She shrugged to herself as she blew out a long, frustrated breath. She would make it easy on him. She cupped his cheek in her hand then kissed the other. “Good night, Sloan.”
“Good night, lass.”
Abbey shuffled away from him without another word. Behind her, she could hear Torelli and Sloan arguing. Abbey picked up the pace and didn’t stop until she was through the door and under the covers of her bunk. She let out a sad sigh. I got a glimpse of the man I love. Did I just lose him again?
Tears filled her eyes as she thought of Sloan. She still wanted to kiss him. He had to be invincible to deny his desire. She was melting into a puddle of goo right there in her bunk. Had things changed? Or were they going to spiral out of control?
She didn’t turn as light boot steps approached her bed. “Hey.”
Abbey rolled over to find the woman from two bunks down staring at her. “What?”
“What’s going on with you and the captain? I thought you were married.”
“I am. Nothing is going on.”
The girl indicated to the multiple heads watching around her. “That’s not what it looks like to us. Eating with Torelli and his gang is a sure sign that you’re his. And the fact that the Irishman barely talks to you…” She just shrugged.
Abbey rose, standing nose-to-nose with the girl. She held up her left hand. “I am happily married. I’ll be out of here soon. Please just stay out of my business.”
“Make me.”
Abbey made a fist. She wasn’t going to strike first, but she was definitely going to end it, if it began. She flinched as fingers flew into her face. Through the crevices, she could see another hand in front of her opponent.
“Betsy, back to your bunk,” Lizzy hissed. “Quit trying to start drama. Next time you fact-check someone, learn everything there is to know. Abbey is versed in more forms of hand-to-hand combat than you can even think of. Dumb move.”
Betsy snarled as she walked away. Abbey slumped onto her bed. “Thanks.”
“You lied to me,” Lizzy accused. “Do you know how much trouble I’m probably in?”
“I really am sorry. I’m just trying to find whoever this is so I can go home.”
Lizzy’s glared softened as she settled next to Abbey. She locked Abbey in a squeeze. “I understand. I’m on your side. Really. But the next time you want to sneak around my department, ask. All right? I might join you.”
Abbey giggled. “Deal.”
“Awesome. I’ll see you later.” Lizzy waved as she walked away.
Abbey settled back under the covers. Tonight might have been a wreck, but in the end she had made a friend. She fell asleep with a smile.
»»•««
Sloan sighed as he watched Abbey retreat to her barracks. His eyes didn’t leave her until she had disappeared behind the closed door. He hadn’t missed the message she had been trying to send to him. The longing look in her eyes, the way her teeth had grazed against her bottom lip. He wanted her just as bad.
He had nearly forgotten the feel of her soft, sweet lips against his. Just take her back to your bunk and sleep with her, you moron. She’s your wife. What does it matter what the bloody idiots in this camp think? Oh, that’s right. You’re holding her imaginary sins against her. How’s that working for you?
He huffed as he stormed back to his own quarters. Even he thought his behavior was ridiculous. If he weren’t such a bullheaded, stubborn Irishman…
“Hey, Sloan!”
He turned to find Bartholomew jogging behind him. “Yeah?”
“I heard something went down in the command center.”
“Abbey took it upon herself to snoop around the restricted area for information.”
“That was bold. Did she find anything?”
Sloan opened the door to his room and ushered Bartholomew inside. “She nearly found herself court martialed. Other than that, she found discrepancies on some shipping manifests. That was it.”
“It could be a lead.”
“It could. Or it could be a dead end. She said the manifests were signed by different people. We could make a list of the signatures then investigate each individual. However, we’d have to get Dunham to get us clearance first, and that has yet to happen.”
“For wanting this dealer caught, Dunham isn’t much help.”
Sloan shook his head hopelessly. “It’s not him. When he applies for a warrant for us to investigate, it gets derailed. When Dunham goes to his superior, the requests get buried further and further in red tape. And up and up. And when we slip in to investigate covertly…well, you heard what happened to Abigail.”
