Honor Under Siege

by Radclyffe

  morning she had awakened in the guesthouse in a stil room beneath a

  silent dawn and realized that Valerie had disappeared while shed slept.

  “Wheres Blair?

  Hara did not turn, and even in the darkness, Diane knew that she was

  watching Blair. The cloud cover was so dense even the light from the

  ful moon barely penetrated the inky sky.

  “Sit ing on top of a dune, fifteen yards down the path and ten feet of

  to the right.

  “It feels like thirty degrees out here, and you just let her go? Diane

  snapped.

  “Thirty-eight

  degrees.

  “Never mind, Diane mut ered, hurrying down the stairs to the path. A

  minute later she knelt beside Blair. “Put your jacket on.

  “Thanks, Blair said, shrugging into it. “You dont need

  to stay.

  With a sigh, Diane shifted around to sit facing the same direction as

  Blair and leaned against her. When Blair wrapped an arm around her,

  she snuggled closer and lightly rested her head on Blairs shoulder.

  “Couldnt you brood inside where we can have a fire?

  “Its a lot harder to do if youre comfortable. Blair pressed her cheek to

  Dianes hair. “Do you have any idea how much I hate waiting here, safe

  and sound and protected by armed guards, while Cam is out there

  somewhere with people who want to kil her?

  “I think I know, Diane

  whispered.

  “Oh, honey, Im sorry, Blair said. “Of course

  you do.

  “Renée cal ed Paula with an update, Diane pointed out gently.

  “She said everything was fine and that Cam was resting.

  “I know. Blair sighed. “But that was three hours ago and theyre not due

  here for another four at least. Anything can happen. She reached beside

  her and dug her fingers into the cold sand. “I just want to be able to

  protect her the way she protects me.

  “I bet you already

  do.

  Blair laughed harshly. “Hardly. Since everyone thinks Im so important, I

  seem to be the one destined to wait, just like tonight.

  “You

  are

  important

  “Im no more important than Cam or you or Stark or any of the

  others.

  Diane wrapped both arms around Blairs waist and hugged her. “You,

  Blair Powell , may not be more important than the rest of us, although

  I happen to think youre pret y special and Im sure Cam does too, but

  its not about Blair Powel .

  “No, its about the first

  daughter.

  “Yes. And I imagine that makes it al the

  harder.

  “Theres a reason youre my best friend, you know, Blair said

  softly.

  “Besides the fact that Im smart, beautiful, and wel -connected in the art

  world?

  “Those are definite pluses, but you might be the only person other than

  Tanner whos ever understood that having a famous father mostly just

  sucks.

  “Yes, I never did think living in a mansion was al that cool when it came

  with a bunch of state troopers hanging out on the front porch. Diane tried

  not to shiver from the cold. She sensed Blairs mood beginning to lighten

  and wanted to keep her talking. “Tanner could relate, because she had

  to put up with a lot of the same thing. Not the bodyguards and

  everything, but having a lot expected of her because of who her father

  was.

  “Mmm, Blair said, pat ing the sand shed squeezed into a hard bal back

  into the ground. “Tanner understands. But shes not a girl, like you are. Its

  not the same.

  “You mean you wouldnt snuggle with Tanner in the dark? Diane

  teased.

  “Snuggling is not what I had in mind with Tanner. Definitely not when

  we were teenagers. Blair thought back to how wild and drop-dead sexy

  Tanner had been then. “And I dont think I would, even now. After al ,

  Ive had a lot more practice resisting you.

  “Thanks, I think. Diane kissed Blairs cheek. “We have to go inside,

  sweetie. Ive of icial y frozen my ass of .

  Blair reached for Dianes hand as they rose. “Thanks for coming out to

  get me and just forget ing it.

  “Cams going to be okay, Diane said gently. “Shes amazingly good at

  what she does, and besides, Felicia and Renée are with her.

  “I know. As they started back toward the house, Blair added, “Cams

  going to figure out a way to help Valerie, too.

  “Thats what I keep tel ing myself. I have to believe it, because I cant

  stand to think of anything else.

  “Sometimes its bet er not to think. Blair stif ened. “Did you hear a car

  door slam just then? She hurried up the stairs, tugging Diane behind her,

  and rushed past Hara into the kitchen. The room was empty. She raced

  toward the front of the house, Diane right behind her. “Paula, is someone

  here? Is Camoh my God!

  Blair skidded to a halt, barely stopping herself from throwing her arms

  around a beaming Mac Phil ips. He was unnatural y pale, and whereas

  hed always been slim and muscular, now he was simply thin. But

  his gaunt face was stil handsome and his blue eyes bright and merciful

  y pain-free. She hadnt seen him for several weeks, and he had stil

  been in the rehab center then, recovering from the gunshot wound that

  he had sustained while protecting her during the at ack on the Aerie.

  “Oh my God. What are you doing here?

  Mac clasped Blairs hand, half shaking it, half holding it. “I got a cal

  late this

  morning from the commander to pack my bags, and Id barely finished

  when a

  Humvee with two of Tanners people showed up, andhere

  I am.

