Circle of Deception

by Carla Swafford

  He wasn’t a helpless kid anymore. He might not be smart, but he refused to be treated like an idiot. A dead coldness came over him.

  “Go to bed, Abby. You’re tired.” He started walking toward the door.

  “Where are you going?”

  “It’s really none of your business.” He quietly closed the door behind him. He needed a good stiff drink.

  OH, CRAP. ABBY hung up her clothes. Numb and tired, she washed her face and brushed out her hair. Looking in the mirror, she didn’t like what she saw. When had she become a total bitch? If she’d been anyone else, she would’ve walked out too.

  How could she call him stupid? Though Rex never talked about it, Jack had told her a few things about their childhood. Mainly that their father was crazy, and he beat the two of them often, especially Rex. The old man had thought Rex was lazy and stupid.

  She really needed to apologize. What had come over her? She’d gone without sleep before while on assignment and never acted like that. Between being nervous about seeing her mom and lying to her as part of their cover, and seeing someone who had played a major role in her teenage fantasies, it was no wonder she had overreacted tonight.

  Yeah. That was it. She’d wait up and tell him how sorry she was about her behavior and explain a little.

  Feeling a little better, she pulled on her Tweety Bird pajama pants and Dark-Hunter T-shirt. She turned on the bedside lamp and stretched out on top of the covers to read the latest Sherrilyn Kenyon book.

  HER EYES OPENED. Where was she? Oh, yeah, the hotel in Birmingham on assignment. She rubbed her eyes and sat up. Her hand caught the book before it fell off her chest. Without wasting time, she tossed the book to the side and tiptoed across the room to the stairs. A noise had woken her up. The living room was dark except for a light that shone from beneath the double doors leading into the second bedroom. Rex’s bedroom.

  She padded softly down the steps. The sound of a news announcer chattering about the stock market echoed through the door. Then someone began to talk as if whispering to another. Seconds later, she heard a thumping sound—of flesh slapping wet flesh.

  Rex better not have brought Nic to the suite. Was he nuts? He could blow their cover. All the work put into the mission so far would be wasted.

  She ignored how her heart ached with the thought of Rex naked on top of—

  No. Why think about it until she knew for sure? She wasn’t a coward. Turning the knob, she opened the door and halted midstride.

  Rex was alone. The sheets and comforter at his feet with legs sprawled out and his hand wrapped around his cock. Pumping. With his eyes closed and forehead creased, he concentrated so hard that he missed her entrance.

  He continued to pump as she blinked to clear her vision and watched. No way could she move. Where she stood, the foot of the bed faced her, giving a clear view, leaving nothing to the imagination. One broad hand slid up and down, while the other massaged his balls, tight and high between his legs. He stopped.

  Her gaze shot to his face. His eyes remained squeezed shut. She looked back down. His thumb rubbed across the plump tip; moisture glistened on the head. When he began to pump again, she let her gaze drift up his taut abdomen as it jerked with each downward stroke. His small beaded nipples begged to be licked and bitten. He groaned.

  Again she looked to see if he was aware of her. A line of dark lashes stayed lowered, not revealing the light gray eyes beneath. Her gaze caressed his powerful chest until he thrust his hips to pound harder and faster. His biceps released and bulged with the power he asserted on his long, magnificent cock. His thighs trembled each time his heels dug into the mattress.

  All that force and masculinity working toward one goal was so beautiful, so incredibly animalistic, she yearned to be part of it, wanted him thrusting into her with the same force and single-minded concentration. But she didn’t want him to stop from attaining his own satisfaction. She wanted to see him come. See his face as he climaxed. She could spend her entire life watching him like that.

  That was a lie. A part of her craved to touch the throbbing ache between her legs and stroke with the same rhythm and vigor.

  Afraid to move, almost afraid to breathe, she watched and waited. His cock darkened and his hand sped up as he tightened his hold. His breathing became deeper as she inhaled and exhaled with him. Mouth open, head slung back, he took in an endless gulp of air as his whole body arched. He thrust two more times and then climaxed as he released one guttural word:

  “Abby.”

