She took a shaky breath that reverberated over the speakers. Her eyes met Knox’s as if searching for the strength to continue. He put a hand over his heart and tipped his head.
“My mom was there that night, so Naomi and her daughter could be here today.” She motioned toward the two women next to Knox’s dad on the stage. A woman in her late forties with her daughter. “Naomi’s daughter was born because my mom jumped in front of a gunman who’d gone there not to rob the store, but merely to kill innocent people. My mom shouldn’t have died because of him, but a lot of things in life shouldn’t happen.”
His eyes remained locked with hers, never breaking the connection as she spoke. But his heart . . . damn, it hurt so much.
“But my mom didn’t hesitate to save Naomi and her unborn child. She used her body as a shield, drew her weapon, and took down the man that night—but he also took her down, too.”
More tears fell, but she didn’t brush them away. She let them show. Wore them proudly.
And God, did he love her so much.
Naomi moved toward the stage and hugged Adriana, tears on her face as well.
Not a dry eye in the ballroom.
Knox blinked back his own tears and maneuvered through the crowd in preparation for her exit off stage.
Once she said a few parting words and headed his way, he didn’t hesitate. He gathered her in his arms and held her against him, never wanting to let go.
“Addy,” he whispered into her hair, ignoring the click of cameras off in the distance.
“I’m okay,” she said, pulling back, her cheeks damp with tears. “I promise.”
“Can we get out of here then?” he asked, nearly choking on his words. “There’s something I need to tell you.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
“You don’t have to do this tonight.”
“Actually I do.” Knox’s strong masculine hands dipped down the sides of her body, over the material of her gown, settling on her hips. He held on to her like he was afraid she’d run when he revealed whatever it was he needed to tell her.
She hadn’t been all that nervous about learning the truth earlier, more so anxious, but maybe she should be considering his viselike grip.
“I, um.” His chest lifted with a deep inhalation, and he let it go as he closed his eyes.
Her legs became as shaky as her quick breaths while she waited for him to continue.
“Learning the truth about my mom today,” he finally spoke, eyes still sealed, “the secrets she kept from my dad for almost forty years . . . it was a shock. To be honest, I’m still reeling. Which makes it that much harder for me to tell you my truth, what I’ve been keeping from you.” His eyes opened and found hers. “Because you see, I’m like her.”
Like her? Her knees buckled as his brown eyes remained on her as if searching for a reaction since she had yet to speak.
But she wasn’t sure how she felt.
Her lips rolled inward.
Her eyes lowered to the ground between their close bodies.
“A spy, you mean?” she whispered.
“No.” He let go of her, but she didn’t think she could stand on her own.
A chill cupped the sides of her body in place of the warmth of his hands.
She stumbled back a step and stretched an arm out in front of her for balance before turning away from him.
“Sit.” His voice was low and deep behind her, and she moved to the bed.
The soft mattress sank a little beneath her weight, and she shifted the fabric of the gown when the slit exposed nearly the entire length of her right leg.
“I’m not CIA.” His hands disappeared into his pockets, and he remained several feet away.
Then what are you? “You said you’re like your mom.” She lifted her eyes, but the farthest she could go was to his dark bow tie. Nerves prevented her gaze from reaching his. She needed to hear more first.
“One of the main reasons you never met my friends is because I was terrified you’d put two and two together and realize I never really retired.”
This time, she did look up. How could she not? “I don’t understand,” she said, hating the weakness in her tone.
“Black ops,” he said, his throat moving with a swallow. “That’s how I’m like my mom.”
Another cold chill touched her skin, coaxing goose bumps to pop. “Navy SEALs run black ops missions already. I-I don’t follow.” She tightened her hands into fists atop her lap, hoping to ground herself and channel her strength so she could get through this conversation.
“Yes,” he said. “But the Navy still follows the chain of command. Operations can take weeks, even months, for approval. My people, well, we don’t follow the same guidelines, because like my mom’s team, we don’t technically exist.”
He took one step closer to the bed. Only one, though. He was worried she’d run, wasn’t he?
“The night I told you that I was quitting the Navy . . . it was really to be on Bravo Team.”
His words played in her head a few times before she asked, “Who do you work for?”
“Usually, President Rydell.”
She swallowed back a lump in her throat.
Of all the outlandish theories she’d come up with over the years, why hadn’t this been one of them?
“What kind of missions?” she asked, her voice less shaky this time. “What do you do?”
“Remember what happened to that communist guy in Panama last month?”
She pulled up the news story in her head. “That was you?”
His eyes went to the floor, but he murmured, “My team.”
She had so many questions, but she didn’t want to overwhelm him. Or herself, for that matter. Before she became Secret Service, she taught criminal justice. She believed in upholding the law. And . . . “What are the rules of engagement? Do you have some type of license to kill?”
“We still follow the same code as in the Navy,” he answered in a low voice, his tone almost hollow, obviously worried about how she was interpreting his words. “If we’re ever caught, we’ll say we acted alone, though. It’s why we have Scott and Scott.”
