office, but pulled a scanner from his pocket. It was a brand new gizmo developed by KOTE’s scientists to identify any hidden surveillance device, whether electronic or paranormal. Justin scanned the eye of the wafer-thin wand over Trina, Elyse, himself and around the room. Everything appeared clear.
Trina took Justin’s hand in hers and squeezed it. Her gaze encompassed him and Elyse. “I assume you guys know about the implants by now. Ray’s followers will do anything he tells them to. He’s supposed to give their votes to Algernon, who’s going to run for president, but Ray’s decided to take the power for himself—first the White House then the world. He’s talking about Terrans assuming their rightful place, and when he says ‘Terran’ I think he pretty much means Destroyers. Terran purity, he calls it. I imagine getting rid of humans or Terrans who cross him will be part of the plan.”
Her straight, dark brows drew together over deep brown eyes and Trina stared at Elyse. “Whatever you’ve done for Brody, I don’t believe you’re really on board for world domination, are you? Somehow, we’ve got to destroy the machine that controls the implants.”
Elyse returned her intense gaze silently for a moment. “It’s a program. The implants transmit pulses that are tracked on a computer. With the program, Ray can manipulate thought patterns.” She shook her head. “Don’t ask me exactly how it works. One of the guys in R and D tried to explain, but he lost me.”
Justin thought about the people listening to the speech that morning and how they’d seemed dazed when Brody was through. Even if they dismantled the program, his voice gave him way too much power. “We have to take Brody down, too.”
“I’ve thought about this a lot,” Trina said. “There wasn’t much else to do here except think. The best way to ruin his credibility is to let him cut his own throat. Get footage of him rambling like Hitler and broadcast it worldwide.”
“And just how would we do that?” Elyse scoffed.
“Justin, I know you have all sorts of secret agent toys. Wire me with some kind of micro web cam and I’ll get him to talk. Ray talks to me all the time. Meanwhile, you guys can find a way to destroy the program.”
“Stop,” Justin ordered. “All we’re going to do is play along until I can get you out of here, Trina. That’s it! No crazy plans about bringing down Brody from the inside. We’ll do it with KOTE’s help after we’re out of here and you’re safe. The most important thing to me is to get you to safety.”
Trina released his hand and crossed her arms over her chest. “You always told me your duty as a Protector came before everything else. Sometimes you have to sacrifice one for the good of all, and I’m willing to try anything to stop that maniac.”
“No! I’m not going to put you in danger…”
“Justin, it’s too late for that. Don’t you get it? If I’ve got an implant in my head, I’m already in danger. No matter where I go, Brody has power over me. If he said, ‘jump’ I wouldn't even be able to ask ‘how high.’ If he told me to cut my wrists…” She trailed off.
There was a moment of silence. Justin’s mind reeled at the realization Brody had Trina under his complete control.
“I have an idea how to get to the program.” Elyse’s voice broke the stillness. “The guy I know in research and development…”
“Don’t say any more.” Trina held up her hand. “I don’t want to know anything if I’m questioned later. Now, how about getting me a camera so I can do my part?”
Justin considered demanding Trina sit tight and take no chances, then he realized she was right. She was in a key position to sting Brody. He had to let her try. He couldn’t protect her all her life. Just as he hadn’t been able to stop that Henderson kid from breaking her heart at her eighth grade formal, he couldn’t insulate her from danger now. This mission was more important than one person’s life—even someone he dearly loved.
“Fine.” He reached into his pocket again and brought out a tiny camera no bigger than a postage stamp. He fixed it to the strap of Trina’s tank top where the transparent disc blended with the material. The CIA had nothing on KOTE for high tech gadgets.
“How does it work?” she asked.
“Transmits both image and sound directly to my handheld. From there I can upload it to KOTE or the press.” He showed Trina how to turn on the camera and reminded her to face Brody to keep him in frame.
“You’re such a Boy Scout. Always prepared,” Elyse said.
He turned to her and stepped in close, lightly gripping her throat. His fingertips dug into her neck. “Remember what I said. You betray us this time and I’ll make sure you die before I do.”
She gazed at him with cool eyes. “You’ll just have to trust me.”
He laughed harshly. “That turned out so well last time.”
“Hate to tell you, Foster. You don’t have a lot of choices.”
Chapter Ten
Elyse’s throat constricted when Justin wrapped his warm hand around it and squeezed lightly. Her pussy clenched wetly in response as if his hand were cupping and gripping her mons instead. That’s what his touch—any touch, rough or gentle—did to her. Hell, that’s what his eyes alone could do to her.
The door of Brody’s office opened and their would-be employer returned to the room. Justin’s hand dropped quickly from her throat.
“Family bonding accomplished? Questions answered? Are you convinced your ward has been treated kindly?”
Justin nodded, giving a reflexive smile that was so patently fake Elyse couldn’t imagine Brody could fall for it. But, for someone who could cast a virtual spell over people, Ray was easily fooled himself. He wanted to believe in Justin and Trina’s loyalty, so he did.