  She lifted her gaze to his. Molten-gray eyes watched her from beneath dark lashes.

  Excitedly disturbed but mortified, she numbly exited the room. Not until she was halfway up the stairs did she stop. She crumbled onto a step and leaned against the cool railing. Her skin felt hot and tight on her face and arms. Panting as if the air in the room had thinned, she swallowed and worked on regaining her senses.

  She wanted Rex with all her being. Jack, Olivia, and even Rex had told her there was no reason for her not to take advantage of the setup and enjoy the benefits. Why fight it any longer? Not until that moment had she realized she’d been denying herself the one thing she wanted so badly. She thought she’d come to terms with every gritty part of her job. So what was her problem? What held her back?

  She was scared. Spitless.

  Chapter Ten

  * * *

  THANK GOODNESS FOR Nic and Jack, and she never imagined being thankful about that. But when she walked into the living room the next morning, filled with dread about facing Rex and trying to figure out what to say, there they sat on the sofa looking at a map on a laptop with Rex staring over their shoulders.

  Nic gave her a smirk. Abby wanted to hug the little twit, even when she said, “Well, look at who the cat dragged in. You want an aspirin? You really need to lay off the alcohol, especially when you’re on duty.”

  Too tired from tossing and turning all morning, she shot Nic the bird and shuffled over to the counter with the coffeepot. When the woman gasped, she felt kind of bad about her gesture, considering Nic was so clueless. Everyone at The Circle loved the small woman; it wasn’t Nic’s fault that everything she said grated on her nerves.

  She poured a cup and carefully took a few sips of the evil brew. Rex always loved the stuff extra strong.

  Eyeing the group, she liked how Rex, standing in his usual pose, arms crossed and feet well planted, filled out black jeans and a gray shirt like they were tailored for him. They probably were, if she had to bet. Even when they’d first started dating and he’d favored leather everything, the gothic-looking clothes had been tailored especially for his tall frame. And his hair had hung between his shoulders, though he’d often pulled it back tight and braided it. Was Nic the reason for the more mainstream clothing and haircut? Abby had been partial to the long hair. It had given him a sexy rock-god look.

  “Now that Abby’s decided to join us, let’s go over the statistics.” Jack clicked on the keyboard. “The farm Brody mentioned last night is about four hundred acres, a sizeable spread in Alabama. He has six workers who keep it productive, with the main crop being peanuts.” He shook his head. “An arms dealer growing peanuts. Takes all kinds.”

  “I see electric fencing but no brick walls. Does he use guards and dogs?” Rex squinted at the screen.

  “Yeah.” Jack nodded. “We’d been told he had more until I sent Liam to investigate. From what we found, that’s all he has. Maybe he’s so arrogant he believes no one would be dumb enough to break in.” Abby rolled her eyes. Was there any doubt? Ignoring her, he continued. “We haven’t come across a building with an unknown purpose. But we still believe his manufacturing facility is somewhere on the property. The trucks, coming and going with supplies and shipments of peanuts, could easily include items to produce or ship ammo.”

  “What about the designer? Has there been word yet of what he looks like?” Abby said as she stopped next to Rex and looked at the farm layout. Rex shifted from one leg to anoth
er and his hip bumped into her. She glanced up, and he gave her an innocent look. Her arm tingled and face warmed from the small contact.

  Flashes of memory shot across her mind’s eye, showing glimpses of his hand stroking and fondling hard, thick flesh. Heat like what had engulfed her last night brightened her face further.

  What was her problem? She wasn’t a naïve preteen. Concentrate. Nothing was more important than the mission at hand.

  Another brief vision of a hand squeezing and pumping caused her to inhale too sharp and she coughed. Rex, Jack, and Nic looked at her for a second. She shook her head and waved at them to continue.

  Christ! Rex and her libido were driving her crazy.

  She barely caught what Rex said as she regained control of her brain.

