Tamed by Love (Agent Lovers Series Book 2) (12 page)

Your love!
It was on the tip of his tongue, but he didn’t say it. He wanted to receive it as a gift from her and not from negotiating. Gray acted as if he was thinking hard. “To start with, I want a kiss.”

“To start with?”

“Of course! I have a long list of wishes you can fulfill. A very long list.”

“Well, fine.” Liz wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him to her. She kissed him gently and ran the tip of her tongue over his mouth. Then she untangled herself from him and smiled seductively. “How’s that for starters?”

Gray nodded.

“What else do you want?” she whispered in his ear.

“To make wild and unrestrained love with you in the shower,” he whispered. “That would be the perfect start to the day.”

“You sure are greedy.”

“When it involves you, I always will be.” He stood up, lifted Liz from the bed and carried her into the bathroom, where his second wish came true.

The four of them sat in the computer room at the base and combed through the employees’ documents that Townsend had personally brought over an hour ago.

Gray grinned inwardly when he thought of Liz’s stunned expression when he told her he had hidden her motorcycle keys in her underwear drawer. Gray had put them in the farthest corner in the back, wrapped in the bathing suit she never wore. It would never have occurred to her to look there.

“It looks like they outsmarted me one more time than I thought,” Terence said; he simply couldn’t accept that they had drugged him.

“Don’t worry about it! It could happen to anyone. If they hadn’t volunteered it, we probably never would have known. Besides, they didn’t just outsmart you, they outsmarted all of us,” said Gray snickering. Then he addressed the documents spread out in front of him and looked for clues as to whether they had ever dealt with the mole they were looking for.

***

“Nice to see you again, Elizabeth!” Harold was delighted. He greeted his daughter warmly and held her tightly in his arms. “You brought Jennifer too? Annie will be so pleased the women will have the upper hand in the household for once, even if only for a few hours. Or are you spending the night?” he asked hopefully.

“No, Dad. But maybe next time. We have to go see Jenny’s parents after this and then head back.”

“Too bad. Next time bring Gray with you!” He demanded with feigned austerity.

“I will!”

“Come on in. You’re probably thirsty.” Harold went into the spacious living room with the walnut-brown parquet flooring and took a seat in front of the broad picture window.

Betty, the housekeeper, appeared with a tray of refreshing iced tea in frosted glasses. It was almost as if she had heard Harold’s last comment from far off in the kitchen.

“As foresighted as always, isn’t that right, Betty?”

Liz laughed and ignored the threatening finger pointing at her.

“Lucky you’ve finally settled down and married. I was afraid my little princess would never grow up.”

“I’m twenty-nine, Betty, not a little girl anymore!”

“Huh! Before you got married, you acted like one. Poor Grayson! You’re probably driving him to the nut house now instead of us,” she said scowling.

“What’s wrong with you? I haven’t even been here five minutes and you’re already laying into me.” Liz scrutinized the housekeeper, who had been her nanny a long time ago. “Are you mad at me because I practically rushed into marriage?”

“Of course I’m mad because of that! I used to change your diapers but I didn’t even get to come to your wedding. Couldn’t you have waited until I was back from vacation?” With a furious huff, she disappeared again out of the parlor.

“I should have warned you that she was unhappy with you,” her father said, looking at her apologetically.

“She’s right, Dad. Where are John and Annie anyway?”

“They’ll be here soon. They wanted to go to the pastry shop and discuss something about the cake. Just think about it! They’re getting married in just seven months and already have to decide on how to decorate their wedding cake. It didn’t use to take so much effort.”

“A fruit tart and scones used to be good enough,” Liz said with a grin, which made her father eye her with disapproval, while Jennifer sipped her iced tea.

“So Gray hasn’t broken you of that habit yet. You still say whatever comes to mind, regardless of the situation.”

The door opened again and John came into the room with Annie. “I did see correctly. That infernal machine can only belong to you, little sister.”

“Hush, John! I know for a fact you would be more than happy to take it for a spin.”

“Absolutely not!”

“I’d never allow that,” said Annie. “A motorcycle like that is much too dangerous. How does Gray even let you drive that thing?”

“Because I’d ban him from the bedroom if he didn’t, that’s why,” said Liz, grinning broadly and enjoying Annie’s shocked expression.