“What is Lathrop hiding?”
“I wish I knew.”
“Do you think he knows who it is?”
Sloan stared at Bartholomew long and hard. “Truthfully, yes. For all we know, it could be Lathrop himself. I doubt it, but it could be. He has his own little kingdom right here in the Middle East. The Army sends him new subjects, and all his needs, whenever he wishes. Why put yourself at risk by selling off weapons and raising suspicions? However, he can protect whoever it is as commander of this camp. Possibly for a cut of the profits?”
“That’s very true. How do we figure that out?”
“That’s a great question I’m still searching for the answer to.”
“I’ll do what I can to help.” Bartholomew paused. “Everything might run smoother if our team was on the same page.”
Sloan paused. “I realize that.”
“What’s going on between you two? I don’t buy the story that you’re being professional. No rules have stood in your way before. What Sloan O’Riley wants, he gets.”
Sloan slowly exhaled as he slumped onto his bed. “It started when I stormed in on her dance class. The way her instructor held her, the look in his eyes, set me off. I turned on her. Not to mention, the tile salesman flirts with her, as does the barista, and the list goes on and on. Then, she arrives here, and I’m forced to watch Torelli touch her. It’s driving me insane.”
“You’re jealous.”
“Thank you for stating the obvious. Yes. I don’t like it.”
Bartholomew shook his head as he dropped into a chair. “She would never be unfaithful to you. You’re everything to her.”
A small smile escaped Sloan’s lips. “Yes. But she shouldn’t like it so much.”
“That’s true. But if you remember, you plucked yourself a wallflower. My guess is that she’s never noticed men being attracted to her. Now that she has all this confidence as your wife and the COO of Sloan Enterprises, she notices now. It doesn’t mean she’ll cheat. They’re showing attention to her, not vice versa. Just lighten up a bit. The way you’re treating her is tearing her apart.”
Sloan stared at him, a thoughtful expression in his eyes. “I’ll do my best to try.”
“Good. Hopefully, this will be over soon, and then we can go home. That’s one less man to contend with.”
“I’ll contact Dunham in the morning and insist we get in that record room.”
“I can talk to Lizzy in the control center. Maybe she can look around for us. Get us some answers.”
Sloan cocked an eyebrow at him. “How do you know Lizzy?”
“We’ve talked. We’ve become friends. Nothing else.”
“Good.” Sloan chuckled. “Remember, you’re married to my sister. I wouldn’t want to kill you.”
“I’ve seen you at work. I know better than to put you in that position.”
Both men laughed as Bartholomew stood. After saying his goodbyes, the younger man stepped out into the night.
Sloan lay back on his bed. The moment his head hit the pillow, his thoughts turned to Abbey, her teeth grazing her lip in his mind. I should have brought her back here. I should be making love to her right now. He sat up again and slowly stripped off every stitch of clothing from his body. It was bound to be another hot, lonely, sleepless night.
Chapter Six
Two days passed before Bartholomew
settled in the chair in the command center with a deep sigh. He glanced at Lizzy as she walked away. He blew out his breath once more, turned on the monitor, and logged into the waiting website. Moments later, Maggie’s image popped on the screen. “Hey, beautiful.”
“Hey, baby,” Maggie breathed, her hand resting on her stomach.
“How are you both doing?”
“We’re all right. How are you?”
“Hanging in there.”
There was silence.
He watched as Maggie’s lips opened. “B, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have overreacted like that. It’s just…I’m so scared. My Da and brother were killed. Sloan almost was too. The thought of you dying violently like them…” She wiped at the stray tears that slipped down her cheeks.
“I know, baby. I promise you I’m coming home in one piece. Breathing too.”
Maggie softly giggled. It was music to Bartholomew’s ears. “I know you will. I love you so much.”
“I love you too. So, what did the doctor have to say?”