  “Let’s not forget it could easily be a woman. We screwed the pooch when it came to chasing down the designer for the Blossom Flower drug.” Rex referred to their last mission where Jack and Ryker almost lost their lives searching for the person producing a drug that caused women to crave sex so they could be sold to sex traffickers.

  “Only one woman has been in the house more than any of his current flavors.” When Jack glanced over at her, she knew she wouldn’t like the answer. “Your mom, Abby.”

  She groaned. What could she be doing at an arms dealer’s house? Farm or not, the man was young enough to be her son. No matter how gorgeous her mom was, she was fifty-eight years old.

  “There has to be an explanation,” Abby said hopefully.

  Nic released a giggle and quickly covered her mouth. Ignoring Nic’s enjoyment in how uncomfortable the whole conversation was becoming for her, Abby tilted her head and widened her eyes, letting Jack know he better answer fast.

  “Actually there is. She’s the head of the Save Sand City Museum campaign, and Brody appears to be the largest contributor. What better way to stay on the good side of a small town community and keep an eye on the local police department?”

  “Mom is very proud of my brother, and considering how she loves bragging about him, Brody probably hears about every investigation that’s going on in all of Sand County.”

  Abby glanced toward the bathroom. By the way she was feeling, she wasn’t sure how much longer she would last before getting sick. Especially if Jack told her that her mother was having a fling with Brody. Maybe she kept his books. She’d worked in Abby’s dad’s practice as the office manager and bookkeeper when he was alive. Yeah, that had to be it.

  “Maybe. But your brother was elected sheriff only six months ago, and your mom’s been visiting with Brody for at least a year.” Jack sat back, one hand holding his elbow as his other rubbed his chin. He stared hard at the report on his screen as his tongue played with the loop piercing his bottom lip. Was he as confused as she was by her mom’s actions?

  A niggling feeling at the back of her mind warned that she’d just missed something important.

  “When are Charlie and Liam showing up?” Rex’s voice, deep and gruff, caused her to blush.

  She remembered the rough groans escaping his lips last night, of how he arched his back in pleasure with each thrust of his fist. Heat flooded her body again as she replayed each sensual moment. Considering the different types of missions she’d been through over the last few years, she should be unaffected by such a display, but she couldn’t get it out of her mind. Watching Rex masturbate last night had excited her more than she ever wanted to admit. It had been natural and beautiful. After what he’d done to her earlier that day, she understood he needed some type of outlet. It wasn’t like she had offered to pay him back for his generosity.

  Oh, goodness, the man’s tongue needed to be registered as a lethal weapon. Really. How had she not had a heart attack?

  When Jack picked up his cup and moved over to the coffee machine, she once again pushed herself to pay attention.

  “They’re going to see if they can get hired on as day laborers,” Jack said in answer to Rex’s earlier question. “Word’s out that the farm needs help preparing the fields for peanuts. By having them nearby, they can keep an eye on the comings and goings and report back. As a bonus, if you and Rex need help, they’ll be nearby.”

  “With Alabama’s strict immigration laws, farmers are begging for help. Should be easy for them to get picked,” Nic chimed in.

  “Nic and I’ll be hanging out at a popular bar in Sand City and letting the locals know we’re in the market for some land. It’s amazing the info people will tell all in the name of being helpful.” Taking a long sip of his coffee, Jack slowly looked from her to his brother and back to her.

  Did he know about last night?

  No. Otherwise, Jack would be giving her hell. He’d love nothing more than to have something to hold over her head and tease her with. If he did know, why wasn’t he teasing her?

  What was he up to?

  When he glanced at her and sipped his coffee again, she went over their conversation so far. Then it hit her.

  “Rex. Nic. If you two would excuse us for a few minutes, I need to talk with Jack.” She stared straight at Rex. “Privately.”

  His eyes narrowed for a second and then he nodded. “Nic, come with me. We’ll talk about how to set up the bugs you gave me.”

  The man had enough sense to not argue with her. Maybe he was glad he wasn’t the one in trouble. This time.

