Hidden Secrets (Garrett Investigation Book 1)

by Claire Plaisted

  Everyone who worked in the building welcomed the new security measures.

  The loss of Marigold Longburn sent shockwaves through the businesses. She’d been a well-loved woman on the fashion scene. Her death at the hands of an assassin due to being in the wrong place at the wrong time made many realise it could’ve been them. Her funeral was to be held on the following Friday. Most businesses had representatives attending, including the intended target; once again security would be high.

  Arriving back, they quickly collected Malachy speeding out in the blink of an eye heading for Eastchester General Hospital. Yuri was determined not to get caught unaware again. Arriving at the back entrance their security team escorted them to Abe’s room.

  “Oh my god, all those tubes, are you sure he’s all right,” Ana asked anxiously.

  “Yeah, I’ll get the doctor to give you an update, just remember he can still hear what you say Ana so stay positive. He came through surgery fine, just taking a while to mend,” replied Yuri calmly.

  “He’s a tough nut, couple of days he’ll be up laughing with us all.”

  “Yeah, you’re right Malachy,” she smiled.

  “Be right back.”

  “I hope the company is paying for his medical bills Mal?”

  “Of course, hurt in the line of duty, we pay.”

  Ana approached the bed, sitting in a chair beside Abe taking his hand. “Thank you for saving my life.” She said softly, “I hope you get well and strong soon, miss having you around buddy.”

  Yuri arrived back with the doctor. “So what’s the news; how’s his progress?”

  “He’s steadily improving. We hope to bring him around tomorrow if he stays stable tonight. He’s making remarkable progress considering he took a hit from a bomb blast and a couple of bullets.”

  “Mal, I’d like to be here when he comes round, in fact, I need to be here,” she pleaded, “I still feel at fault for all this.”

  “We’ll make arrangements, don’t feel guilty Abe was meant to look after you. He did a damn good job too,” replied Yuri.

  “You trained him well Yuri.”

  “Was there anything else you needed?” asked the doctor.

  “No; thanks for your time.”

  “Well, time for home Ana, take the rest of the day off. I could do with some company.”

  Reluctantly, she nodded her head in agreement. Ana was still unsure about spending so much time with Malachy. He made her body ache with desire whenever she was close. It was all she could do not to jump his bones, knowing if she did, everything would change. She wasn’t sure she was ready.

  Arriving at Malachy’s house Yuri hustled them inside quickly and efficiently, at last they could both relax, have a quiet evening enjoy a meal together, if it were possible anymore.

  Ana was such a welcome sight though it played hell with his restraint. How he’d managed not to touch her in the car was incomprehensible. His body screamed at the injustice of it all, just looking at her made him hard. Why couldn’t she feel the tension in the air; Malachy sighed in frustration!

  “You ok Mal? You seem a bit unsettled tonight.”

  “Fine,” he snapped out.

  Her eyes widened at his tone, taking in his rigid stance, lack of emotion on his face she realised they’d both changed. “I should go Mal; this isn’t doing either of us any good.”

  “Stay Ana, you’re most welcome. I’ll get over it.”

  “You may Mal; I’m not sure I will.”

  “So why don’t we find out Ana,” he whispered.

  “Mal it would ruin everything. How we treat and respect each other will change. You know it will.”

  “What are you afraid of Ana?”

  Shoving back her chair it thudded to the floor, walking around the table to Mal he turned towards her frustration showing in his blue eyes. Ana looked down at him in his chair, leaning forward putting her hands on his face, stroking his the stubble across his jaw. Excitement instantly built inside pouring through her body. Bending down, she pressed her lips firmly to his. Mal groaned deeply in his throat, wanting this so much. Ana began to nibble at his bottom lip, her tongue flicking over it as she moved along. Lifting her head, she looked at him again before standing, walking away.

  “You see Mal I’m not scared of anything, least of all you.”

  Mal was hard just from her kiss; standing, he hoped she wouldn’t notice his blood surge. He strode towards her, standing so close she needed to tilt back her head to look him in the face.

  “If you weren’t scared Ana, why did you walk away. I was just beginning to enjoy your kisses.”