He’d sacrifice himself, even go to jail, if it meant protecting his country. Would she expect anything less of this man?
She replayed his admission, and a thought struck her. Everything finally coming together piece by piece.
“With President Rydell’s term coming to an end, you’re worried you’ll be exposed if Jefferson Lyle and his VP Leslie Renaldo win, right?” They’d never approve of such a group. But would Isaiah Bennett? “But if your dad . . .” She didn’t even know where to go with this. It was all so much.
“We need my dad to win so we can remain active. Well, hopefully, he’ll keep us around, but yes, the alternative to my father won’t be good for us.” Guilt glided through his tone with each word. With each step closer to the truth.
Her heartbeat had become a dull achy thud in her chest as she continued to absorb his secret.
He really had been living in two worlds, but she didn’t want him to feel like it was necessary anymore. Not with her, at least.
She stood, fighting the tremble in her body. She needed to face him with strength and deliver her words with confidence. He needed to know how she really felt. How she’d always feel about him.
“Like my mom, I was sworn to an oath. And then there’s the real possibility you could get hurt being connected to me if someone ever discovered the truth.” He took another two steps back. “I couldn’t handle if anything ever happened to you, Addy,” he said, his voice breaking.
“Don’t.” Fear, the kind the devil whispered, tried to sneak up her spine, but she refused to give in. “Don’t try and push me away. Don’t let the truth do that to us. I just got you. The real you. I-I refuse to lose you.”
He angled his head, but he didn’t budge from his rigid stance. There was worry in his brown eyes. A fierce battle between his desire to love and protect her. Didn’t he realize h
e could do both?
“I’d never let anything happen to you, but . . . that doesn’t mean I can stop something from happening to me.”
He could die.
She understood that.
Hated that.
And she’d fight like hell to prevent it.
“I know,” she whispered, her eyesight blurred by unshed tears.
“What are you thinking?” He cupped his mouth briefly, his eyes capturing hers. “Tell me.”
“I know the kind of man you are.” One step closer to him. One tear hitting her cheek. “So that means this black ops group or not-so-retired SEAL life . . . whatever it’s called . . . you’re helping others. Making a difference. You wouldn’t do it otherwise.”
He sucked in a visible breath, and he held it until she reached him. She grabbed hold of his forearms and secured his hands to her hips where they belonged. “If I can trust you with my life, the American people can, too.”
His eyes became liquid, and his mouth tightened as if struggling to contain his emotions. “I’m so sorry. I never wanted to hurt you.”
“I love you, Charlie. I’m not going anywhere.”
His lips crashed over hers. A nearly bruising kiss that conveyed both relief and apology.
Her body wilted, but he caught her. Held her in place as his tongue slipped between her lips.
When he pulled back, though, shame still filled his eyes, and his gaze fell to the floor between them. “This has been eating at me for seven years, and here you are being so amazing about it. I don’t know if I deserve it, but damn it, Addy, I don’t think I’m strong enough to refuse whatever you’re offering me right now. Forgiveness. Love. I’ll take it. All of it.” A slight smile coaxed his dimples into making an appearance. “We don’t have a lot of time, but I—”
“I need you, too,” she cried. She needed him now more than ever before.
He untied the black lace halter of her dress, allowing it to drop. He sank to his knees, his firm hands dragging down the sides of her body, taking her dress with them in the process.
Within seconds, she was out of her dress, standing only in strappy shoes and a black silk thong.
He gingerly planted kisses over her hip bone, taking a moment to peek up at her with a devilish grin when she grabbed on to his shoulders. She hung on as he teased her with his mouth growing closer and closer to her center.
“You’re incredible,” he whispered as he slid her panties down her legs and helped her step out of them.
The command of his tongue, his lips—the gentle suction between her thighs—she wanted to cry out his name and come, and he’d only begun.
This moment was really happening. She wasn’t that nineteen-year-old watching romance flicks and wishing for her happily-ever-orgasm anymore. It was finally here. Years later, but still, it was here.
Her body shuddered when he used his thumbs to separate her folds and sweep his tongue along her swollen flesh. Little pulses of hot need had her sealing her eyes tight and holding his head in place.
“Don’t stop,” she cried as he licked and sucked. Applied extra pressure with his hand. “Knox!” She tossed her head back and bit down on her back teeth as she fought not to scream any louder as she came.
“That’s my girl.” He wrapped his arms around her thighs and lifted her into the air as he stood upright.
He deposited her on the bed as if she were made of glass and removed and tossed his tuxedo jacket. The bow tie came off next, and his heated stare combed the length of her body in the process.
She couldn’t take her eyes off him. She lay on the bed, her knees bent, one hand draped over her navel, her heels digging into the comforter with the anticipation of what was to come.
She’d finally be able to see all of him. Every inch. Even the scars he’d refused to explain before. No secrets between them when they made love.
He was so damn fine. So handsome.
Her hero.
He slowly unbuttoned his white dress shirt, revealing his hard stomach. The abs he must’ve done a thousand sit-ups a day to maintain.
He peeled his shirt off and tossed it.
