Spice Box; Sixteen Steamy Stories
Page 242
There was dead silence for a long moment. Cautiously, she looked up at him, fighting her rising panic. Oh my God.
He whispered in her ear, “Yes, you heard me.” He stood straight and spoke louder for the others to hear. “A sore area? I think you need a bit more.” Then lower, “If you don’t, I will kill every member in this room and ship your brother, Damien, back home in several pieces.”
She jerked away and stared up at him, fury boiling inside her. Damien. The bastard had him. She’d kill him before he left this room.
His eyebrows rose at her response. “Easy. Don’t do anything that will harm your friends or brother,” Kadir warned.
Her mind raced for options. If she didn’t think fast, she’d have to blow this mission. “How do I know you have him?” She stared up at him defiantly.
Anger flared in his eyes. Obviously, he didn’t like to be challenged. He quickly composed himself. “He’s fond of playing a computer word game with you, and you haven’t heard from him in a while.”
Zoe felt the hatred turn to fear. An image of Damien in an Iranian prison made her ill. She didn’t dare try anything with all the lives at stake. “Where and when?” she asked through gritted teeth.
There was a knock on the outer door. “Julia’s here, Mr. President,” Melissa said.
“I’ll contact you,” Kadir whispered. “Now smile if you want to see your brother alive again.”
She forced a smile but felt like she’d throw up.
“She’s doing much better. Right, my dear?” He looked at Zoe, and she nodded, covering herself with the robe. Terror turned her bones to ice. If she got the recording, she was a traitor. If she didn’t, everyone in the FLC and Damien would die. She had no doubt of Kadir’s power.
Melissa gave Tyler the signal to unseal the door. He unlocked the inside door to the Red Tape Room, then the outer door. The sound of tape ripping made Zoe cringe. The X of red tape being torn away meant it was over, but not completely. She didn’t lose her cool and punch him out, although she wanted to.
To the others, the mission was successful and Kadir seemed pleased. Now she understood why Alana had enjoyed watching their faces when the sting occurred. The blackmail was icing when you could see their defeat. This time it wouldn’t happen.
Tyler stood beside the door as Julia and Blake entered. A few other Secret Service men waited outside. Jason hadn’t moved or said another word. The mask hid his features so Zoe couldn’t make out his expression.
“Hello, Mr. President,” Julia said. “I do hope you enjoyed your evening.”
“I did, very much, thank you.” He didn’t take his gaze off Zoe as she tied the robe around her.
Faith stepped up to Kadir, her mask off. “Mr. President, I’m pleased you enjoyed our little private affair. I do apologize for rushing off. The president is waiting to leave.”
“Not at all. I enjoyed your hospitality. Thank you.”
After Faith left, Julia approached Kadir. “I’ll escort you now to the entrance, where your car is waiting. Tonight you and your staff will be guests at the Kennedy Center of Performing Arts for a concert by the Iceland Symphony Orchestra.”
“That’s very kind,” he said, striding toward the door. “Shall we go?”
“The president will make arrangements to meet with you when they return,” Julia said. “This way, Mr. President.”
Kadir took Zoe’s hand and held it close to his lips but didn’t touch. Back to his polite, business manner? “Again, it was a pleasure, Ms. Jennifer.”
Julia looked pleased by Kadir’s demeanor, and Zoe tried not to show her worry.
“Enjoy the symphony,” Zoe said.
Julia and Blake left with Kadir, meeting with the other Secret Service agents outside. Tyler closed the door. No one said anything for the longest time. Melissa and Zoe picked up the clothing that had been tossed aside.
“How long do we have to wait before we can leave?” Zoe asked.
“Julia may want to meet with us briefly,” Melissa said. “How did it go?”
“Good. I’m a little sore, thirsty, and I want to take a shower, but it went well.”
“I knew it would. I think we got good footage. We’ll know for sure in a few hours, and it’ll take some time to edit.”
“Fuck!” Jason shouted. The others turned to him.
“Relax, buddy, it’s over,” Tyler said.
“Sorry. I couldn’t stand watching him with his hands on you,” Jason snapped.
