“Are we still on for round two?” he asked slyly.
She cried out with anger then screamed, “You bastard!”
Zack chuckled softly in his throat and pulled her up into a sitting position by her wrists. She was only inches from his face and stared at his twisted, mocking smile.
“Your boss is expecting us,” he informed her. “You may want to put some clothes on.”
She sneered at him and pulled her wrists free from his clutches. There was an odd silence as she stared at him. Without warning, she threw one arm around his neck, grabbed his face with her other hand, and kissed him aggressively. Zack returned the kiss, pulled her leg up to his hip, and lowered her to the floor.
Chapter Forty-two
Later that evening, just a little after dusk, the garden party had cleared out and the caterers were cleaning up while the rental company busily removed chairs and tables. The gang of Whiskey Tango Foxtrot along with Bogart, Lee, Pinto, and Sal sat at one of the terrace tables with full trays of leftover hors d’oeuvre in front of them. They laughed and had a good time drinking expensive brandy and filling up on party leftovers. Sal finally looked at Zack and grinned.
“I promised a ten percent finder’s fee for the return of my stolen nine million dollars,” Sal announced then cocked his head slightly. “I guess you’re the beneficiary. Where would you like your finder’s fee sent?”
“I’d rather play with some of those shiny toys you have out back--” Zack suddenly yelped, jumped in his chair, and looked at his comrades around the table. “Who the hell kicked me?” he demanded.
All five glared at Zack. Beck looked at Sal, fidgeted, and then smiled charmingly.
“What my friend meant to say,” Beck announced then turned somewhat serious. “You can write a cashier’s check to WTF, Incorporated.”
Kirk glared at Zack and snarled lowly in response, “Yeah, considering we have a war-torn lodge to repair.”
“And a beach house blown to bits,” Monroe remarked with the same look.
Zack looked back at Sal sitting at the head of the table and frowned like a lost, disappointed schoolboy. “I think I’ve been outvoted,” he muttered softly.
Sal chuckled softly. “I’ll get that check for you before you leave,” he replied then smiled. “And we’ll see about letting you play with some of those toys.”
Zack’s enthusiasm quickly returned. “Well, this has been a fun day.”
“I’m glad someone enjoyed themselves,” Lee muttered into her glass.
Holden stepped out of the house while replacing his cell phone to his jacket pocket. He joined the others at the table and helped himself to some leftovers. Ross poured him a drink and pushed it in front of him. He reluctantly accepted.
“The team has finished their investigation,” Holden announced to Sal. “You’re free to return to your home.”
“Thank you, Agent Falcone,” Sal replied pleasantly. “I assume you’ve cleared me of any wrongdoing, and I’m officially not out to kill my lovely, young employee?”
“It was an honest mistake,” Holden replied.
“I agree,” Sal replied. “No hard feelings?” he asked while extending his hand.
Holden forced a tiny smile and firmly shook his hand. “None at all.”
Sal casually leaned back in his chair, studied Holden’s expression, and chuckled softly. “You still think I’m some sort of mob boss, don’t you?”
“Time will tell,” Holden replied.
Sal shrugged while maintaining his grin. Holden glanced around the table at the others.
“It’s late,” Holden announced to the table of men and women. “Jackie agreed to fly you wherever you want to go in the morning. Can I give her a heads up?”
The team exchanged looks then focused their attention back on Holden.
“I have a beach house to rebuild,” Monroe informed him. “Back to Florida for me.”
Gil fed leftovers to Darth, who sat by his side. He then looked at Monroe with little emotion.
“I’ll help you rebuild,” Gil remarked then looked back at the dog. “I think Darth would like to chill on the beach while recovering from his first mission.”
“Got room for one more?” Bogart eagerly asked while leaning forward in his chair.
Monroe tensed then fidgeted in his seat. “Sorry, man, the trailer I’m renting isn’t that big. Gil’s going to be sleeping on the sofa as it is.”
“Yeah, right,” Gil snorted then laughed while scratching the dog’s neck. He leaned his face closer to the dog’s nose and talked baby talk to Darth. “There are two of us,” he announced. “We need more room, don’t we?” The dog eagerly licked his face. “Oh, yes, we do.”
Bogart frowned and sank back in his chair. He then looked at Holden.
“I guess it’s you and me, bro,” Bogart announced.
Holden suddenly laughed. “If I bring you home, Jackie will kill us both.” He then grinned and looked at Sal. “But I think Sal could use a few good men on his team.”
