by Ivy Nelson
Next to him, he felt her tense. He was being harsh, and he knew it. But he had to get to the bottom of this quickly. Ties to terrorism was nothing to laugh at, and while he couldn’t imagine Adara having anything to do with a terrorist organization, Homeland didn’t mess around and even being suspected of having terrorist ties could cause them to throw the book at a person. And Homeland’s book was a lot bigger and a lot heavier than your average law enforcement officer’s. If he was going to have any chance of saving her, she had to tell him everything she knew. Reaching across the console, he put a hand on her shoulder.
“I know I sound like a dick right now, Angel. But you really have to tell me what’s going on so I can help you.”
She took a shaky breath.
“I’m not sure where to start, it’s a long story. But for me, it started eight years ago.” ###
Adara closed her eyes and mentally prepared herself to tell the difficult story. “I’ve always known I was born in Israel. My parents are Jewish and were there on vacation. My mom went into labor early and here I am. At least, I thought that’s what happened. About eight years ago, I was preparing to take the position of chief of staff for Senator Sean Atleigh.”
Michael raised an eyebrow. “Wasn’t that Bradley’s job?”
Adara nodded as she stared out the window at highway signs whizzing by. “It was. That’s where this gets complicated.”
“OK. Keep going, I’m listening,” Michael said as he changed lanes.
“I came home for a few days before I was officially going to accept the job. I wanted to share the good news with my parents. Instead of being elated for me, they asked me not to take the job. I was so confused. My dad sat me down and told me that there may be some questions about my birth and that I might not legally be a U.S. citizen. I was shocked and mystified. I had no clue what was going on. I asked them to explain, but they insisted that it was too dangerous for them to tell me more and that I should trust them. They had always discouraged my involvement in politics but had never really said why. I assumed it was because they were apolitical.”
Michael reached across the console and gripped her hand.
“So just like that you gave up the job you wanted to become the behind-the-scenes assistant?” he questioned.
“Not quite. I was angry with my parents for not telling me exactly what was going on. I threatened to go to the police. That’s when they told me that I wasn’t actually their biological baby. According to them, their baby died, and they took me from another woman who didn’t want her baby but wanted it to grow up in America. I started asking questions, demanding answers, but they wouldn’t tell me anything. They just said that if the federal government ever found out the truth, I would be kicked out of the country. They insisted that I needed to avoid anything that would give the media an excuse to dig into my background.” She closed her eyes and pressed her forehead against the cold glass. It was difficult to talk about this, and after today, she wasn’t sure how much of what her parents told her was true.
“Jesus, Angel. That’s insane. So why did you decide to run for office if you’re supposed to be avoiding the media?”
“After Sean Atleigh resigned, the media started digging into everyone who worked closely with him. I was the chief of staff’s personal assistant. It stood to reason that they would dig into me. At first I avoided the media but then I thought why not let them? I have legal paperwork that proves I’m an American citizen. I think my parents are just being paranoid. So I gave the media access. I did interviews, I put my communications degree to work. And the media didn’t dig up anything negative on me. So I decided my parents were overly cautious and decided to take a leap and follow my dreams.”
Michael nodded. “That makes sense. What doesn’t make sense, is why you ran and how Homeland Security got wind of you.”
“That doesn’t make sense to me either. But, that wrong number that was texting me the day of the wedding turned out to not be a wrong number. While I was in the bathroom at Exposure, I got a phone call from someone demanding that I fly to Israel. I wasn’t sure why but they knew about me not being born here and that my parents weren’t really my parents. They made threats by name to you, Bradley, and Darci. I couldn’t risk that but there was no way I was going to Israel. I have a friend in Canada who offered to help me disappear, so I was headed there to take them up on it.”
Adara could see the hurt on his face. It would make sense that he would want her to come to him with these kinds of problems.
“I guess they are watching me, because while I was being interviewed by TSA, I got a text saying that maybe next time I would listen to them and follow instructions.”
Michael squeezed her shoulder, and she relaxed into his touch. “We’re going to get to the bottom of this. I wish you would have come to me instead of running. It would have been easier to figure this out without Homeland being involved.”
Adara closed her eyes. “If I had known this was going to happen, I would have thought twice about running. How did they know I wasn’t going to Israel?”
“Chances are, they have someone watching for your name to pop up on flight manifests. At the point that you booked a ticket to Canada, they were pretty sure you didn’t intend to go to Israel.”
That made sense, she just didn’t understand how they were able to access flight records like that. Michael continued speaking. “Christ, Angel. This is quite the mess you’ve gotten yourself into. I’ll be honest, now that Homeland is on your trail, there is a good chance they are going to try to deport you.”
Adara felt panic rise in her throat. “Deport me? To where? I’ve never even been to Israel. I came herewhen I was four days old.”
“The fact that you sat on the knowledge of your birth story and citizenship status is going to make you look like you’re hiding something more sinister. I believe you’re not but they won’t see it that way. When we get back to D.C. I’m going to do some digging and see what all they have. If they just have a tip from someone, with no paper trail, we might be able to clear this mess up quickly. But if they have anything concrete regarding your birth, we are going to have a tough road ahead of us. I’d like to call in a friend of mine. You met him at the wedding and club. Do you trust me?”
