Circle of Deception

by Carla Swafford

AFTER A SHOWER and before calling it a night, she picked up her cell phone and punched in a number she knew by heart.

  “Hey, Mom. How you doing?” Abby curled up on her sofa as she stared out the window.

  “Darling, I was beginning to think you’d forgotten my phone number.”

  She’d told her mom many times that her job carried her out of the country and into areas without phone service. But the woman continued to make it sound as if she intentionally waited so long to call. Maybe she was right. Abby dreaded calling since she always felt guilty about something, no matter if it was her fault or not.

  “I’m calling now. How’s your arm?” The last time they’d talked, her mom had cut it on her favorite rosebush. She’d complained about how deep it was and how she’d gotten blood on her favorite pants.

  “It’s okay, I guess. The scab will take forever to disappear.” The whiny tone grated on Abby’s nerves, but she closed her eyes and concentrated on saying the right things.

  “Be sure to keep putting the antibacterial cream on it that the doctor gave you.”

  “I’m not a child,” she huffed, and then said, “When are you coming home?”

  “It wasn’t that long ago when I visited.” Her mom had moved south of Birmingham, Alabama, to the small town of Sand City, the county seat of Sand County, to be closer to her son after he’d been elected county sheriff. Abby’s half brother was six years older and looked nothing like her. Edward and his wife had a little boy who was as cute as a fat puppy. He’d probably grown several inches since she’d last visited.

  Traveling three hours each way on her rare off days wasn’t something she looked forward to. Anyway, the mileage wasn’t the problem so much as the depressed funk that came over her when she visited.

  “That was before Christmas when we met in Birmingham for lunch. It’s March. I think it’s time for you to come see your brother too. You really need to work on organizing your life. Tell your boss you need more time off. Go to a lawyer and tell him you’re being overworked.”

  “It’s not that easy.”

  “Excuses. Your brother works long hours but he still finds time to visit every other Sunday for dinner and he calls me several times a week.”

  Geez! Her mom hadn’t taken long. Usually she waited at least five minutes into the conversation before telling her how her brother was better. From the moment she was born, they’d been compared to each other. He was near perfection in their mom’s eyes.

  Abby’s shoulders drooped. Considering her mom was right didn’t help the matter. Despite being arrogant and a male chauvinist, he was a kind son, a good husband, and a great dad.

  And she’d be wasting her breath pointing out that Eddie lived only three miles away and in the same state and city as her mom.

  When she almost died at the hands of The Circle, she’d contacted her mom and half brother. The reunion had been stiff. That was when she realized why she’d been so rebellious growing up. Being a round peg in a square hole caused a lot of damage to both parties. Since then she called her once a week but quickly learned the older woman hadn’t quite forgiven her for acting and looking different.

  Unlike Abby, her mom was petite and willowy. With deep green eyes, clear rosy skin, and soft brown hair lightened to near blond perfection—concealing her age from all her close friends—Leigh Ann Sanders-Wentworth-Rodriguez was old-school Southern and quite proud of it.

  Abby looked a lot like her father, Dr. Roberto Rodriguez, with her dark hair and olive skin. When she was sixteen, she remembered feeling for the first time out of place beside her light-skinned mother and blond brother as they lowered her father’s casket into the ground.

  “I’ll see what I can do.” Abby rubbed her temple, hoping the on-coming headache wouldn’t get worse. “Mom, do you remember Brody Walker?”

  “Mitzy Walker’s son? Yes. He’s doing really well. They say he made a killing in California before the housing boom went bust. He retired at thirty and owns a beautiful farm off I-Sixty-Five. Why do you ask?”

  “Nothing. I heard his name come up and remembered he lived near there.”

  “Listen. I have to go. Eddie and them are coming over to take me out for dinner.”

  “That’s nice. Tell Edward hi and hug Suzie and Tommy for me.”

  “Very well. I guess that means I won’t be seeing you for my birthday.”

