T
he quarter-sized red circle in the middle of Jason’s forehead proved Olivia’s supreme marksmanship. Collin leaned over the body and closed the operative’s eyes. Rick had already placed Jason on a stretcher, while another man cleaned the mess sprayed over the sidewalk and rose bushes. Even knowing the physics, he always found it bizarre how such a large bullet made a comparable neat entry wound but a massive exit one.
“Sir!” Henry, the new physician to the OS, closed up the backpack he used to carry emergency medical supplies and waved Collin over. “Nic is okay. She wants to talk with you. I’ve given her a sedative to calm her nerves.”
The small bald-headed man moved out of the way. Sitting on a bench near the water fountain, head bowed, the dark-headed security officer looked up, eyes sunken and face washed of color, she appeared to be the walking dead. A large white bandage covered the side of her neck, but otherwise, no other visible markings gave away her ordeal.
“If you’re not feeling up to it, we can talk later this evening.” He sat next to her and placed a hand over her cold one.
“I’m fine. I don’t know how he got in. My grid must be faulty somewhere.” Her gaze shifted to over his shoulder. “Unless someone let him in.”
He felt Olivia’s presence. His body canted toward her before he was aware of it. “She’s been with me.”
Nic crossed and chafed her arms. “It’s all confusing. I believe he’s a Circle operative. He kept saying you had betrayed the OS and made a deal with Theo. I told him he was crazy and then Rex showed up and the guy went crazy. When Rex tried to reason with him, he grabbed me, threatening to slice my throat if you didn’t come and talk with him.”
By the look on Nic’s face, Jason had put on a good show. Collin turned to check on Olivia. Maybe too good of a show. The plan had been to convince that bastard, Theo Palmer, into believing he really wanted to make a deal and Jason had been willing to sacrifice his life to see it done.
Collin still remembered the last words Jason had spoken to him. “Let me do this. Let me go out with a bang and not in a hospital bed hooked up to machines as they pump foul chemicals into my body.”
Jason had been certain in Theo’s warped brain he would see this as a sign that Collin was worthy of negotiating a truce between the two organizations. Collin only hoped the cancer and the pain pills Jason tossed down each day hadn’t played a part in his reasoning.
Who would believe Collin sacrificed an operative just to set up Theo? Certainly not Theo. It helped to have the reputation of being a straight shooter and a bleeding heart when it came to his people, no matter how hard he tried to be cool and unfeeling like his father had taught him.
And Collin understood why the double agent had given his life to the plan. Dying of cancer wasn’t for the faint of heart. The whole mess just pissed him off. Because of one psycho wanting more power, so many people he cared for had died.
O
livia glued her gaze to Collin’s back because she refused to look at Jason’s face. Her programming had kicked in when he’d handed her the rifle. She remembered setting up the gun and shooting, but every step felt like a dream. Maybe it was her way of dealing with Jason’s death. Not since her foster mother’s brother had she killed a person she’d personally known.
When Collin glanced over his shoulder at her, she stiffened. His eyes were dull as if all his hope lay on the gurney mere feet away. She wanted to see his amber eyes flare again. She wanted him mad or turned on, not so lifeless.
He lifted his chin. “You remember where my rooms are? Okay. Go and you can clean up. We’ll talk then.”
Olivia stared into his eyes until Nic spoke softly and he turned to look at the other woman. She remained frozen for a few moments, then she realized everyone had become quiet. What were they thinking about her being ordered to the boss’s rooms? That she exchanged Theo for Collin? Why was she feeling as if she’d done something wrong? Jason had made the decision to die by Collin’s decision and not Theo’s. He could have killed Nic or Collin.
When she turned to leave, her gaze fell on a group of OS operatives hovering near the door. They jostled each other, trying to get out of her way.
Once she entered the air-conditioned hallway, she noticed one of her old guards standing to the side. She grabbed his arm and said, “Is my suite still intact and can you get the code?”