But when he lowered his pants, she couldn’t help but allow her eyes to travel south.
She took the time to appreciate his muscular legs, and then his . . . “Wow,” she said under her breath after he’d lowered his boxers to reveal he was fully erect.
A smile teased the corners of his mouth, and he gripped his shaft, the crown glistening with pre-cum.
Her hand slowly trailed a line down her abdomen to between her legs, her fingers feathering over her wet center. “Knox,” she cried, needing him so much.
He knelt onto the bed and moved closer before positioning himself on top of her.
A desperate moan escaped her throat when he dipped his head down and took her nipple into his mouth.
Flicking. Nipping. Caressing it with his tongue.
Her hips lifted and rotated, needing to feel him skin to skin.
She reached between their bodies when his mouth reclaimed hers, and she raked her short fingernails down the hard planes of his stomach before grasping his shaft in her right hand.
He broke their kiss and lightly hissed as she gently squeezed and began fisting him, moving her hand up and down. He cursed under his breath and groaned her name softly as he screwed his eyes shut for a second.
When he wedged a hand between the bed and her back and squeezed her ass cheek hard, she yelped from the pleasure of his touch.
“I want that tight pussy fisting my cock.”
She jolted at his words, at the heady desire in his tone. “Please,” she nearly begged.
“I don’t have any protection,” he gritted out, as if angry at himself for not planning for this moment. Lines bracketed his mouth as he struggled with a decision, one he didn’t need to make because nothing could stop this moment.
“I’m on the pill.” She didn’t want any barriers between them. Not ever.
“You’re sure you’re okay with this?” His brows knitted, but there was a look of relief in his eyes as he observed her.
“More than anything,” she said with an anxious nod.
He squeezed his eyes closed for a brief moment, then pressed his tip to her center. And when his eyes opened, he filled her in one stroke and—ohmygod!
A cry tore from her lips, mingling with a guttural roar that came from deep within his chest.
He brought his face near hers, the scent of her arousal on his tongue, and he kissed her.
“Addy,” he whispered against her lips almost as if he were in pain. “I’m so sorry,” he murmured without stopping. “I’m so sorry I waited.”
He picked up the pace. Moving harder and faster. And she matched every thrust with one of her own.
“It’s okay,” she whispered. “We’re here now.” She clutched the strong arms that held him over her. “And that’s all that matters.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
“Hummingbird and Hawk are secure in their suite,” Rodriguez informed Adriana when they entered Jessica’s room at 11:00 p.m. that night, an hour after Knox had shared his secret and made love to her.
She was still digesting what he’d told her, but she didn’t have any doubts in her mind about her feelings for him. Best friend. Now lover. No more secrets.
Knox wanted another four years on the job, which meant he needed his dad to win the White House, and then after, he’d have to level his father with the news about the teams.
She didn’t envy his position, but she’d fight like hell to support it.
“Thanks for keeping my parents safe tonight,” Knox said to Rodriguez before approaching the desk where Jessica sat working.
He’d changed into jeans and a gray tee before they’d come to the suite, and Adriana had traded her dress for khaki pants and a yellow T-shirt.
Rodriguez fiddled with the collar of his tuxedo jacket, a touch red in the face, as if exasperated by the fact he was taking part in some clandesti
ne meeting. “I don’t know how you’ve all managed to talk me into being here, but—”
“Your job is to protect my family,” Knox cut off Rodriguez, “which is what you’re doing.”
Rodriguez reached for Adriana’s elbow when she walked past him, and he surprised her by whispering, “Your speech tonight, I was at a loss for words.”
She nodded, forcing the emotion to remain put for now. Her body was still Jell-O after her multiple orgasms from Knox. And her mind was mush after discovering the truth.
“Well.” He let go of her and held his palms open. “You ready to tell me your plans to find the real assassin and why I’m withholding information from the deputy secretary?”
“Our main suspect is Glenn Sterling, but we’re not sure if he’s working alone.” Knox picked up a notepad off the corner of the desk and handed it to Rodriguez. “That’s our list of suspects.” He left out the part about the suspects having once been part of a black ops group with his mom, though. She supposed that’d remain classified intel for now. “I’m going to take a wild guess and say it’s not a coincidence Sterling got himself assigned to this investigation.”
Rodriguez lifted his eyes from the notepad. “He hasn’t done anything to interfere with the case, though. Not that I’m aware of, at least.”
“He’s probably not here to obstruct but to learn. To make sure he doesn’t get pulled into the limelight by Nina Hilton,” Jessica chimed in.
“The wife of the Liberation Defense Force?” Rodriguez handed the notepad to Knox and tossed his jacket.
“You know of her?” Adriana asked.
“My people made the connection an hour before the ball started tonight,” he replied while rolling his sleeves to the elbows. “Both Ike and Chelsea have connections to that militia. Aaron, too.”
Adriana’s stomach dropped. “Please tell me no one informed Glenn of this.” Jessica had said Special Agent Quinn had promised not to share intel, but Adriana hadn’t anticipated the Secret Service might discover the truth on their own.
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