Special Agent: Austin (3 page)

Her soft, sweet smile left him dumbfounded. In that moment, with a name like that, she appeared innocent, with those big, blue eyes and smooth, rosy cheeks. Belle Mason didn’t look like trouble at all.

Don’t fall for her charade, Rose. She’s a master
.

“Austin. Where did you go today?”

Dropping her hand, she turned back to her food. “You mean after the cops hauled you off?”

Looking around, he grabbed her arm and turned her to face him. Her arms were muscular and toned, yet her skin felt like butter. “You know damned well that’s what I’m talking about.”

“I came here.” Pointing at the floor, she said, “I had to get ready for the party.”

He’d bet his new Ropers her name was not on that guest list. “Do you know them?”

“Who?” Her eyes searched his, her brows raised in question.

He pointed at Natalie and Riordan dancing in the middle of the room. “The bride and groom?”

Her gaze went to the happy couple. “No, can’t say that I do. At least, not personally.”

Why had they allowed her inside? He knew without a doubt that D.I.R.E. would not allow her in the party uninvited without a good reason. “They must want you here to keep an eye on you.”

She stiffened, her smile wavering. “Why do you say that?”

A chink in her armor? The thought amused him. He couldn’t keep the smug smile from his face.

“Trust me, if they didn’t want you here, you wouldn’t be here.”

Laying a palm against his chest, she looked up at him through heavy-lidded eyes. His body hardened to her soft touch, his heart picking up speed.

Damn, he wanted to take her up to his room for a quickie.

“Maybe I came here to see you…”

His hand covered hers on his chest. She felt so damned
soft.
“Yeah, sure.”

“I said you could make it up to me at the hotel.” She sidled closer, the scent of apricots floating up his nose. “What do you know? We’re here.”

His body thought she had a great idea. His mind told him he had to stay on his toes – not his back.

He shoved away her hand. “You’re seriously starting to piss me off, Belle.”

The scowl on her face made her diamond stud dance in the overhead lights. “What are you? The attendance Nazi?”

“Tinkerbelle, I swear...”

“It’s Belle.”

“Well,
Belle,
you shouldn’t be here.”

Her stern voice contradicted her delicate beauty. “Why are you giving me such a hard time? I’m over here minding my own business, eating great food, not bothering a soul.”

“Because you’re not an invited guest.”

She placed her hands on hips. “For your information, I’m representing Congresswoman Norton. She couldn’t make it.”

Yeah, sure. Something told him Congresswoman Norton wouldn’t hire someone a Special Forces soldier suspected of withholding information. The more he thought about it, he needed to stick close to her. After what Jaydan had told him, someone needed to keep an eye on her.

“How do you know Hope Powers?” She offered him a shrimp from her plate.

So, she had been there long enough to see him talking to Hope...

“She’s my brother’s fiancée.” He popped it in his mouth and washed it down with his whiskey.

Her mouth dropped open. “Jaydan Rose is your brother?”

Narrowing his eyes, his mind whirled. This woman definitely knew more than she should - or let on. In what capacity did she work for the Congresswoman? From what Jaydan had told him, not even government officials had access to D.I.R.E. information.

He needed to take a different approach. If he made her unsuspicious, perhaps she’d open up or let something slip. It could be a good way to make an impression on Mitchell Jacobs.

“How do you know my brother?”

A red blush stole over her cheeks. She swallowed hard. “I don’t know him. I know of him.”

As if on queue, the band started up a slow ballad. He reached for her hand. Her skin felt like silk inside his palm, her grip loose before tightening with his.

She glanced up, her blue eyes wide beneath high, arched brows. A shiver ran through her to quake in his hand.

“Dance with me, Belle.”

With a slight nod, she gave him a small smile. The shy, timid gesture seemed so un-Belle-like and drew him to her like a snake charmer. She was an arrogant, pain in the ass with secrets. Yet, it wouldn’t be a hardship to keep her close, as long as he remembered why he was doing it.

Pulling her into his arms, he held her away from his body, sensing she posed a danger much deeper than showed on the surface. Inhaling deep, she moved closer, her breasts pressed against him, causing a groan to rise in his throat. Her palm skimmed up his back.

So much for not losing focus.

“You smell good, Austin.”