“Yeah, but the boss said—”
She bunched up his shirt and slammed him against the wall. His hands opened and closed by his sides. He really wanted to fight back, but obviously had heard rumors about her and his boss. Face red, he lifted his cell phone and called the security desk and then relayed the code to her.
“When you see him, tell him where I’m at,” she said and strolled away.
Relieved to reach the suite, she headed straight to the shower, peeling off her blouse, quickly followed by shoes and jeans. By the time she twisted the knobs and the water had warmed, she was naked and soaping up. As the spray massaged and stung the cuts and bruises, the release of tension was replaced by the realization of what she’d done. Chances were if the roles had been reversed, Jason would have killed her without a care or thought. But nevertheless, she’d killed her handler and friend.
She leaned against the tile and sobbed. A cool breeze warned her before strong hands pulled her out of the shower and into his arms.
“Shh. Baby. You followed orders. Did your duty.” Collin rocked her back forth for a few seconds and then hooked one arm behind her knees, while pressing her wet chest to his naked one.
He placed her on the bed and crawled in beside her. Before her body could even shake from the cold, he flipped the sheet and comforter over them and wrapped his arms around her waist. His big body touched her from her shoulders to instep. She never remembered anyone ever holding her like this.
Moments drifted by as his breath tickled the top of her head and his hand skimmed her arm, up and down, heating the chill bumps, soothing her. She closed her eyes and shuddered.
“You’re okay now. You’re here with me.” His voice calmed her. She wished he would continue to talk. Though he spoke softly, his voice had a thread of steel through it. A dangerous edge she appreciated and made her want him even more.
“Don’t ask me to do anything like that again,” she whispered.
He pulled her tight and squeezed. Her body finally relaxed as she struggled with the scene being replayed behind her eyelids.
“Shh. Don’t think about it.” He kissed the top of her head.
She nodded, closed her eyes, and fell asleep.
I
t was morning. In the far reaches of OS headquarters, there were no windows to allow sunlight to reach her, but she knew. Even as a child she sought the rays of the sun to warm her skin. She’d never been the type of child or teenager to sleep until noon. That was, except for the time she walked the streets for Big Daddy. With a shake of her head, the memory evaporated as she sat in a chair near the bed watching Collin sleep. On the nightstand, the clock’s red letters glowed five forty-five.
The windowless room’s muted lighting from strategically placed lamps cast shadows across the bed. He slept partially on his side with one knee raised. Her eyes drifted from his sturdy foot, up his long legs, across a lean torso to his chin and mouth, while his eyes remained hidden in the shadows.
During their time in the mountains she’d become familiar with every inch of him, but she’d never had the chance to sit and stare at the whole package. Tanned skin broken only by a light sprinkling of hair down the center of his chest tempted her fingers to touch and follow the trail to his groin. The urge to kiss and soothe each circular scar scattered across his chest and legs almost brought her out of her seat to touch him. One scar in particular near his groin caused her to say a little prayer of thankfulness. If it had hit a little to the left, she would’ve missed experiencing more pleasure than she’d ever known.
A sardonic grin lifted one corner of her mouth.
“What are you grinning about?” he asked without moving.
Like she would tell him she admired his body and talents.
“You have no tattoos. So many guys ink their bodies now.” One hand cupped her chin as her elbow rested on the chair’s arm. “And I’m awfully happy to see your most recent bullet wounds are healing nicely.”
He turned on his back and placed his hands behind his head. Light bathed his whole body and he was obviously pleased by her attention. Long and firm, his cock stretched toward his belly button. Ripples of muscles led to a broad chest sparsely sprinkled with dark hair. With his arms up, biceps bulged and showcased his masculinity even more. She could sit there all day and stare at him, but he had some explaining to do.
“What was the real reason you had me kill Jason?”
