Tightrope [Black Ops Brotherhood 6] (Siren Publishing Classic)

by Bella Juarez

  He stopped and looked at her for a moment. How the hell… She’d already become a pro at this game.

  “Get back down to where you were. I’ll let you know when I’m ready for anything else.”

  “I didn’t disobey you,” he countered as he shifted down to her lap.

  “Huh, the hell you didn’t. If you know so much about this type of life then you know exactly what you did. I’m your alpha, you don’t get to tell me what to do. Ever.”

  It struck him as to why she’d been so confident and didn’t falter. She was in her element and drawing on her dog training experience to help her through what she needed to do.

  “I’m not one of your dogs,” he said.

  “I’ve never believed you were. The only way I can understand this is to compare it to what I know. And it isn’t that far from what I already know.”

  “Where are you getting your information?”

  “I’m reading it on the tablet you gave me.”

  “Let me help you with that. You might be reading the wrong thing.”

  Shutting off the tablet, she placed it on the bedside table. Encouraged, he felt a little control come back into his life because now she needed him. Getting the right information would be where he could guide her.

  “I’m not a kid anymore, Danny. I know the difference between right and wrong. I also trust my instincts because they’re rarely wrong. I’ve been looking through some of this stuff online since you and I first talked. You’re right, a lot of that information is harmful and downright bad. But I came across one article that I could understand and that made sense to me. I don’t agree with everything this Domme writes, but I can relate to quite a bit of it. She has some good techniques and information that seem safe, and yes, I can relate it to my dog training experience. That doesn’t mean I’m treating you like an animal. You’re my man, and I love you. I want to show you I love you by giving you what you need.”

  “I want you to be happy, too,” he said, relaxing into her body.

  “I am happy”—she ran her fingers through his hair—“because all I’ve ever wanted is you.”

  “I still want you,” he said, persisting as he moved up to her breasts.

  “Behave. I’m reading up on male chastity. I know you don’t want to go there.”

  The thought made him shudder. He’d read about that, too, and locking up his dick wasn’t his idea of a good time. She turned off the bedroom lamp and made herself comfortable as she snuggled into his chest. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head.

  “I want you.”

  “You don’t want me improvising that device.”

  His world had definitely changed on this trip home.

  Chapter 18

  Fort Huachuca, AZ

  Military Intelligence Detachment

  July 7, 2010/1403 Zulu

  Dan entered the secure conference room still having no idea what this meeting could be about. Gavin shut the door behind them and took a seat at the table. Even though within the military chain of command Dan outranked everyone in the room, Gavin had been given lead on this op. The lines of rank were blurry in the Spec Ops community because experience and specialties were what counted. Gavin was more experienced by far than Dan and Friday put together.

  “Well boys, we have another mission, and it takes us back into Mexico.”

  “What’s the job?” Friday asked.

  “Take down the Montenegro cartel, recover three cases of EMP devices that the Russians have finally admitted are missing, and take down Bakri once and for all.”

  “Do we get any help? Or is it just the three of us?” Dan asked.

  “So far it’s just the three of us. We’ll be doing the prep work here, and Rock will send a team in a few weeks. We’re waiting for the official diplomatic request for help from the Russians. But, to everyone else, we’re working on a new joint computer system at the proving grounds here with the Information Systems Engineering Command. Goes right up your alley, Dan. Friday, you’re admin support, doing all the documentation for the project. I’m here as a liaison for the FBI. I think Rock is sending Shaq and his team. How long do you have left for leave?”

  “Two weeks,” Dan said.

  “That’ll give us enough time to set things up. Rock wants you and me to go back to Randolph, Dan. Then you and Rock are going to Coronado to talk with Dixie about his requirements for this mission.”

  “My specialty is surveillance and intel. Is that what I’m setting up? Or is this just a hit and run again?” Dan asked.

  “I’m not sure if he wants us to sneak in and plant surveillance or if he wants eyes and ears inside the compound. We need to get as much on Montenegro and his habits as we can so we can lay our hands on Bakri. Rock also mentioned working with a new Marine Recon team setting up shop at Fort Sam.”

  “Well, either way, we need to start laying the groundwork. I can start setting up the workspace. Dan can set up all the computers and comm. Do we have space here? Or are we going somewhere else?” Friday asked.

  “No, we’ll be working out of here because we need a secure location. I’m working with the ISEC commander on acquiring some real estate for a while. I think working with CBP will give us a lot of information on the cartel since they deal with it every day. I’ve got the go-ahead from Rock to recruit a small team from CBP to work with us. Dan, here’s a list of my possibles. I need you to check them out.”

  Gavin handed him a folder. The name at the top of the list made his heart stop. He glanced up and saw Badass waiting for his reaction.

  “I don’t think this is a good idea,” he said.

  “You’d better come to grips with it, lieutenant. If I have my way, she’ll be my right hand back at the unit. Get on that list. I need to start spooling this thing up.”

  “What about the chain of command? I’m in a relationship with this woman. I just proposed to her!”

  “She won’t be in your direct chain of command, and I need her skills.”

  “What the hell do you mean? She’ll be working with us!”

