Still not sure where the other woman was going with this, Fiona eyed her. “When you say...”
“Yes. Death.” Excitement flashed in Leigh’s eyes. “What if we must die so we can be reborn as our absolute best selves?”
Horrified, Fiona decided to treat this statement as if she thought Leigh might be joking. “You first,” she said. “I happen to like being alive.”
“Think of it,” Leigh continued, clearly deciding to pretend she hadn’t heard Fiona. “A covenant, between all of the AAG and Micheline. All of us, crossing over at once. Imagine the news coverage. And then, imagine the shock when we’re all reborn.”
Like the Jim Jones thing at Jonestown. Mass suicide. It took every bit of acting skill Fiona possessed not to reveal her complete and utter horror. Then, her FBI training kicked in.
Details. She needed more details.
“Sounds like you already have a plan,” she managed, the tremble in her voice coming naturally. “How long would we have to prepare?”
“No plan.” Though Leigh demurred, Fiona didn’t believe her.
“Are you sure?” Fiona pressed. “I mean, if we’re going to do something like that, I’d like to know as far in advance as possible.”
Though Leigh hesitated, she finally grinned. “It’s still in the planning stages,” she allowed. “A lot depends on money. Micheline is trying to work out those details.”
“Now I’m really confused. What does money have to do with any of this?”
“Think, Fiona,” Leigh chastised. “We have quite a few wealthy members whose families might pay handsomely to keep their loved ones alive.”
“Like a ransom?” Think indeed. “What good would money be, though, if Micheline was dead?”
“Dead?” Shuddering dramatically, Leigh shook her head. “Micheline has no intention of dying and being reborn. Why should she? She has no need. As our leader, she’s already the best version of herself she can be.”
Fiona shouldn’t have been surprised, but... Seriously. How did Micheline get her followers to believe this nonsense? “What about you, Leigh?” Fiona asked softly. “Are you already your best self?”
With a sly smile, Leigh used one hand to push back her hair. “What do you think? Not only am I Micheline’s right-hand woman, but Miss Mustang Valley. How much better could a person get?”
Typical. Let the others do the crazy stuff. Those in charge, or close to the leaders, got off with a free pass.
Despite the flash of anger that shot through her with Leigh’s statement, Fiona nodded. “Okay, humor me. I’m really trying to understand. What does that mean? Only Micheline’s top people get to avoid the whole ‘let’s get reborn’ thing?”
Some of her bitterness must have shown in her voice. Leigh cocked her head. “Worried, are you? I don’t know, but if I were you, I’d be busting my tail to prove myself an invaluable member of the AAG. Maybe then you, too, could avoid that fate.”
That fate. Almost as if Leigh knew exactly what Micheline would be asking her followers to do. Almost as if she were an accessory to murder. She wondered how someone like Leigh would fare in prison. Not too well, she suspected.
“Anyway, keep this between us for now,” Leigh ordered. “We’re not ready to roll it out yet. Micheline still has a lot of planning to do.”
Though Fiona wanted to ask what would happen if any of the members, such as herself, declined the whole die-and-be-reborn experience, she didn’t want to blow her cover. The devout groupie she’d been playing would probably do whatever Micheline asked.
“Thank you for telling me,” Fiona enthused. “I’m so honored.”
“You should be.” Leigh beamed at her. “How are things going with Jake?”
“Hmm.” Noncommittal, Fiona grimaced. “He’s wanting to go too fast,” she said. “I need to focus on my studies.”
“He’s falling for you? Perfect!” Clapping her hands, Leigh jumped up and down. “Micheline will be so excited!”
“Why?”
“Why not? Come on now, Fiona. Show a little enthusiasm. You are rocking this assignment.” She peered at Fiona, considering. “You know, this might just be enough to distract Micheline from your failure with Theodore. He never returned any of our calls about scheduling some seminars.”
Good. Even though Fiona hung her head as if ashamed, inwardly she rejoiced.
“You must do better,” Leigh chided. “That assignment was handpicked for you by Micheline herself. If you don’t watch it, she’ll be sending you out to campus to troll for your own students.”
Fiona nearly snapped her head up at that. She definitely didn’t need to get sent somewhere outside the AAG center. That would defeat the entire purpose of her undercover assignment.
“I’ll try harder with Jake,” she responded meekly. And she would. Jake had agreed to work with her. He would simply have to figure out a way to separate emotion from the job. Especially since Leigh had hinted at mass suicide.
“See that you do.” Smiling again, Leigh looked Fiona up and down. “Maybe you need to dress a little bit sexier, you know?”
Startled, Fiona shook her head. “I don’t have—”
“Oh, that’s right,” Leigh interrupted. “You only had the clothes on your back when we rescued you and took you in.” The subtle reminder wasn’t lost on Fiona, who managed to nod and look embarrassed.
“No problem,” Leigh continued on cheerfully. “I’ll have some things sent over. You must keep Jake Andrews interested enough to stick around. Micheline really needs him to be here at least ten more days.”
A time frame. Though inwardly she perked up, Fiona took care not to reveal anything of her interest. “Ten days, huh? I’ll figure out something.”