“I
’m waiting.” She forced her eyes to look into his face. No flare responded to her inquiring stare. Her heart squeezed with disappointment. He would never trust her enough to tell her the truth, to be part of his life. She dropped her gaze and crossed her arms over her chest and shivered. What temp did they keep the thermostat on?
“He was dying of cancer.” His voice soft as usual had an edge to it, almost a rusty sound. “I had offered to send him away for treatments but he’d waited too long and it’d spread through his bloodstream. He wanted to help me push Theo to the table for a truce. So he offered to provide Theo the proof that I was man enough and serious enough for him to meet with and discuss the future of our organizations. Theo will believe he won by bringing me down to his level. He won’t expect us to take over The Circle.”
Olivia bit the side of her mouth. Part of her preened at the thought he trusted her enough to tell the truth, but she’d never imagined this scenario. How could Jason make that decision? Preferring to die over finding a way to live? And how could Collin accept someone’s decision to die at his hands? Well, actually at her hands. The burden would be on both of their shoulders. But for Collin to be in control of The Circle, she wasn’t sure if that was best. The Circle had sectors all over the United States and several countries. She suspected it to be ten times the size of the OS. Would such power corrupt Collin as it had Theo?
She shook her head. Cool strands brushed her bare shoulders reminding her she was still naked. Her movement caught his attention and the amber flared. That little spark almost had her pushing all concerns to the side. Almost.
“Why such extreme measures to meet with Theo? Why not just send an invitation to meet at a mutual location?” Why did men complicate everything?
His hand rubbed his chest and then slid down his stomach to a firm thigh. Her gaze followed as if a string was attached from his fingers to her eyes. Then his palm clasped the soft sac beneath his semi-hard cock. All the air left the room. Oh, he was beautiful.
Blinking, she shook her head and then her hand slapped the arm of the chair. “Stop that. You won’t distract me. No matter how much I want to lick you like a lollipop.” She sighed. “I’m here to stay. The best way I can help is for you to be truthful. That’s the least you owe me after what you put me through.”
No need for her to point out her time in room 999 by his orders or his instructions to kill her ex-handler.
When he flinched, she pulled her head back. He actually let her see an emotion besides anger and humor? The more time she spent with him, the more he revealed his true emotions. Then, bang! the stone expression slammed in place.
An echo of rolling thunder vibrated the building. At the same moment, Collin shot out of the bed and grabbed her around the waist, throwing them to the floor with him on top. As the thunder built momentum, the lights flickered and snapped off and she understood what had happened. The next set of explosions caused pictures and sheetrock to fall around them.
“It appears Theo has found us and wanted to say hello.” He grabbed his pants off the floor and struggled into them as she did the same.
The thoughts of tons of cement and steel on top of them terrified her, but she trusted Collin. She threw on the rest of her clothes and grabbed a bag, filling it with anything she could reach. At the same time, he slipped on a T-shirt and in a slow unhurried manner tied his boots. He obviously wasn’t worried. They opened the door and people rushed by but no one appeared panicky. Collin clasped her arm and marched down the hallway in the same direction as everyone else.
“Would I be right in assuming we’re going to a bomb shelter?” She adjusted the bag on her shoulder. Everywhere they stepped glass crunched beneath their feet. Thankfully she’d thought to pull on her thick-soled boots.
Before he answered, another blast rattled the remaining light fixtures, white powder sprinkled from the ceiling. He wrapped his arms around her as he pushed her head down on his chest enabling him to hunch over her, protecting her from the debris. She had to fight the grin off her face as she felt so safe and now wasn’t the time to get mushy.
“No. Not exactly,” he said in his usual evasive way.
She sighed and shook her head. “Then where are we going?”
“To meet with Theo.” They walked through a long hallway that continued along a downward grade.
For whatever reason he wanted to meet with the lunatic, she was willing to go too. She only hoped they wouldn’t die in the process.
Four huge doors, the type in school auditoriums, opened into a large room the size of six football fields and the ceiling disappeared into the darkness beyond the hanging lights. People ran or walked with purpose in every direction. Huge diesels cranked up and the roar echoed in the room. Computer equipment, furniture, and boxes upon boxes marked with every item imaginable were being loaded into the trailers.