“Everything is just fine. Heartbeat is strong. And our monkey is as mobile as…” Maggie’s face suddenly fell as her words trailed off.
“Maggie?”
“Hello, little sister.”
Bartholomew startled, nearly falling out of his chair as he spun around. Sloan hovered over him, his arms crossed over his broad chest. By the look on his face, he was certainly not pleased. “What the bloody hell is this?” Sloan demanded. “Strict command. No contact.”
“Yeah, I know,” Bartholomew stammered. “It’s just…”
“Do you have trouble obeying commands?”
“Sloan,” Maggie warned.
Sloan pointed at the screen. “Turn it off.”
“Let me say goodbye,” Bartholomew pleaded.
“Now.”
“I don’t care if there is an ocean separating us, Thomas Colin Morrison. You treat my husband like this, and I promise I’ll make you regret it. Don’t underestimate me. I’m the proud daughter of Amelia Margaret Morrison, and you know what that woman was fully capable of,” Maggie barked.
Bartholomew stifled his chuckle as he watched Sloan stiffen. Wow. My mother-in-law must have been one heck of a woman to make Sloan that uncomfortable.
“You obviously don’t understand the ramifications of this, Maggie.”
“I do, big brother. You also took my husband to Afghanistan into a war. While I’m pregnant. Give us a little slack.”
“Do you see me taking time for myself?”
“Your wife is right there with you. If you weren’t acting like such an ass, you could have her in your bed every night.”
Sloan glared at Bartholomew.
He just shrugged in response. “Husband and wife conversation. Nothing’s off limits.”
“Sloan, we’re taking about ultrasounds and cribs. Not your silly little mission. Are our video chats such a risk?”
“They’re not my rules, Maggie.”
“But you’re the one who enforces them, correct?”
Sloan exhaled slowly. “Correct. Fine. Just be discreet, all right?”
“Of course,” Bartholomew agreed.
Sloan glanced back at screen. “How are you doing, little sister?”
“I’m doing just fine, big brother. Your nephew or niece is growing nicely.”
A smile slowly spread across Sloan’s lips. “That’s good to hear. Well, I’ll let you two go back to your chat.”
“Thanks,” Bartholomew answered.
Sloan turned and strode to the door. He met Lizzy halfway there. The soldier’s face turned pale at the sight of the Irishman. “Sir…”
“It’s all right, Lizzy. Sloan’s on board,” Bartholomew assured.
“Well, it’s good you’re both here. I might have found something.” She held out the file in her hand. “I found some discrepancies on those manifests you were telling me about.”
Sloan took the folder from her and opened it. Bartholomew stood slowly and walked over to him, reading the documents over his shoulder. Two manifests with the same shipping number were on each side, with certain lines highlighted in yellow. The items on one were different from the other.
“These are legitimate manifests?” Sloan questioned.
“Yes, sir.”
“From what?” Bartholomew followed.
“The shipping containers from north of the camp.”
The two men studied the sheets, paying close attention to the items listed. On the original manifest, it listed broken computers, office equipment, and tires. The second manifest held an assortment of automatic weapons.
“Who authorized these?” Sloan demanded.
“I have no idea, sir.”
Bartholomew shrugged. “We’re one step closer.”
“Very true. Can I keep these to study?”
“Certainly, sir,” Lizzy agreed.
Sloan smiled at her before he disappeared out the door.
Bartholomew crossed back to the computer to find Maggie still on the screen. “You waited for me,” he commented.
“Of course,” Maggie assured.
“I better give Lizzy back her computer.”
“I agree. Hello, Lizzy.”
“Hi, Maggie,” Lizzy greeted.
“Good night, B. I love you.”
“I love you, Maggie. Sweet dreams.” He logged off the website then smiled at Lizzy. “I’m almost home.”
She gave him a hug. “Very true.”
Bartholomew strode from the room, whistling as he went. As he stepped outside his cadence and whistling stopped. Sloan was pacing in the dark, the hunch of his broad shoulders telling that his mind was hard at work. Bartholomew continued until he was close enough to the Irishman. “What is it?”
