Yesterday, Davis had finally admitted to himself and her, that his inability to blend in with those in the lifestyle was a deterrent to their investigation. He’d gone to Parrish and suggested he be reassigned to a perimeter post. The dominant SAC had agreed and arranged for Dakota to be partnered with an agent from Trident Security. Ian Sawyer had told her to meet him at the company compound at 0900 to be introduced to Logan Reese, and she hoped he was a better UC than Davis. Two more victims had been tortured, killed, and dumped in the Tampa area since Dakota had joined the task force. It grated on all involved in the case that they still had no leads on who the sadistic bastard was.
Climbing in her SUV, she had an hour to kill before her meeting, so she drove to Oaklawn Cemetery where her mother was buried. Tina Marie Swift had been an OR nurse at Tampa General Hospital, but her life had been cut short by a heart attack at the young age of forty-one, when Dakota had been a freshman in high school. Tina’s family and friends had been devastated by the loss of the vibrant woman who always had a smile on her face.
Stopping the vehicle near the section where her mother’s grave was located, Dakota climbed out and walked the rest of the way. It had been a few weeks since she’d last been there, but her father must have visited in the last day or so because the roses he always brought sat on the top of the granite marker. While Gavin Swift had been hard on his children, pushing them to be the best of the best, he’d been madly in love with his wife of nineteen years. Yes, they’d had their ups and downs like every other married couple, but Gavin had worshiped the ground Tina walked on and vice versa.
“Hey, Mom,” Dakota said as she squatted next to the grave. Being that she had a meeting soon, she didn’t want to kneel and get grass stains on her jeans. One of the things she loved about working undercover was that she got to choose what to wear each day instead of the mandatory polyester uniform.
She continued to talk to her mother as she pulled a few weeds out from around the base of the gravestone. After fifteen years, she still sought advice from the woman who’d given birth to her, even though Tina could no longer pass on her words of wisdom. Dakota would talk about both her professional and personal life, and believed her mother would have been proud of what she’d achieved in both. She just wished her father could be proud of her too.
Standing, she brushed her hands together to rid them of the dirt and blades of grass. She kept a bottle of hand sanitizer in her work duffel bag, which was sitting in the trunk of her vehicle. After cleaning up, she said goodbye one more time to her mother and then left the cemetery, feeling a little better about her day. Now, it was time to head to Trident and meet Mr. Logan Reese—her new partner and pretend Dom. God help me.
C
HAPTER 8
“All right, everyone here?” Ian asked as he set his coffee at the head of the conference table in the Trident Security office, and then took his seat.
Pushing the brunette from where she’d been hovering in his mind, Logan glanced around at the others in the room. Most of the Alpha Team, sans Boomer and Brody, and all of Omega were there. Jake Donovan was also sitting in on the meeting while in town for a few days. He’d been in San Diego for the last eighteen months, but would be returning to Tampa to rejoin the Alpha team in about two months. The remaining two attendees were Travis “Tiny” Daultry, head of The Covenant security, and Doug “Bullseye” Henderson, who’d recently been hired by the Sawyer brothers to run the Private Protection Division. He’d received the call-sign after taking a bullet protecting Ian’s goddaughter. Judging by the number of folders sitting in front of Boss-man, they were all going to be busy with assignments over the next few weeks.
Across the table, Knight cleared his throat. “Before you get started, Mallory sent me an email last night, and once again, wanted to thank everyone.” The young coed had been kidnapped by four bank robbers while taking nature photographs in the Rockies. The men had nothing to lose, since they’d murdered a guard and a cop during their escape, and had been hiding out in the mountains where the Omega Team had been doing their trek back to civilization. The team had managed to rescue her. Three of the criminals hadn’t survived, and the fourth was handed over to the local law enforcement. During the hike out of the wilderness, Mallory and Knight had developed brotherly/sisterly bond, and he’d given her his email and cell number in case she ever needed anything.
Ian smiled. “Angie was wondering how she was doing.”