  “Did you know about this? Blair asked

  Paula.

  “No. Paula tried to look serious and in-charge, but she couldnt help

  grinning at their old team member. “Apparently it was arranged after

  we left DC. She careful y clasped Macs shoulder. “How are you

  doing?

  “A hel of a lot bet er than I was yesterday. Im of icial y cleared for

  light duty starting next week, but Ive been sit ing around al this week

  doing nothing but going crazy. He reached down for his suitcase but

  Wozinski grabbed it first.

  “I have that,

  sir.

  Mac raised an eyebrow. “Jesus, Greg. Im not your

  boss.

  Gregs face was total y serious. “No sir. Anything you need, just let me

  know, sir.

  Mac looked perplexed, but Blair understood. Mac had almost died

  trying to save her, and when an agent was wil ing to make the

  ultimate sacrifice, other agents considered them heroes. The same

  thing had happened to Cam when Cam had been shot in the line of

  duty, and Cam was just as uncomfortable with the adulation as Mac

  seemed to be. Blair hooked her arm through Macs and gave him a lit le

  hug. “Does Felicia know youre coming?

  “Im not sure, Mac said, blushing and looking even more handsome.

  “She told me about her new posting with the commander. He met

  Paulas gaze. “And Renées.

  Paula nodded, realizing that they had more in common than ever. She and

  Mac were al that remained of the
original team. Theyd been together

  before the commander took over, and now they were the veterans.

  And they shared something else, something almost more criticalthe

  women they loved were both

  part of the commanders OHS team. Renée and Felicia were

  involved in something potential y more dangerous than any of them had

  ever experienced. She squared her shoulders. “Shes real y happy about

  it, and I think its exactly where she belongs.

  “Yeah. Mac nodded. “Felicia

  too.

  “Come on back to the kitchen, Blair said. “Are you

  hungry?

  “I could Mac broke of at the sound of footsteps on the front porch, and

  both he and Paula automatical y stepped between Blair and the door,

  their shoulders touching, shielding her.

  “Its Tanner, a voice cal ed as a knock

  sounded.

  Paula opened the door just enough to check outside, blocking the view

  into the room. After a second, she swung the door open and Tanner

  Whitley strode in with her characteristic saunter, a strikingly beautiful

  blonde in a naval uniform by her side.

  “Mac, Tanner said. “I trust the trip went al right? Without waiting

  for an answer, she kissed Blair soundly on the mouth. “You look

  terrific.

  “You dont look too shabby either, Blair said, thinking that with her

  windblown dark hair, piercing dark eyes, and muscular build Tanner

  looked every inch the playgirl she had once been, rather than the

  head of a huge corporate conglomerate and the owner of Whitley

  Island. As usual, she was dressed in casual pants, an open col ar shirt,

  and wel -worn black boots. Blair smiled at the blonde who held Tanners

  hand. Adrienne was more than a decade older than Tanner, and Blair

  had only to see Tanner with Adrienne to know that the new peace in

  Tanners eyes was entirely due to Adriennes presence in her life. The

  gold wedding bands they wore only af irmed what was obvious from

  seeing them together.

  “Hel o, Adrienne. How are you? The last time Blair had seen

  Adrienne had been immediately after 9/11. Adrienne had been spending

  almost al of her time at the nearby naval base where she was

  stationed.

  “Slightly less crazy than last time we

  met.

  “I wish we werent always dropping in on you quite so

  unexpectedly.

  Adriennes calm blue eyes held Blairs. “Were happy to have

  you, anytime, under any circumstances.

  Blair was certain that Cam would not have confided any of

  the details surrounding their precipitous return to Whitley

  Point to Tanner, and she knew that Tanner would not have asked,

  but she understood Adriennes message. Without even

  knowing the circumstances, Adrienne and Tanner would be

  there for them, whenever they were needed. To her horror,

  Blair felt her eyes sting with tears. “Thank you.

  “Tanner, darling, Diane said, kissing Tanners cheek. “Thank

  you for the wine and other essentials in the guest house. She

  extended her hand to Adrienne. “Thanks for taking such good care

  of us.

  “If you need anything else that our security people cant get

  for you, just let us know. Well see to it.

  “How are you at pinochle? Blair asked.

  Stark groaned. Adrienne smiled.

  * * * * *

  Just after midnight, the door to Blairs bedroom opened slowly

  and

  a thin shaft of pale yel ow light slashed across the

  room. “Cam?

  “Hi baby, Cam said. “Did I wake you?

  Blair rol ed onto her side and turned on the bedside lamp.

  She canted the shade so that most of the light angled away

  from the bed and then sat up. “No. I wasnt sleeping. Are you all

  right?

  “Beat, but okay. Cam sighed as she crossed to the bed. “Im

  going to take a shower and talk to Stark for a while, then Ill

  “You dont have to shower and you can wait until tomorrow to

  talk to Stark. I want you to just come to bed.

  Cam hesitated. “Okay. Ill wait until the morning briefing to

  check in with Stark. But the shower isnt optional.

