by Jackie D.
“Did you ever call your mother and let her know you got here safely?” Dylan squeezed Emma’s leg.
“No, I forgot.” Emma put her hand over Dylan’s.
“You should when we get there. I should only be a few minutes. I don’t want her to worry. The reception on the back patio is best.” Dylan knew Emma would understand what she was saying. If things went sideways, she needed to call Tyler.
“Okay.” Emma’s eyes were full of fear and concern, but she kept her expression calm. If Ivan were watching in the rearview, he’d never know how Emma was feeling.
Dylan’s blood was on fire as they pulled up to the large residence. Every alarm bell was sounding in her head. If she’d been here without Emma, she’d take Ivan out and cut her losses. She didn’t have that option, not with Emma in tow. She had a small firearm concealed in the back of her waistband, but it only held four bullets. It wouldn’t be nearly enough if Nikolai decided she was expendable.
Once inside the house, Dylan pulled Emma to her. “Get out of here if things go bad,” she whispered into her ear. She kissed her cheek. “See you in a bit.” She walked away before Emma had a chance to say anything.
Dylan pushed the large doors to Nikolai’s study open, ready to grab her weapon if need be. Her heart was pounding so quickly that her fingers tingled. She could feel the adrenaline burning in the back of her throat.
“Sasha, come in, come in. Shut the door,” Nikolai said from behind his large oak desk.
Dylan scanned the room and almost fell over when she saw Carol O’Brien sitting in the high-backed chair across from the mob boss.
“Sasha, it’s so good to see you. I’ve missed you.” Carol smiled and ran a finger across her lips.
Dylan nodded her hello to Carol and turned her attention to Nikolai. “What can I help with?”
He motioned to the chair. “Sit, have a drink.” He poured her a glass of vodka and handed it to her.
“Carol has given me some fascinating information.” Nikolai smiled at Carol and raised his glass. He was speaking in English for Carol’s benefit, so she’d do the same.
“Oh? Anything I can be of assistance with?” Dylan kept her breathing even and made sure her face showed her curiosity.
He slid a folder to her. “We have some visitors here from overseas. Captain Calvin Hart and the ones we’d discussed earlier.”
Dylan opened the folder and flipped through the pictures of the familiar women, her team. “I knew about the women, but I didn’t know they’d arrived. I was taken off this assignment before I had the chance to track anyone down.” She looked back up at Nikolai. “Do you know where they are?”
Nikolai smiled. “Sasha, that’s why I have you. I don’t care about these women. Get rid of them. I’d like to have a face-to-face with this Captain Hart.”
Carol leaned over in her seat, closer to Dylan. “There’s an added bonus. I have a mole inside the CIA. He’ll be here soon. If you all can work your magic and flip him, you’ll be able to control most of the world. You could operate virtually unchecked.”
Nikolai clapped his hands together. “How many men do you need me to give you for the task, Sasha? I want this taken care of before the gala.”
Dylan closed the folder and took a large gulp from her glass. “I’d prefer to do it alone. I don’t want to draw attention to his apprehension. It will give us more time.”
Nikolai lit a cigar. “I don’t need long with him. He’s just to prove a point. I need to show this CIA man that I can get to anyone. Give him a reason to come to our side. After that, we’ll fake an accident. Get rid of this Hart person.”
Carol touched Dylan’s arm. “I need these women dead. That’s nonnegotiable. If I don’t have proof by the gala, I won’t give up my mole.”
Dylan nodded. “I understand.” She stood to leave.
“Do not disappoint me, Sasha. You know how upset I get when I’m disappointed.” Nikolai smiled playfully, but Dylan knew his statement was a promise.
“Understood. I’ll take care of it.” She pointed behind her. “Can you please stop having your guys follow me around? It’s more difficult to track foreign spies when I’m being tailed. Draws too much attention.”
He studied her and finally nodded. “By Thursday, Sasha. I need it all handled. No exceptions.”
“It was nice to see you, Sasha,” Carol purred. “Looking forward to our next encounter.”
Dylan opened the door, and Emma was beside her a moment later. She put her hand on her back and rubbed small circles to reassure her everything was okay.
