Rogue Trilogy: Parts 1 - 3

by Jade Dean

  “What was Logan Matthews like?” Ryan knew he was pushing it when she immediately tensed up again.

  Abby didn’t want to discuss her old boss, but Ryan had a right to know. “He was intense, driven, ruthless and extremely focused.”

  “Were you two ever involved?”

  “No,” Abby replied immediately. “Logan never saw me that way. I was just a tool that he used to further his ambitions.”

  He heard bitterness in her tone and couldn’t help but think she’d cared about the man. “Did you have feelings for him?” Now it was his turn to tense up.

  “I admired him, at first,” she admitted. “He was charismatic, but in a dangerous kind of way. Getting close to him was almost impossible.” Seeing a frown form on Ryan’s brow, Abby put her hand on his thigh. “I wasn’t in love with him. I looked up to him as my boss, that’s all.”

  Taking her hand, he laced his fingers through hers. “Have you ever been in love?”

  Avoiding his gaze, she looked down at their entwined fingers. “Until recently, no.”

  A surge of emotion swept through Ryan, making him momentarily breathless. “And more recently?” he prodded.

  Forcing herself to meet his eyes, she saw the same love that she felt for him reflected in their depths. “More recently, I’ve found myself doing things I swore I’d never do again to save a man I’ve only known for three months.”

  “He’s a very lucky man,” Ryan said and leaned down to brush his lips across hers.

  Before their kiss could turn into more, Josh sauntered back into the room and cleared his throat noisily. “Here’s your coffee, as ordered, ma’am.” He carried a tray with two mugs of coffee and a bonus plate of cookies.

  Breaking apart, the two rogue agents turned back to their task at hand. Declarations of love could wait until their job was over.

  ₪₪₪

  Chapter Seven

  Taking one of the mugs of plain black coffee, Abby nodded her thanks at the muscular agent. Doran nodded back affably and wandered out of the room.

  Ryan bit into one of the cookies and made a face. “They’re stale,” he complained, but ate it anyway.

  Stale cookies were better than nothing, so Abby also chewed a couple of the decidedly inferior food. The coffee was strong and hot and washed the awful taste away.

  With her hunger dulled, she returned to her search. Scrolling through the list of properties, she stopped when she found a mention of land that Montoya owned to the north of the city. “I think I’ve found his compound,” she said.

  Instantly alert, Ryan leaned forward to watch as she initiated one of her many programs. This one hijacked an orbiting satellite that was designed to take photos of objects in outer space. Commandeering it, she turned it to face the Earth and used it to take photos of the mountains to the north.

  Spying lights in the otherwise dark jungle, Ryan pointed, but she was already keying in the command for the satellite’s camera to zoom in.

  In less than five seconds, they were looking at real time footage of one of Diego’s bandito compounds. The ramshackle building looked much the same as the one that Ryan had lived in for a year. This one was sturdier and had solid concrete walls and a far more stable roof.

  They studied the structure in silence, searching for weaknesses. The satellite didn’t have infrared or thermal imaging, so they had to rely on what their eyes told them. Guards were posted at all four exits, but they didn’t appear to be particularly alert. If Montoya was inside, he clearly wasn’t expecting them to find his new lair quite so quickly.

  “I wish we could see through the walls,” Abby said in frustration. Even if she’d had access to the same programs she’d used to find their prey the last time, they’d be useless this time. There didn’t appear to be any cameras installed on the outside of the building and she doubted there would be any inside either.

  “Can you zoom in on that truck?” Ryan said and pointed at a vehicle parked on the dirt driveway.

  Doing as he requested, Abby saw what his sharper eyes had spotted. Rain fell on the truck and steam was rising from the hood. This indicated that the engine was still warm.

  “Coincidence?” Ryan asked with a dubiously raised eyebrow.

  “Possibly, but I doubt it,” Abby said. “The boat docked only a few miles from this location.” She zoomed the camera out and panned it to the east. She found a large speedboat and a dinghy much like the one they’d abandoned on the island attached to the back of it.