“Yeah, sure,” Sal announced without hesitation and glanced at Bogart. “You can settle into one of the rooms in the staff wing until you find your own place. I have a few positions that have recently opened up.”
Bogart reluctantly nodded, but he was obviously feeling left out by the team.
“And I’m heading back to Colorado,” Beck announced then sighed softly while shaking his head. “The lodge was in bad shape even before it fell under enemy fire. There are a lot of repairs to be made.”
“Count me in,” Kirk announced then glanced at Zack, who leaned his chin on the table while toasting a piece of shrimp on a toothpick over the candle centerpiece.
Kirk slapped Zack’s thigh, alerting him to the conversation to which he appeared oblivious.
“Huh? What did I miss?” Zack suddenly asked while lifting his head.
“Beck needs help fixing up the lodge,” Kirk remarked. “What are your plans?”
“Oh, yeah,” Zack announced and casually waved him off. “Whatever. I’m in.” He returned to toasting his shrimp over the flame.
“I’d like to get in on that flight back to Colorado,” Pinto announced.
Sal turned toward her with surprise and disappointment on his face. “You’re leaving so soon?”
She gently patted his arm and smiled affectionately. “I have other commitments at the club,” she replied. “But I promise I won’t stay away so long next time. I’ll come back to visit, and you can come to Colorado and visit me.”
He gently nodded and forced a tiny smile. “I’d like that. Are you still at the same address?”
Pinto grinned and glanced at Beck, who hid his smile while looking away. She looked back at her father.
“I’ll probably be spending a lot of my free time at the lodge,” she replied.
The guys looked from Pinto to Beck and appeared surprised. Beck placed his hand to his mouth to keep them from seeing his grin then looked away from the table. Beck fidgeted slightly, gently cleared his throat, and looked at Bogart in an attempt to change the subject.
“We could always use another pair of hands at the lodge,” Beck announced, “if you’re interested.”
Bogart stared at Beck with surprise and could barely contain his enthusiasm. “Really? Ah, man, that’s fantastic,” he suddenly announced while gesturing excitedly with his hands. “Yes, of course. I’m one of the team now, right?” He looked around the table. “This means I’m one of you guys, right?”
There were several groans around the table. Bogart leaned back in his chair, hid his smile, and waved his hands.
“One step at a time. I understand,” Bogart announced. “I’m willing to prove myself.”
Sal glanced at Lee and smiled warmly. “If you want that beach house for a few weeks, it’s just a quick flight to Bermuda from Florida.”
“If I say ‘yes’ to the beach house that doesn’t mean I’m agreeing to return to my old position,” she informed him.
“I under
stand,” Sal informed her and waved his hands. “No strings attached.”
Lee smiled and nodded her appreciation. “Thank you,” she replied. “That sounds wonderful.”
Ross glanced at Holden. “You can put me down for transport back to Colorado as well. I’ve been away from home too long as it is.”
“You’ve got it,” Holden announced. He finished his drink and stood. “I’ll pick you up here at seven sharp.”
“O-seven-hundred,” Ross announced. “Got it.”
Holden finished his drink, gave a general wave, and then headed back inside through the terrace doors. Lee finished her drink and stood as well. All the men made a motion to stand respectfully, causing her to blush slightly. Bogart was the only one who remained seated and looked around with a baffled look.
“I’m exhausted,” Lee announced. “I’ll meet you guys in the morning.”
“I’ll make sure the cook has breakfast ready early,” Sal announced pleasantly.
“Why don’t I show you to your room,” Pinto announced and also stood. “I could lend you something to sleep in.”
All the men stood again. Bogart eyed the others, sprang to his feet as well, and then grinned.
“I get it,” Bogart announced cheerfully. “It’s that gentleman bullshit, right?”
The guys cast looks at him. Pinto joined Lee. They were sent off with a round of ‘goodnights’.
†
Once Pinto returned to her room, Lee changed into the moderately revealing, satin nightgown Pinto had lent her. Her bedroom had a balcony overlooking the garden, which contained an amazing view. She opened the balcony doors to allow the warm breeze to enter the room. The moonlight and garden lights provided a romantic glow into her room. She could hear the men joking and laughing while they shared a few more drinks. She leaned against the doorframe near the balcony and listened to them talk. She let her head fall back, inhaled deeply, and then groaned. Oddly enough, she found herself already missing them. Maybe even Zack too. As she listened to the familiar voices, although a bit cruder in conversation now that the women were gone, she wondered what her new life would be like.