“Don’t give her any stupid ideas!” John said. He sat next to his Annie on the couch, put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. They looked at each other like two lovebirds.

Such an overt display of love could really make someone sick,
thought Liz. But a second later, she asked herself why it didn’t bother her. Not anymore. Just a couple months ago, she would have made a bitchy, if not scathing remark about it. But for some reason, Liz wasn’t able to now. Why not? What had changed?

Betty appeared with two more glasses and gave them to John and Annie, threw Liz an angry glance and disappeared with her head held high.

Jennifer laughed at the housekeeper’s quiet, yet extremely effective reproach. Liz appeared to be honestly ashamed that Betty couldn’t be at her wedding. This was unusual for Liz. Jennifer had been through every kind of situation with her, but definitely never one in which Liz was ashamed for anything. Liz’s contrite expression was enough to elicit another laugh from Jennifer. For that she was jabbed hard in her side.

“What?”

“You know what! Now I have to charm Betty so she’ll graciously forgive me and I can steal a bag of her homemade cookies.”

“Are they that good?”

“They’re simply divine!” confirmed John. Harold nodded.

“Then I’ll come with you so maybe I can get some too.” Quickly Jennifer put her glass on the table and followed Liz who was already heading toward the kitchen. John looked at Annie and nodded toward the door, smiling, encouraging her. Annie ran swiftly after the two women.

***

“Come on, Betty!” Liz looked at Betty and Jennifer giggled as she shoved another cookie into her mouth. They really were divine!

“I’ve told you a hundred times, I’m sorry. What else can I do?”

“Strictly speaking, you’ve only said it three times. Besides you’re only asking for forgiveness because you want some of my cookies,” the plump woman said as she worked the dough with both hands.

“I have to agree with Betty.” Jennifer said while chewing. She moaned as she ate another cookie and wiped the crumbs from her mouth.

“Shut your trap!” said Liz who looked at the plate which was quickly emptying.

“It’s true!” Jennifer put her hand protectively over the cookies when Liz tried to steal one. “No you don’t! Those are my cookies!”

“You’re behaving like children,” said Annie, shaking her head and laughing. Then she sat next to Jennifer and watched to see who would win this little battle: the housekeeper or her future sister-in-law.

When Liz went down on her knees like a small child, tugged at Betty’s flour-covered apron and looked at her with big wide eyes, Jennifer burst out laughing, which made her cough so fiercely that Annie had to hit her on her back.

“Pleeeeeease!” said Liz, and Betty finally showed mercy.

With a chuckle Betty looked down and shook her head. “I simply can’t resist you for long. Stand up, wash your hands and sit at the table.”

Nimbly, Liz jumped up and ran to the sink to wash her hands. Then she sat next to Jennifer, in happy anticipation of her share of the cookies. When the plate was finally placed in front of her, she greedily snatched one of the cookies and shoved the whole thing into her mouth.

“Mmmm! Delicious!” she said and rolled her eyes appreciatively.

“Don’t talk with your mouth full, Elizabeth!” said Betty, smiling, delighted by the compliment.

“They really are delicious. Do you have more so I can take some to Gray?” she asked, with her mouth full.

“I doubt you’ll leave any for your husband.”

“Well, maybe one or two. Even though it would pain me to do it.” Liz sighed dramatically and looked at her almost empty plate.

“I’ll make you each a bag before you leave,” said Betty, and she began to cut the rolled-out dough with the cookie cutters. Then she tenderly placed them on a greased baking sheet.

“But a large bag, okay?”

“A very large one,” said Betty, shaking her head.

When Jennifer and Liz had emptied their plates, Annie said, “Liz?”

“Hm?”

“I wanted to ask you something,” she began uncertainly, and swept a dark strand of hair behind her ear.

“Well, shoot. I’m listening.”

“I’d really like it if you and Gray would stand up for us at our wedding,” she said and blushed. Annie didn’t have any family left and looked at Liz as her older, even though sometimes difficult, sister, whom she cared for a lot.