  Checking his watch, Ryan grimaced at the time. It was edging towards dawn. They’d never make it to the compound in time to ambush their quarry while it was still dark. “We should get some rest and work on a plan in the morning.”

  Technically, it was already morning, but Abby didn’t argue. She’d only slept shallowly during the flight to Brazil and she could definitely use several hours more rest.

  With the owners currently out of town, there was no need to take turns keeping a lookout. The men dispersed to the smaller bedrooms on the third floor while Abby and Ryan took the main bedroom. Decorated in shades of cream and gold as well, it was a bit too girly for Ryan’s taste, but the bed was large and looked comfortable, which was all he was concerned about.

  Heading for the bathroom, Abby made sure the thick curtain over the window was closed before turning on the light. Stripping down, she left her clothing on the floor and placed her necklace on top of the small pile. She’d just finished washing the conditioner out of her hair when the bathroom door opened.

  Seeing Abby’s indistinct form through the steamy glass of the shower, Ryan undressed and left his clothes lying next to hers. The shower was large enough for two, he was glad to see. Abby smiled at him over her shoulder then frowned when her eyes dropped to his chest.

  Turning to face Ryan, Abby brushed her fingertips across the bruises that marred his flesh. He’d been hit by two bullets and one of the dark purple marks was directly over his heart. If he hadn’t been wearing his vest, he’d have died during their mission.

  “How did he know we were coming?” she asked as he reached behind her to take the bar of soap. It smelled like jasmine and was probably highly expensive. “Does he have another mole in the SOB?”

  Ryan shrugged then winced as his bruises complained at the sudden movement. “I think it’s more likely that he was simply expecting us to come after him sooner or later.”

  Remembering the women that had been held captive on the island, Ryan couldn’t help but pity them. They’d been brutalized night after night by Montoya’s lackeys as a diversion while he’d been lying in wait. He hoped the police would set them free rather than arresting them for being accomplices to Diego and his outlaw gang. At least one of the women was dead, according to what Jackson had seen. She’d worn the same type of leather outfit that Tatiana was so enamored of and she must have also worn a blonde wig to be a decoy to aid Montoya’s escape.

  Seeing Ryan’s expression turn grim, Abby took the soap from him and lathered her hands. A smile touched the corners of his mouth when she put her hands on his shoulders. He instantly stirred with desire as she rubbed his shoulders. “Turn around,” she ordered and he complied.

  Her hands were small, but strong and she dug into the knotted muscles of his back. Tension eased away as she moved lower and a different kind of tension made him begin to breathe faster when her hands reached his butt.

  Firm and taut, Ryan’s ass was a masterpiece of male perfection. Abby ran her hands over him, raking her nails down his skin and leaving red marks that faded quickly. He jerked at the minor sensation of pain then went still when she pressed herself against his back and reached around to take his shaft in her hand.

  Abby was small and almost delicate in build, yet she had a lush and curvy body that Ryan didn’t think he’d ever tire of. Her breasts pressed up against him and he had to brace himself against the wall when she started to stroke him. He endured her hand on his cock for as long as he could then turned to face her.

>   Blue eyes blazed down at her and it was Abby’s turn to brace herself. Ryan cupped his hands beneath her ass then lifted her and pressed her back against the wall. His mouth closed over her breast and sucked hard. Taking her nipple between his teeth, he bit her gently as he ran a finger down her body, stopping at her cleft. She was already deeply aroused and it took only a couple of minutes of his mouth on her breast and his finger rubbing her clit to have her moaning in need.

  Too far gone to even think of using the usual precautions, Ryan slid into her welcoming depths. She was hot, slick and tight as he thrust inside her. Their hips moved in time and her lovely gray eyes stared into his, full of desire and passion.

  Shifting her eyes from Ryan’s face, down his beautiful but bruised chest, she watched his cock slide in and out of her. Long, thick and smooth, it was as perfect as the rest of him. As always, watching him fuck her pushed her over the edge. She muffled her cries of pleasure behind her hand as he pounded himself into her.