Sloan looked up at him, his eyes betraying the conflict in his heart. “Lizzy found those discrepancies.”
“So?”
“What if Abbey was right? She was heading in the right direction to implicate the smuggler, and I blew her off. I didn’t take her seriously. And I was harsh, at that.”
“Sloan, she’ll be all right. The good news is that we seem to be on the right trail. We know three men manage those containers in and out of camp. It has to be one of them.”
“Or Lathrop. All three of them work for him. Are they covering for his misdeeds?”
“It’s very possible.”
“I’ll put a call out to Dunham to get access to that record room. It might be a day before we get the clearance to investigate. Once we do, we’re not leaving that room until we have the name. Until then, please help me keep Abbey off Lathrop and Torelli’s radar. Torelli’s gunning for her, either to get in my face, or get her into his bed. And Lathrop still thinks she’s an angel. I want to keep it that way for now.”
“I’m on it.”
“Thanks.” Sloan clamped him on the shoulder before turning and disappearing among the buildings. Bartholomew sighed then directed himself toward his quarters. Keep Abbey from Lathrop and Torelli? That was going to be an impossible task. But he’d try his best. His chance to go home rested on it.
»»•««
Abbey scrubbed the bristle brush inside the barrel of her rifle. In the short time she had been in Afghanistan, she had been lectured by Sloan on nearly everything under the sun. She didn’t need to add gun maintenance to the list.
She set the pieces down and picked up the photo tucked against her leg. She gazed at the cherubic faces of her children smiling back at her. Her heart ached. She couldn’t believe how much she missed them. Sloan was right. Being O’Rileys, they knew what it was like to have their parents gone for long stretches of time. Living with Grandpa and Grandma was nothing new. They were fine. It didn’t mean Abbey didn’t miss them like crazy. She did so much it hurt.
“Beautiful kids.”
Abbey spun around in her seat. Torelli stood behind her, hovering over her. The grin on his face was more than friendly. It was wicked. It made her uneasy. “Thanks.”
&n
bsp; “When did you see them last?”
“A few days before you found me in Bangkok.”
“When’s the last time you talked to them?”
“The same.”
“Want to Skype them?” Torelli cocked his head.
Abbey shook hers. “I can’t. The CIA forbids it. Besides, Sloan confiscated my phone.”
“It wasn’t a suggestion. It was an offer.” He extended his fingers. “Come on. I’ll get you set up.”
“But the CIA said no contact.”
“Evans has been video chatting his pregnant wife for weeks. Why can’t you talk to your kids once?”
Abbey looked at him, stunned. Bartholomew has been talking to Maggie this whole time? Why didn’t he tell me? She shook her head to clear her mind then smiled distractedly. “Thanks, but it’s all right.”
“Suit yourself. I just figured talking to your kids might take away the sting of your husband treating you like shit.” He spun on his toe and strode off toward his barracks.
Abbey paused a moment as her mind raced. This would be a perfect time to look for clues. She gathered the pieces of the rifle then scrambled to her feet so she could follow him. She caught him by the hand. “Five minutes. That’s all.”
“Whatever you say, gorgeous.” Abbey tucked the pieces of her rifle into her case as Torelli laughed. She turned for the command center as she slung the case over her shoulder.
“Where are you going?” Torelli questioned.
“Your office?” she answered sheepishly.
“If you really want the CIA to bust you, then by all means, go that way.”
“Where are you thinking then?”
“You can use my laptop in my barracks.”
Abbey stopped dead in her tracks. His barracks? After the way he’d been acting toward her, his barracks were the last place she wanted to be alone with him. But she could talk to Ame, Ethan, and Colin.
His voice interrupted her thoughts. “You’re just going to video chat, Abbey. Nothing more.”
She stared at him for a moment longer then smiled again. “All right.”
The Assassin Page 9