  Damn! She’d forgotten her birthday was in a couple days. That would explain why her brother was forking over some money when her mom usually fed his family each Sunday.

  “I’m sorry. I have to work. But that’s part of why I was calling . . . to wish you a happy birthday.”

  She huffed again. “Thank you.”

  Abby rolled her eyes. The woman was a drama queen. She loved being the center of attention, especially men’s. Abby had learned how to deal with it when she was younger—just step into the background and blend.

  “I’ll talk to you soon.”

  “Bye.” Then her mom hung up. No “I love you” or “be careful.” At least Abby had done her duty and had a confirmation on Brody’s whereabouts.

  One thing Abby had learned over the years, the world was a mighty small place. Like her, Brody had grown up in Vestavia, an old-money Birmingham neighborhood. Though Abby had never run with his crowd, she’d heard a lot about him. Quarterback of the high school football team, sweetheart of all the teachers, and mischievous rich boy whose parents always bought him out of any trouble he created. After being transferred around to several different in-state universities, he finally graduated from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. At least, the last part was what she’d read in his file earlier.

  She rubbed her eyes. Goodness, every bone in her body ached. She picked up her cell phone and texted Jack that she’d done her part and confirmed what they knew so far. Hard to believe how much one person could change in ten years. How could the golden boy turn out to be an infamous arms dealer? She’d probably never know, and she sure didn’t want to know up close and personally.

  ABBY JUMPED STRAIGHT up in her seat when a door slammed. Her neck burned like a day-old sunburn, as she’d fallen asleep on the sofa with her chin resting against her chest.

  Stiff and bent over, she struggled to walk into her bedroom. The years in The Circle had taken their toll on her body. Broken bones, gunshot wounds, and deep lacerations that left ugly scars on several areas of her skin attested to the dangerous life she’d chosen.

  Rumbling coming through the walls reminded her that Jack had given the suite between theirs to Rex. He was The Circle’s second-in-command; she’d thought he’d use the penthouse when Ryker wasn’t in residence. Then again, he’d never been known to expect much and had no problem bedding down in a field with the other grunts working for him.

  Who was Rex talking to? She couldn’t hear a second voice. He must be talking on his phone. The baritone voice stirred memories of hot nights in twisted sheets a lifetime ago.

  For the last two weeks, her dreams had been filled with the man who slept only twenty steps away. She knew how many. The first night, she’d numbered each one until she stood outside his door with her fist raised, but she hadn’t knocked. What would she say? Hi, I fucked your brother, and oh yeah, during that time, I was pregnant with your baby.

  THE NEXT MORNING, Rex leaned back in his chair as his gaze followed his brother’s pacing as he walked a path behind his massive desk and back to where everyone sat around an oblong mahogany table. The office took up one side of the second floor. Every square foot was utilized to allow several operatives to meet with the boss and, when needed, to break out into groups to plan mission strategies. An even dozen, counting Jack, were going over the events of the day before and what had gone wrong. The meeting was called to plan ways to find the ammo manufacturer and the fellow who invented it, while at the same time stopping Walker from selling any more of the ammo.

  His brother stopped his pacing and rubbed his shaved head in deep thought. With the tattoos covering one
arm and piercings in his brow and lip, Jack looked more like the leader of a motorcycle gang than a professional soldier.

  The door opened and Abby slipped inside, squeezing in between Charlie and a male operative whose name Rex couldn’t remember. All eyes turned to her and the room became quiet.

  “Sorry.” She grimaced. Abby picked up a Styrofoam cup from the stack and lifted the coffeepot, steam drifting up from the black liquid. “I forgot to set my alarm.”

  Although he knew better than to stare, his eyes refused to look away. Her hair stuck out every which way from the ponytail she’d pulled into a bright pink clip. So girly and unlike her. She wore her usual gray top and black jeans, and from where he sat, they appeared wrinkled. What had she been up to last night? As far as he knew, no one had visited. Not one sound had come from her suite, and he’d been listening after he’d hung up with Ryker. Lying in bed with a hard-on and staring at the ceiling, he’d wondered if she still slept in an oversized T-shirt and thick socks and nothing else. Those long legs, smooth and bare, stretched across the bed with her perky breasts pressing against the thin cotton. He remembered how soft she looked and felt in his bed.