He stared down at her, unhappy with the way she molded against him like spandex. “So do you.”

“You feel even better.” She purred more than spoke under the music.

He chuckled at her boldness while his hand pushed against her lower back, pressing her against the length of his arousal. Her breath caught, her eyes sparkling like deep blue sapphires.

“Obviously, you’re a woman that believes in the direct approach.”

Her breath came in small puffs against his chin. “I’ve been manipulated too many times to believe in anything else. I’ve had to fight for everything I’ve ever wanted.”

Studying her, Austin realized the confidence he thought he saw in her eyes wasn’t confidence at all, but determination. Almost a hardness, an acceptance that nothing would ever come easy for her.

She’d certainly made quick work of wrapping him tight.

“What if I said I surrender?”

A frown marred her flawless brow as she examined his shirt. “I’ve also learned that anything too easy is usually a form of manipulation.”

Touché.

Lifting her chin with his forefinger, he was surprised to see her eyes shimmering a watery blue. Damn, he’d been a victim of manipulation and hated his parents for it. Here he was, trying to get close to her for his own gain.

He didn’t want to be that man, didn’t want to be that man with her.

Then again, could she be manipulating him?

“So, you want me to play hard to get?” He gave her a crooked smile.

Her hand fisted against his back. “I don’t want you, of all people, to play anything. I just want you to be straight with me.”

His heart hummed a hard, steady beat. How had the conversation gotten so heavy when it had started out so playful? She wanted him to be straight with her, but she’d played him from square one. Did he confront her and risk losing any intel he might gain? Or, did he continue to
play
her?

“That’s too much to ask, isn’t it, Austin?”

God, she really didn’t hold back. Yet, he found her boldness refreshing, her honesty… questionable.

“If you’re asking whether I want you, Belle, the answer is yes.”

“Austin.”

Irritation zigzagged through him at the sound of Jaydan’s voice. His brother stood beside him on the dance floor, dressed to the nines, staring at Belle with nonchalance.

Austin knew better. Jaydan’s mind had to be whirling like a damned propeller.

Belle tried to sneak away. He held her hand in a tight grip. “Jaydan, this is Belle Mason.”

Smiling, Jaydan shook her hand. “It’s a pleasure.”

Her arm stiffened, the grip on Jaydan’s hand white-knuckled. “Mr. Rose.” The rigid tone of her voice told him the smart-ass was back.

Jaydan shot him a glance, his mouth pinched tight. “I need to talk to you. Find me when you’re done.”

“He’s done.” Belle stepped away, her frosty tone washing through him like a winter breeze.

Frowning at her, he said, “I’ll find you when I’m through.”

She gave a one-shouldered shrug. “You can try.” She walked away without a backward glance.

Try, his ass
.

Jaydan stared after her. “Who is that?”

Austin slid his hands into his pockets. “Would you believe the woman from the airport?”

Jaydan turned to stare at him. “Are you serious?”

Nodding his head, Austin told him
almost
everything that had transpired. Maybe if he told Jaydan what he knew, he’d win his brother’s support in joining D.I.R.E.

“Good call. Keep an eye on her. I’m sure Mitchell knows she’s here.” Turning to him, Jaydan spoke in a teasing manner. “Maybe you should apply at the agency.”

That was a segue if he ever heard one...

Clearing his throat, Austin said, “Actually, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about.”

The smile vanished from Jaydan’s face before he shook his head. “No way in hell...”

Damn, why did he have to be right about Jaydan’s reaction? “Why not? I have a college degree, you know I’m good with a gun, and you saw Donner today. I can fight.”

He could see Jaydan’s muscles grow beneath his tuxedo jacket. He did not want to piss off the strongest man in the world.

“You have no freaking experience, Austin. You’d get yourself killed.”

“I have a criminal justice degree.”

His brother harrumphed. “That’s like going from elementary school to graduate school.”

Would he ever be a man in Jaydan’s eyes? Why couldn’t he see that Austin had changed, had grown as a man?

He’d just have to prove himself. Then, Jaydan would have no choice but to believe in him.

He was on his own.

“Stop treating me like a kid, Jaydan. I grew up while you were gone. This is what I want to do.”

With a brief, condescending turn of his head, Jaydan said, “We don’t always get what we want.”