They may not have known each other long, but she trusted him implicitly and told him as much. Now that she had told him her story, it felt good to know he would do everything in his power to help her.
When they stopped for the night, Michael checked them into a hotel. “We’re sharing a room. No arguments. I got two beds though because after yesterday I don’t know where we stand and I’m not the type to assume things. But you’re in my custody legally so we are sharing a room.”
She smiled. “I appreciate you not assuming anything. I like you Michael, but with all this shit going on I think it’s best if we keep things simple and not complicate it with sex.” To Adara’s eye, he looked slightly disappointed but to his credit he didn’t say anything. Instead, he just unlocked the room and carried their bags inside.
“I’ll take the bed by the door if you don’t mind,” he said as he tossed his duffel onto the bed.
“That’s fine,” she whispered. A whisper was all she could manage without bursting into tears. Her resolve not to cry was wavering and when Michael turned and closed the distance between them, she lost it and the tears began to fall. Her whole world felt like it was crashing down around her and she didn’t know what to do. Michael’s arms slipped around her and he squeezed her tightly.
“Shh, Angel, it’s OK. We’re going to figure this out,” he murmured as he stroked her dark hair. “I’m here. I’ve got you.” He continued to reassure her as he lifted her into his arms and carried her to the nearby bed. Sobs racked her body until there were no more tears left. Shudders tore through her for several minutes after the tears stopped flowing. When she lifted her head, her face felt three sizes bigger than normal and she suddenly felt embarrassed.
“God. I’m s
o sorry. I just got so overwhelmed all of a sudden.”
“No need to be sorry. It’s understandable. You can cry on me anytime. We should order some food, you must be starving,” he said as she scooted out of his arms.
As if on cue, her stomach made a loud rumbling noise, and she giggled. Hunger had hit her hard. Michael used his phone to find a place that delivered, and placed an order for pizza, sodas and bread sticks. Forty-five minutes later, they were enjoying the cheesy meal at the small table in their room.
"Tell me more about your parents and everything they told you regarding your birth,” Michael said. “I want to have all the information I can to pass on to my pal.”
Adara recounted everything she knew—which wasn’t much. “My parents were purposefully sketchy on details. They told me just enough to scare me I think. When we get back to D.C. I plan to talk to them and see if they can shed any light on anything. It might be difficult though, they’re both in the early stages of some form of dementia. Doctors are still working to figure out exactly what. Some days are better than others though. I also know they have a safe deposit box with documents and such. Maybe that will shed some light on things.”
“It sounds terrible, but your parents not being able to remember everything may work in your favor. The less they can tell a Homeland Security agent, or the FBI, the less of the tipsters story they’ll be able to corroborate. And if we find any official documentation of what your parents did, we’ll want to destroy it.” Adara didn’t fail to notice him wince as he said that last part. The cop in him wouldn’t like the idea of destroying evidence. But it made her feel better to know he was willing to go to great lengths to help her. It pained her to ask him to do anything that went against his core values though. She would have to find a way out of this without asking him to compromise his ethics or put him in danger of losing his badge. Michael had worked too hard to get where he was in his career. She eyed the bed he had designated as his own. It was so close to the door. Could she make a run for it after he fell asleep?
“Don’t even think about it.” His harsh tone startled her out of her thoughts.
“Don’t even think about what?” she asked, feigning ignorance.
“You know damn well what. I swear I’ll cuff you to the bed if I have to.”
“You wouldn’t dare. I told you, I’m not sure how I feel about all that kinky shit yet.”
His eyes narrowed and his demeanor shifted as he sat back in his chair and folded his arms across his chest. “Oh Angel, as much as I would love to get kinky with you, this would have nothing to do with sex. You’re legally in my custody remember?”
She swallowed. OK, so she had forgotten that little detail.
“I just don’t want you risking your badge for me. I think it would be better if I just disappear.”
“And look how well that turned out the first time you tried it,” he growled. “You’re stuck with me, so you might aswell let it go.”
Her shoulders slumped in defeat. He was probably right. They went back to their pizza in silence.
As they were finishing the last of the bread sticks, Michael’s cell phone rang. He glanced at the screen before he answered.
“Peter, brother. It’s good to hear from you. I need your help.”
Chapter 4
“Jesus, Michael. What is it with my friends and their women getting into such big messes?” Peter Mercer asked after Michael gave him the details of Adara’s situation and what he had done to get her out of the airport.
“Tell me about it. Darci nearly took ten years off my life with her ordeal and now this.” “Well hey man, I’m still in D.C. Carrie and I decided to stick around for a while after Darci’s wedding. Forward me any information you have and let me know the minute you get
back to town so we can gettogether and come up with a game plan.” Michael agreed and disconnected. He stared for a moment at the pretty girl sitting across from him looking sad and terrified. His heart ached for her. This was a mess even he wasn’t sure how to clean up, but he would find away. Even if she decided she didn’t want him or the life he was offering when it was all over, he would find a way to fix this for her.
