by Linzi Basset
“There’s no need for your ire to spike, Alexa. I made my intentions clear. Living together is the only way we’ll be able to ascertain if we have a future together. We will stay here until we agree which direction our relationship is going. If it’s together, we’ll be moving to my home in the Bahamas.”
Put like that, she had nothing to come back with except to concede to his instruction to go to bed, but since he hadn’t said anything about not masturbating again, she’d be sure to—
“Don’t forget my warning this morning, little one. Your pleasure and pain belong to me now. Don’t even think of getting yourself off. I promise you; the consequences will be severe. It’s the one rule you never disobey. I’ll decide when you climax.” He leaned in to growl into her ear. “On the other hand … do disobey … the beast is itching to come out and play.”
Well, that just killed any desire she had to shower spray her clit into a climax!
Chapter Six
Be Secure Enterprises safehouse on the banks of Bullfrog Creek in Tampa …
“How much longer are you going to keep me here? What you’re doing is unconstitutional and illegal!”
Stone circled Sheila Maddern where she was seated on a steel chair in the middle of the interrogation room. They were at the secure farmhouse where hand-selected Secret Service agents had been interrogating her. He showed no sympathy when she yanked on the cuffs binding her hands to the back legs. She glanced from him to Shane who stood in front of the door watching her intently.
“And that should matter to us … why exactly?” Stone’s voice grated like rocks over a grater, coated with disgust.
“I told you the truth! I fucking told everyone the truth, including the Secret Service! I was undercover. They approached me years ago but I refused to have any part in their crazy scheme.” Her eyes flashed between the two men. “At least until I discussed it with President Grayson.”
“Who approached you?” Stone watched her intently.
“David Yale.” Her face turned in an ugly grimace. “He’s the biggest bastard of them all. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s the one who pushed Ivanon to plant that bomb on the boat. He hates Grayson with a passion.”
Shane frowned. “What was the hierarchy of the SPEONUS board?”
“Yale was the chairman and along with Ivanon, they had a direct association with the Leader. That’s it. The rest of us served as equals on the board.”
“What’s the leader’s name?”
She shifted uncomfortably under Stone’s direct stare as he stopped in front of her.
“He has a fascination with everything medieval, especially Richard the Lionheart.” The sneer on her lips was evidence that she viewed that as a weakness on the leader’s part. “I don’t think anyone knows his real name. We called him Lionheart.”
Stone started circling her again. “You told Grayson they approached you. I suppose he’s the one who told you to join them?”
Sheila bristled at the amusement in his voice. “You don’t have to sound demeaning, Stone Sinclair. It’s exactly what happened. He wanted to know who was involved, what they were after, and just how far they’d go to get it.”
“Hmm, so at what time did you decide to betray Grayson?”
“I never did! Aren’t you listening? He knew what I was doing.”
“Of course he did.” She cast a sharp look at Shane as he sauntered closer. “How stupid do you think we are, Mrs. Maddern? If what you say is remotely true, he would’ve expected you to report to him. He never knew about David Yale’s involvement, which means you’re lying and—”
“I did it to …” she rattled the chair in frustration, “I wanted to save him the hurt of knowing his best friend betrayed him.”
“Of course you did, which is why he walked onto a boat that was about to explode.”
“I didn’t even know about that! Ivanon and Lionheart didn’t share that part of the plan with any of us! Ask David Yale. He’ll confirm what I’m saying!”
“We worked among others with the Secret Service, the FBI, CIA, DOJ, and the NSA for years, Sheila. President Grayson would never have kept the ones appointed to protect him and his family in the dark about such an organization. Why don’t we cut the crap,” Shane leaned closer and spat coldly, “Who is the SPEONUS leader and where is he?”
“I don’t know! For fuck’s sake! How many times must I say this? He always arrived with a mask and dressed exactly the same. None of us know who he really is.” She cackled. Her eyes glowed with glee. “Except perhaps Sergei Ivanon, who I believe you got rid of already, Shane.” She smirked. “Who’s the asshole now? Your friend died and you—ahh!”