“Very well. I need to get on with my day now,” Brody said. “A very momentous day. I’m giving a press conference responding to my father’s declaration of his candidacy. My announcement should create quite a stir in the media.” His smile flickered briefly as he gazed through the three people in front of him. “And my father’s reaction should be quite interesting, too.”
Elyse cleared her throat. “Now that we’ve accomplished the field work you requested, is there anything else you’d like us to do?”
His vision refocused and Brody looked at her. “You may return to your regular duties, Ms. Greenwood. I’ll talk to you later. Mr. Foster, I’d like you to return to KOTE and report to me on their reaction to Algernon’s candidacy and my press conference.”
“And Trina?” Justin asked.
“Will stay with me here as we talked about.” Brody turned to Trina. “You don’t need to return to your college studies, my dear. You may work here at the Center. I’ll start you out in an entry level position, but eventually,” he pushed a strand of hair out of Trina’s face, “I plan to place you high in my ministry.”
Trina responded with a brilliant smile. “I’m … honored, Mr. Brody. You don’t know what this means to me.”
Ray was the picture of a benevolent father figure as he patted the girl’s shoulder.
The girl’s good. Way better than Justin. She should be KOTE’s agent, Elyse thought as she glanced at Justin
. His jaw was tight and his mouth a grim line. It was time they got the hell out of there before he said or did something stupid. She touched his forearm. “Have lunch with me before you fly back to California.”
He tore his gaze away from Brody and Trina to look at Elyse. “Um, sure.”
She took hold of Justin’s arm, which felt like knotted steel, and led him from the room and down the hallway.
As they entered the elevator, he shook her hand off. “Sleazy son-of-a-bitch! What does he want with her?”
“Not sex, if that’s what you’re worried about,” Elyse said. “From what I’ve seen, Brody is pretty asexual. He just doesn’t seem interested in it. I never see him with anybody, female or male.”
“There’s a first time for everything.” Justin’s voice was harsh.
Elyse laughed. “Trina’s human. He might view her as a loyal and clever pet, but that’s all. I wouldn’t worry about it.”
Justin visibly shook off his anger and turned professional. “So, what’s your plan to dismantle the program and why am I trusting you again?”
“I’ll tell you about it over lunch.” The elevator doors opened and Elyse stepped out. “We have to eat anyway.”
“Fine.” Justin sighed, following her toward the dining hall.
The retreat guests chatted happily in groups and pairs as they went through the buffet line and then returned to their tables to eat. The people were glowing with goodwill and charged with energy. To someone who didn’t know better, Raymond Brody’s Center for Human Wellbeing would seem to be doing a remarkable job of helping searching souls achieve happiness. Elyse both pitied and despised the marks for falling for Brody’s con, allowing their pocketbooks to be plundered and their minds to be raped. Humans were so vulnerable and stupid.
And so were Terrans sometimes. Her mother had been weak. Her inability to cope with life had led to her suicide. The day she discovered her mother’s body, Elyse vowed never to be like her. She’d mold herself into a strong, dynamic person like her father. It was what she’d done—until Justin. He’d torn away her defenses and made her doubt herself. Justin Foster was a dangerous person.
“Let’s take this someplace where we can have privacy,” Elyse said, after they’d filled their trays with food. She led Justin out of the dining hall and to the conservatory in the main foyer. The glass walls rose two stories and curved overhead, letting in the weak light of an overcast day. The indoor garden had flagstone paths, a trickling fountain and benches set in secluded spots among the lush greenery.
“What’s your plan?” Justin asked as he sat beside her on the wicker bench and settled his tray on his knees. “And why are you suddenly so helpful?”
“I owe you. The least I can do is help get Trina out of this mess.” Elyse toyed with the sandwich on her plate, lifting a corner of the bread to look at the chicken salad, then closing it again. “And I like being with you,” she finally admitted. “The sex, of course, but more than that. I guess I thought if I proved myself that we could go back to the way it was before.”
He gazed at her over his coffee cup for a second then set it down. “It’s not that easy, Elyse. You can’t buy back trust. It’ll never be the same between us.”
“I know.” She took a small bite of the sandwich, chewed and swallowed past the dryness in her throat. It tasted like paper. “Believe me, I know about having your faith in someone ruined. When I still lived with my mom, Dad would occasionally come sweeping in like a hurricane. He made life more … colorful. There’d be some drama between him and my mom and probably lots of hot sex, then he’d take me to ball games or camping or amusement parks. I always loved when he was around. I’d ask, ‘Are you going to stay this time?’ He couldn’t be honest and say no. Instead he’d swear he was home for good, and every damn time, I believed him.”
She blinked away the prickle of tears that stung her eyes. “But, I knew at least I could always trust my mom to be there—until that one day when I came home from school and she wasn’t. So, yeah, I understand about people fucking you over and how you don’t really trust anybody afterward.”
Justin put his tray on the ground and leaned toward Elyse, his thigh brushing hers. “What happened to your dad? You never said.”
“He was killed five years ago.”
“I’m sorry.” He touched her knee, his hand resting lightly on it. He looked into her eyes. The light in the conservatory made them shine even brighter than usual. “How did it happen?”