All the organized activity enlightened Olivia. “You were planning on moving. Did you expect Theo to try to blow up your building?”
His stride continued across the expanse of the room, operatives nodding at him or waving, but no one stopped him and he ignored her question as she matched his pace.
Tired of his silence, she did the only thing she could think of. She tripped him. If he hadn’t been concentrating on the activity around him, she’d never been able to do it. She had to say it was a great feeling for about three seconds. Then he regained his balance and swung around to stop Rex from shooting her in the back of the head.
“No!” Collin pushed the rifle barrel into the air.
“The bitch tried to bring you down!” Sparks shot out of the big guy’s eyes. Well, she guessed their ceasefire was over.
“She merely reminded me to pay attention to my surroundings.” Collin crossed his arms and stared deep into Rex’s eyes. “I trust her with my life. Understand?”
All activity in the huge room came to a standstill, only a few whispers echoed in the room. It appeared she wasn’t the only one surprised by his statement.
Confusion darkened Rex’s face and then his black brows rose, creasing his forehead. “You got to be fucking kidding me! You and her . . . no way!”
Olivia looked to Collin and then Rex and then back to Collin. Why couldn’t Rex get over his hatred of her? Would Collin push her away?
Surprised when Collin took her hand, she watched wide-eyed as he raised it to his lips. His lips felt warm. Her limbs felt like they were melting.
“What was the question?” Collin’s eyes were smiling at her even if his mouth wasn’t. He was making a point.
“Did you know Theo was going to bomb your building?” She no longer cared what the answer was as a feeling of lightness came over her. The man holding her hand so gently trusted her despite his second in command’s feelings.
“Yes. We hadn’t expected it so soon.” He nodded to an operative pushing a large cabinet on a hand-truck. “Everyone knows what they’re expected to do. About fifty miles outside of Atlanta is our new Main Sector. No more living underground.”
“But what about me? What should I do?” Did she sound as pitiful as she thought?
Rex had heard her questions and had released a “Humph!” in disgust.
Then she remembered something that had happened in room 999. She turned to him. “Where’s A. J.?”
“You mean Abby?” Instead of giving her his normal glare, Rex shook his head.
Olivia’s breath left her body. Had her friend been sicker than she thought? The thought of someone else she cared for dying brought a chill to her hands and face.
“Tell her, Rex. You’ve got her worried.” Collin jerked his head toward her.
“She’s better. We took her to a private clinic last night where she can recover,” Rex said. He flipped his hair over his shoulders and then smoothed it down.
If she didn’t know better she would swear that was a nervous gesture. Before she asked any further questions, Collin pulled her away from Rex.
“I have something for you to do. Let’s move out of everybody’s way.” He headed toward a black truck hooked up to a long black trailer.
A door opened on the side and inside were computers screens streaming information and various pieces of equipment blinking every color of the rainbow in the confining space. About ten people stopped what they were doing and turned to stare when they stepped inside.
“Nic, come here and show Olivia what we plan to do,” Collin jerked his head toward her.
Confused, Olivia wondered if the security officer had been in on Jason’s decision until she noticed the stiff way she answered him.
“Yes, sir,” said Nic in an all-business tone, pointing at a computer-generated reenactment of their strategy. Either he’d told Nic the truth and she was still angry or he hadn’t said anything and she worried about what he was up to.
Olivia tried to stand back and not make the woman dislike her any more than she already did.
“We’ve located the exit tunnel you and St. Vincent came out of. The scout we sent has met with success and opened it from the outside. A small detail of our operatives should rendezvous in about twenty minutes and then fifteen minutes or less they will be through and have Theo’s Atlanta Main Sector under control.”
“With minimum fire?” he asked.
“If they meet no resistance as you expect,” Nic glared.
