Scent of Persuasion: Sensory Ops, Book 2

by Nikki Duncan

  Breck put his trust in Tyler’s ability to jam any listening devices Edwin had installed in the room. “Kami, I have a role for you to play.”

  “Like what?” She speared a zucchini slice with her fork. “You have some fantasy you want fulfilled like having me pretend to be Jaclyn Smith doing a shampoo commercial? We should have done that in the shower.”

  “Funny.” He sat in the chair beside her and chose his words cautiously. She wouldn’t have had the protection against the perfume he had, so he couldn’t risk telling her everything on the off-chance he wasn’t the only one they were trying to control. He couldn’t afford for her to be forced to tip his hand. “I need you, here in the next few minutes, to have a heart attack. And die.”

  “What?” She reeled back and stared between him and her mostly empty plate. “You…”

  “No.” He covered her hand. “I didn’t poison you, though that was Edwin’s intention.”

  “How can you know that?”

  “Because he thinks I’m being controlled by your perfume. He—they—need us out of the way.”

  “But if he needs you to sign a contract…”

  “They’ve suffered that failure once and will have a backup plan in place. He’ll use my death to convince the Masters to put him in charge. Then he’ll have signing authority and we’ll be nothing more than collateral damage.”

  “At the risk of repeating myself, how can you know that?”

  “Kieralyn, Aidan and Tyler. Liam is another one. He’s had a few dates with Ava. They’re with the FBI Specialized Crimes Unit. They’ve been watching everything going on in the office and apartment—well, most everything. They’ve got footage of Edwin in here setting up whatever he’s planned.”

  “Then why not arrest him?”

  “Because they want the big fish.” I want the fucking puppet masters.

  “Okay.” She dropped her fork to the plate and rubbed her chest. “I’ll follow your lead.”

  Her lack of arguments surprised him, but he sure as hell wouldn’t complain that he was dealing with a woman capable of shutting up and following orders. Damn if it didn’t make him respect her more. And feel worse for using her without letting her know what she may be in for.

  “Kami.”

  She turned toward him with a questioning gaze. “Yeah?”

  Fuck it. He’d broken his rule once for her. He might not get to do it again.

  Breck snaked his hand out and cupped her neck. He pulled her face toward his and claimed her mouth in a hungry kiss. He loved the gutsy woman sitting before him who’d gone undercover as an escort to prove she should be listened to.

  He wasn’t sure when he’d fallen. He wasn’t sure what he’d do about it. But he couldn’t deny it. He loved her.

  Using his foot, he shoved her chair around and pulled her to his lap. He closed his arms around her and drove his tongue into her mouth. The tangy zest from the grilled zucchini burst across his tongue as if he’d bitten into a slice. She moaned and dug her hands into his hair as she angled her head to give him better access.

  Breck savored the taste and the passion of her kiss as much as he thrilled at the glide of her fingers over his skin. He lifted his hips, rubbing his erection against her. Damn, if only he had time to indulge in her body. If only the apartment wasn’t wired and his team wasn’t watching them.

  He fell from his chair, taking her to the floor with him.

  They didn’t move.

  The click of the door leading to the private staircase opening had Breck’s blood pulsing. He held his breath as footsteps neared him. Someone bent down. A warm breath hit his ear.

  “Get your ass up.”

  His eyes snapped open to see Aidan leaning over him. Aidan jerked his head toward the office, indicating they had company.

  Breck sat up and stretched his neck. He should have come up with a more comfortable way for them to die. “It’s about time,” he kept his voice low.

  Aidan rolled Kami to her back and flicked her ear.

  She slitted an eye open. “Keep it up and your dentist will be your new best friend.”

  “Wow, Kami,” Breck whispered. He checked his watch to see how long they’d been waiting. “You don’t act very rested for having been dead for almost an hour.”

  “Kiss my ass.” She sat up and rolled her neck. Her vertebrae crackled all the way up. “You could have broken something taking us down that way.”

  “I cushioned your fall.” He jumped to his feet and then offered her his hands to help her up.