Liz looked at Annie for a long time. “Odd. Whenever I look at the two of you, I’ve thought of you as husband and wife for a long time. It must be wonderful to marry someone out of pure love.” And before anyone could respond, Liz added, “Of course, I’d love to be your matron of honor. Gray will be up for it, too, I’m sure. When and where are you getting married? And have you already found a dress?” From one second to the next, Liz’s expression darkened. “Speaking of dresses. Um, what do I do if I don’t have one? Dress shopping isn’t exactly my thing.”

“A dress would be appropriate for once, Liz. I would be extremely pleased!”

“Okay, I’m game. Of course, I’m in!”

Annie threw up her arms, leapt up, ran around the table and embraced Liz. “Thank you, thank you, thank you! John didn’t think you’d ever do it, but I knew you wouldn’t say no.”

“Well, now he’s in for it! How insensitive does he think I am, anyway?”

“Very insensitive!” said Betty with a laugh.

“By the way, you don’t have to buy a dress. I’ve already thought of everything. So, if you have some time, I can show you styles of the outfit I picked out for you,” Annie said.

“Whatever you think is best. I’m eager to see what you chose. Obviously I’ll look at the outfit or styles. For that I should get cookies with extra icing,” she said, stood up and followed Annie and Jennifer upstairs.

***

Liz looked somewhat doubtfully at the sketches of the clothes Annie thought were appropriate. “It all looks so enchantingly beautiful, almost fairytale-beautiful.” Liz tapped several times on one of the sketches. “But, to me, there are definitely too many ruffles here.”

“Fair enough. Fewer ruffles. Should there be a little cleavage, or not?”

“I don’t have a problem with that. By the way, I like the color a lot.”

“I picked this blue because of your eyes. I thought it would look good on you,” Annie said and smiled.

Liz looked at her future sister-in-law. Annie was completely wrapped up in the wedding preparations. She would make a beautiful bride and certainly would be a model mother. How unimaginably different they were. “Then we’ve resolved everything. Anything else I should know?”

“Um, next Saturday Eric’s coming. He’s the tailor. He’s going to take measurements. If you have something else planned and that day doesn’t work, then let’s pick another date quickly. We’ll adjust the time to suit you. Would ten work for you on Saturday, or is that too early?”

“Yeah, that’s fine; Saturday around ten. I’ll be there,” said Liz and smiled at Annie.

Jennifer stood next to the window and looked out. “Shit, there’s trouble, Liz!”

Liz was beside her in seconds and peered through the curtains. A white van with an electric company logo was parked in front of the house. Six hooded figures climbed the stairs. And they didn’t look at all like electricians. A moment later, they were inside. The door wasn’t locked and a single powerful kick was enough to send it flying.

Annie cringed, terrified. But before she could make a sound, Liz went to her and held a hand over her mouth to stifle a scream. Liz looked over at Jennifer who understood immediately and scurried to the door. With hand signals, she let Liz know that the intruders were still on the ground floor.

Liz pulled Annie, who was staring fearfully with wide eyes, up from the bed, while Jennifer darted across the hall to the stairs to get a better look at the situation.

There was a man in the entry who was clad in a balaclava and carried a sub-machine gun. “Bring me everyone! I want to know if she’s here,” he ordered.

Three more masked men emerged and pushed Liz’s father and brother forward. Two more came from the direction of the kitchen and shoved a furiously scolding Betty. “Shut your trap!” the leader said.

Immediately Betty went quiet.

Three of the intruders headed toward the stairs and Jennifer quickly withdrew. She ran to Liz and Annie who were heading for a room at the other end of the hallway. Liz opened the door carefully, pushed her sister-in-law into the back room and followed with Jennifer right behind.

“This’s no bigger than a supply closet!” Jennifer whispered. “Actually, it is a supply closet. Where are we supposed to hide in here?”

“Don’t you think I know what I’m doing? Help me up!” Jennifer laced the fingers of her hands together and squatted down slightly. Liz put her foot on Jennifer’s interlocked hands and raised herself up. Cautiously she pressed against the ceiling panels and pushed one to the side. She pulled herself up and disappeared through the opening. Then her face reappeared in the hole in the ceiling. She held out her hand.

“Your turn! Up with you!” she said softly. Annie got a boost from Jennifer and Liz pulled her through the opening. Then Jennifer grabbed Liz’s hand and was pulled up until she reached the ceiling and could lift herself. She sat next to Liz and watched her move the ceiling panel back into place.