Her raw scream followed the loud crack that echoed through the room as Shane slapped her. She bore back in fear of the demonic look in his eyes as he pressed his face closer.
“Don’t you fucking talk about our friend. You are just as responsible for everyone who died on that boat, you bitch, and believe me, I’m going to make sure you pay for it.” He straightened. His eyes glistened like shards of ice. “Since you have nothing of value to offer, I don’t see the need to keep you around. We take care of our own and I believe in an eye for an eye. Ivanon already paid his dues … you are next.”
Sheila darted a terrified look at Stone, who appeared unmoved by her plight.
“You can’t do this.”
“Yeah … but then, you weren’t supposed to betray your fellow Americans and the entire country either.” Shane stared at her unblinking. “Yet, you did and all for power and glory. See, that’s the difference between us. We’re only interested in freedom, fairness, and justice. In my book, you ending up in jail ... that’s not justice. Not to all those innocent lives you were party to having killed over the years.”
“You can’t play judge and jury, Shane Sinclair. I’m protected by the Geneva Convention. You have to let me go. I’m as deserving of a fair trial as the next person.”
“I’m leaving,” Shane stalked to the door, “before I snap this bitch’s scrawny neck.”
Stone followed him amidst Sheila’s furious curses and pleas to be released. “So, she’s telling the truth?” He knew Shane wouldn’t have given up if he’d had the slightest belief that she knew who the SPEONUS leader was. His instincts to detect lies and read emotions were what made him such a good psychologist.
“Yeah, she has no clue who he is and that infuriates her. Clearly, whoever it is has all the power in SPEONUS and controls every aspect of what and how everything is done. If you ask me, I think Sheila Maddern has been sidelined a couple of times.” He flashed a look at Stone. “Something we might use in our favor if the need arises.”
“You mean using her as bait?”
“That woman has no loyalty to anyone but herself. With the right incentive, she won’t hesitate to sink what’s left of SPEONUS.”
“I agree, especially since she’s not going to benefit in any way.”
“And? Did you manage to get something out of her?” asked Mateo Rogers as they entered the operation’s room.
The first time they’d encountered him, he had been the senior agent in charge of the special ops SRT team that Ace’s fiancée, Remy, had worked for in the past. From discussions with Grayson to establish who on his security detail could be trusted, he had assured them Rogers was the one he didn’t doubt for one second. He had personally approved his appointment as the chief of his presidential detail days before the explosion. Subsequent investigations that Parker had embarked on had proven him to be as clean as a whistle and highly competent and trustworthy.
“She doesn’t know anything,” Stone said shortly.
“So, we hand her over to the FBI.” Mateo didn’t seem pleased at the prospect. He took his new position very seriously and was adamant to prove that President Grayson had made the right choice appointing him.
“Not just yet.” Stone leaned against the doorway. “Move her to one of the secure rooms and make sure she’s treated well. Sheila Maddern has some wort
h. She exploited her position for years … we’ll expound on that when the time is right.”
Mateo understood their intent immediately. “You’re going to use her as bait.”
“Continue interrogating her daily. We don’t want her to become complacent in the belief that she’s going to come off lightly.”
“Will do.” Mateo glanced toward the door at the end of the hallway. “What about Yale?”
“He was the chairman of SPEONUS. I’m sure he knows more than she does. I have a suspicion that I need to clarify. Let’s see if we can rattle his cage a little,” Shane said as he walked toward the room with Stone at his heels.
David Yale jerked upright as Shane and Stone walked into the interrogation room. His eyes remained on his hands cuffed to the steel table. A derisive smirk played on his lips.
“I don’t suppose it’s necessary to introduce ourselves to you.” Shane watched him with a closed expression from just inside the doorway. He didn’t move closer but Stone sat down opposite Yale to stare at him intently. “I mean, since you’ve been trying to get rid of us for the past number of years.”
