Deadly Rumors

by Cheris Hodges

  “I doubt that. Everyone knows that Singletary is a dangerous man, and we’re all at risk when we do these jobs. Smallwood was a good man.”

  “At least we hope he was. There’s still the issue of what he said to Natalie the night of her arrest. I’ve thought about what you said, and the fact that Singletary targeted Smallwood might have been him tying up a loose end.”

  “Until we uncover evidence of wrongdoing, all we can do is keep tracking Singletary.” He couldn’t help but find it suspicious that all of a sudden Wendy was ready to believe that Smallwood was corrupt.

  “I’m on it.”

  “Keep me in the loop.”

  “You do the same. Let me know where you and Zoe are going next.”

  “Will do.” Another lie, because Carver wasn’t willing to put his trust in anyone else at the Bureau.

  * * *

  Wendy added Zoe Harrington to the FBI Watch List. She had a feeling that Banks wasn’t going to tell her where they were going. Now she would get an alert when she got on an airplane. The bitch had to die so that Wendy could get her money and get from underneath Singletary. Now that Natalie had been taken care of, Wendy had to deliver Zoe. Her career with the FBI had stalled, and she put the blame squarely on Banks’s and Smallwood’s shoulders.

  She might be part of the team, but they treated her as an afterthought, a joke. No one was laughing now. Wendy pulled out her cell phone and called Joe.

  “Have you found that bitch?”

  “Hello to you, too.”

  “I don’t have time for the niceties. I need to know if Zoe is still breathing.”

  “Your guy failed. As a matter of fact, he’s in jail and Carver is trying to find out who he is. I can stall him, because he’s asking me for information on the guy; he doesn’t want to use the servers himself, in case he might be traced.”

  “What the fuck! How did he get arrested? This guy was supposed to be the best. I’m tired of the incompetence!”

  “I told you that I would handle this, but you won’t let me. I don’t know why or how your guy messed things up.”

  “Since you’re supposed to be my inside woman, you should have a damned idea.”

  “One thing I do know is that Carver knows someone is working with you. He’s being really cagey about where he’s going next.”

  “You got seven days; then I’m going to handle it myself. And you can kiss that payoff goodbye.”

  Before Wendy could protest, Singletary hung up.

  “Shit.”

  * * *

  Zoe decided to hit the hotel’s gym, hoping she’d wear herself out and drift off to sleep. As she stepped off the elevator, she ran directly into Carver. How could a man look so mouthwatering in a white tank top and jeans?

  “Where are you going?” he asked.

  “Gee, Dad, I’m just going to work out. Is that okay?”

  “Funny.” He folded his arms across his massive chest. “I could’ve joined you. I need to work off that food we had earlier.”

  Zoe nibbled on her bottom lip as she envisioned a sweat-covered Carver in compression shorts. She’d probably trip on the treadmill and get a concussion. “Well, I wanted some time alone.”

  “You really can’t stop me if I want to come work out. But I’ll respect your space.”

  “If you really want to work out, I can’t stop you.”

  He shrugged his shoulders. “That’s the most backhanded invitation I’ve ever heard, but let me grab some shorts. You want to come with me?”

  “No, I’m going to warm up the treadmill.” Zoe took off for the workout room and grabbed the free weights. She was hoping to get all of her pent-up desire under control before Carver walked in. She dropped the weights and moved over to the stair stepper. Going up and down, Zoe tried not to think about him. Sweat dripped down her back as she walked faster and faster.

  “Whoa,” Carver said. Zoe looked over her shoulder at him. His smile made her miss a step and she almost fell from the machine. In a flash, Carver was behind Zoe with his hand on her back. “Slow down, Wonder Woman.”

  “You shouldn’t have distracted me.” Zoe slowed the machine down. “This is why I work out alone.”

  “If you say so.”

  Zoe stopped the machine and wiped the sweat from her face with the towel she’d taken from her room. She walked over to a clear corner and started doing squats. From the corner of her eye, she noticed Carver standing still and watching her every move.

