Black Book: Black Star Security

by Cynthia Rayne

  “Don’t be. I don’t mind.”

  Mack knew she should get off his lap. Touching him was even better than she’d imagined, but this wasn’t appropriate.

  “I should head upstairs so we can both get some sleep.” Mack made a half-hearted attempt to get up, but he seized her arm.

  Quinn kissed her forehead and their eyes locked.

  “No, you should definitely stay.”

  Biting her lower lip, Mack rested her head against his chest once more. But she still felt jumpy.

  “What happens now?” Quinn asked. “Does your team spring into action, ready to save the day?”

  Hmph. He made them sound like superheroes.

  “We’ll talk it over tomorrow and come up with a plan.”

  Quinn grunted. “I already have a plan, they just need to get on board.”

  “Yeah, that’s not how they work.”

  “We’ll see.”

  ***

  Quinn knew he had to keep her talking.

  Mack was distraught. She needed to calm down, focus on something else. He’d been in trouble for years and if he hadn’t found a way to manage the stress, he would’ve eaten his gun a long time ago.

  Quinn rubbed her back and he could feel the muscles relax under his palms as she rested against him. He tried not to think about how right it felt to hold her. He’d pictured it for weeks and here she was, in his arms, like a gift from the heavens.

  And he tried not to think about how much he wanted to touch her. And not just platonically.

  Quinn needed to hear her little gasping moans as he kissed the hollow of her throat. He wanted to drag his tongue along the length of her collarbones.

  She’d been through enough tonight and Mackenzie deserved a gentleman, a man of honor. Since he was neither one of those things, Quinn would have to fake it.

  “Tell me about yourself,” he said hoarsely.

  She shrugged. “There isn’t much to know. You’re the mysterious one.”

  “Yes, but I’m curious about you.” And he was.

  Mackenzie was his favorite subject. He hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her. Frankly, he didn’t want to.

  “What do you want to know?”

  “Tell me about your family.” He picked the first subject that came to mind. The important thing was, to keep her talking.

  “I have two older brothers, but I haven’t seen them in years. And my parents are divorced. It happened when I was in high school.” Mack said it matter-of-factly.

  “I’m sorry.” Quinn hadn’t grown up in a loving home, and he imagined losing one was much worse than not having one to begin with.

  “Yeah, me too, but they couldn’t work things out. All they did was fight.”

  “Did they remarry?”

  “Yup, I’ve got a stepdad and a stepmom, plus three half-siblings.”

  “Are you close to them?”

  Mackenzie shook her head. “There’s too big of an age difference. I’ve been on my own, more or less, since I left for college. Although, I see them on holidays.”

  Hmm. She was largely all alone in the world, like him.

  “Who did you live with?”

  “My brothers went to stay with my dad and his new wife. And I was left with my mom and her new husband.” She made a face.

  “You didn’t like your stepdad, huh?”

  “He was kind of controlling. Larry never met a schedule he didn’t like.”

  “Let’s see.” Quinn tapped his chin. “Who does that remind me of?”

  She scowled. “Shut up.”

  “I didn’t make a comment.”

  “Your face did. I’m not that scheduled.”

  Oh, yes, she was.

  He’d never met a woman more in need of spontaneity. Mackenzie needed to break out of her routines, let her wild side out to play.

  “And what about your father?” he asked.

  She shrugged. “We don’t have much of a relationship. Dad spent most of his time with the boys, hunting, fishing, and camping. I didn’t do any of those things.” Mack huffed a breath. “I don’t know why I’m telling you all of this.”

  Quinn knew why. She was feeling more vulnerable than usual. She needed a connection with someone.

  “Are you and your mom close?”

  “No, she died a couple of years ago.” She glanced away.

  “How?”

  “Mom had diabetes, and there were some complications.”

  “I’m sorry.” Fuck. He’d been hoping to relax her, not bring up awful memories.

  “Me, too. At least I’ll see her again one day.”

  “You believe in life after death?”

  She raised her brows. “Yeah, don’t you?”