  Her skirt split and rode high up her legs, giving him a flash of the matching black lace boyshorts. He gritted his teeth and rolled his eyes toward the ceiling. He was not going to be aroused in the middle of a job.

  She’d said she would follow his lead, and she’d done so beautifully. She hadn’t even stiffened up when he’d taken them to the floor. She’d allowed her body to melt with his and flop into a prone position. She couldn’t have been any more comfortable than him, but neither had she altered her position to be more comfortable.

  She had to be one hell of an actress.

  She stood and released his hands so she could stretch her back. The move pushed her breasts out, teasing him. “What’s the plan?”

  “Stay behind me. Aidan is going to hang back in here for a bit.”

  “If there are killers in your office, shouldn’t he go in first? He’s the fed.”

  Aidan shrugged and handed Breck an ear piece. Tyler’s and Kieralyn’s voices started catching him up as soon as he slipped the com in.

  “I’ve got this covered, Kami. Guys, let me know if the situation changes.” He moved to the door leading to his office and pushed it open. Edwin was behind the desk going through the desk drawers. A gun sat on the desk to his right. “Find what you’re after, Eddie?”

  Edwin jerked back in the chair. His head popped up with his eyes bulging. “You’re supposed to be dead.”

  “And you’re an asshole.” Breck stepped into the room with Kami just behind him. He’d have been more comfortable with her in the other room, but the shock value of seeing them both still alive had more punch. It erased what Edwin would see as a power point.

  Aidan would stay out of sight until he was needed so that Edwin continued to think he was only dealing with a CEO and his hooker lover. “What’s the matter? Can’t you find the contract?”

  Edwin’s hand hovered over the stack of research reports Breck had left on the desk.

  The gun nestled at the small of Breck’s back, the surge of adrenaline pumping through his veins and the fear in Edwin’s eyes excited him. This was where he belonged. Bringing down the criminal with his team at his side—or back as was the current case.

  He stepped deeper into the room and held his hand out behind him to keep Kami sheltered by his body. She’d lost a loved one because of whatever they were after. She deserved to see justice served. He would just have to make sure she didn’t have to witness anyone getting shot to death. Himself included.

  “Where’d you put it, Lawson?” Eddie eased his hand toward the gun.

  Tyler and Kieralyn briefed the team on incoming company. Breck turned slightly to better watch Edwin and the main doors. Madame V and another of her minions were headed their way. Edwin would be glad to see them.

  He wouldn’t be so glad to see Breck’s team, though. They’d been monitoring the office cameras from a floor down and had taken up position in the stairwell as soon as Madame V stepped into the elevator. “Oh, I shredded it.”

  “That can’t be.” Edwin shifted his feet. “I put it in with these papers.”

  “You did. When you want guaranteed results in forcing someone’s hand, don’t turn your back.”

  “How did you avoid the effects of the perfume?” Edwin’s snooty attitude had been replaced by evil calm. He nodded toward Kami. “I know she was wearing it, and you were exposed to it.”

  Breck tapped his nose with his left hand and eased his right hand toward his gun. Too bad fo
r Edwin he wasn’t dealing with a regular, Ivy League CEO. “Nose plugs. They work sort of like gas masks, so I can breathe without being influenced by deadly fumes or toxins. They were designed over at Sirrahmax.”

  Kami gasped. Breck cocked his head sideways. “Maybe you’re familiar with them, Eddie?”

  “You son of a bitch, what are you talking about?”

  Scuffling sounds came from the outer office. Eddie’s eyes hardened as he glanced toward the noise.

  “Trevor isn’t the first victim of your perfume. And he wasn’t the only one to survive it.” The double doors opened. Ava and Liam shoved Madame V into the room.

  Kami gasped and shoved slightly past Breck. “Ava?”

  “Kami, no.” If she couldn’t maintain… If she got hurt… Fear constricted Breck’s lungs. Breck moved with her, continuing to block her.

  “She’s…” She shoved against Breck’s back. “I don’t understand.”

  Ava shrugged at Kami. “I’ll explain later.”

  Breck stretched an arm out to block her, but kept his eyes trained on the scene in front of him.