“Other than being sore, she’s doing okay, apparently. She’s a strong girl and will probably recover well. In fact, she said she’s thinking of enlisting and is going to talk to the local recruiters.” When several people opened their mouths, Knight held up his hand with a chuckle. “And no, she hasn’t decided which branch. But I may have pushed the Navy a bit in my reply.”
Everyone laughed when Lindsey threw a pen at him, which he caught. “That’s wishful thinking on your part, Batman. Cowboy and I impressed her more than any of you slackers did, and I’ll bet you $100 she’s going to join the Corps.”
“You’re on!”
DeAngelis rolled his eyes. “Jeez, Ian, the Omega Team sucks at betting. They’ve gotta come up with stuff that’s original.”
“Uh-uh,” Ian responded with a smirk. “It’s bad enough Egghead keeps losing to you then upping the ante for the next time. I’m starting to think he enjoys losing. I could’ve really done without his performance the other night. It’ll take years to bleach that out of my mind. I have no idea how Fancy puts up with him.”
Devon, DeAngelis, McCabe and Foster roared with laughter. The rest of Omega and Donovan had missed the show Brody had to give after losing another bet to his best friend. Logan wasn’t sure if he was glad or disappointed over the fact. The Dom had to wear a pair of leather short-shorts and a headband with two bouncing penises on it while singing karaoke on the center stage at The Covenant. Apparently, his version of “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk” was the thing nightmares are made of, and most of the crowd had almost needed oxygen masks from laughing so hard.
A comfortable, but insulting banter started up among the different military branches and over what the bet should be before Ian rapped his knuckles on the table. “All right, enough. Sling the mud later. We’ve got a lot on today’s agenda.”
When the room quieted, he continued, “First things first, Tiny has received a promotion and additional duties. In addition to the club, he’s now in charge of the compound as well. Any issues that pop up with the guards or security measures, he’s your man.” A few smiles and words of congratulations came from around the table, to which the big man thanked them for.
“Next up, Bullseye, a few things have changed on your agenda. Princess Tahira will not be coming to Tampa at the end of next month. Instead, she’s going on a cruise with her cousin and a few friends. According to Amar, the royal guard will be taking the trip with her, so you’re off the hook.” Her Royal Highness was from the small, North African nation of Timasur and often visited one of the royal family’s vacation homes, located in Clearwater. When members of the monarchy were in Florida, TS coordinated with their head of security, Mousaf Amar, and assisted in guarding them.
“I also received a call from Abigail over at Black Diamond Records. Summer Hayes closed on an estate last week in Indian Shores and the security system is out of date. Head over there either today or tomorrow and evaluate what needs to be done for a full upgrade, then send the proposal to Abigail, and she’ll get it approved. Summer will be touring Canada over the next four weeks, so that’s your time frame for the completed job.” While most of the people in the conference room hadn’t noticed Mancini’s eyebrows raise at the mention of the country singer, Logan did. It seemed the pretty blonde had caught his interest when they’d met a few months back at a barbecue here at the compound, but she’d given him the brushoff—polite as it had been.
Ian slid three folders down the table to Knight, Abbott, and Mancini. “You three are heading to South America—Argentina to be exact. The
FBI has another lead on the white slavery case and until they figure out if there’s a leak in their house, you’ll be going undercover. Every time they’ve tried to get close to Emmanuel Diaz, the operation closes shop and moves. Batman, since you’re probably the most familiar with Diaz from the missions with Team Four, your assignment is to work your way into his cartel. Your cover will be a buyer for a few contacts overseas who have very specific tastes and requests. Costello and Romeo, you’ll be his backup. You’re a couple and will be down there as missionaries.”
Mancini arched an eyebrow. “Missionaries? Doing what?”
“The missionary position,” Devon cracked with a grin as little JD slept on his shoulder, eliciting another round of laughter and a few eye rolls.
Chuckling also came from the doorway as two more people entered the room. Logan and the rest of Omega had all been introduced at one time or another to T. Carter and Jordyn Alvarez. Not only were the couple spies for a covert agency for the United States, they were also friends of the Alpha Team and members of The Covenant. Carter held out a chair for Jordyn before taking a seat next to her. “Devil Dog beat me to the pun,” he said, “but since his kid is adorable and that’s the only way he can beat me at anything, I’ll let it slide.”