Elyse’s mouth twisted in an ironic smile. “KOTE.”
Justin’s eyes widened. His hand left her knee and she missed its warm weight. “Oh.”
“Yeah. He got on the wrong side of a Fire Keeper and ended up dead. But he was just a Destroyer, right? Carrying out some evil scheme. So he must have deserved it.” The depth of bitter sarcasm in her voice surprised her. She thought she’d gotten past her anger.
“I’m sorry,” he repeated.
Elyse shrugged. “Yeah, well, casualty of war, right? White hats against black hats.” She set her food tray aside. “You probably won’t believe it, but I tried taking up my Earth Keeper duties for a few years back in the nineties—did some conservation work in the Sonora Desert.” She laughed. “Can you picture me in khakis and hiking boots?”
“I can,” he said. “What happened?”
She looked into his eyes. “You mean, what lured me back to the ‘dark side’? After my dad was murdered, I took over and ran his business for a while, then sold it and came to work for Brody. The rest, you know.”
“I’m sorry for your loss,” Justin said once more. “Whatever he did, good or bad, he was your father. But you’re right, it is a war between those who want to preserve balance and those who instill chaos, and at some point, you have to choose your side and stick with it.”
Elyse laughed. “Are you recommending I do that now? What if I chose to confess everything to Brody? Honestly, Justin, you’re determined to see everything in black and white no matter how many shades of gray you know exist in this world. For some of us, it’s just not that easy to walk a single path.” She stood up. “Come on. Let’s go see about destroying Brody and saving the world.”
Justin rose, too. He stepped toward her and cupped her elbow in one hand. He inclined his head and, for a moment, she thought he was going to kiss her. “You’re a complicated woman, Elyse.”
“I know.”
“I appreciate that you’re trying to make amends for Trina, but I can’t promise it’s going to make a difference or magically fix things between us. I don’t find it that easy to forget.”
A pang of loss shot through her. Elyse wondered what had happened to the woman who only yesterday seduced Justin for a bout of hot, casual sex in order to accomplish an assignment. Her objectivity had flown out the window and her carefully constructed, self-centered persona had crumbled like a bad masonry job.
She cleared her throat. “Got it. Anyway, here’s my plan. Like I told you, there’s this RandD guy I know. I can get him to show us the machine, explain how it works, then distract him while you dismantle it. Do it carefully and no one will realize it’s been tampered with until after we get Trina out of the building.”
Justin waited a beat. “That’s it? Your whole plan?”
She smiled. “Hey, I didn’t say it was a good one. You fill in the details.”
He smiled too. “Well, it’s something. I’ve gone into war zones on sketchier schemes than that.” His mouth became a grim line again. “Meanwhile, Trina is putting herself in danger with Brody for a little footage.”
“Critical footage,” Elyse pointed out. “She’ll be okay. The girl’s smart. I think she’s a natural at espionage. She may look like a fragile waif, but underneath she’s hard as steel.”
Justin released her arm and started to turn away.
Feeling something akin to panic gripping her, she grabbed his arm to pull him back. “Hey, Foster, in case everything goes to shit and we don’t make it out of here alive…” Sh
e threw her arms around his neck and dragged his head down to hers and kissed him passionately. Their lips mashed together. She angled her head, thrusting her tongue between his lips.
Justin’s hands went around her back, holding her tightly against him, and the hard heat pressing into her stomach let her know he felt something for her, too. His hand stroked her back until his fingers tangled in her hair, clutching her head, holding her steady as he kissed her even more deeply.
After several long, breathless moments, Elyse pulled away. She touched her bruised lips with her fingertips and drew a deep breath. “All right then.” She led the way from the conservatory.
As they made their way through the facility, she greeted people she knew and introduced Justin as a new staff member. Openly touring the Center was the best way to go. If Brody got wind of them poking around, she’d say she thought it was what he wanted now that Foster was part of the team.
The research and development labs were located at the end of the east wing on the far side of the administration offices. It was locked down, inaccessible to all but select staff members, but Elyse could wheedle just about anyone into doing what she wanted.
“Hi, Carl,” she greeted the guard at the door. “This is Mr. Foster, a new hire. Mr. Brody recruited him personally and asked me to show him everything.” She stressed the last word.
“Let me check his clearance with the big guy.” Carl lifted his communicator.
“You could. But I wouldn’t bother Mr. Brody about something like this today if I were you.” Elyse lowered her voice confidentially. “He’s in a bit of a … mood, preparing for a press conference.” She smiled and moved closer to Carl, invading his personal space, touching his shoulder. “I promise to take the blame if you catch shit about it later, but you won’t. Trust me, Mr. Foster is a very special employee who’s supposed to view every aspect of the operation.”
Carl hesitated. “All right, Ms. Greenwood.” He pressed a code into a keypad and the door opened.
Elyse’s heart pounded as she and Justin entered the door. She suddenly realized there was little possibility of returning to her normal life. If they succeeded in exposing Brody, there would no longer be an organization for her to work for, and if they failed, death was a strong possibility. Either way, her life was changed forever.