“See that you do.” Turning to her computer, Leigh clicked her mouse and began to read whatever she had on the screen, clearly dismissing Fiona.
* * *
Jake saw Fiona coming across the lobby, and his entire body tensed. Judging by her purposeful stride and the intent look on her beautiful face as she headed his way, she wanted to talk to him. He braced himself against the hopeless rush of attraction and waited.
“Do you have a minute?” she asked, her curt tone pitched low. “For a walk outside?”
He shrugged, deliberately casual. “Sure. Why not?”
When she slipped her small hand into his, he couldn’t prevent his instinctive initial reaction—shock. But then he tightened his fingers around hers.
Neither spoke until they were several hundred feet down the driveway. “What’s going on?” he asked finally.
“I just got out of a meeting with Leigh.” She shook her head. “I’m to do whatever it takes to keep you around here at least ten more days.”
As she’d probably known he would, he picked up on the time frame immediately. “Ten days? What’s going on in ten days?”
“I don’t know for sure,” she said slowly. “But judging from what Leigh was hinting at, it’s not going to be good.”
He waited while she eyed him, clearly trying to decide what to say.
“Mass suicide.” Her voice hardened. “But with a catch. From what I understand, she’s planning to ask for payment from their families in order to save some of the wealthier members’ lives. How she plans to explain this to her followers, I have no idea. It’s crazy.”
Jaw tight, Jake grimaced. His stomach turned at the thought of the depths to which the woman he’d once believed to be his mother was capable of sinking. “No surprise there. The lure of money has always been her motivator. All the rest of it comes secondary. Micheline is one of those people who doesn’t care what she has to do to pad her pockets. Even murder, apparently.”
“But this will be too blatant. She’ll face charges. A full bank account won’t do her any good in prison. And the feds will probably freeze her bank accounts.” She shook her hea
d. “If she’s looking for notoriety, this will get her that. But the risk of getting caught is really high. I’d think it outweighs whatever monetary gain she’d stand to get.”
“Unless she has a plan,” Jake said, unable to keep from wanting to hold her. “And believe me, Micheline always has a backup plan.”
“I’ve got to find out what it is.” Rubbing her temples, Fiona sighed. “Jake, I know we had...words earlier. But you did agree to help me, and right now I need your help. I was basically told to turn up the heat with you. Leigh is even going to send me over some more revealing clothes to wear.”
His heart skipped a beat at the thought of what she might wear. “We can work together,” he said, keeping his voice level.
“Can we?” Her gaze found his. “We’ll have to act as if we’re really into each other.”
“Act?”
This teasing question earned a smile from her.
“We’ve got that covered,” he continued. “We’ll continue on as before. And I promise I won’t bring up anything about—”
“Feelings,” she said, slightly breathless. “Not now, not yet, okay?”
Yet. That single word made him happier than he should have been. Proof once a fool, always a fool. “Sounds good.” Still deliberately casual.
“Thank you.” Her frown showed him her thoughts had already turned elsewhere. “If I’m going to find out exactly what Micheline has planned, I’m going to have to push. Try to get closer. The only way she’ll trust me enough to—”
“Stop.” Unable to help himself, Jake brushed a kiss across her lips. “I know you’ll do whatever you have to do in order to stop her. But know this. Micheline trusts no one but herself. Not even that perky coordinator of hers.”
“Leigh.”
“Right, Leigh.” He kissed her again, lingering this time. “Leigh might think she knows everything that’s going on, but I guarantee she doesn’t. Micheline will probably leave her twisting in the wind, holding the bag.”
Swallowing hard, she nodded. “Kiss me again,” she demanded. “In case someone is watching.”
Wisely, he swallowed back a chuckle at her justification and covered her mouth with his.
For a moment, just a brief heartbeat or two, nothing else existed but the two of them.
When they finally broke apart, they were both breathing heavily. “You are a hell of a distraction,” she told him.
“You needed to break your focus. You were on the verge of—”
“Panicking?” Interrupting, she shook her head. “Maybe. Maybe not.” Professional Fiona had returned. “The more I hear about this, the messier it gets. I like clean cases, all wrapped up in tidy bows. Of course, the vast majority of them aren’t anywhere close to being like that.”
“And I can promise you this one will never be.” He let his gaze roam over her, allowing himself to reveal his very masculine appreciation for her sensual femininity. She blushed, which fascinated him, and cleared her throat.
“How much longer are you staying?” she asked, not even bothering to try and pretend her question was casual. He liked that about her.
He laughed. “Oh, I’m not going anywhere until this is over. No way could I go back to the ranch without seeing how this all ends. I’ve got people in place running things for me. Plus, I’m really enjoying getting to know the Coltons. They’re really good people.”
“They seemed like they were,” she agreed. “Much better than the family you formerly believed was your own.”
“True.” Cocking his head, he eyed her. “What are your plans for the rest of the day?”
“I’m going to do some exploring. I need to find out what’s in the basement.”
“Now?”
“Why not?” She shrugged. “The longer we wait, the closer we get to whatever horrific event Micheline is planning. I just need enough evidence for an arrest. Failing that, at least enough to obtain a search warrant.”