  Kieralyn cursed through the earpiece and warned Aidan of an incoming threat. A round of scuffles came from the apartment behind him and Kami while Aidan’s grunts sounded in his ear. Madame V had someone else hidden. They had to be pretty good to get past his team, but they weren’t finished.

  “Bitch needs to pay.” Kami muttered and struggled to get past Breck. Her nails dug into his arm and would likely do some serious damage if he let her go after Madame V. It wasn’t like the madam was armed. Liam had control of her.

  “Kami, stop.” Madame V’s vile, ice-cold voice halted Kami as if a wall had been thrown up in front of her. She stood unmoving.

  Shit. Had the effects of the perfume not worn off for her? Not that he’d had any confirmation she’d been affected in the first place.

  If they’d used something similar on Lori… She couldn’t be held responsible for Trevor’s accident or Channing’s death, but Madame V sure as hell could.

  “I knew that would come in handy.” Madame V smiled as if unconcerned that her hands were cuffed and a gun was pointed at her. “Go to Edwin, Kami.”

  She moved around him. Breck grabbed Kami’s wrist. “Kami, stop.”

  She froze.

  “Kami, pull free and go to Edwin.”

  Kami stayed behind him and brushed a hand along his back. She wasn’t being controlled, but instead wanted Madame V to think she was. Screw that.

  Aidan was still grappling with someone. Tyler and Kieralyn were still snapping out information to the entire team through their earpieces. Liam and Ava were keeping Madame V in place.

  Edwin grabbed the gun and aimed it at Breck.

  His heart slammed rapidly inside his ribs. The blood thrumming through his ears made it difficult to hear let alone focus on the conversation. The calm he’d always had in hairy situations was slipping away because of his concern for Kami.

  If she did as Madame V ordered and fought to get free, he’d have to knock her out. He couldn’t afford the split focus when he might need to get his weapon and deal with Edwin. His men needed to stay focused on their tasks. Breck released her, hoping like hell she’d trust him and stay put. She did.

  Madam V turned and faced Ava. “Go to Edwin.”

  “Okay.” She shrugged and walked across the room with a light smile on her lips.

  Edwin rounded the desk holding his gun steady. “This isn’t going to turn out well for any of you.” Edwin grabbed Ava’s arm in a bruising grasp. “Especially the whores.”

  “Eddie, you’re going to have to choose between killing her or me.” Breck gritted his teeth and whipped his gun from his waist. He leveled it just to the right of Ava’s face, keeping Edwin in his sights. If she moved wrong, he would hit her. “I hope you’re a good shot.”

  “I don’t have to be.” Edwin tightened his grip on Ava and put the gun barrel to her temple. The skin of her arm where Edwin held her turned white. Her eyes widened, but Breck saw no fear. She didn’t blink or close her eyes. She didn’t shake or cower. She steadily held his gaze.

  She’d obeyed Madame V’s command, but he’d bet it had been by choice. Madame clearly thought she had control of Ava, but the agent seemed to have somehow protected herself. And she held herself with the confidence to handle the situation. He could use that. He would use that and anything else necessary to save her.

  “She dies, you die.” Breck stepped closer to Edwin. Kami stepped with him. Dread sat like lead in his gut. Had Kami not chosen to work with him, that could have been her with a gun to her head. “You stand a chance if you go for me.”

  Edwin glanced between Madame V, Ava, Breck and Kami. He eased the gun from Ava’s temple and pointed it toward Breck.

  “Edwin,” Madame V snapped. “Pull the—“

  Liam butted his gun upside Madame V’s head, knocking her unconscious. Ava watched Madame’s still body drop to the floor.

  “Fucking bitch,” Ava sneered

  “Madame V!” Edwin surged forward, shoving Ava ahead of him. Liam whipped his gun up.

  A crash came from the apartment. Breck maneuvered Kami away from the apartment door, in the event Aidan’s quarry got past him. Sequestering her in the apartment had been a temptation, but listening to Aidan and the other man bash each other around, he was glad she was with him. Even with the guns present, he knew she wasn’t in the middle of the line of fire.

