by CW Browning
She studied him for a moment, then sighed.
“I was being followed all day,” she admitted. “He was waiting for me when I left the hotel that morning. I thought I’d lost him, but clearly I didn’t give him enough credit.”
Damon leaned his head back on the pillows and stared up at the ceiling, frowning.
“I don’t like it,” he muttered. “How did he know you were there? How did he even know who you were?”
“How did Al-Jibad’s people know I was in Damascus?” she countered. “How did the Italian Secret Service know I was in Italy?”
He turned his head and looked at her.
“I don’t like you being back here,” he said. “Someone knows way too much about you, and now you’re here in their front yard.”
“Same goes for you,” said Alina. “That’s why I want to move you as soon as you’re able.”
He grinned.
“Not because you want to nurse me back to health?” he demanded, his eyes dancing.
Alina rolled her eyes and, for a moment, her mask lifted and Damon glimpsed the Jersey Girl inside.
“I don’t have the bedside manner for nursing,” she retorted with a grin. “You wouldn’t last a week.”
“Then I’d just make sure you weren’t at the bedside,” he said devilishly, pulling on her hand. He reached out with his other arm and pulled her close, bringing her lips to his. “I’m sure we could come to some kind of compromise.”
His lips were warm and firm and Alina sighed against them, bracing her weight on her arm. The kiss lengthened and when she finally pulled away, she was a little breathless.
“I’ve been wanting to do that since you walked in,” Damon said huskily.
Alina glanced up at the monitor and smiled slowly at his increased heart rate.
“I can see that,” she murmured, returning her eyes to his. She reached out and smoothed a lock of hair out of his eyes gently. “I don’t think it’s on the list of approved activities the day after surgery, though.”
Damon grinned and watched as she moved back to her spot on the edge of the bed.
“I’m not going to start hemorrhaging with one kiss,” he said. “What were you doing in DC?”
He slipped the question in smoothly and she glanced at him, grinning reluctantly.
“How did you know I was?”
“Charlie told me. He was under the impression you were going back to New Jersey from there, but clearly you had other plans.” Damon settled himself on his pillows again and looked at her expectantly. “So, what were they?”
“I made a few stops,” Alina said evasively. “Nothing you need to worry about.”
He raised a dark eyebrow in patent disbelief.
“Nothing I need to - listen, I may be stuck in this bed temporarily, but if you think you’re going to keep me out of the loop, think again. Spill it. What progress have you made?”
Alina studied him thoughtfully, then glanced at the monitors again. Despite the fact she knew he was going to be fine, John’s sudden death was still too close. The threat of losing Hawk as well had been haunting her for three days, and it wasn’t going away that easily.
“I’m fairly confident that part of getting your blood pressure back to where the doctor wants it doesn’t include getting upset,” she informed him. “I’m just trying to help you get back on your feet faster.”
“Will I get upset?”
She shrugged.
“I don’t know, but I’m not risking it. Not after...”
Alina stopped abruptly and Damon studied her for a moment silently.
“Not after what?” he asked softly.
Alina wouldn’t quite meet his bright blue eyes.
“I almost lost you,” she said, her voice low.
Damon reached for her hand again, his fingers closing around hers strongly.
“But you didn’t,” he said gently. “I’m going to be fine.”
“No thanks to you,” Alina muttered, raising her eyes to his. “What the hell were you thinking? You literally threw yourself in front of me!”
This time it was his eyes that shied away.
“I wasn’t thinking,” he replied gruffly. “It was just a reaction. I saw a threat and my instincts took over.”
She snorted inelegantly.
“Since when is throwing yourself into the line of fire your first instinct?” she demanded.
“Since you came along,” Damon said simply, returning his eyes to hers.
Alina stared at him, caught and paralyzed by the look in his deep blue eyes. She swallowed, feeling flushed, and gave herself a mental shake.
“If this is going to become a habit, then we have a problem,” she murmured. “You’re not made out of body armor. You’re not built to stop a bullet.”
“You’re still alive, aren’t you?” he retorted.
Alina choked back a short, humorless laugh and reached into the inside pocket of her jacket. She pulled out her phone, laid it on the bed, and reached in again.
“About that,” she began, extracting something small from the pocket. “I may still be alive, but you definitely didn’t stop the bullet.”
Alina held out her hand and Damon stared at the mangled bullet in her palm. She watched as understanding broke over him and he raised his eyes to her face, dumbfounded.
“Where did it hit you?” he demanded, reaching to take the lump of metal from her hand.
Alina lifted up her jacket and shirt. A square gauze bandage was taped down on her right side, just below her ribcage.
“You slowed it down considerably,” she told him. “It lodged in the muscle above my intestines. Any more juice and it would have gone into my liver.”
Damon glanced up from the bullet sharply.
“What?!”
She shrugged and lowered her jacket and shirt, covering the bandage.
“It didn’t do any damage,” she said calmly. “I dug it out on the plane.”