  “Thought you came to work out.”

  “I was taking everything in.”

  Zoe stopped mid-squat. “You’re a jerk.”

  “And you know I want you, Zoe.” Carver crossed over to her and drew her into his arms.

  “People want a lot if things they can’t have.”

  He ran his finger down her cheek. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes as tingles exploded throughout her body. “Please don’t do this. We said this was strictly business, and you keep trying to cross the line.”

  “Can I tell you something? I’ve haven’t been able to get you out of my system. It’s been two years and no one can compare to you.” Leaning in to her, Zoe knew he was going to kiss her. When he didn’t, she was disappointed. “Why don’t you stop acting like you don’t want me as much as I want you?”

  “Because I don’t. Carver, you’re not that irresistible.”

  He pulled her even closer to his chest. “But you haven’t let me go this whole time. What do you think that makes me think?”

  “I’m not doing this with you.” Zoe pushed out of his embrace. “When we get back to real life, you’re going back to DC to your tapas-loving woman and your dry wine. I’m not your on-the-case booty.”

  Carver tilted his head to the side. “I don’t live in DC full time anymore, and I’ve never dated a woman who loves tapas. You’ve been spying on me?”

  She rolled her eyes and felt like the biggest fool in the world. “I’m done working out. What time is our flight out of here?”

  “Seven.”

  “Then we should go to bed, separately.” Zoe took off out of the workout room and ran up the stairs to her room.

  * * *

  Carver shook his head as he watched Zoe tear out of the room. She was such a sexy coward, though he couldn’t blame her for not jumping into his arms. They didn’t have the most romantic history, and if she found out that he was lying to her and taking her on a wild-goose chase because Singletary was trying to kill her, they wouldn’t have a chance at a future. Knowing that he’d already taken out Smallwood, Carver couldn’t let Zoe be next. He headed back to his room and called his college roommate, Steve Mitts. He knew Steve had a private jet and he and Zoe could fly under the radar.

  “This is Steve.”

  Carver laughed, realizing that his friend probably didn’t recognize the number. “Man, you can turn off that millionaire boys’ club voice. It’s Banks.”

  “Look, brother man, don’t call me from new numbers. I thought you were one of the investors I’d been courting.”

  “Nah. Not this time. I hate to be that dude who only calls when he needs something.”

  “But you need something?”

  “I can’t go into detail, but I’m working this case and I need transportation.”

  “Whatever you need, let me know when and where. You can use my private jet to get where you need to go. I always got your back.”

  Carver told him that he was going to be flying off to New York in the morning and would need the jet tomorrow afternoon.

  “This is like some James Bond shit, huh? All that’s missing are a couple of fine girls and some martinis.”

  Carver started to tell him about the fine girl, but he didn’t want to put too many people in the mix when it came to protecting Zoe. “When this thing is over, I will get you as many martinis as you want.”

  “Yeah, in between saving the world, huh? We need to get together because you have to meet my new wife.”

  “Damn, is this wif
e number four?”

  “Yes. And she is going to be the last one.”

  “I think you said that the last time.” Carver laughed. “And the time before that one, too.”

  “Yo, don’t remind me of my own words. Anyway, I’m going to get the plane ready. Is it just you?”

  “It’s going to be me and Brenda Jones.”

  “Oh, so there is a woman?”

  “She’s an agent, don’t get ahead of yourself. I’m not trying to have a bunch of wives and exes.”

  “Yeah, yeah. Every man needs two ex-wives. Makes you appreciate it when you find the right one.”

  “Well, why not make sure you marry the right one the first time?”

  “Didn’t ask you to be logical, Banks. And as the old saying goes, shit happens.”

  “Whatever, dude. I’ll see you tomorrow.” After ending the call, Carver headed to the bathroom to take a long, cold shower. The temptation of having Zoe Harrington next door was too much for him to deal with right now.