  Ava angled her head and smiled as Liam targeted his gun on Edwin’s exposed knee cap. “You take out his knee, Liam. Lawson, you brain him.”

  Aidan muttered through the ear piece that he’d finally downed his opponent.

  Ava sounded like a twisted psycho, but Breck appreciated the fear her words put in Edwin’s eyes.

  Edwin waved his gun between Breck, Ava and Liam, clearly unsure of whom he should take out. Breck kept his eyes on Edwin. Until the idiot cocked the gun it wouldn’t shoot. “Your odds just got worse, Eddie. You pull that trigger and you aren’t walking out of here alive.”

  “Then at least she’ll go with me.”

  “Ava, drop,” Breck commanded.

  Ava sank toward the floor. Edwin turned his gun toward Breck and cocked the weapon. “Fuck off, Lawson.”

  Breck squeezed the trigger and shot Edwin in the right shoulder. Edwin dropped his gun and grabbed at his wound.

  While it was tempting to take a kill shot, and he’d have felt justified after what had been done to Channing and Trevor, he wanted the bastard to suffer along with everyone else who’d been involved in Channing’s death and the multiple counts of attempted murder.

  He rushed to Edwin, kicked the gun under the desk and jerked Edwin’s arms behind his back. Ava handed some cuffs to Breck before going to Kami.

  Kami looked between Ava and Breck. “Who are you two?”

  “I’m former Homeland Security. Well, I probably just got myself fired.” Ava smiled apologetically. “Lori was one of us. I was sent in to replace her when she went MIA, but after learning more… Well, I’m not one of them anymore.”

  Kieralyn came in to take Madame V away. Breck stood slightly behind Ava with Edwin.

  “I’m sorry I lied to you, Kami, but I’m glad you found justice for Channing.”

  Kami opened her mouth and then closed it on a sigh.

  Ava cast a warning glance his way before she followed his team into the outer office with Edwin and Madame V. She’d obviously come to care about Kami and didn’t want to see her hurt. Neither did he, but some things were unavoidable and sometimes a little pain up front saved a world of hurt later.

  Kami turned to him. “You’re not really a CEO.”

  “Not anymore. And you’re not really an escort.”

  “No.” She stepped forward.

  He held up a hand to stop her. He needed space to follow through on his intentions. He cared for her, but trying for more wasn’t in him. He preferred the security of his solitude. The security of zero expe
ctations. “I enjoyed the diversion you provided, but I think it best we move on with our own lives now.”

  She stumbled to a halt. Her throat bounced. After a steady exhale, she tilted her head and shrugged. “I couldn’t agree more. You were an amazing lay, but I’ve had better.” She turned toward the door. “Have a great life, Breck.”

  She pivoted on her heel and sauntered out of the office. Kieralyn stopped her in the outer office and after a short exchange, Kami went on her way.

  Every step that carried her away was a shallow ice pick jab to his heart.

  She’d risked her life to find her brother’s killers. She’d managed to wiggle beneath his skin in a matter of days with her outrageousness and infectious spirit.

  It didn’t matter.

  That her loyalty and devotion to the people she loved ruled her heart didn’t matter.

  That she’d accepted Ava’s explanation and might also accept his didn’t matter.

  That she’d taught him to love didn’t matter.

  None of it mattered. None of it could matter. He wasn’t relationship material. They’d had a great run, but she was a woman who demanded permanency. He wasn’t the man to give it to her.

  Kami stepped off the elevator into the lobby she’d come to be so familiar with but that was worlds different now. The assistant’s desk that had been Edwin’s sat empty. The double doors that Breck had always kept closed hung open.

  She almost hadn’t come. Ava had offered to come in her place, but doing it herself seemed almost cathartic. Her life had begun spinning out of control the first time she’d stepped through those doors and seen Breck Lawson, FBI agent pretending to be a CEO while his best friend recovered from a horrible accident.

  She’d gotten all the information she’d needed from Ava and Kieralyn the few times they’d had lunch. She’d never gotten anything from Breck. Expecting anything from him was… Well, it was foolish.

  She looked at the file in her hand and back to the doors. Stalling was stupid. He wouldn’t bite her.