  “She’ll be assigned to the reserve command at Fort Sam. I know how to get around this and get what I need. I’ve already done some of my own checking. Rock’s approved it, and I’ll make him aware of the situation. Deal with it.”

  Dan knew that look on Badass’ face. He wasn’t budging, and Senior Chief Walsh could always make things happen just the way he wanted them. Reviewing the names on the list, he found that Gavin had recruited Rio’s entire team. This would be an impossible situation. He knew his Mistress and Badass, and they were one and the same. If she made up her mind to do this, there would be nothing he could say or do to dissuade her. Badass had already made up his mind, and short of him finding out she was part of the Montenegro cartel, there would be nothing to keep her off the team.

  Dan went uncomfortably silent at this turn of events. He would outrank his Domme. The idea that he’d have to tell her what to do gripped him as a bad sideways curve in their growth. Dan thought about details that everyone around him seemed to be missing. She would be enlisted. He was an officer. He didn’t give a shit what command she’d be assigned to, they would still be serving in the same Navy. She was his Domme, and he was her submissive. They were engaged to be married.

  Knowing the guys they’d be working with, some dumbass would make a play for her. He could be pretty easygoing, he could also be extremely territorial and would hurt anyone who tried to take her from him. Even though she was Mistress, she was his Mistress and the idea of one of the guys coming on to her, even jokingly, aroused his jealousy. How the hell would he balance this?

  * * * *

  Rio searched the fall schedule for online classes. They had a bachelor’s degree program in criminal justice. Even though she felt traditional about school, with the tools Danny had given her and the way her work schedule shifted so much, going to school online might work out for her. Her cell vibrated on the table next to her as he rushed through the door.r />
  “We need to talk. Now!”

  “What happened?” She stood and glanced at her phone; it was her mother. “Hang on a minute. She never calls me. I may have an emergency.”

  On her way to the kitchen, she suddenly found herself spun around and facing Danny.

  “I’ve got a real emergency right now, damn it!”

  The phone in her hand went off again. The only time her mom called was if something had happened to Davey, or she wanted to complain about something, and no one else would take her calls. She had to answer to find out if her brother needed her.

  “Okay, Danny. Hang on,” she said as she answered the phone. “Hi, Mom.”

  “Rio! What’s this I hear about you filing a restraining order on Jax? He’s in jail right now because of you. Have you lost your mind? I want you…”

  This wasn’t a discussion she wanted to have with her mother at this particular moment. As she listened to her mother rant, her work cell vibrated. This call was from Special Agent Walsh.

  For the love of Christ! Did the world suddenly get bathed in crazy?

  Danny stood there fuming and irritated at being made to wait with his crisis. Her mother had chosen one hell of a time to call and start making demands. Picking up her work phone, her heart sank when the call ended because Walsh might have been calling about a break in her case. Rio took an internal deep breath and a mental step back.

  Okay, one at a time. I need to hang up with my mom since this conversation won’t go anywhere. After that, Danny can tell me about whatever crawled up his ass, and then I can call Walsh back.

  Her mother finally stopped talking long enough for her to try to explain. Obviously, the short explanation wasn’t good enough, and her mother demanded that she drop a federal restraining order against Jax.

  “I can’t, Mom. It’s a federal order. I didn’t file it; the FBI did.” Her mother started to rant once more. Hang up, just hang up. “Mom, I need to go. I have a situation at work. I’ll call you later. Bye.” Ending the call, she looked at Danny. “Now, what happened?”

  “We need to talk about a project Gavin wants you to do. I want you to say no.”

  “What? Why?”

  “Because it’s too dangerous, and I don’t want you doing it.”

  “Can you please tell me what the project is before I say no? Will it move me to San Antonio?”

  “Yes, it will. But—”

  “Isn’t that what we want?”

  “Yes, but—”

  “What’s the project?”

  “You’ll have to join the Navy reserves, and you’ll be assigned to Special Warfare Group 5 in his reserve unit.”

  “Is that all?”

  “Don’t you think that’s a little bit of a conflict?”

  “Will I be in your direct chain of command?”

  “Not exactly but—”

  “Then what are you worried about?”

  “Don’t you feel a little weird about this? Working with me? I’m an officer!”

  “Are you planning on making things difficult for me?”

  This conversation wasn’t going anywhere, either. There were times she marveled at how much Danny had changed, but here was the old Danny, stressing about something before the details were clear and anything had happened. It amazed her how he said he wanted her to make all the decisions, but when it came down to it, if it wasn’t his way, he’d argue every detail with her. He believed he wanted her to have all the power, but down deep inside, he was a control freak, and getting him into the submissive mindset he really needed would be a lot of work. Reading about alpha submissives had expanded her understanding of Danny and what drove him, but it also gave her more insight as a woman running a team of strong-willed men. This conversation needed to end until she found out what Gavin planned.

  “No, but—”

  “Stop. Until you or Gavin tell me exactly what this is about, I’ll—” As she picked up her phone to return Gavin’s call, Danny snatched it out of her hand. That action reinforced to her that his transition into true submission would be the hardest thing he’d ever done. He couldn’t easily give her what he claimed he wanted.

  “Rio! I know what this is about, and you don’t want to do this.”