“On the...” Damon shook his head, a reluctant grin pulling at his lips. “You left it in until then?”
“I was a little preoccupied, remember?” Alina reminded him. “The doctor who got you ready to fly offered to do it for me, but I wanted to get in the air.”
Damon returned his attention to the bullet, turning it over in his fingers.
“This isn’t a civilian round,” he said.
Alina watched him.
“No.”
“So what was a local man in Singapore doing with military-grade ammunition?”
“That’s what I spent today trying to figure out,” she said. “I found something that might get me a step closer.”
Damon closed his fingers over the bullet and looked at her.
“Isn’t this the second time you’ve been the final resting place for a through and through?” he asked suddenly.
Alina rolled her eyes.
“Yes.”
“Last time it was Angela.”
“Yes.”
Damon grinned at the irritation in her voice.
“You’re not having much luck, are you?” Damon laughed outright at the look she gave him, then grimaced in pain. “At least we have the bullet now. We can match it.”
“I’m glad I could be of service,” she said dryly.
Damon looked at her, the amusement fading from his face.
“If I hadn’t moved when I did, this bullet would have killed you, off-target or not,” he said seriously.
She nodded slowly.
“I know.”
“As soon as you start hunting, they’ll be waiting for you. They won’t miss again.”
Viper lifted icy eyes to his.
“You’re assuming they’ll get a chance,” she said grimly. “They won’t.”
Damon studied her for a long moment before pulling her down to him again.
“See that they don’t,” he whispered, capturing her lips with his.
Alina felt almost as if Damon was touching her soul with the kiss, and she pulled
away with reluctance. As she did, his hand tightened on hers and she looked down as his other hand pressed the bullet into her palm. She looked into his eyes questioningly as he closed her fingers over it.
“Keep it safe,” he murmured, his voice low. “You asked what I was thinking when I moved in front of you? I was trying to save you.”
“It could have killed you,” she whispered.
“I don’t care, and I’d do it again if there was a chance to save you again,” he told her. “Keep that bullet as a promise from me to you. I will always put your life above my own, without any thought or regret.”
Alina caught her breath and her heart pounded in her chest at the look in his eyes. She nodded slowly and leaned down to kiss him softly.
“How about we don’t test that again?” she asked, lifting her head a moment later.
Damon smiled into her eyes and the smile went straight through to her heart.
“I’m sorry I didn’t get to give you that tour of Singapore,” he said softly.
Alina trailed her fingers along his jaw and smiled back.
“I’m not letting you off that easy,” she told him. “I’m holding you to it.”
“And I’m holding you to the South of France.”
Damon pulled her lips back to his and Alina closed her eyes, feeling his warmth and vitality beneath her. Contentment washed over her and, for the first time since she turned and saw him lying in a pool of blood, Alina allowed herself to feel something other than emptiness. Her heart was suddenly so full she thought it might burst out of her chest. She didn’t want to think about the past few days, or tomorrow, or the hailstorm they were walking into. For the moment, Alina just wanted to feel Damon’s lips against hers, his arms around her, and his strong and steady heartbeat against hers. That was all that mattered.
Chapter Ten
Michael opened the can of soda and chugged about half of it before wiping the moisture off his forehead. It was Saturday, and Saturday meant hard work at his house. There was always a project underway, some more labor-intensive than others. Today’s last minute project fell into that category. Impromptu wiring throughout the whole house was not for the faint of heart, especially when it had been gently advised by a top government assassin.
Michael leaned against the kitchen counter and pulled out his phone, setting the soda down. It had been vibrating all morning with notifications, but the last one brought him down off his ladder to take a break. He opened his email and read the short message again.
Hey Gunny,
We need to talk. Call the number below from a secure phone. If I don’t answer in two rings, wait an hour and call back.
Damon
The email came through encrypted and the phone number was for what Michael assumed was a burn phone. When he ran the number through one of his apps, it came up unknown. With an internal shrug, Michael pulled out the clean phone Alina had provided and dialed. It was picked up before the first ring had completed.
“That was quick, for a Marine.”
The deep voice was familiar and Michael grinned.
“We don’t waste time like you Navy squids.”
There was a faint chuckle on the other end.
“This line’s secure?” Damon asked.
“It better be. Alina gave it to me.”
Michael picked up his soda and carried it into the garage, closing the door behind him.
“Good. Don’t use it for anyone but us.”
Michael rolled his eyes.
“She already gave me the spiel,” he assured him. “How are you feeling? I heard you had a run-in with a full metal jacket.”
“Outstanding,” Damon replied dryly. “Let’s me know I’m alive. When did you see her?”
“Last night.” Michael perched on a stool and sipped his soda. “She filled me in on a few things. You picked a hell of a time to go and get yourself shot.”
“Tell me about it. Where is she now?”
“You don’t know?” Michael raised an eyebrow. “I figured you’d know more than I do. Last thing I know is she’s heading home to Jersey. She has John’s funeral and wants to restock her armory while she has the chance.”