Zoe sighed. “It’s aftercare, a Dom’s responsibility. No big deal. It’s over.”
Ripping off his mask, Jason paced around the room. “He spent a long time at it.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Melissa said. “I’m sure we got good material.”
“He’ll try to contact her. He wants her as his assistant.” Jason spat out the words as if they were sour in his mouth. “He wants her in his harem or as a mistress, or whatever he has going on. We have to watch her.”
“You know that’s not going to happen,” Zoe said. “Especially with the UN, Secret Service and the media watching him, he’s not going to try anything.”
“Have you forgotten what happened to Alana?” he shouted.
“Of course not,” Melissa said. “Calm down, Jason. Alana got reckless, and she wasn’t trained like Zoe. Extra men will be watching Kadir’s every move.”
He leaned up against the wall and nodded. At first Zoe thought he finally was calming down but then, Boom! He punched the wall with his left hand, leaving a fist-size hole.
“What the fuck, guy?” Tyler grabbed his arm.
“Jason!” Zoe ran across the room, but he held up a hand, stopping her from coming any closer. He was shutting her out again, like he did after Turkey. When things got rough, he pulled away from her. “Brilliant.” She crossed her arms and glared at him. She hoped his hand hurt like hell.
“Take it easy. We won’t let that bastard bother Zoe. Let me look at your hand.” Tyler turned Jason’s hand over and gently moved a couple of fingers. Jason sucked in a breath and cringed. “I think you broke it, buddy. It’s already swollen and black and blue.”
“Terrific.” Jason pulled his hand away.
“Do we have ice?” Zoe asked. “I’ll take him to the hospital. Let me clean up in the bathroom first.”
Melissa shook her head. “No, let Tyler take him. Julia wants to meet with us in her office. Then you should go home and rest.”
“Melissa’s right. I could be stuck at the hospital for hours. It’s a broken hand, not life or death.” He held his injured hand against his chest as he walked up to her. “I’m sorry.”
“We’ll have someone follow her home,” Melissa assured him. “Kadir will be at the Kennedy Center this evening, and then he’ll be at his hotel. He’s being watched. We’ll give you two a minute.” She grabbed Tyler’s arm and led him outside.
Zoe was glad Jason hadn’t asked for her to be with him, otherwise she would have had to make an excuse. Standing in the middle of the room, she felt her stomach churn all over again. Once she stole the recording and they figured out what she’d done, she could be charged with treason. But what choice did she have?
Whatever chance she and Jason had had was completely destroyed now. This went beyond the failed-mission definition. She feared speaking with her throat tightening. This was not the time to get emotional.
He took her hand, then studied her. “What’s wrong? Are you okay? Zoe, you’re shaking.” His eyes were wide, searching her face, demanding an answer.
“I’ll be better after a shower and some rest.” She looked at her hands shaking. “It’s the tension releasing. That’s all.”
“Sit.” Directing her to a chair, he pulled a blanket around her and handed her a bottle of water. “Drink.”
“Thanks.” She took a few sips and took a deep breath, trying to get her body to relax. She didn’t have time for this. They could be editing the recording, making copies, sending them who knew where.
; He looked away and clenched his teeth. “Why did you wait so long before calling your safe word?”
Now he was criticizing her performance? “I was told he had an hour. The tape had to be good.”
He let out a breath. “You’re right. At least it’s over.”
“Are you okay with what I did?” she asked, turning the attention to him. When he didn’t answer, she continued. “This was only an act, like actors on a movie set. Some have to play love scenes. It has no consequence on our relationship.”
“I know.” He relaxed a little. Studying his hand, he tried bending his fingers. He flinched. “Damn, I really fucked up my hand. I screwed up a lot of things.”
“It’s history. It was a tough job. Now go to the hospital and get your hand looked at.”
Supporting his injured arm, he leaned toward her, his eyes gentle with concern. “You did great. I think I’m getting the idea you can protect yourself.”
“Thanks.” Her body shook, but not from her recent activity with Kadir. “I like that you have my back.”
He nodded. “I do. I know this type of work wreaks havoc on relationships.”