  * * *

  Zoe wished she could trust how clean the bathtub was, because she needed a long, hot bath. Well, that wasn’t all she needed, but she would settle for the bath, to ease her aching muscles. What she would have preferred was Carver’s big hands on her thighs, stroking and squeezing and rubbing her.

  Sighing, she started to get in the shower when she heard the water start next door. Closing her eyes, she imagined Carver’s magnificent body stepping into the shower. She felt herself getting wet as she thought about water dripping down his ebony body.

  Zoe turned the shower on, stripped down, and stepped in.

  This must stop, she thought as she slipped her hand between her thighs. All about business. The sooner we get closure for the Dolans, the sooner Carver will be out of my life.

  Chapter 13

  Morning came too soon for Carver and Zoe. They left their rooms at the same time, meeting in the hallway.

  “Good morning, Zoe.”

  “Not until I’ve had several cups of coffee.”

  Carver walked over to her and took her bag. “I know the feeling. But I have good news for you. We don’t have to take the train this time. I found a rare direct flight from Santa Fe to New York.”

  “That is awesome.” She yawned and pointed her index finger in his face. “And don’t forget that you have to get me a new phone when we get back to the city.”

  “I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t let me forget,” he said with a wink. “I’ll get you a new phone, maybe even get you an upgrade. Sound like a good plan?”

  She smiled. “You say that as if you had a choice.” Zoe nudged him with her elbow. “Let’s get some coffee and head to the airport.”

  Shaking his head, Carver followed her to the elevator. How did a woman look this sexy in the early morning with her hair pulled up in a high ponytail, no makeup, and dressed in a simple pink cotton dress? Licking his lips, Carver watched her hips as she stepped into the elevator car. Her time in the gym was definitely showing.

  “Carver!”

  “What? Huh?”

  “I said I have a meeting in New York, so what time are we leaving for Vegas. What were you thinking about?”

  “Coffee.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Sure you were.”

  Once they arrived downstairs, Zoe made sure she and Carver got two big cups of coffee. He took his black with two sugars, and she needed cream and three sugars. While she gulped her coffee, Carver arranged for them to get seats on an airport shuttle. Carver was glad that they wouldn’t be traveling commercial much longer. While Zoe went to her meeting in New York, Carver’s plan was to go to the satellite office and see what he could find out about Singletary’s movements. He also wanted to see if there was a record somewhere of Smallwood’s meeting with Natalie. Something is off and I can’t believe Smallwood was working with his killer.

  “Carver, the shuttle is here.”

  “Good, now we can put this thing to rest, I hope.”

  Zoe nodded, keeping her thoughts to herself about how she wanted to solve this case and get back to life without being tempted by Carver Banks every day. She handed him his cup of coffee and they headed out to the shuttle. Carver glanced at her as she sat down. “What kind of meeting do you have today?”

  Zoe took another sip of her coffee. “Why are you being nosy? I told you that you’re not my only client. I have more cases.”

  “I’m just trying to figure out what time we need to be ready for the flight to Las Vegas. Calm down.” He kissed her on the cheek. Zoe shivered, and despite herself, she leaned against him. The energy around them sizzled like a thunderstorm on a summer afternoon. Locking eyes, Zoe and Carver leaned into each other and kissed each other slow and deep. His hands roamed her back and she pressed her body closer to his. Shivering and moaning, Zoe wanted to rip her clothes off and make love to him right there. But this was wrong. This was what she said they were not going to do. Pulling back from him, she moved one seat over.

  “We have to stop doing this,” she whispered.

  “Then we need to get the tension out of the air.”

  “I don’t need you distracting me with those lips.”

  Carver inched closer to her. “Zoe, I want you more than I need my next breath. But I need you to admit the same thing. If you think I’m a distraction, then I’ll back off—tomorrow.” He captured her lips again, devouring her mouth and slipping his hand underneath her dress.

  She gasped and arched her hips into his fingers as he toyed with her wetness through her panties. Pulling her lips from his, Zoe wanted to tell him to stop, but he was making her feel too good. He controlled her body with two fingers. Two. Fingers. Zoe felt an explosion building between her thighs and just as she was about to explode—he stopped.