  Say what?

  Now, he’d turned into a damn brat.

  “Hand me the phone.” She held out her hand, her gaze hard as steel. Realization of the line he’d crossed flickered in his eyes, but he fought obeying her because he was determined to get his way.

  “Now.”

  Holding the phone out to her, he looked away. She couldn’t let things like this slide when they were at home, and she controlled his environment. He would exploit any vacillation. “I said hand me the phone.”

  Doing as she commanded, he placed the phone in her hand and glared at her.

  “I’m not committing one way or another about what I’ll do until I know what this is about. Now chill the hell out, Danny, and let me figure out what’s going on.”

  * * * *

  Rio wondered what would be in store for her with Gavin Walsh’s cryptic request to meet him at the front gates of Fort Huachuca. She decided to bring Schotzie and leave Danny at home alone to think about what he’d done. As she waited, she absently stroked Schotzie’s soft coat letting her curiosity get carried away as she stared out of the window. It was interesting that he had asked to meet her here of all places. Why not the station? She been so wrapped up in her thoughts, she didn’t notice Schotzie’s wagging tail or that someone had walked up behind her.

  “Rio?” Gavin’s voice pulled her out of her head.

  Special Agent Walsh was in a desert camouflage uniform complete with the SEAL Trident over US NAVY on his left chest.

  I knew it!

  “Senior chief,” she said with a nod.

  Gavin smiled. “How are you feeling?”

  “I’m much better. What’s this about?”

  “We have a lot to talk about, and we’re real short on time.”

  After Rio and Schotzie transferred from the Jeep, Gavin drove them to a building in the middle of the base. They went to a small office bare of anything other than a desk, two chairs, and a laptop. She settled Schotzie and took a seat as she waited for Gavin to seat himself behind the desk.

  “I need your help, and I’m hoping I can count on it,” he started.

  “Of course. What can I do for you?”

  “I run a federal counterterrorism task force that works very closely with the Department of Defense. As you know, the US military can’t operate on US soil. But, civilian authorities like the FBI, ATF, DEA, and CBP can. You, as CBP, know better than anyone what we’re up against at the border because you see it every day. I want you and your team to come to work with the task force for a while and think about joining my reserve unit. I need CBP’s assistance with a case that I’ve been working for a long time. But also, I particularly need your skills as a dog handler and trainer. I want to start a group of specialty search dogs within our reserve unit. That being said, you and some of your team members will need to join the Navy Reserves, and you’ll be assigned to Special Warfare Group 5 at Randolph. I’m working it out where some of the guys stay at the Naco CBP station because we need them here. I want you, Van, and Alan to come to work directly for me. I’d like to partner with you on a full-time basis. You’ll have to join the reserves and move to San Antonio. We have a slot waiting for you, if you agree. Eventually, I hope you’ll consider moving to the FBI. I’m working on creating training slots, but for now, I want you three to be liaisons between the FBI, Special Warfare Group 5, and the CBP.”

  “FBI?” Rio asked, attempting to maintain a cool exterior.

  Being an FBI agent was her dream career, and someone who could make it happen now handed her the opportunity. Gavin went on to explain how the program would work and how, after three years, she’d be sent to the FBI Academy at Quantico after which she’d be a fully qualified special agent.

  “Are you open to this id
ea?” Gavin asked.

  “Sure, I’m open to it. What do you need me to do?”

  “Would you consider coming over to the FBI after we’re done with this case?”

  “Yes. I would.”

  Excited and overjoyed beyond belief, she managed to stay outwardly calm and neutral as she smiled. “I think so.”

  “Is this something you’ll do?”

  “Yes, senior chief. I’ve got this.”

  Gavin looked down at her left hand and cleared his throat; there was obviously more. She glanced at her engagement ring, and her tummy did a slight flip. The ring seemed to sparkle a little brighter each day.

  “I know you and Dan are very close. How do you feel about working with him?”

  Naturally he had to address their situation. It would’ve been something she would’ve done as well. Being focused at work had never been a problem for her in the past, but this would be the first time she’d have a personal relationship with someone she worked closely with. She didn’t intend to let her relationship with Danny become a problem for her now.

  “It’s not a problem for me. Work is work, and I can keep my personal life away from it.”

  “Dan’s a little worried.”

  “As far as I’m concerned, unless I’m in his direct chain of command, there’s not a problem.”

  “I thought you’d say that,” Gavin said with a smile and extended his hand. “Welcome aboard.”

  “Thank you, senior chief.”

  “Don’t thank me yet. I need to get you cleared for light duty, so you and Schotzie can report here tomorrow morning. Let’s go and get you a temporary CAC card for access to the base. We’ve got a lot of work to do.”

  * * * *

  Dan couldn’t concentrate on the computer application he’d been working on. He shut his laptop down and went to the fridge for a bottle of water. When Gavin told him the full extent of his offer, he knew there would be no way Rio would turn him down. It was all she wanted, a shot at becoming an FBI agent. Badass was right. He needed to deal with it and move on. He needed to have unconditional trust in her. She was a professional and smart enough to leave her personal life at the door when she came to work every day. He needed to do the same.