She gently took his injured hand to examine it. “We can talk more, but get your hand fixed.”
“I’ll come over after I’m done.” He grinned then, taking her awkwardly into his arms.
She laughed. “Okay. I’ll leave a light on in case I fall asleep. You have a key.”
Melissa walked into the room. “Julia said we can meet tomorrow. Go home, Zoe. Get some rest. But shower first. You still look a little subspacy.”
“Have Frank take you home, to be safe,” Jason added.
Zoe sighed. “Okay. Tell Frank I’ll be up in a few minutes.” She grabbed her small duffle bag and headed toward the ladies’ room.
Zoe stared at her wrinkled fingers gripping the loofa, still shivering. The pinkie of her left hand bent at an odd angle. It hadn’t healed properly after her torturers had broken it in Turkey. She was fortunate to have all her fingers. The steam and hot water from the shower enveloped her and turned her skin a rosy pink. She picked up the lavender shower gel and squeezed a healthy portion into the loofa and started from her shoulders down again. Kadir’s scent was long gone, but not the memory of his touch. How many times did she have to scrub to wash away memories?
Memories took the longest to heal. She’d gone through the presentation for nothing. The bastard would never sign the treaty, now.
How would Jason look at her when he discovered the deal she’d made with Kadir? When they all found out? Would this make her a target for the FLC assassin like Celia? She didn’t want to think about that.
She now understood why she and Jason had failed, and why this would never work between them. What relationship could survive something like this?
The door to the ladies’ room opened. “Zoe? It’s me, Melissa. Are you almost ready?”
She forced each word to be steady. “Just finishing up. Scrubbed clean.” She tried to laugh and hoped it sounded real.
“Good. Frank is waiting.”
Zoe cringed. “I screwed up, didn’t I?” She shut off the water and grabbed the towel, rubbing herself with it so vigorously she thought she scrubbed off another layer of skin.
“A little defiant, but I think Kadir liked the challenge. Don’t worry about it. Kadir was pushing you, testing your limits, but he wasn’t as hard as I thought he’d be. It went well, and you did great.”
Zoe sighed. “Thank God. He seemed pleased with the encounter.” She finished dressing, touched up her makeup and started drying her hair.
“Frank said Kadir left. They had three limos, and Frank has agents following.”
“Frank does take his security job seriously.” Zoe packed up her bag and followed Melissa out of the restroom. The sooner Kadir got in touch with her, the better. If his people didn’t have Damien, she wouldn’t be doing this. “I’ll meet you upstairs. I have a few things to get in my office. Tell Frank I’ll be right there.”
“Okay, but make it quick.”
After she saw Melissa leave, she ran to her office, grabbed the key for the Mason Room and a thumb drive. Swiftly, she moved into the Mason Room and listened. Silence filled the room but didn’t give her any confidence. Determination and thoughts of the consequences for not doing as Kadir asked pushed her forward. Shoving back the drapes, she crept toward the AV room. Inside the passage, she opened the door and noticed one man sitting at a computer.
“Hi,” she said with an upbeat tone. “How’d the recording come out? I was the star, if you hadn’t noticed.” She smiled shyly.
He frowned, glancing behind her and from side to side. “Oh, yeah. Okay. It looks good. It needs some editing.”
“Great. Can I take a peek?” She moved behind him and to one side.
As soon as he called up the video, he glanced at her. “Are you sure you want to watch?”
“A little, just to get an idea.” She glanced around. “Lots of equipment. How many copies do you make?”
“We won’t make any until editing is complete.” He began the video in the middle of a portion of flogging. If this ever got out, she’d be mortified. What was Kadir going to do with it?
The video continued for a few moments. “Seen enough?” he asked.
“I think so, thanks.” She rapped him hard on the side of the head, knocking him off the chair. Stunned, he tried to get up. She found a rag and gagged him, then used an extension cord to bind him. Hogtie formation. Even if he could scream, he wouldn’t be heard. She inserted the thumb drive and copied the file. Then she did one more thing for insurance before deleting the file. The guy was breathing okay and was coming around. She’d only dazed him. He stared up at her in disbelief.