  Feeling Abby clenching around him, Ryan allowed himself to come shortly after her shudders stopped.

  Abby’s grin of pleasure faded when Ryan set her down on the ground. “You didn’t wear a condom,” she said in an accusing tone.

  Looking down at his unsheathed penis, Ryan flushed guiltily. “Sorry. I forgot.”

  “I never have sex without protection,” she said tightly and pushed the shower door open.

  Turning off the water, Ryan frowned at her back as she briskly dried herself. “I’ve never had sex with protection before I met you,” he told her as he stepped out and reached for a towel.

  For a moment, Abby’s mind froze, then she became instantly furious. “How could you put me in danger like that?” She thought he cared about her but she was seriously doubting it now.

  “You’re in no danger from me, Abby,” Ryan said with a shake of his head. “Unless you aren’t taking a contraceptive?” The thought chilled him. While he’d love to have a child with Abby, now wasn’t the best time to get her pregnant.

  Wrapping the towel around herself, Abby crossed her arms over her chest. “I do take a contraceptive, but that isn’t the point.” He seemed puzzled rather than guilty now and she remembered what he’d told her when he’d held her captive several months ago. He’d promised her that he didn’t have any sexually transmitted diseases. “If you’ve never used a condom, then why aren’t you riddled with disease?”

  “Because you’re only the second woman I’ve ever slept with.”

  Abby’s mouth dropped open in shock. “How is that even possible?” He was a very attractive man. Surely he’d had dozens of women trying to get him into bed.

  “Miranda and I were high school sweethearts,” Ryan explained. “We’d been together since we were fifteen.”

  Her fury bled away and was replaced by sadness that he’d lost the love of his life. “Miranda must have been really something in bed,” she offered as an awkward apology.

  Ryan flashed her a wicked smile. “She had her moments, but you and I are far more compatible.”

  “How so?”

  “She preferred slow and gentle,” he replied as he bent to pick up the necklace that he’d given to her as a memento of her previous trip to Brazil. She turned to allow him to fasten it around her neck. “We both know what you like best,” he whispered into her ear. “You like to be tied down and to be taken from behind.”

  “Only by you,” Abby said when she could breathe again. If any other man ever tried to take her against her will, she’d end their lives slowly and very painfully.

  ₪₪₪

  Chapter Eight

  They slept for several hours before the smell of frying bacon woke them. Josh had been hungry enough to venture out to buy enough food for them all. Stale cookies weren’t going to sustain them for long.

  Abby spent a few moments in the bathroom brushing out her long, tangled hair and was the last one to enter the kitchen. Large and modern, it had a long counter that doubled as a table. There were enough stools for all of them to take a seat and they ate their meal with little conversation.

  Proving that he was housetrained, Josh piled their empty dishes into the dishwasher and switched it on. There was something incongruous about the gigantic agent doing something as domesticated as cooking and Abby shook her head slightly. The meal of bacon, eggs and toast hadn’t exactly been a gourmet affair, but it had been filling and she couldn’t complain.

  “What’s the plan?” Dale asked as he made a fresh pot of coffee.

  Motioning for Abby to stay seated, Ryan stood. “I’ll get the laptop. It’ll be easier to show you than to tell you our strategy.”

  His chest was still sore, but he took the stairs two at a time and returned quickly. Dale plonked a mug of coffee down in front of him then stood behind his team leader when the laptop came to life. Matt and Josh crowded around as well.

  Holt gave Abby a cheeky smile when his arm brushed up against hers. He was only a couple of years younger than her, but he seemed far less mature than the other agents. He’d proven to be steady enough in battle, which was the main thing.

  “We think Montoya is hiding inside this compound,” Ryan said when he brought up the photos that Abby had taken the night before. She’d had to relinquish control of the satellite before anyone had noticed that she’d hijacked it. It would be too dangerous to borrow it again, so they’d have to rely on the night time photos.