  His cock filled out, and with a furtive shift beneath the table, he adjusted his pants. Hell, he didn’t need to think about her in bed while in a room filled with coworkers.

  Jack spoke up. “Orders have been given to move forward in our efforts to obtain the information we need from Brody Walker to halt production. But Ryker has given us instructions that he’s not to be eliminated or harmed in any way that interferes with the goal of this mission.” Jack crossed his arms as he waited for the room to settle back down. Many of the operatives wanted Brody’s head on a pike along with other body parts and complained about Ryker tying their hands.

  They’d received news that morning about a shipment reaching Inferno’s facility, and knowing Brody was responsible didn’t encourage goodwill. For years, the radical organization had created havoc with The Circle. So anyone supplying them with weapons and ammo would be considered the enemy and deserved to die. Life in The Circle was kill or be killed.

  “As you know from the files in front of you, his farm is protected with sophisticated equipment as well as several guards patrolling with dogs. I would like to hear what you think is the best way in.”

  Everyone started talking at once, giving suggestions on the best way to handle a high-security location and a man with the money and means to acquire weapons and men to protect him.

  Rex watched Abby take a sip of her coffee, and then her tongue darted out as she licked her lips. The bottom one, full and plump, glistened. He remembered how she would bite her lip when he’d kiss his way down her body.

  “No way!” She slammed her hands on the table and stood, glaring at Jack.

  Startled out of his thoughts, Rex glanced from Abby to his brother. Shit! What had he missed?

  “Do you have a problem with it?” Jack looked his way.

  “Like I care what he thinks,” she said before Rex could answer.

  “Rex, ignore Abby’s childish fit. This is the best plan.”

  He opened his mouth to ask what in the hell they were talking about when Abby pointed a finger at him.

  “You. You convinced him, didn’t you? This was your way to get back at me for letting you hang in the breeze at the warehouse.” Her nostrils flared.

  By God, she was beautiful when she was all revved up.

  Several of the operatives chuckled, and some had the sense to cover it up with a cough or a hand.

  “Abby, you’re the only one who has a connection with Walker. Ryker sent Rex specifically to work this case. He’s been working on his cover with several arms dealers for the last seven years. It makes sense that you go undercover with Rex to visit Walker. We don’t need to scare him off. It could take days, weeks, before we catch up with him again. We need him relaxed and willing to talk. You’ve already received the invite to the charity function at the Wynfrey in Birmingham.”

  Rex glared at his brother. What was the asshole up to? The only time operatives of the opposite sex worked undercover together was either as siblings or lovers. And in no way could he treat Abby as a sister, even if they needed to create a sick scenario like that. Besides, Walker would know they weren’t siblings.

  Hell, no!

  Did he say that out loud?

  “Enough! It’s settled.” Jack’s eyes narrowed. “You and Abby are going as a married couple. You’ll make Walker believe it too. We need his trust.”

  Damn. He had blurted it out.

  “Fine. Whatever you say, boss.” He grinned and wondered if Jack remembered their last discussion about what boss spelled backward.

  His brother gave him a one-fingered salute.

  Yeah. He remembered, the double SOB.

  Jack called the names of the leaders from each group, broken up by area of expertise, and passed around outlines of what he wanted answered before they left next week. They had only six days to get their shit together.

  Rex glanced over at Abby on the opposite end of the table; she looked shell-shocked. He wanted to tell her she had nothing to worry about when it came to his behavior. That he knew how to be professional.

  But he would be lying. Maybe he was an asshole.

  He narrowed his eyes, studying her. She owed him some answers, and he planned to take advantage of their time together.

  She glanced his way and frowned and then shifted in her seat, giving him her back.