  “Carver,” she breathed.

  “Not until you admit you want me as much as I want you. Until then, I’m going to stop distracting you.” Looking into her eyes, Carver licked his finger and smiled. “Damn, you’re sweet, though.”

  “You. Make. Me. Sick.”

  Carver winked and leaned back in his seat. Zoe rolled her eyes and squirmed in her seat. I hope Jessica Dolan’s body is in Las Vegas. I can’t take much more of this from Carver. She looked out the window and willed her body to stop throbbing. But every time she stole a glance at Carver, it just made her wetter.

  * * *

  Teasing Zoe may have been wrong, but watching her try to deal with it made Carver laugh on the inside. He reached out and stroked her arm. “You all right?”

  “Don’t touch me.”

  “Sorry.”

  “You’re not. Why do you keep doing this when you know we have no future?”

  “What makes you say that? We can have a future if you would stop being so damned hardheaded. Zoe, you’re the one woman I’ve never been able to forget. There’s just something about you that drives me crazy.”

  “And I’m supposed to jump for joy because you want me? It doesn’t work like that, boo. You’ve arrested me, harassed my family, and now every time I turn around you’re trying to get into my pants again. How is that a future? You feel lust for me, nothing else. You know what happens when you try to build a relationship based on lust? You get some good sex, but that’s it. I’m not built to be a bedmate, and I won’t be yours. So, this has to stop!”

  “Who said I only want you in my bed? I want everything, Zoe. I want your heart, mind, and soul. But you have to stop punishing me for doing my job.”

  “Where in the FBI handbook does it say sleep with women to get information on a case?”

  “Here we go again! Stop acting like you weren’t doing the same damn thing. That night you thought I was just some bodyguard who was going to help you and your client find money. I was doing something to safeguard a nation.”

  She rolled her eyes and turned back to the window. “I don’t know why I took this case. Being that you’ve been following me around the country, you could’ve looked for that girl’s body without me!
As a matter of fact, why don’t you go to Vegas alone and let me get back to my work in New York?”

  “I’m not doing that, and you’re not abandoning me when I need you.” Carver touched her shoulder. “Look at me.”

  She turned around and focused on his face.

  “Zoe. I really need you. Please don’t doubt that.”

  What he wanted to tell her was that he needed her alive because he was in love with her and he knew she was in danger. But that would mean owning up to the lie he’d been telling her since that night in New York when he showed up at her office. If he did that right now, she would bolt from him and run straight into danger. Zoe’s life was important to him, and if he had to carry on with this lie until Singletary was neutralized, then so be it. But there was no way in hell that he would allow her to die.

  “Fine. We’re doing this. But the moment the Dolans get their closure, I’m out of your life with my panties intact.”

  “Fair enough.”

  * * *

  Meanwhile, in New York, Lewis Martinez had found a way to get his revenge on Zoe. There were no security cameras behind her office. Under the cover of darkness, he set his explosive trap. He wired the back door with digital sensors that looked like alarm parts, but they we’re filled with C-4. When that door opened, Zoe would get the shock of her life.

  Looking around, he made sure he wasn’t being watched as he jimmied the door open. Since he’d cut the power supply to the entire complex, he didn’t have to worry about the alarm going off, but he needed to be quick. The patrol in this area would begin soon. He might be dressed in a generic uniform that made him look like an alarm installer at a glance, but if anyone took a close look at what he was doing, he’d be on his way to federal prison.

  The way Lewis saw it, Zoe probably had so many enemies that his name would be checked off the list in about fifteen seconds. He’d even planned what he was going to say to the investigators. That’s why he’d called her to ask her for help.

  “Just wish this bitch would come back to New York so that she can die,” he muttered as he set the devices in place. Once the work was done, Lewis hopped into the white van he’d stolen from a car lot and headed to the Harlem River to drown the van and evidence of what he’d done.