  “How many men do you estimate will be inside?” Dale asked. He saw eight men guarding the four exits, but there could be any number of them hidden from their view.

  Ryan shrugged then winced in pain. He didn’t think any of his ribs were cracked, but the bullets had still done some damage. “From what I could gather, there are usually around forty to fifty men per compound.”

  “There’ll most likely be women and children as well,” Abby said.

  Josh frowned at that news. “That complicates things. I doubt Trevor will sanction their deaths.”

  “If we’re careful, no innocents will have to die,” Ryan said. “Our plan is to perform a blitz attack. We’ll split up and come at them from all four sides.” He pointed at the exits on each side of the shabby building. “We’ll take down the guards silently then move in. Take down as many banditos as quietly as possible then start shooting gas canisters. Disable anyone who has a weapon. I’ll leave it up to you whether you kill them or knock them out.”

  Abby studied Ryan’s intent expression. “Do you want us to leave Montoya for you?”

  He shook his head without needing to think over his answer. “This isn’t about revenge anymore. I don’t care who kills him, just as long as he dies.”

  Ryan and Abby had planned for the possibility that their enemy might escape, which was why Dale had had brought several tracking rounds with him. They also each had a gas mask and a few smoke grenades in their packs. They’d come in handy on their next assault.

  Bringing up a map of the jungle to the north, Ryan pointed at the only road that led directly to the compound. “Diego is bound to have someone watching this approach.” He pointed at the rough track that led from the beach where the speedboat was docked. “The instant he thinks we’re coming for him, he’ll run.”

  “We need to disable the boat,” Holt realized and grinned. “I still have some plastic explosives left.”

  “The boat is too close to the compound to blow it,” Abby pointed out. “It’s probably guarded as well. We have to render it useless without giving our position away.”

  Doran smiled and crossed his arms. Muscles bulged beneath his black jacket. “I can take care of it and they’ll never know I was there.”

  Ryan nodded, knowing just how talented the agent was with fixing and destroying motors. “Once you’ve immobilized the boat, we’ll move in. We’ll have to stay off the track and I estimate it’ll take us two hours to reach the compound.”

  He assigned them all a direction to attack from again and each man nodded that they were in agreement w
ith his orders. Once again, he and Abby would stay together.

  “It’s going to take us at least an hour to reach the boat,” Ryan told the team. “We’ll steal another vehicle and head for the beach. We’ll have to wait for full dark before Josh works his magic.” They’d be spotted if they didn’t wait for dark and he wasn’t about to tip off Montoya that they were coming for him again.

  With several hours to kill, they checked their weapons and other gear then settled in to wait. Matt was the most restless of the five. He did a constant circuit of the house, checking the doors and windows, but staying inside so he wouldn’t be spotted by a neighbor. He hated inactivity and was itching for action. He was the first one at the backdoor when it was finally time to leave.

  It was late afternoon and the sun hadn’t quite waned enough to allow them to climb over the fence yet. Instead, Abby used her lock pick to open a side gate that led to a narrow ally. She poked her head out and checked both ways before motioning the others to follow. The shadows were dark enough to hide them as they exited from the house that they’d borrowed for the day.

  “I’ll find us some transportation,” Josh said in a low rumble before jogging out of the alley and onto the street.

  They only had to wait for a few minutes before a battered but serviceable minivan pulled to a stop at the mouth of the alley.

  “Nice ride,” Holt said with discernable sarcasm when he climbed in last and closed the door.

  “It runs and we can all fit inside,” Doran said defensively. “What more do you want?”

  “Something that can move faster than thirty miles an hour,” Matt replied with a grin.

  “I’ll make sure to steal a Ferrari next time,” Josh said in a sour tone.

  Ryan ignored their banter, being well used to it. Abby shook her head, more bemused than annoyed. It was an adjustment working with a team that wasn’t quite so serious all the time. If they hadn’t already proven that they could be professional when it counted, she’d have had her doubts about working with them at all.