  With a swipe at his mouth, he erased the pleased grin from his face. He’d been waiting years for answers, and by God he’d get them. Or die trying.

  Chapter Four

  * * *

  ABBY WATCHED THE door close behind Rex, leaving her alone with Jack.

  “Okay. Let me have it.” He folded his arms and leaned a hip against the conference table.

  She wanted to cry but she refused to embarrass herself and Jack. Digging her fingers into the back of a chair as she stood, she concentrated on keeping her voice even. “I can’t believe you did that.” She raised her hand to stop him from interrupting. “You, better than anyone, understand why I can’t work with him like that.” The last word faded from lack of air. Her dry mouth emphasized how the news had bothered her.

  He rubbed his eyes and then his chin. The silence stretched between them. Was he rethinking his plan?

  “How much do you like working for The Circle?”

  The question caused her to blink. She hadn’t expected it.

  No need for her to hide the truth. “You know over the last few years it has strangely kept me from falling apart. I can’t imagine going anywhere else.” She tilted her head. “Why? If I refuse, am I fired?”

  “No. I won’t kick your ass out like you deserve for giving me hell. But I can demote you. You and Liam can hang out together. Persona non grata. Do you want that?” His blue eyes cooled with each word.

  He might as well have slapped her. She understood being the OS Sector’s leader was a hard job. Their line of work required they possess the type of confidence that could be grating to those less sure of themselves. Keeping the strong personalities of a hundred or more people balanced while satisfying Ryker wasn’t an easy task. But she’d never said no to Jack on any of her assignments.

  Truth be told, she’d betrayed Theo, the psychotic former leader of The Circle, and helped a prisoner escape. Although Theo had been insane and the prisoner her best friend, betrayal was betrayal, no matter how she justified it. She and Liam did have that in common. But it wasn’t her fear of being fired or demoted that had her fighting the assignment.

  “I think you need to help me understand where you’re coming from by asking me that question.” She might as well give him a chance to lay out his reasons.

  Jack pushed away from the table and looked away. “I’m explaining this only because I know what you went through when we thought Rex was dead.” He cut his ice-cold eyes at her.

  She didn’t need reminding th
at The Circle had lied to her back then, making her and Jack believe Rex had died. If two talented operatives had no one waiting for them elsewhere, they would most likely stay put.

  And there was no need for him to say that; she better not expect an explanation again. Allowing an operative to balk at an assignment could lead to indecision in the field, practically ensuring the person would be found dead later and possibly get others killed.

  “Thank you.” She bit off each word and opened her eyes wide when he glared. She resented his attitude. He thought he was protecting her, but she didn’t need or want it.

  “We don’t have months or even weeks to set up this operation. We need answers quickly. Who’s Walker’s source, and where are they manufacturing it? You’re familiar with our target, and Rex has established an identity in the arms black market as a big player. You know this, and I know you’re panicking because of your feelings for him. Those feelings are the perfect cover to get this job done without Walker being the wiser. We have other female operatives willing to go the distance, but they don’t have the knowledge you possess without even having to pretend.” He crossed his arms, looking at her from beneath his brows.

  “Go the distance?”

  “Yes.” He watched her without blinking.

  “You want me to sleep with him . . . with Rex?”

  “If needed for your cover, yes.”

  Her face heated. A mixture of embarrassment and anger spread down her neck and torso. Her nipples beaded.

  Embarrassment could do that. It had nothing to do with remembering his cock yesterday, reminding her of what she’d forgotten years ago. The man had more than enough to get the job done. Not only did he have the right equipment, but he was also so aware of a woman’s body.

  When they’d dated, goodness gracious, they fell into bed that first night, and after they became engaged, he always made sure she was ready for him and completely satisfied when they finished making love. He had a sixth sense for where to touch and what to whisper in her ear to set her off. The way he wielded his tongue in or on any part of her and was able to bring her to a screaming climax had amazed her. She’d loved draping her limp body over his massive, hard one and grinning as she listened to his speeding heartbeat slow.