  Quinn wanted to believe in the afterlife, especially after Karen’s death, but he wasn’t sure. He’d never even set foot in a church. And, assuming if heaven and hell really did exist, there’s no guarantee Quinn would walk through those pearly gates. More than likely, he’d be going downtown.

  “The verdict’s still out for me.”

  “With all the terrible things I’ve witnessed on the job, the more strongly I believe in absolutes, good and evil exist. I’ve seen them with my own eyes.”

  Mack sounded so sure of herself. Part of him wanted to believe her. It would be a relief to have an all-powerful celestial being on his side.

  “Let’s get back to your family.” They were getting off topic. “What happened after your mom was gone?”

  “Things with my stepdad were terrible. My mom was like a referee, and we haven’t spoken in years.”

  “Why? Did you guys have a blowout?”

  “Yeah, when he kept my mom’s engagement ring.”

  “The one your father gave her?”

  “No, mom left it to me in her will. I’m talking about her other ring.”

  “Didn’t your stepfather buy it for her?” Quinn had a feeling he was missing something.

  “Yeah, but she had her mom’s and grandmother’s stones placed on either side of the diamond he gave her.”

  Understanding dawned. “So, it’s a family heirloom.”

  “Yeah. He had every right to keep her ring, but not the other two. And I know it sounds petty to bring it up, but it bothers me.” She took in a ragged breath. “After she died, little details became important. My stepfather asked me to go through her things, her clothing and her toiletries. It was hard to throw anything out. Everything seemed precious because that’s all she left behind.” Mackenzie rubbed her ring finger. “And I wanted a little piece of her, I could keep with me always, a daily reminder.”

  “No, it’s not petty.” Quinn cupped her face.

  Mackenzie gave him a watery smile.

  “I could steal it for you.”

  She snickered, caught off guard. “You would?”

  Quinn wanted to make her laugh again. He loved the sound.

  “Of course. Say the word, and it’s yours.” The truth was, He turned to theft to fund his enterprise, but Quinn had a knack for it. No, more than that. He loved stealing. It gave him a high, made him feel all powerful.

  “I’ll think it over.”

  No, she wouldn’t. Mackenzie was much too ethical.

  Mackenzie bit her lip. “At least my mother wasn’t around for this.”

  “For what?”

  “My fall from grace.”

  “It was Harold’s fault, not yours.”

  “You don’t even know what happened.”

  “I don’t know everything, but I’m familiar with Harold and what he did to you.”

  Her eyes were wide and wary. “How?”

  “Like I said, I’ve been investigatin’ him. Did you tell your family what happened?” Quinn asked.

  Mackenzie was an overachiever, a go-getter, and losing her position with the agency had probably been devastating.

  “No, not the whole story.” Mackenzie lifted a shoulder. “I was too embarrassed.”

  “Why?”

  “Because
I screwed up. I did the wrong thing.”

  “Maybe, but you’re human and we fuck up from time to time.” He’d embraced his inner dark side a long time ago, and Quinn had never looked back.

  “I don’t. Not often.”

  He kissed the top of her head. “Why don’t we get some rest?”

  Mackenzie snuggled down beside him. Quinn tried his damnedest not to get used to this, having her in his arms.

  This wouldn’t last. It couldn’t.

  ***

  “What’s Robin Hood doing in here?” Nox asked.

  Mackenzie glared at her teammate. “If we’re coming up with a plan, he needs to be in on it.”

  Quinn tried and failed not to look too smug. They were sitting in the conference room again. Only this time, he wasn’t handcuffed.

  Things are definitely looking up.

  West pointed to Quinn. “And how do we know he didn’t hire someone to follow you?”

  “Because I was locked in a jail cell?” Quinn lifted his chin. “I had no idea where she was goin’.”

  Mackenzie backed him up. “He’s right, West. I didn’t give Quinn any details.”

  “And not to be nit-picky but y’all have been holdin’ me against my will, which is a felony, but you don’t see me bitchin’ about it, do you?”

  Nox sneered. “You’re welcome to call up the feds and snitch on us, if you like.”