Dylan smiled and took her hand. “You ready to go?”
Ivan stepped up beside them. “I’ll take you back to your apartment.”
Dylan wanted to protest, but she was trying to be as calm as possible. “Sounds good, Ivan. Thank you.”
Emma smiled at him as well, and she was thankful to have the support. Whatever the next few days held, it was going to change all their lives forever. All Dylan could do was pray they’d all be there at the end.
Chapter Twenty-two
Tyler ended the video conference with Dylan and Emma. The silence in the room was deafening. She knew everyone was looking to her to have some words of wisdom or a brilliant idea, but at the moment she had nothing. Four percent.
“I say we take O’Brien now,” Caden said.
“It’s too late for that. She’s going to be guarded by Nikolai’s men now. We have to find another way.” Tyler walked over to the large map of the area, needing to do something.
“Should we notify Captain Hart?” Jennifer asked.
“Not yet.” Tyler didn’t bother turning around to answer. “For all we know, Nikolai is having him tailed too. We don’t need him to accidentally lead any of Nikolai’s guys to us unintentionally.”
“We have to warn him.” Brooke sounded calm, but Tyler knew she was anything but.
“Jennifer, send him a message. Tell him I’ll meet him at his hotel tomorrow afternoon at fifteen hundred.” Tyler didn’t want Brooke to have to play any part in this. “If you tell him I’m meeting him, he’ll know it’s important.”
Brooke stood. “If he’s being tailed, they could make you. What’s to stop them from following you back here? What’s to stop them from killing you in the street?”
Fair points. “Jennifer, rent me a room under a different alias than the one the CIA originally made for me. When I check in, I’ll call and give you the room number and you can pass it along to the captain. I’ll meet him there, talk to him, and we’ll be gone before anyone knows what happened. If he is being tailed, the likelihood of the men being terribly sophisticated is pretty low. They aren’t law enforcement. They won’t be prepared to handle a quick sleight of hand. It will work.” Tyler faced Brooke. “It will work.”
Caden moved closer to the map and pointed to a third hotel. “Park at this hotel. It will throw them off if they’re even slightly on to you.”
Tyler nodded, still scanning the map. “Good idea.”
Brooke still wasn’t convinced. She crossed her arms and continued to shake her head. “You should send Caden. Her dark hair helps her blend in more. She’s less likely to be noticed.”
“I need Caden here. Deputy Director Martin is calling to give us an update on the mission at fifteen hundred tomorrow, the same time I’m meeting the captain. We need to see if Director Walker is on the call too. If he does have anything to do with this, I need to know that he won’t be tracking the captain at that time. He’d want to hear firsthand what our status is and be able to ask questions if necessary. If he isn’t on the call, then he probably isn’t our mole, and isn’t the one who sent us the original message. Martin has worked with Caden for years. They have a good relationship. He’ll want to speak to her.” Tyler knew none of this would help to ease Brooke’s concern, but it was the most logical plan of action.
Brooke sat down behind her computer. “I’m going to map out the most direct routes and see if I can locate all the security c
ameras between here and there. You need to be as invisible as possible. You’re also going to wear a hat and sunglasses. I want your face obstructed.”
Tyler smiled. That’s my girl. She sat at the desk as well and started creating a bullet point list of everything she needed to share with the captain. She couldn’t take the chance of missing anything important.
* * *
Emma put her cards on the table and looked up at Dylan, finally allowing herself to smile. “Gin.”
Dylan’s eyes grew large as she looked between the table and her own hand. She groaned. “Do you have a secret life as a card shark?”
Emma marked down their scores. “Well, that’s the eighth time I’ve beaten you. So maybe it’s a profession I should consider.”
Dylan tossed her cards on to the table and picked up her wine glass. “I’m not playing with you anymore. You must be cheating.”
Emma started putting the cards back into their packaging. “This waiting around thing isn’t so bad.”
“Enjoy it while it lasts. As soon as we get the word, things will speed up with more ferocity than anyone is ever ready for,” Dylan said.
“Is that how you like things?”