Austin’s nostrils flared. “Just because I’m not cut from Jonathan Rose’s cloth, I’m not good enough?”

Jaydan’s eyes bugged out before his face fell into a frown. “This has nothing to do with my father, or the fact that Booker and Mom lied to us. You and Gunner will always be my brothers.”

Austin couldn’t keep his voice from rising. It was that, or punch something. “And, as your brother, I want to have
your back
.”

“I’d expect nothing else, Austin.” He jabbed a finger at the ground. “But, not like this. Not with D.I.R.E.”

Lifting his chin, Austin stared out at the sea of bodies on the dance floor. “I’m approaching Mitchell with or without your help.”

“I’ll tell him not to hire you.”

His gaze drifted back to the superior look on his brother’s face. “You would, wouldn’t you?”

Jaydan gave an adamant nod. “You’re damned right. I have enough to worry about without adding you to the list.”

“Yeah, you proved that when I didn’t hear from you for years on end, and I did just fine.”

His brother’s face paled into his white tuxedo shirt. Shit. Did he really just say that?

Austin squeezed his eyes shut. Jaydan didn’t deserve that, and he had no right to say it.

“Jaydan, I’m sor-“

“Is that…?”

Austin’s eyes sprang open at the inquisitive sound of his brother’s voice. He followed Jaydan’s gaze to the open doorway and recognized the woman he’d seen on the evening news numerous times. The same woman Belle said couldn’t make it.

“Congresswoman Norton.”

B
elle rushed down the corridor behind the ballroom, cursing the long dress that hindered her pace. Mother butler, she’d really screwed up this time. The Madam would be furious. Belle never made these kinds of mistakes.

Damned serum.

Damned Austin.

Austin Rose had taken complete control of her wits. With his rugged good looks polished and refined in a tuxedo, he would’ve reduced her to a puddle of weak femininity if it weren’t for the high heels holding her up. And his scent, heaven help her, his tangy musk smelled better than Cindy’s homemade bread. Add a hint of leather and her mind shut down quicker than a tree after the holidays.

She had to pull it together. Put Austin out of her mind. The mission was at stake – her sisters’ lives were at stake. Now that she knew he had a tie to D.I.R.E., her own life was at risk, too.

“Belle!”

He’d found her. Thank God, she’d seen Congresswoman Norton before he did. If she’d been in his arms at the time, she would’ve had to take him out in front of everyone.

Her stomach hurt just thinking about it.

Hiking up her skirts, she rushed around the corner and headed to the parking garage. Shoving open the door, she skidded to a stop. He stood a few feet in front of her, breathing hard, his dark, nearly black eyes swirling with frustration.

She sidled away with slow steps. “I don’t want to hurt you, Austin.”

His brows rose high on his forehead. “Hurt me?”

She lifted her chin, irritated at his tone of surprise. Men were so egocentric, just like the Madam said.

“Let me pass.”

Crossing his arms over his chest, he gave her a laser-sharp stare. “Not until you tell me why you lied about Congresswoman Norton. Why you’re here.”

She hesitated, realizing in that moment that she couldn’t hurt him. For some reason, the idea of hurting Austin pained her more than any of the experiments done on her in the past, more than any of the lives she’d had to take.

Even Melody’s?

No, that can’t be. He’s weak. Unworthy
.

His soft voice made her knees shaky. “Whatever it is, Belle, I can help you.”

How she wished that were true. How she wished she could run to his arms right now and ask him to hold her. To take her away from the nightmares and the tragedy that loomed ahead. To figure out some way to guarantee a better life for her sisters outside of the Madam’s plans.

The effects of the serum were more evident than ever. She grew weaker every day. Doing without it the last few weeks had left her vulnerable, had opened up her mind and bared her emotions. She felt more than she ever had before, saw beneath the surface of people, of Austin, who possessed a troubled soul.

“I came to see you.”

He barked out a huff of disbelief. “Yeah, sure. Try again.”

In all honesty, seeing Austin had been forefront in her mind while she dressed for the party. While her motive was the Madam’s need to destroy D.I.R.E., Belle’s desire was to see Austin Rose again. He did something to her insides she’d never felt before. Something sinfully forbidden yet, so appealing she questioned her vow of loyalty to her sisters.