  Clearly, they hated him. And the feeling was mutual. Mackenzie was the only one, he gave a damn about.

  Hmm, and maybe Annie wasn’t so terrible.

  After all, she’d saved Mackenzie. During the prison transport, she’d been decent to him as well. But the rest of them could go fuck themselves.

  “Quinn isn’t a suspect. We need to know more about Harold.” Mackenzie glanced at Storm. “Can you dig up some dirt on him?”

  But Storm was staring at Quinn. Hard. “Are you wearing my shirt?”

  Quinn snickered. “I didn’t take it. Mackenzie gave it to me.”

  Storm’s eyes bugged out. “What the crap, Mack?”

  “He needed something to wear, and we can fight about it later. For now, answer the question.”

  Storm cracked his knuckles. “Don’t worry, I’m gonna get all up in his financials. If he’s got any dark money, I’m gonna find it.”

  Zane glowered. “Do you have to use a creepy voice?”

  Storm made a face. “Uh, yeah, it’s dark money.”

  Lucy rolled her eyes. “Stop sayin’ dark money and explain it for the rest of us.”

  “People running for office can have anonymous donors create a 501C to fund their operations. Supposedly, they can’t collude with the candidates, but they clearly do anyhow. Regardless, the money trail is nearly untraceable. It’s the perfect set-up for bribes.”

  “The cartel could create one then?” Quinn asked.

  “Absolutely.” Storm rubbed his hands together. “But don’t worry, I’ve got ways of tracking things down.”

  “Someone like Harold is protected, by his office and a lot of powerful people. If you want to go after him, you're gonna need information. Lots of it.” Mackenzie had said the group would decide, but Quinn wanted to push them in the right direction. “And once his campaign for Senate kicks off, it will be even more difficult to bring him down.”

  “So, what do you recommend?” Mackenzie asked.

  “Surveillance. It just so happens, he's staying with a woman in Lexington.” Quinn had more than one reason for coming to the Bluegrass State. “According to my sources anyway.”

  “Excellent. We need to get eyes on Harold,” Annie said.

  “Who is she?” West asked. “This mystery woman.”

  “I ain’t sure, but she’s probably his mistress.”

  Mackenzie tensed.

  And Quinn cursed under his breath. Was she embarrassed? Or did she have feelings for the dickhead?

  “Mack, you know the man. Does he screw around on his wife?” West asked.

  Mackenzie cleared her throat. “From what I understand, he's had a lot of them over the years. And he hasn't been very discreet about his affairs.”

  “So, what?” Zane asked. “His wife doesn't care?

  “From what I gather, it's more of a business relationship, than a personal one.” Mackenzie shifted in her chair. “They might have been in love a long time ago, but that's no longer the case.”

  “Okay then,” Quinn said, moving this along. “How does this work?”

  “Easy. I’ll sneak into his girlfriend's place and plant some bugs,” Storm said. “We have a limited budget, so I won’t be able to do a video feed, but you'll get the audio.”

  “And what if he finds the listening devices?” King stroked his beard. “Because let’s face it, our missions never go smoothly.”

  “He probably swept her place, when he got there.” Harold was cautious, but not paranoid. Quinn had been studying the man’s behavior for years. “I doubt he'd do it again.”

  “Peachy,” West drawled, fixing Quinn with a dead-eyed stare. “We’ve got a plan. But what’s your endgame?”

  Quinn met his gaze evenly. “I want to expose corruption at the FBI. I’ve been keeping files for years.”

  “And what about Harold?”

  “He should to go to jail, of course.” It was a lie. Karen hadn’t gotten the benefit of a judge and jury. She’d been tortured and executed. Harold deserved the same sentence.

  “Fucking fantastic. We’re all agreed, Harold needs to go to the pokey. But who’s gonna spy on them?” Nox asked.

  “I am.” There was no way Quinn was going to sit this one out. He wanted to finish this, one way or another.

  Nox glowered “Fuck that.”