Dylan took a deep breath. “No. Believe it or not, I don’t like it when plan after plan implodes. I like a certain amount of chaos, but not constant disorder.” Dylan took their glasses and went back to the kitchen to refill them.
Emma chewed on her thumb, not sure where she was taking the conversation, even when she said it. “I just meant you seem to like intensity, danger, and adventure.”
Dylan handed Emma her glass and sat next to her. “You’ve managed to make a lot of correct assumptions about me.”
Emma let Dylan’s statement bounce around in her head for a moment and watched Dylan take another sip from her glass. She couldn’t stop herself from staring at Dylan’s wine tinted lips. She wondered what her lips tasted like now. She made assumptions about Dylan because she couldn’t stop thinking about her. She wanted to know everything. Emma wanted to know what made her sad, happy, and what kept her up at night. She wanted to know what Dylan was afraid of and how she pushed through the moments that scared her the most. She wanted to truly understand her. That was unprofessional, and terrifying, and so many other words she couldn’t think of right now. So she stopped thinking.
She reached out and touched Dylan’s hand draped over the back of the couch. She marveled at the way Dylan’s fingers seemed to search for her when they grew close. Emma softly stroked the back of Dylan’s hand, and she felt a jolt in her stomach when she saw the goose bumps travel up Dylan’s arm. She looked up, and her eyes met the deep rich brown in Dylan’s. Dylan’s eyes were soulfully deep, and Emma felt herself start to get lost in them.
“Emma,” Dylan whispered. “I don’t think we should—”
“No.” Emma stopped her. “I don’t want to talk about all the reasons we shouldn’t. I want to. I want this. I’ve never felt like this before.” Emma had been battling with herself over her feelings from the start. There were plenty of reasons that the two of them shouldn’t venture down this path. Valid, logical reasons that were based on facts. Emma didn’t care about those reasons. She cared about the way she felt alive when Dylan was close. She cared about the way her skin prickled when they touched. She cared about the way her body seemed to be drawn to Dylan, like a magnetic force of some kind.
Dylan grasped her hand and pulled her closer. “You’re feeling this way because you’ve never been in danger before. That sensation does weird things to people. You won’t want this when it’s all said and done.”
Emma put a hand on Dylan’s face, loving the way her cheek felt in her hand. The softness of Dylan’s skin and the tightening of her jaw was hypnotic. “I’m not worried about then. For once, I just want to worry about right now.”
Dylan looked like she was going to say something else, but Emma didn’t give her a chance. She was done talking, done questioning, done playing it safe all the time. She was always a careful and predictable girl. She wanted to be something else entirely, even if it didn’t mean forever. Even if all they had was right now, that would be good enough.
Emma leaned forward, and Dylan didn’t back away. “Kiss me,” Emma whispered against Dylan’s lips.
If there was any hesitation in Dylan’s response, it was swallowed whole with the fevered kiss Dylan gave her. Dylan was gentle, but Emma could feel the passion simmering below the surface. Emma pulled Dylan’s bottom lip between her teeth and reveled in the moan that escaped from her. Dylan’s breath was hot against her lips, labored and quick.
Dylan ended the kiss and put her hands on Emma’s face. She kissed her forehead, her cheek, and then stood. Emma was about to protest when Dylan held her hand out. Dylan led her down the hallway to her bedroom. Once inside, Dylan kissed her again.
“Are you sure about this?” Dylan made her way up Emma’s neck to her ear with soft kisses.
Emma wanted to scream that she was, that she’d never been more sure of anything, but her body was so consumed with desire all she could do was nod. Dylan slid her hands under Emma’s shirt, caressing her back. Dylan’s hands were so careful, so intentional that Emma was afraid she’d stop altogether. Her fingertips were like drops of water on a summer day. They left her wanting more and relishing in the momentary reprieve from thirst. Emma loved the way Dylan’s palms felt against her. She wanted more, and she wanted it now.