  “I like the way you smell, Blair said, folding back the covers

  and patting the bed beside her. “If you dont get in here soon, Im

  going to think youre avoiding me.

  “The only thing Ive been thinking about for the last twelve hours

  is you. Cam kissed Blair, put her weapon in the top drawer of

  the bedside table, and undressed rapidly. “But Im still going to

  shower. Ill be back in a few minutes.

  Blair waited until she heard the shower running and then fol owed Cam

  into the bathroom. When Cam stepped out of the enclosure and reached

  for the towel that Blair held, Blair shook her head. “You just stand stil .

  Il do this.

  “You know what Id real y like? Cam said as Blair toweled her hair and

  then wiped her face and neck.

  “No, darling, what? Blair bit back a murmur of concern when she saw

  that the bruises on Cams shoulder and hip had spread, darkening in

  the centers to almost black.

  “Id like that massage. Im too damn tal to sleep in the back of an

  SUV.

  Blair knew that if Cam was asking, she was more than stif from sleeping

  in the car. She was hurting. “I think that can be arranged. She dried

  Cams chest and stomach, then her back. Kneeling, she gently smoothed

  the towel over Cams but ocks, down the outside of her legs, over her

  calves, and up her inner thighs. “Turn around, darling.

  Slowly, Cam turned. She skimmed her fingers through Blairs hair and

  then over her cheek. “Feels good.

  Tenderly, Blair dried Cams thighs and hips, taking care with the bruise

  on the right side. “Youre so beautiful.

  “Lets go to bed, Cam said

  thickly.

  Blair rose, her nipples tight beneath the T-shirt she had worn to bed.

  “Come on, Im not done yet. She took Cams hand and led her into the

  bedroom. “Lie on your stomach and get comfortable.

  Cam complied, pil owing her head on her folded arms. When Blair knelt

  next to her, she said, “Arent you get ing undressed?

  “Not just yet. Blair decided it was safer if she kept her T-shirt and

  panties on. Although her only intention was to help Cam relax, she

  became aroused any time she touched her, for any reason. Starting at

  the back of Cams neck, she worked her way down, pausing when she

  found the clusters of knot ed muscles along the way and gently

  massaging them until they softened.

  “Jesus, Cam mut ered at one point, “that feels

  great.

  Blair smiled. “Good. Now turn

  over.

  Cam careful y flipped over. Her limbs felt loose, her mind more than a

  lit le hazy. She was also wet. Blair knelt beside her in a short T-shirt

  and skimpy panties, her hair down, her face void of any makeup. Her

  ful breasts pressed against the thin cot on as she leaned forward, her

  hard nipples clearly visible. Cam swept her hand up Blairs side and

  cupped her breast.

  “Stop that, Blair protested with more determination than

  she felt.
<
br />   “I want to touch you, Cam

  murmured.

  “Tonight is for you. Just

  relax.

  Cam sighed but she felt so good she couldnt argue. She moved her

  hand to

  Blairs side and left it there as Blair

  worked.

  Staying away from the bruise on Cams right shoulder, Blair circled her

  thumbs along the muscles under her col arbone. Cam had a warriors

  bodyher sleek muscles long and tight, her breasts smal and round. Her

  nipples were neat pink circles, as compact and hard as the rest of her

  body. Scars marked her chest and thighthe gunshot wounds she had

  earned in bat le. “I love you very much.

  “Makes al the dif erence, Cam

  whispered.

  Blair smiled. “I know. She stroked Cams stomach, then worked her way

  down the front of Cams legs. As she slowly skimmed her fingers along

  the insides of Cams thighs, she felt a dif erent kind of tension infuse

  her lovers body. She leaned down and kissed Cams stomach, then

  rubbed her mouth over Cams navel. “Feel good?

  Cam twisted her fingers in Blairs hair. She was so relaxed she could

  barely move, but every nerve was singing with arousal. “Not even

  close.

  “That bad, huh? Blair stretched out along Cams uninjured side,

  resting her

  cheek in the center of Cams stomach. She drew one leg up over

  Cams and nestled her sex against Cams calf. “If you promise to lie stil ,

  Il see if I can make you feel better.

  “Youre hot, Cam whispered, drawing strands of Blairs hair through her

  fingers. “I can feel how hot you are against my leg.

  “I am, Blair said, smoothing a fingertip up and down the cleft between

  Cams thighs. “Im very hot. And wet. Thats what happens when I touch

  you.

  Cam groaned softly. “Seems the same thing happens

  to me.

  “Oh

  yeah?

  “See for yourself, Cam whispered, her fingers trembling as she caressed

  Blairs face.

  “I love this, Blair said. “I love you. Now dont

  move.

  Cam closed her eyes as Blair softly, ever so softly, massaged her

  clitoris until she climaxed. Blair moaned quietly, her mouth against

  Cams stomach, her legs shaking as she rubbed against Cams leg until

  she came.

  “I didnt know it was possible to come without moving a

  muscle, Cam murmured, the last tendrils of tension bleeding away.

  “Jesus, I couldnt get up now if I had to.

  “Good, Blair said lazily, turning on her back so she could reach the lamp