“John’s funeral?” Damon jumped on that. “When is it?”
“I don’t know.” Michael frowned. “She didn’t say. In fact, come to think of it, she didn’t say much about John at all.”
“Not surprising. She’s not dealing with it yet.”
Michael stared at the tabletop in progress on the saw horses, the frown still on his face.
“That’s not good.”
“No, it’s not. I’m damned if I can get her to see it, though. How’s your schedule looking these days?”
Michael’s eyebrows soared into his forehead.
“Busy. Why? What’s up?”
“I need your help,” Damon said unexpectedly. “I’m laid up for at least a few days, and I’m not happy about her being in Jersey without backup.”
“Well that makes two of us,” said Michael, “but I don’t think she shares our concern.”
“Someone knows who she is, and so far they’ve been able to find her no matter where she goes. They’re gunning for her, and it’s only a matter of time before they zero in on New Jersey. Another set of eyes can only help.”
“Agreed.” Michael sipped his soda again. “What do you suggest?”
“Can you take your work to Jersey?”
Michael choked.
“What?” he spluttered.
There was short silence while he coughed and caught his breath, then Damon continued, sounding amused.
“I want you to go to New Jersey. You’re Secret Service. You’re trained to protect the President. This should be a piece of cake.”
“The President is substantially more amenable to protection detail,” Michael retorted. “If I show up on her doorstep and tell her I’m there to handle security, she’ll blow my head off.”
“I doubt that,” said Damon. “Although, I’d love to see her face.”
“You’re serious, aren’t you?” Michael demanded after a moment of silence.
“Yes.”
Michael exhaled and ran a hand over his short hair.
“You don’t think it’s a little redundant sending Secret Service to guard an assassin?” he asked.
“Guard is a strong word. Think of it more as a collaborative mission. She has her job to do, and you ensure she’s not ambushed while she does it.”
Michael was silent for a long moment.
“This is unreal,” he finally said. “It’s like something out of a movie.”
“I’m lying in a hospital bed with a gunshot wound. It doesn’t get any more real than this.”
“What the hell am I going to tell her?” asked Michael, resigned.
“I’m sure you’ll think of something,” Damon said. “She’ll know it’s a lie, but she’ll play along, if only to see what you’re up to.”
“And you?”
“I’ll join you as soon as I can.” There was a short pause. “I’m asking you and not the Fearless Fed because, to be frank, I don’t know if I trust Agent Walker just now.”
“What?” Michael scowled. “The two grew up together. They’re like sisters.”
“No doubt, but someone seems to know an awful lot about Viper, and I can count on one hand the number of people who know who she really is. Stephanie is one of them.”
“And I’m another,” Michael pointed out.
“I know.”
The two words fell heavily and the warning wasn’t missed by Michael.
“So you don’t want Stephanie to know anything about this.”
“I’d rather no one knew anything about this, including you, but unfortunately, I don’t have much choice, given my present incapacitation. No offense.”
“None taken.”
“On the plus side, you’ll be off the grid while you’re there, so if anyone gets wind of that extra background you’re running, you’re safe for the
moment,” Damon said cheerfully.
“You know about that?” Michael asked, surprised.
“Yes. Do me a favor? Don’t get yourself caught. It’s hard enough keeping Viper focused after John.”
Michael rolled his eyes.
“You guys really don’t have any faith in my skills, do you? I won’t get caught.”
“That’s what they all say, until they’re floating in the river with a hole in their head,” Damon said ruthlessly. “Viper was right, though. You’re in the best position to find what we need. Just don’t mess it up.”
“Really, your encouragement is heartwarming.”
Damon laughed.
“Hey, if she didn’t have faith in you, she wouldn’t have asked. When can you get up there?”
“I’m leaving for Brooklyn early in the morning to meet my parents for Easter brunch,” Michael said with a sigh. “I can go to Jersey afterwards. Blake is already up there with his dog, so at least I’ll have back-up if I need it.”
“I’d rather you went sooner.”
“Dude! I’m in the middle of wiring motion sensors all over my house. I can’t just leave,” he protested.
“If you leave at seven, you can be there by ten,” Damon pointed out. “The later you show up, the less likely she is to send you packing. You can go to your folks from there tomorrow.”
“You want me to just show up without warning late at night? Are you trying to get me killed?”
Damon laughed at that.
“She’ll know it’s you before you get anywhere near the house, so unless you’ve pissed her off in the past twenty-four hours, you’re safe. The sooner you get there, the sooner you can get an idea of what’s going on and report back.”
The frown on Michael’s brow cleared instantly.
“She’s keeping you in the dark, isn’t she?” he demanded, amusement in his voice. “You have no idea what she’s up to.”
“She seems to think she’s protecting me.”
“Funny how that works. Now you know how it feels to be on the other end.”
“Not for long, gunny. You’re going to loop me back in.”
Michael rolled his eyes.
“You’re lucky I like you,” he muttered. “No guarantees, though. She’s just as likely to keep me out of the loop too.”