“Take a shower, Angel. Try to relax before bed,” he told her. He knew he needed to sleep so he could drive them the rest of the way home tomorrow. But he was feeling too restless. As soon as they got back to D.C. he would have Peter meet them at his house. They still had another eight hours of driving tomorrow though. Hopefully he could pry a few more details out of her on the road.
An hour later, he slid the door chain into place and moved a chair in front of it. It wasn’t that he believed anyone was after them, though there was always that chance, but he didn’t quite trust that Adara wouldn’t try to sneak out in the middle of the night. And if the people threatening her did have eyes on them, it was better to take precautions.
Slipping off his weapon, he stashed it in the bedside drawer before taking off his smart watch and emptying his pockets. Out of habit, he slept in his clothes, just in case they needed to move quickly in the middle of the night. Adara had managed to fall asleep, he only hoped he could do the same.
Five hours later, he sat wide awake, only having gotten a few hours of fitful, dream-filled sleep. After scrolling through his e-mail and watching the sports channel on mute for a little while, he decided to wake her. It was nearly five am. The sooner they got on the road, the earlier they could get back to D.C.
She was adorable waking up, and he wanted nothing more than to draw her close and fall back to sleep with her. After a bit more nudging though, she was fully awake and worry marred her features once again.
“Come on Angel. Let’s get on the road. We’ll stop and grab breakfast somewhere along the way.”
“Coffee is all I need and I’ll be fine.”
You have to eat. You have a long day ahead of you,” he scolded.
She just scowled at him and headed for the door. Someone’s in a good mood, he thought dryly.
Once in the car, he mapped the rest of the trip to D.C. Just shy of eight hours.
Three hours into his drive, his cell phone rang. The name on his phone caused him to cringe. Chief Stanton.
“Fuck,” he swore before pressing the answer button on his ear piece.
“Morning, Chief.”
The string of expletives he was greeted with did not surprise him. The chief was not a gentle man.
“I can explain everything when I get there Sir,” he said with less confidence than he felt.
“You damn well better, Silas. Your badge depends on it. From where I sit it looks like you’re aiding a terrorist. You could go to jail for that shit son.”
“It’s not what it looks like Sir,” Michael said. “I know you trust me. I’m asking for that trust for just a few more hours until I’m back in town.”
Chief Stanton reluctantly agreed. “You’re lucky this hasn’t hit the news or I wouldn’t be able to give you any leeway.”
Adara’s eyes grew wide, and Michael realized she could hear both sides of the conversation.
“Michael, you should just hand me back over to Homeland when we get to D.C.”
“Fuck that Adara. You have no idea what that would be like for you. Trust me. You want to avoid Homeland custody if you can.”
“You’re not losing your God damned job for me,” she said, her voice raised a few notches.
“Don’t take that tone with me, Angel.”
“Don’t order me around like a submissive. I’m not Darci.”
For some reason that struck him as funny and he laughed louder than he probably should have given the scowl on her face. The laughter didn’t last long though, and he turned his own scowl on her.
“You most certainly are not Darci. I’m not attracted to her like I am you. Nor has she ever been my submissive. I’ll be the one to decide what I will and won’t do in this situation. I’ll never violate your consent but I’m keeping you as safe as I can until we figure this out. And yo
u will listen to me. Not because I’m your Dom, but because I’m the one keeping your gorgeous ass out of prison or from getting deported.” He kept his tone low and even, despite the fury that was bubbling just beneath the surface.
Adara’s face paled at the mention of prison. “Why would they send me to prison? I haven’t done anything wrong. I figured at worst, they would deport me.”
“That’s bad enough isn’t it? That threat alone should be incentive enough for you to listen to me.”
She sighed. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I just don’t like being bossed around. Which is why you and I will never work.”
“Let’s talk about that later. I think you’ll find I’m about much more than bossing you around.”
Her mouth opened and he could tell she was going to ask what he meant so he stopped her. “I said later. We have more important things to focus on right now.”
###
“We’re meeting Peter at a diner not far from my place,” Michael said as he tossed their bags into the back of his SUV. They had stopped at the airport to return the rental car and pick up Michael’s vehicle. Adara was exhausted and just wanted to go home and sleep. But Michael wasn’t having it. While she was legally in his custody, he was making her stay with him. For some reason, that Peter hadn’t told them yet, he didn’t want to meet at Michaels house.
In the SUV, Adara closed her eyes and tried to relax. At this time of day, she could catch a half hour catnap while they sat in traffic. Thankfully, Michael didn’t try to talk, he just let her sleep. When she opened her eyes, they were pulling into the diner parking lot. A man was lounged against a silver sedan, and Adara recognized him instantly from Darci’s wedding. It was Peter Mercer.
“Michael, good to see you man. Sorry about the circumstances.” The tall man hugged Michael like a brother and Adara smiled. Peter turned and offered his hand to her. “It’s good to see you again Adara. I’m sorry for the sticky spot you find yourself in.”
“Let’s go get a table so you can tell us what you’ve found out,” Michael said before Adara could respond.