“I’d think you already would have enough evidence,” he commented. “Especially with her asking you to fleece a college student.”
“I wish. While that was unethical, at least in my opinion, it wasn’t illegal. She offered him a service—self-improvement classes and counseling sessions—for payment. No, I need more than that.”
He could prove nothing about his “mother” without evidence, he realized, and even if he could, he’d only been speculating as to the end result. While Micheline might have acted in an unsavory manner, he had no idea if she’d committed any actual crimes. Gut instinct said yes, but hunches didn’t stand up in court.
Fiona bumped him with her shoulder. “Earth to Jake. What’s going on in that mind of yours?”
He shook his head. “I get what you mean about needing evidence. I’m just trying to come up with the best way to obtain it.”
“I just wish I’d managed to get deeper into Micheline’s inner circle,” Fiona commented. “But Leigh tends to act as a very effective deterrent. No doubt that’s why Micheline keeps her around.”
“Micheline has a certain type she goes for,” he said. “Underneath all that outward self-confidence, I’m willing to bet Leigh is a very insecure person. Maybe even has mommy issues, which is a role Micheline is happy to fill for her.”
“Interesting analysis.” She gave him a considering look. “And actually very good. You’re probably right. Let’s go back.”
Still hand in hand, they strolled toward the entrance and into the lobby.
“One of Micheline’s goons is headed our way. Her security detail, Bart.”
“Ugh.” She made a face. “Something about that guy gives me the creeps.”
“I’m sure that’s the reason Micheline hired him.”
Bart continued sauntering toward them, smiling a smug smile, as if he enjoyed knowing how people reacted to him. When he reached Fiona, he stopped, raking his gaze up and down her.
Fiona’s jaw tightened, but she didn’t react. Jake knew she wanted to, though. Only the fact that she played a role undercover prevented her.
“What’s up?” she asked, her voice cold.
“Just doing my rounds. I thought you were supposed to be in Happiness 101,” he said, referring to the popular seminar going on right now in the auditorium.
“I’ve already done that one,” she replied, her bright smile so false it made Jake’s teeth ache. “I’m actually about to go do self-reflection and then journaling.”
Bart yawned, not bothering to hide his bored expression. “Sounds like fun. Keep after it.” And he sauntered away.
“He’s up to something,” Fiona declared. “Not sure what. If I wasn’t afraid of getting caught, I’d follow him.”
The idea of what a man like Bart might do to a woman like Fiona if he had her alone and up against a wall made Jake cold.
While he knew better than to suggest she take a pass on that one, he also knew he should distract her. “I want to kiss you so damn bad,” he said, telling the truth.
Lifting her chin, she challenged him with her gaze. “What’s stopping you?” she asked.
So he kissed her, right there in the lobby of the AAG center, for all the other guests—and cameras—to see.
* * *
Drowning, Fiona thought. From the instant Jake’s lips touched hers, everything else disappeared. For a few seconds, she kissed him back, allowing herself to get lost in the taste of him, in the feel of his hard body pressed against hers.
But then, as all good things must, she knew it had to come to an end. She had a job to do, after all.
“Whoa,” she teased, stepping back and hoping the entire lobby couldn’t see how hard she was breathing. “Potent stuff. But I really need to stay on track and get back to work. I want to try and find the cells.”
Blue eyes dark, he nodded. “Then let’s look,” he said. “Do you want to split up or search to
gether?”
This—the ability to go with the flow and make a move when required—was one of the things she loved about him. Wait—loved? Surely not. She hadn’t known him long enough.
But yet...
Shying away from any deep thoughts about her emotions, she reminded herself to focus on the job. Her mission mattered the most right now. She could sort out her feelings about Jake later, just like they’d agreed.
“Let’s split up,” she said. “I still think if we do it that way, there’s less likelihood of us getting caught.”
“Maybe. But I’d rather we stick together. That way if trouble comes, we face it side by side. We have each other’s backs.”
“Too obvious,” she argued. Before she could say another word, her walkie-talkie buzzed. She glanced at it, saw Leigh was once again summoning her and sighed. “I’m really getting tired of this thing. I’ve got to meet up with Leigh again. Go ahead and start searching without me if you want. I’ll touch base with you later.”
“Sounds good.” He leaned in and kissed her cheek, surprising her. She had to actively fight the urge to turn her head so that her lips met his.
“Please be careful,” she said instead, already moving away.
On the way to Leigh’s suite, she wondered if the continued summons made the younger woman feel more powerful. She didn’t remember Leigh doing this so much before—usually they’d run into each other somewhere around the center. Maybe that meant Fiona had been shifted to a position of greater trust.
After tapping on Leigh’s door, she stepped inside.
“There you are!” Leigh smiled at her. “Close the door and come in.”
Fiona took her time complying. Finally, she turned and faced Leigh, who remained seated behind her massive desk. “What’s going on?”
“We have another plan,” Leigh announced, her voice high-pitched with excitement. “Micheline wanted me to discuss it with you.”
Instead of playing her usual role—which was to mimic Leigh’s enthusiasm, Fiona crossed her arms and shook her head. “Why doesn’t Micheline discuss it with me herself?”
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