Yale didn’t look up or respond in any way.
“I’m curious, Yale. As a father who suffered the greatest loss any man could experience, how do you justify all the senseless killing of innocent people by SPEONUS?” Shane said colloquially.
“The end justifies the means.” Yale’s voice grated low from barely moving lips.
“Ah, so it’s acceptable for all those women to lose their husbands and children to grow up without fathers … for your personal gain?” Shane circled the table. He stopped next to him. “Or should I say, personal vendetta?”
“You know shit so stop pretending you do.” Yale still didn’t look up from his hands.
“Maybe, but I do know you’re out for revenge. Here’s the thing, Yale.” Shane leaned closer with his fists on the desk. “Taking out the entire government and putting yourself in charge is never going to reduce your own guilt or change the part you played in what happened to your family.” He barked a resounding laugh as he straightened. “It sure as hell isn’t going to make the world a better place.”
Yale looked up slowly. His eyes glowed with hatred. “The part I played? Fuck you, Sinclair. My family was innocent and had to pay the price of a corrupt government and a president with no other agenda than to boost his own power. Well, he fucking failed. Cuba is now even more corrupt than before and so is the U.S.” His eyes flickered. “It’s going to change and there’s nothing you can do to stop it.”
“So, you blame John Wick, the president at the time.”
“The bastard raided Cuba knowing my family was held hostage. Him and his fucking cabinet are all to blame.”
Shane rubbed his chin. “Hmm, funny thing is, Yale, I don’t buy that you are innocent in all of this. See, the thing I’m struggling with is why a terrorist or militia group would kidnap your family specifically? Yes, you’re a filthy rich SOB but you didn’t hold a position of power at the time, so what would they have benefitted apart from a cash influx? Nah, it doesn’t wash. Those bastards are too clever and always have an agenda that’s more important to them than money.”
“True, they would rather kidnap someone who they could use as a trump card to increase their power, to force their government to their knees. You, Yale, didn’t have anything other than money.” Stone looked at Shane. “What’s your theory?”
“From all the articles I’ve read, one thing stood out to me.” Shane leaned against the wall, his eyes sharpening as Yale glowered at him. “Yeah, we managed to dig up all the old newspaper clippings, internet reports, and the numerous interviews you granted. Quite surprising though, since according to your best friend, James Grayson, the entire episode had been locked tight specifically to protect you and your suffering.”
“The only reason they did that was to hide their own fuck up,” Yale exploded.
“Ah, of course. We’re back to you as the innocent victim in all this.” Shane began circling the table again. “You know what stood out like a sore thumb in all those articles and interviews our friend here granted, Stone?”
Stone had no idea where Shane was going with this, nor had he himself seen any of those articles. From the way Yale’s knuckles turned white from clasping his hands into tight fists, it seemed Shane was onto something.
“I’m curious to know,” Stone responded without taking his eyes from Yale.
“Apart from his four children dying, he also lost the love of his life. A woman he had met in junior high and married soon after he graduated. Strangely, he never mentioned her. Not once did he speak about how painful it was that his wife and mother of his children had died. He didn’t even say her name … not in any of the over fifty reports I went through. He only mourned his children, never his wife.” Shane stopped behind him and leaned closer. His dark voice graveled next to Yale’s ear, “Now why is that, I wonder?”
“I don’t need to explain how I dealt with my grief to anyone. You least of all, you motherfucker.” The chains rattled on the steel table as Yale slammed his fists down. “My family has nothing to do with why I’m here, so shut the fuck up. You’re not worthy of mentioning them.”
“They don’t? Then I’m confused. Isn’t that exactly why you turned into a criminal? A murderer and a traitor to your own country? To avenge their deaths?”
Shane straightened but didn’t move away.