“Fuck you, jackass.”
“Swear jar!” a few people were quick to call out. Between JD, Marco’s daughter, Mara, and Ian and Angie expecting, they were trying to cut down on the amount of foul language at the compound, which was going to be a major feat, hence the $5 per curse “swear jar.” The money collected was going to Healing Heroes, a non-profit that had trained their assistant mechanic’s service dog, Jagger.
Taking JD from his father, Jordyn settled into her chair as the baby briefly opened his eyes, yawned, then went back to sleep on her shoulder. “You’ll be at Sister Patrice’s orphanage under the guise of improving the well system, which is currently in the works anyway. Your cover is already in place as environmentalists.”
“An orphanage?” Lindsey asked. “We’re not putting any kids in the line of fire, are we?”
Carter shook his head. “No. We wouldn’t do that. Sister Patrice has developed her own network of mercenaries, I guess you can call them, for lack of a better term. They’ll be guarding the orphanage, but we don’t foresee any issues. You’ll only be sleeping there for appearances. Just watch your backs coming and going from the area. It’s about ten miles from Diaz’s current setup—close enough for your cover to work.”
“Sister Patrice is a friend of mine,” Jordyn added. “It won’t be the first time the orphanage was used for a mission. She’s tough as nails and can take care of her kids.”
“Amen to that.” Ian’s gaze went back to the three agents going on the assignment. “CC will be flying you down to Argentina tomorrow. Polo is putting together everything you’ll need—IDs, communications, weapons, et cetera—while Nathan is fine tuning an ironclad persona for you, Batman. It’s one that Deimos has been cultivating for years, in case the need ever arose.” Deimos was the agency Carter and Jordyn worked for, and up until a few months ago, none of the others in the room had known it existed. “Everything you need to know about ‘Glen Hamilton’ is in your file. The jet will be loaded and ready for an 0800 flight. In the meantime, I put everything we’ve got on Diaz and his current right-hand man, Felix Secada, on your desks. You three can go hit that now. Jordyn will fill you in on the details of Sister Patrice’s place in a few. Let me know if you have any questions.”
Dismissed, the three stood and left the room to dive into what was probably a mountain of intelligence, as Ian addressed the rest of them. “Moving on. Boomer and Egghead will be out of town for at least the next seven to ten days on an intel assignment. Devon is also heading out for a few days with Carter and Jordyn on another detail. Now, as you all know, the FBI is finally, finally, going to use us for the Kink Killer investigation instead of leaving us sitting on the sidelines looking pretty. It only took how many months? Whatever. Anyway, the higher ups fucked Stonewall hard and dry for not utilizing all available resources. While he’s trying to get the plug out of his ass without using his hands, Parrish is in charge. I’ll put $10 in the swear jar later.”
Ian pointed to the remaining members of the Omega Team. “You four will be paired up with LEOs from Tampa PD and the FBI.” LEOs was short for law enforcement officers on either the local, state, or federal level. “Foster and McCabe, your partners have minimal training as submissives for this assignment, while Morrison and Reese, yours have been in the lifestyle for at least a few years. You’ll meet them later today, and then tonight you’ll start basic Dom training in The Covenant with Polo. Foster and McCabe, I want you and your partners there, too, so you all can get to know each other well enough to pass as D/s couples.”
Stunned, Logan managed to keep his outward appearance composed. Dom training? Partnered with a submissive woman who was also an FBI agent or TPD officer? He can’t be serious. Scratch that; he is serious.
As if he’d sensed his agent’s shock, Ian added, “The reason I’m not using the Alpha Team on this, is because they’re too well known in the lifestyle community. Foster and McCabe have only played in The Covenant, and you two haven’t played at all, so you shouldn’t be recognized by anyone in the other clubs. As for this club, there will be an Alpha Team member present during open club hours. With the security measures we’ve put in place over the past few months, I’m hoping we’ve given this bastard enough deterrents to avoid targeting one of our subs. Reese, your partner had issues with her last one from the FBI—which I’ll discuss with you later—so we’re switching the club she was assigned to. While it’s not out of the ordinary for subs and Doms to show up with a new one shortly after ending a contract with another, I don’t want to take chances the UNSUB would question her walking in with someone new. The first few shifts you’ll be doing will be on perimeter watch outside one of the clubs, until Polo thinks you won’t be a dumb-dumb Dom. Same goes for you, Morrison. You’ll need to know how to act in there so you don’t draw any scrutiny; it’ll defeat the purpose of being there. Experienced Doms and subs can pick out a newbie like a shark zeroing in on a bucket of chum.”