  Like a happy puppy, Nic followed Rex to his bedroom, chatting all the way. Bedroom? Why the bedroom? If she wasn’t so angry with Jack, she would have a word or two with Rex about his choice of rooms. Then again, would her bedroom upstairs be any better? Yeah. It at least had a sitting area, and Nic wouldn’t like coming on to the big hunk in the same room Abby slept in and, as far as she knew, regardless of Rex’s mussed up bed, Rex had too.

  When the door closed with a click, her fingernails dug into the back of the couch. Who was she to dictate where and with whom he could go? The marriage was a fake and no one outside the suite would know.

  Well, crap. She had a problem for sure. Jealousy had no place on a mission.

  REX WANTED TO stay, but he actually needed to ask Nic for an extra bug without Abby knowing. From the intel he’d received from Jack and their discussions leading up to the wedding, Abby’s brother was an important key to finding some answers. Every time they’d mentioned bugging her brother, she’d claimed he was as straight and narrow as they come. One thing he’d learned over the years, even brothers could screw up.

  “I hope she hasn’t been mean to you.” Nic’s hand rubbed his upper arm and dropped to squeeze his hand.

  “Abby? Nah.” He stepped away and picked up a black bag with the bugs provided for use in Brody’s home. The bag looked like any normal man’s shaving kit. Inside, he stored his razor, shaving cream, comb, deodorant, and toothbrush with paste, but in the false bottom were six tiny listening devices. Even if someone emptied the bag and cut the bottom, the bugs and the foam they were encased in would stay hidden. Ingenious, if he said so himself. “Do you happen to have an extra bug I could take with me?”

  “Did something happen to one of them? I told Sal to pack tight.” She reached for the bag, but Rex held it above her head.

  “No. Everything’s okay. I want an extra in case something comes up.” He set it in the bathroom and turned, bumping into Nic, who was on his heels. “Whoa.” He held her arm until she regained her balance. “I also want it to have a single feed receiver.” The other bugs’ information was received by The Circle’s big computer mainframe and accessed by phone. He wanted to be the only one to hear.

  “I don’t know. I could get in a lot of trouble if Jack or Ryker finds out.” Nic scooted a little closer and ran her hand up his chest. Damn, they probably should’ve gone to the sitting room upstairs. The way Nic touched him and glanced at the rumpled bed, she clearly expected a reward for going against Circle rules.

  He moved near the door and crossed his arms. “I don’t want you to get in trouble. If you can’t, I’ll understand.”

&nb
sp; “Rex.” She followed and ran her hand over his chest again. “While Abby and Jack are occupied, we can do the same.”

  As soon as she looked into his face, her hand dropped to her side.

  His brother might be an asshole who loved unavailable women, but Jack would never jeopardize a mission by fooling around while the husband was in the next room. And for the current job, Abby was his wife.

  “You and I talked about this. We had a good time, but now we’re friends and nothing more.”

  She stuck out her chin, pressing her lips together. After a few seconds, she said, “I know that’s what you said, but anyone with eyes can tell Abby has a thing for Jack. I don’t want you to get hurt. She’s got you all tied up with this pretend wedding and meeting her family. You’ll only get hurt again.”

  “That’s for me to worry about.” He pulled her into his arms and hugged her. “I appreciate your concern, but I’m a big boy and can take care of myself.” With a light kiss on the top of her head, he released her and held out his hand. “Still friends?”

  Her big eyes looked into his. “Sure. Friends.” She shook his hand. “I think we can set up one of the bugs you already have for a single feed to your phone. Where’s your laptop?”

  Rex was relieved but unsurprised that Nic took his rejection so well. One of the things he liked about her was her easygoing nature. She was protective of those she liked and a pain in the ass to those she didn’t. And Nic made no bones that she didn’t care for Abby. He never asked why, as he expected Nic being Nic one day would change her mind once she knew more about Abby.

  He listened for the couple in the next room. Besides, Nic was wrong about Abby and Jack. At least, she’d better be wrong.

  JACK SIPPED FROM his coffee cup again while staring out the glass doors leading to the balcony.