Emma pulled her shirt up over her head and took off her bra. She wanted Dylan to know that she wanted this, wanted her. She couldn’t form the words, so she hoped this would drive the point home. She left herself exposed, needing her to see that she was offering herself to her. She’d gladly take whatever Dylan was willing to give, and Dylan seemed to get the message. Dylan picked her up, and Emma wrapped her legs around her waist. She walked them over to the bed and let Emma fall onto it. She reached for Dylan, wanting her on top of her, needing her to be closer. Dylan removed her shirt and bra and crawled on top of Emma. She trailed her mouth down Emma’s body, starting from her neck and moving to her shoulders and collarbone. Emma ran her fingers through Dylan’s hair as she stopped at her chest. Dylan nipped and sucked Emma’s breasts. It ignited every nerve ending in Emma’s body. She felt like her skin was on fire, scorching under Dylan’s mouth and touch. Emma had imagined what it would be like to be affected this way, to have someone pay such close attention to her body. But none of those fleeting musings did Dylan any justice.
Dylan’s lips carved a path of heat and desire, leaving Emma wanting more. She felt like she needed the brief, intentional touches to sustain her. As Dylan kept moving down, Emma felt her already hot body flare again. Dylan ran her finger under the shorts Emma was wearing and slowly coaxed them off her hips. Dylan took off her underwear next with the same intensity and unwavering intention she’d done with everything else. The sudden cool air and the look of pure lust on Dylan’s face caused her to shudder.
Dylan kissed the insides of her legs, taking her time. Emma could hear herself breathing, the noises escaping her lips. They weren’t noises she’d ever heard herself make, and the realization of that ignited her body further. Dylan continued to lavish her sensitive skin with kisses and small nips. Dylan moved her mouth to Emma’s center, taking her in. With each wonderful whirl of her tongue, Emma could feel the orgasm building. The sensation started low in her belly, moving its way up her body, a flood wanting to devour the landscape in its path. Dylan kept pushing her, urging her closer and closer until there was nowhere left to go. Emma dangled over the edge of a cliff of pure pleasure, wanting to prolong the sensation, while at the same time experiencing the guttural need of wanting to surrender. The orgasm washed over her, consuming her. The first wave made her gasp and call out Dylan’s name. The second one was marked with quivering muscles and labored breathing she didn’t even bother to try to control.
When it finally subsided, Dylan crawled up next to her. Emma wanted to explain what she wa
s feeling, but her mind was an empty vessel. Dylan kissed her cheeks and wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her closer. Emma stared into Dylan’s dark eyes. They were heavy, still filled with lust and need. Emma wanted to make Dylan feel the way she just had. She wanted to show Dylan how much she wanted her. She had to stop herself from crying out in pleasure when she slid her hand down and found her eager wetness.
Dylan dug her fingertips into Emma’s back as she slid inside her. Dylan was so close, it would be easy to push her over the edge, but Emma wanted to give her as much as she’d just received. Dylan was breathing and moaning in her ear, urging Emma to keep going. With each thrust of Emma’s fingers, the intensity in Dylan’s embrace increased. Emma turned her palm up, using it to massage Dylan’s clit. Dylan’s body tensed, the soft but powerful walls around Emma’s fingers contracted, and Dylan cried out, her voice shaking.
Emma didn’t move away immediately. She kissed Dylan’s shoulders, enjoying the salty taste of Dylan’s skin on her lips. Once Dylan’s breathing was back to normal, Emma pulled her hand out from between them and wrapped her arms around her. She kissed Dylan’s forehead and wiped the hair away from her eyes.
“I wasn’t expecting that,” Dylan said.
Her voice was quiet, and Emma wasn’t sure if she’d meant to say it out loud. “What?” Emma kissed her chin.
“You.”
Emma didn’t want to move, worried that any change might disrupt or alter what they’d just shared. She listened as Dylan’s breathing slowed and became rhythmic. She nuzzled a little closer to Dylan as she let herself drift to sleep. Her last lucid thoughts were that if this were a dream, she didn’t want to have to wake up ever again.
Chapter Twenty-three
Captain Hart sat on the bed. “I can’t meet with Nikolai Orlav. Do you have any idea what that would look like? He could easily record the conversation and use it against the country. Or he could have me killed.” He was probably saying it as much to himself as he was to Tyler.