  Ana slid her hands up his chest under his jacket feeling his intense heat, her hands reaching his shoulders, pushing his jacket off; it quickly slid to the floor.

  “I’m not scared of you Mal, my body responds to you. I am afraid of what my body wants, how I’m going to cope if I give my body over to you.”

  “You think my body doesn’t do the same Ana,” he growled, shaking her, bringing her lips to his. His passion exploding as their lips touched, hot and demanding his kiss was brutal. Biting her bottom lip, gaining entry into her mouth, his tongue flicked over her teeth making Ana moan loudly. Glad her hands were on his shoulders for support as her knees started to crumble. Mal rained little kisses over her face, finding her heat spots.

  “Kiss me back Ana,” he murmured.

  Her hands went around his neck, pulling her body in closer to his. They fit perfectly; leaning in starting to kiss him back with a power she’d never known she possessed. It’s too late to turn back. Their friendship changed forever; they needed to get this passion out of their system.

  “How’s your shoulder,” she asked, her fingers sliding across them.

  “Happy to get rid of the sling, pleased to have you,” he groaned nibbling the corner of her mouth. “Please Ana…”

  There was a knock on the door, jumping apart, breaking the kiss, backing away from each other as Yuri opened the door.

  “Sir, Conrad’s found the info you wanted, he didn’t wish to wait until morning; says we’ve opened a can of worms.”

  Mal breathed out a sigh of annoyance, “All right, we’ll meet you in the library in five minutes Yuri. Is Conrad coming over or we linking into the bunker satellite?”

  “The bunker sir thought it was safer and more convenient for everyone.”

  “Thanks, Yuri, we’ll be with you shortly.”

  “So it begins,” sighed Ana.

  “For us; or our fight for survival?” questioned Malachy.

  “Both Mal,” she replied wearily, dragging her fingers through her long black hair.

  “Let’s go and see what Conrad’s found. We’ll talk about us after ok?”

  “Yeah; what the hell now or later won’t make any difference to me,” she shrugged.

  Striding across the foyer entering the library Ana saw the books and gasped. “Wow.” Like at the office three walls were full from the floor to the ceiling, stopping her mouth dropping at the sight, ‘Geeze,’ she muttered.

  The screen was over the mantelpiece, standing in front Mal with his hands behind his back waiting while the display flickered to life.

  “What you got Conrad?”

  “Well, boss, we found how Fletcher got in; we also found a link between two prominent businessmen, though we’ve yet to find out what the link is.”

  “Good work, so tell us how he got in.”

  “Fletcher was born for this role. Someone has been planning for a long time. We’ve yet to find out whom! The original is dead; she was stillborn. The other was Fletcher, born the same day in the same place. The babies were exchanged for some reason. Their mothers never found out.”

  “So how did you find out Conrad?”

  “By digging deep sir, there was a hint about the swap, nothing more.”

  “All right, what else. Yuri mentioned a can of worms?”

  “Yeah, you could say that. Two prominent men, one you have associated with in th
e past, in fact, you were at his house last Friday, Blaze Carrington. He may be into something big. I’m not sure yet.”

  “Blaze, well sod it,” he turned to Yuri, “I need a recording of Blaze’s voice and whoever this other gentleman is, compare them to the tape Ana retrieved. I’m not sure. I think it’s Blaze on the tape. Who’s the other gentleman Conrad?”

  “His name is Philippe Haier. I’m going to dig into both their backgrounds after we’ve finished the computer transcripts.”

  “Did Gina find what was worrying her?”

  “I’ll hand you over to her now boss.”

  “Hi Gina, what can you tell us.”

  “Fletcher has some rather exceptional skills Malachy; you’re going to have to be very careful around him sometime in the near future.”

  “Do tell Gina.”

  He’s more intelligent than we knew Mal. Some of his academics have been well hidden. He has a degree in Bio-Chemical Engineering as well as a Masters’ in Biology,” she said, “And that is just a start.”

  “Well bugger,” muttered Malachy darkly.

  “Found anything else Gina?”

  “That’s all. I’m trying to find out just how much he knows.”