He paused to check a text message when his cell phone chirped. “All right, that’s it for now. Reese, grab a fresh coffee and have a seat in my office; your partner should be here in a few minutes. Morrison, you’ll be introduced to yours tonight at the club; in the meantime, follow up on that embezzlement case you were working on. McCabe. Foster. You two head over to the FBI office; Parrish will introduce you to your partners.” Ian stood, signaling the end of the meeting. “Reverend, I need you for a minute.”
As Jake Donovan followed their boss out into the hallway, the others stood and began to disperse. When Devon offered to take JD back from Jordyn, the petite woman shook her head, cuddling the baby closer. “Nope. I’ll keep him while I run over to chat with Angie and Kristen for a bit before we head to the airport. I don’t get to hold him often enough.”
When she left the room, Devon looked at Carter and laughed. “Do I hear a biological clock ticking?”
The spy shrugged as they headed for the door. “I asked, but she wants to wait at least another year or two while we work out the logistics, so we can both continue to take assignments. I just need you guys to continue with the procreations so she can get her baby fix every now and then.”
Logan was the last one out the door. Taking Boss-man’s advice, he turned left and walked into the small employee kitchen to refill his coffee, before ambling back down the long hallway in the other direction to Ian’s office. He’d just taken a seat in one of the guest chairs when Ian strolled in, shutting the door behind him.
“How are things with Doc Dunbar?” Ian asked, taking his seat behind the large, dark wood desk.
He’d expected this—it had been awhile since Ian had asked how the therapy sessions were going. “Good. No problems have popped up lately. But I’m sure she’s already told you that. I
like her; she’s as good as Dr. Tennyson.”
“Glad to hear it. I’ve known Trudy for a few years, and she’s helped us with some situations and cases in the past. The doc is also one of the psychologists we refer club members to.”
Logan’s eyebrow shot up in surprise. “She’s into the . . . um . . . lifestyle?”
“No, she’s not, and I wouldn’t have outed her like that, without her consent, if she were. Members of the BDSM community like their privacy. It’s one of the reasons for the non-disclosure contract you all had to sign.” The team had also been told if they saw anyone who they knew was a member of The Covenant, out in public, they were to act like they didn’t know them or as if they knew them from somewhere else. Ian sat back in his chair. “Look, I know you’re about to get pushed out of your comfort zone, but I think you might benefit from it, in addition to dealing with the case. But if you’ve got a problem with it, now is the time to tell me.”
Before Logan could respond, the intercom on the desk buzzed and Colleen’s voice came through the speaker. “Ian, Officer Swift is here.”
The boss stabbed a red button on the device. “Send her in.” Ian stood and pinned Logan with a stare. “Give it a shot. You’ll have a week or two before you’ll be going into one of the clubs. If you find you can’t do it, let me know; we’ll move people around and leave you on a perimeter detail.”
Unsure of what Ian had meant when he’d said Logan would benefit from learning to be a Dom, Logan figured the assignment wouldn’t have been given to him if it was expected he would fail. Taking a deep breath, he let it out and nodded. “Okay. I’ll give it a try.”
The door behind him swung open, and he glanced over his shoulder to get his first look at the woman he’d be seeing a lot of very soon—literally. A brunette walked in, and not just any brunette, but the hot little number from the coffee shop, who’d basically told him to mind his own fucking business. The woman he’d been thinking about since he’d pulled out of the shopping center and driven to the compound. While her attitude had pissed him off at first, the more he thought about how she’d stood up to him, the more it turned him on. If they’d been in Hollywood, it would have made for a great meet cute—the scene in a movie when a romantic couple meet for the first time.
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