As she walked upstairs, Zoe checked her phone.
“Checking on Jason already?” Melissa asked. “He’ll be fine.”
“I know he will. I was checking to see if I’d heard from Damien. His mission was supposed to be only a couple of days, and he always sends a text when he gets back.”
Melissa hooked her arm over Zoe’s shoulder and gave a squeeze. “Go home and sleep late. The meeting isn’t until noon tomorrow.”
CHAPTER 25
Zoe arrived at her house after eight, completely exhausted but revved on adrenaline, knowing at any minute Kadir would contact her. She gave Frank a weak and wan smile. “Go home, Frank. I’ll be fine.”
He held his cell to his ear. “Let me check in with Blake and the team.”
Zoe wouldn’t open the door. If she did, she’d have to invite him in, and Frank might decide to wait for Jason. She couldn’t take that chance.
“Still at the Kennedy Center. Great. Don’t let him out of your sight. I want to know when he leaves and when he’s back at his hotel. And watch his men.” He hung up and looked at Zoe. “I should wait until Jason gets here.”
“No, really, I’m fine. I have an alarm and several guns in my house.”
“But Alana, and what about the mole—”
Zoe lowered her voice, not that her neighbors could hear. “Alana was killed because she was reckless and she wasn’t a former intelligence agent. Kadir hasn’t even seen the recording yet.”
He let out a breath. “All right. If you need anything, just call.”
“Thanks, Frank.” She pulled her cell phone out and sent Jason a text. “I just told Jason I made it home.” She didn’t tell Frank she’d told Jason she would change clothes, and then meet him at the hospital.
Frank nodded and waited until she unlocked the door. He jogged down the steps, got into his car and pulled away.
As she stepped inside, she did the puppy sniff. The first thing she smelled was roses. She dropped her purse and keys on the foyer table. Mrs. Snyder must’ve let the delivery guy in. Jason had probably sent them to ease her mind about her presentation. She smiled, and her heart soared, then her gut twisted. How long would it be until the AV guy was found? She closed and locked the door.
She had no
choice. He’d have to understand. All she wanted was something to eat and to curl up in bed. She checked her phone. No messages. She slipped it back in her jeans pocket next to the thumb drive.
As she entered the kitchen, she switched on a light and gasped. A huge bouquet stood in a crystal vase on her island. A note next to them was from Mrs. Snyder.
These came this evening. How nice. Dexter walked and fed.
She picked out the small envelope from the bouquet to read the note. Had Jason written something personal? She stopped.
Dexter.
Where was he? He usually raced to the door whenever she got home. She heard a whimper. Her dog. He hadn’t greeted her. She sniffed again and smelled something else.
Drifting in the air was the pungent smell of cigarette smoke. Jason didn’t smoke. And neither did Mrs. Snyder. She froze, and an icy chill slithered up her spine.
Walking into the living room, she turned on the light. Kadir sat in a chair, puffing on a cigarette. Dexter sat on his lap. Kadir’s fist gripped Dexter around the throat. A 9mm rested on the end table, next to a teacup. After taking another drag on the cigarette, he snuffed it out in the cup and picked up the gun. She took in a long, slow breath and tried to calm her racing pulse. Her mind clicked through several options for action, for escape, and she knew she had none. Not with Damien’s life at stake.
A surge of adrenaline made her heart pound in her ears, and a metallic taste coated her mouth. All her weapons were out of reach. One in the coffee table, one in the bedroom, another in the kitchen and one hidden behind the sink in the bathroom. How fast could she make it to the door? It was locked and chained. Even if he didn’t shoot her, he could grab her before she got out.
“Aren’t you going to miss the concert?” Zoe asked as calmly as she could. A shuffle behind her sent another rush through her. Kadir hadn’t come alone. Glancing over her shoulder, she nodded to the man who had been with him earlier. “Good evening,” she said. If Secret Service was watching Kadir, why hadn’t they followed him to her house? Hadn’t they seen him leave the Kennedy Center or his hotel? Thoughts of Alana’s murder flashed in her mind. If Kadir didn’t kill her, the assassin surely would now.