So, he’d told her. Obviously Nic was as upset as she’d been about Collin’s silence leading up to Jason’s death.
“We’re going in?” Olivia asked.
“No. You and I are meeting Theo at a warehouse.” Collin nodded to another operative who handed them each heavy bags. “In the back is an area where we can clean up and change.”
The floor beneath her feet shifted. The truck was moving.
“Where is the warehouse?”
She followed him into a small room with two bunk beds on each side. Throwing their bags on the bottom bunk, Collin pulled on a panel, and a sink and mirror were revealed.
“Theo wants to meet us and discuss our surrender.” He wet a cloth and tossed it to her. She looked at the damp washcloth without really seeing it. “Wash up.”
“But you’re not surrendering.” She wiped at her face and arms. Somewhere she missed part of their conversation. She felt so lost. “When did you find out he’d agreed to meet?”
“Before I pulled you out of the shower.” One side of his mouth lifted. “We were a little busy or I would’ve told you sooner.” He pulled off his shirt. She worked at looking anywhere but at his beautiful chest. Would she ever get tired of looking at him?
He dropped his pants, leaving on his boxers. She turned her back. Too many people around to contemplate doing anything though, Lord of Mercy, she wanted Collin again.
His chuckle behind her frustrated the hell out of her.
“One thing about Theo,” he continued, “he’s been so successful he’s beginning to feel invincible. When a person feels that way, they make mistakes, and he’s making some humdingers.”
“I hate to say it, but Theo doesn’t make mistakes.” She pulled out a T-shirt and black pants. As she pulled off her cement dust–coated shirt, she felt his eyes on her.
“He let you live,” he said in his usual low tone.
Eyebrows raised, she turned as he wiped the cloth over his chest.
“You did too.” For some reason it bothered her to hear him refer to her life as a mistake.
Maybe he was right. Her mother had meant for her to die in that trash bin after she was born. Obviously she’d been a mistake to her.
The next few minutes were quiet as they dressed and she fought back the ache in her chest and throat. No way would she let him see her cry over anything he said to her. The stress was getting to her. Before she realized what he was doing, he wrapped his arms around her and carefully squeezed.
“Quit,” he whispered. “Your life is important. I’m glad I let you live and will never believe you’re a mistake. I was saying Theo made the mistake because you’re strong and a danger to him.”
She rested her head on his shoulder and squeezed him back. Warmth and relief flooded her body. He might portray to the world a façade of coldness and single-mindedness, but to her he’d allowed the shell to crack and let her see inside. Maybe her own shell had cracked too, allowing him to see the little girl needing love.
Her lips to his neck, she muttered, “Thank you.” God, he smelled musky and male, sex and desire wrapped in one.
Their tender moment was broken by a knock on the door.
“Sir, we’re five minutes away.”
Shifting her body from his, she looked into his face.
“What conditions did he give you?” she asked.
One dark brow rose. “He’s allowing two bodyguards each.”
“So me and Rex?”
“Yes.” His barely there grin had her smiling back at him.
“Who do you expect to be at Theo’s side?” Dread filled her throat.
“He’s lost so many people. Could be anyone.”
Would he listen to her now? She pressed her lips against his. She wanted one more kiss before they started fighting again. He tasted so good, his heat drew her in, wanting more, anything he was willing to give. He pressed her against the wall, his body hot and hard.
“What’s wrong?” he asked as soon as he pulled away.
She opened her mouth to deny it and then shook her head. “Listen. About your brother—”
“Stop it.” He stepped back. “Whoever you saw at Theo’s Main Sector, he was an impostor and his purpose was to shake up my authority at the OS.” He opened the door and nodded to the control room. “Let’s go and see what they’ve found out so far about Theo’s plans and the layout of the warehouse.”
She pursed her lips and raised her eyebrows as she walked by him. Now wasn’t the time to argue and she had a feeling Collin would have no option but to believe her when harsh reality slapped him in the face.