“Do you know what the other interesting tidbit is that I found, Stone?” He walked around the table to stare at Yale with a piercing look. “No one had any confirmation that Yale’s family was indeed held at that village that was bombed. For that matter, there was no proof that they had even been kidnapped and held for ransom … except from what he had claimed at the time.”
“Well, now that’s interesting indeed. Do you suppose that is why President John Wick ordered the airstrike to eliminate the threat those terrorists posed at the time against the U.S. and the Cuban government? To prevent them from harming innocent American citizens that they were threatening by sending out missiles to the South Coast?”
“It all makes sense. Also why our friend here chose that exact time to claim his family died in that explosion … a convenient opportunity to cover his own crime.”
“You have no fucking idea what you’re talking about. My family died that day! You bastard! I’ll kill you!”
“Now why on earth do you wish to get rid of me? Or is it that my theory is too close to the truth for comfort?” Shane smirked. “Let me elaborate a little then, shall I? See, we are investigating your family’s disappearance, Yale. Yeah, it’s ten years down the line but the funny thing is, with technology nowadays, one can uncover more than you can hide. You were looking for ways to get out of your marriage. Yep,” Shane smirked. “I know about that too. You wanted out by any means, except by divorcing her legally because then she’d get half of your riches and you were too greedy to part with any of it.”
“Fuck you! I loved my wife. We were happy!”
“Of course you were, in public at least, but according to your house staff the opposite was true behind closed doors. Your wife refused to walk out on your marriage, especially when she found out about your illicit affair with a very prominent senator.”
Stone’s gaze sharpened as Yale turned pale. He seemed frozen to the chair.
“I wonder … is that where your desire for power started? Or no …” Shane dragged out the word as he regarded Yale with a narrowed look. “It wasn’t your need to rule, was it, Yale? It was hers. You succumbed to a forceful woman with one goal in her mind … power and greed.”
“Many men have fallen prey to such women over time.” Stone leaned back in the chair. “Impress me further, Shane. Who is this Wonder Woman who managed to control a man like him?”
“No one controls me, you bastard! I am my own man. I am the one in charge! Me!”
“Of course you are, which is why you’re the one in captivity and Lionheart is
free.” Shane snorted acerbically. “His lover, Stone? None other than the Speaker of the House—Rebecca Lomas.”
“Fuck me,” Stone sat forward with narrowed eyes.
Yale lowered his eyes but his hands tightened into a fist once again.
“Let’s go. I’ve got what I need.” Shane ignored Yale as he looked up sharply and walked through the door.
“Don’t get too comfortable, Yale. We’re not done with you. We want Lionheart and Evans Carter. You are going to give them to us,” Stone said as he followed Shane outside.
“How the hell did you find out all these things?” he said as soon as he caught up with Shane.
“I got Zeke to send me links on the dark web and I’ve been sifting through them the entire night. There were just too many holes in the stories I read and I started asking myself all these questions.” Shane smiled. “And he just confirmed it. He must’ve killed his wife or had her killed and used the bombing as a cover to get off scot free, leaving him free to continue his affair with Rebecca Lomas.”
“Wasn’t she married at the time as well?”
“Yes, to Yale’s cousin. It seems they were all friends as far back as junior high. She fell pregnant and her parents forced her to marry him. Their volatile relationship wasn’t a secret. Over the years it grew worse as she rose to power in politics. Her husband died in a motor accident within six months of Yale’s wife’s supposed killing.”
“You suspect he was killed as well? So the two of them could carry on their love affair?”
“Unconfirmed, but yes.” Shane frowned. “The only thing I haven’t figured out yet, is what happened to his children. I don’t believe they’re dead, but if not … where are they and what role do they play in Yale’s current plans?”
“It’s fucked up,” Stone said as they walked into the operations room. “Suddenly I’m questioning the reports that Rebecca Lomas was on that boat and were among those bodies that disintegrated with the explosion.”
“Bingo.”
“He did it again,” Stone stared at Shane as realization struck.