  “Thanks. Yuri screen off now, please.”

  “Well, it looks like I gave him the right assignment then. He’ll probably move quicker than we anticipated, I hope you’ve prepared your men Yuri?”

  “Yes, I have two shadowing him at all times.”

  “Well, you’d better get your men sorted for tonight, Ana, a nightcap?” he enquired.

  “Yes, that would be great.”

  Entering the lounge, Malachy poured them both a scotch on the rocks. Handing her a glass, he stood leaning against the mantelpiece watching.

  “Well, at least we know Fletcher is working with Blaze.” He sipped his drink, “So what about us?”

  Ana looked up at him through her lashes; her whole body ached. She’d always known coming to stay would be a bad idea. Knocking back her Scotch; heat pouring down her throat, she wondered if it would give her dutch courage.

  “I’m going to bed now Mal. You tempt me a lot; we’ll have to see what happens,” walking up to him she kissed him softly on the mouth, running her fingers through his thick bronze hair. Pulling back, she walked out of the lounge without looking back, never noticing his wistful smile.

  Mal followed thirty minutes later after checking in with security. Hesitating outside Ana’s room, wondering if he dare, she was tempting him more all the time. His loins stirred at the thought of her in bed. Shaking his head, he continued down the hallway. Stopping again; clenching his fists tightly he turned back to her room. Quietly opening her door, he looked inside and smiled.

  He saw her in bed, her laptop on her knee her hair tumbling around her pixie face in concentration; he entered. Hearing the door close, Ana looked up, seeing Mal with his jacket thrown over one shoulder, his eyes dark with desire. Approaching her bed, he towered over her. Ana’s blood surged; her heart rate sped up desire exploding inside.

  “Mal you shouldn’t be here,” she stammered.

  “I’m exactly where I should be Anastasia with you always. You make me feel like no other woman ever has,” kicking off his shoes, laying his jacket over a chair he sat beside her on the bed. “I need you Ana, desperately,” he reached up pushing a strand of her hair behind her ear, his finger smoothing down her cheek towards her lips. A tremor ran through her body at his touch, licking her lips she replied. “I’m trying to work Mal.”

  “I want to feel you Ana; your skin is so damn soft. I want to feel my shaft inside you, have your heat wrapped around me.”

  Her breath caught in her throat at his words. Trapped by her own feelings she raised a hand to his face, he caught it, dropping a kiss on her palm. Trembling with desire, she closed her laptop, putting it on the bedside table the material of her negligee pulling taut across her breasts her nipples standing out pebbled against the silk.

  Groaning Malachy pulled her swiftly into his arms crushing a kiss to her mouth taking it fiercely demanding. Ana felt heat pool in her stomach as butterflies hurried through her, she kissed him back entirely lost in desire.

  Her arms slid from his shoulders with trembling fingers she unbuttoned his shirt. Mal tucked her hair behind her head; to give him access to her throat. He skimmed hot wet kisses across her skin, making her sigh at the delicious hum inside. Making his way back up to her lips; Ana let her hands touch his naked chest for the first time. It was a gloriously muscular chest with well-developed pecs; as hard as a rock; warm to the touch and smelt fabulous. Ana placed little kisses on his skin, sliding her hands back up to his shoulders; she shoved his shirt off looking at his latest scar, kissing it tenderly smiling up into his dark eyes.

  “I want to see your body Ana. You torment me every time I see your body sway past me,” he muttered.

  Sitting back, Ana relaxed into her pillows a seductive smile on her lips, her firm, high breasts pushing at the lemon silk of her negligée. Leaning over he pressed his mouth against her nipples, making the nubs tighten, her wanton body aching for more. Pulling at her nipple with his teeth, he felt shudders run through her. Mal pushed the spaghetti straps off her shoulders, letting them fall, revealing her perfect breasts, taking a nipple into his mouth; he listened to Ana moan her blood stirring sweeping through her. Ana arched her back as heat raced pooling in her loins, her hands pressing his head to her breasts wanting him to take more. He took her other nipple, making her cry out. Quickly her hands went to his pants; she could feel his erection through the fabric. Pausing she held him in her hand, listening to him groan, feeling his shaft throb hard.