  Everyone glanced at West, waiting for him to speak like he was a wise man sitting on a mountaintop or something. Quinn had been a solo act for years and working with others made him twitchy. He liked calling the shots, making his own decisions.

  Teamwork is a bunch of bullshit.

  “Since this is his operation, I tend to agree,” West said. “But one of our people has to go along with you.”

  Mackenzie raised her hand. “I volunteer.”

  There was a chorus of curse words around the table.

  Mackenzie spoke up before they could say anything. “This isn't the first time I've done a surveillance. Besides, he's trying to kill me, too. I have a vested interest in this operation.”

  Annie turned pleading eyes on West. “How does this make any sense? The two people he's trying to kill we're gonna send after him?”

  “I don't want any of you to get hurt,” Mackenzie said before West could respond. “Quinn and I already have targets on our backs. There's no way I’m risking anyone else's life.”

  Enough of this. Quinn needed to shut this crazy talk down.

  “And I refuse to put you at risk again. You nearly died last night.”

  “The keyword is nearly.”

  “Mackenzie, my world is dangerous. Unpredictable. I can't keep you safe. You should stay here where you’ll be protected.”

  She visibly bristled.

  Oh hell. I fucked up.

  Her lips thinned. “Lucky for you, I'm a former FBI agent. I don't need anyone to defend me.”

  “You’re not invincible.” Quinn glanced around the room for support. He found none.

  “Invincible? No. But I am capable.”

  “Karen thought she could handle it, too. She was wrong.”

  Her nostrils flared. “I’m not Karen and I didn’t ask for your protection.”

  “Too damn bad. You’ve got it anyway.” He gestured to everyone else. “Let one of them take the risk.”

  “Why?” she asked.

  Because I don’t give a flyin’ fuck if somethin’ happens to one of them. But Quinn knew better than to say anything.

  “Why, Quinn? Tell me.”

  “Why aren’t y’all agreein’ with me?” Quinn asked the team. They’d fallen silent, watching the argument. He’d thought at
least one of them would back him up, but they were all stone-faced and disapproving.

  “Because she already made up her mind,” Nox drawled. “And you’re a damn fool if you think you can change it.”

  One glance at Mackenzie confirmed it. She was pissed on an epic scale.

  Oh shit.

  Chapter 7

  “I’m gonna clean up.”

  “Sure thing. Save me some hot water.”

  Quinn smiled, trying to coax Mackenzie into a better mood but she didn’t return it. It had been awkward between them since the meeting the other day. Apparently, he’d hurt her feelings, when he was trying to save her neck.

  Together, they were surveilling Harold and his mistress, Lupita Flores.

  Lupita was only twenty years old, a college student, and young enough to be Harold’s kid. She was from Mexico, going to school here on a student visa. Storm had checked her out, but she didn’t have any ties to the cartel. So, they’d eliminated her as a suspect.

  They worked opposite hours, 12 hours on and 12 off. He and Mackenzie met in the middle sometimes for meals. Supper was her dinner and his breakfast. He'd taken the night shift, so she wouldn't have to switch her sleep patterns around. Not that she’d noticed or thanked him for the chivalry.

  “Are we gonna talk about this?”

  “Talk about what?” Quinn asked.

  “Don’t play games.”

  When he didn’t respond, she spoke up. “Look, I get that you care about me, but this is a package deal. I have friends who mean a lot to me.”

  Quinn understood it, at least on an intellectual level. Caring about others made him vulnerable, opened him up to attack. He’d been shoring up his defenses for years. Letting Mackenzie matter to him was painful enough. Quinn couldn’t allow himself to give a shit about the rest of them.

  “I know, but—”

  “But what?”

  “Mackenzie, I…” Quinn didn’t know what to say. He refused to lie to her. He’d sacrifice every single one of them and wouldn’t give a damn if it meant saving Mackenzie and he wouldn’t apologize for it.

  “Fine. Have it your way.” She gathered up her things and disappeared into the bathroom.

  Fantastic. I pissed her off again.

  To make matters worse, the stakeout was a bust, too.

  It was Asshole Watch, Day 3. And nothing had happened.