  Pulling away, Malachy stood, removing his trousers and boxers, standing naked before her, she gloried in his solid masculinity. He was a magnificent specimen, beautiful to behold, his erection throbbing ready and waiting. Ana smiled, looking with admiration as he approached her bed flicking up the covers, looking at the rest of Ana’s curvy figure. Removing her negligee slowly smiling as her lush, lithe body was revealed to him in all its glory.

  “You’re truly beautiful Anastasia.”

  “As are you Malachy.”

  Malachy pulled her down her bed, making her squawk. Lying beside her, he ran his hands skillfully over her silky smooth body.

  “I always knew you’d have baby soft skin,” he said, kissing her stomach. His hands glided down her long, graceful legs, sliding his fingers up on the inside of her thighs making her shudder in anticipation. Mal smiled up at her enjoying seeing the emotions roll over her face. She squirmed as he touched her curls her breathing hitching when he tore her panties off tossing them behind him.

  “Now we can enjoy each other fully Ana.”

  “Oh god Malachy, you make me want so much more,” she groaned, “please don’t make me beg.”

  “Touch me Ana; I want to feel your hands on me.”

  A hand on his chest, she felt his heart hammering away. Kissing him gently, lifting her head at his moan. Lowering her hand she held his erection firmly; feeling its heat, his skin so soft yet so hard. He felt wonderful. Ana started stroking her hand up and down his pulsating shaft, her finger flicking over the tip. It was his turn to shudder; she enjoyed letting her thumb graze over his engorged head, he jerked each time, his eyes opening when he groaned. Reaching up, he trailed his hand back to her black curls touching her nub making Ana jump in shock, her desire building.

  “You’re so responsive to me Ana,” he knelt between her legs, grabbing her arms above her head with one hand; touching her making her squirm desperately.

  “Oh Mal, more please,” she panted, “I want you inside me, please,” she begged.

  “No hurry Ana, all the time in the world.”

  He touched her clit again, watching her explode crying out, her orgasm enveloping her. Slowly coming back down, she felt him push a finger inside her hot wet sheath, wriggling his finger, he thrust it in further making her come again. Screaming with her or
gasm, Malachy lifted her legs over his arms grabbing her hips pushing his shaft slowly inside until he was deeply embedded, pushing past her tight muscles enjoying the feel of them clenching his shaft.

  “Oh my god, Malachy, you feel so good, so big,” she moaned.

  His eyes were closed, his mind blank his body trembling with feelings he’d yet to understand. Blood was pounding through him the feel of her tight sheath surrounding him. Slowly he started to move. Ana arched her back meeting him as he kept sliding into her enticing him deeper. Increasing their pace Ana’s eyes closed panting feeling her muscles starting to tense. With one swift plunge, Malachy let his body and mind go, both crying out as orgasms seized their bodies, taking them both over the edge of sanity. Shuddering out of control, he released his seed. Ana clenching him harder milking him, they slowly came back to earth. Malachy rolled to one side, keeping Ana in his arms.

  “Well, you just blow me away Ana,” he said as he ran his finger down her side over her hip, “We fit like a glove. You’re more than I ever expected.”

  “Malachy, that was extreme, to say the least,” Ana laughed delightedly. “I find I want more.”

  “You can always move in here permanently, when you’re ready, of course,” he amended as her face paled.

  “No, I like my independence too much Mal. You know that, let’s be lovers for now see how it goes. If we do have something, we need to work it out.”

  “I can deal with it, Ana. Now if you don’t mind!” he said as he tweaked her nipples playfully “I feel like having another round, how about you?”

  “My god, You’re hard again, talk…” Her voice trailed off as he once more started to arouse her overstimulated body to his heart’s content.

  CHAPTER SIX

  “Look Carrington this is the opportunity we’ve been waiting for, my boss is getting anxious. So what’re you going to do? Are you going to bring Haier in on this? I need to know as soon as possible while I go and examine these notes on this virus. I’m sure it’s the one we need to bring Malachy down on his knees.”