Tonya had betrayed her, and she was the only friend she really connected with in recent years. As she listened to Ross’s smooth, pleasant voice, she already felt sad. She enjoyed having him as her protector. For the first time in a long time, she felt desire. As much as she hated to admit it, she wondered if Tonya had the right idea regarding men. She no longer wanted to be alone and without male companionship, but she didn’t know if she wanted to get over Ross either.
A soft knock on the bedroom door across the hall from hers snapped her out of her fantasy. She couldn’t resist taking a peek. Lee hurried across the room and looked out the dainty peek hole. Beck stood outside the door across the hall. The door opened to reveal Pinto. She grinned, took his hand, and guided him into her bedroom. He casually shut the door behind him. Lee groaned softly and leaned against the door. Why couldn’t she be that girl just once? Would a one-night stand with Ross be enough, or would it just make it that much harder to say goodbye? She struggled with her emotions and morals a moment longer, groaned with disgust, and flung herself onto the bed. She could still hear Ross and the guys beneath her balcony through the open door. Lee pulled the covers over her head and attempted to forget about him.
Chapter Forty-three
Lee tossed restlessly beneath the covers within the elegant bedroom. The mansion and estate were almost as quiet as the lodge in Colorado. She looked at the bedside clock. It was a little after two in the morning. There were no more voices coming from the terrace below, and with good reason. They would be leaving for the private airfield in less than five hours. She was certain sleep wasn’t coming anymore tonight. Light from the garden still filtered into her bedroom, although she was positive that wasn’t the reason for her inability to sleep. She finally got out of bed, approached the open balcony door, and stepped outside into the warm night. The garden looked so peaceful; she couldn’t even tell that there had been two-hundred guests just a few hours earlier. She heard the sound of a glass clinking against the table below. Lee leaned on the balcony railing and looked to the terrace beneath her. Ross slouched in his chair with his feet comfortably crossed and propped on the nearby chair. His hands were clasped over his abdomen and his eyes were shut, although she was certain he wasn’t asleep, since he had just set down his glass.
She studied him, staring helplessly at the distinguished man. Although far from a cowboy, she couldn’t help the desire she felt for him. She leaned heavily on the concrete half wall, shut her eyes, and ran her fingers through her mussed hair.
“Trouble sleeping?” Ross asked from below.
Lee opened her eyes and stared at the man who now stared up at her. She straightened, aware of the revealing nightgown she wore, but she didn’t care what he saw. For once, she wanted a man to look at her that way.
“No,” she replied gently. “It’s just been a, uh, weird sort of day.”
Ross laughed softly then casually replied, “Just another day at the office for me.”
Lee managed a throaty laugh. “And yet you’re unable to sleep as well. Unless Sal ran out of guestrooms.”
“I’m steerage,” Ross teased with a grin.
“I sincerely doubt that,” she replied almost more to herself.
He placed his feet on the stone terrace, straightened, and held up the bottle of brandy.
“Perhaps a little nightcap will take the edge off,” he announced cheerfully.
“I’m a little underdressed for the occasion,” she informed him, although she was toying with the thought of joining him.
“Well, you’re in luck,” he announced. “A first-class joint like this has balcony service.”
She considered his comment. Was he actually asking permission to come up to her room? As her mind raced for a response, a dozen scenarios rushed through her subconscious. He returned the cork to the bottle and stood.
“I’ll warn you,” he announced. “If you miss, it’s going to wake the entire house.”
She then realized he intended to toss the bottle up to her. Lee’s expression dropped, but before she could protest, he was already swinging the bottle for an underhand toss. As the bottle flew up to her, she let out a startled gasp, and caught the flying projectile. Her heart was pounding as she held the bottle. She let out a relieved laugh and shook her head while staring down at him and the cheap grin on his face.
“I actually thought you meant you were coming up,” she remarked while attempting to hide her panic from the potential of missing the bottle and having it shatter on the balcony.
“Oh,” he replied while giving her an innocent look. “That was rude of me. Women should never drink alone.”
Ross took a short running start, half ran up the wall, and caught onto the bottom edge of the balcony. Lee suddenly gasped while watching him dangle a moment. He swung his legs upward onto the ledge, grabbed onto the half wall, and sprang over it, appearing alongside her where she stood. Lee stared at him with her mouth hanging open. She looked over the balcony to the terrace below then looked back at him.
“Holy hell,” she gasped softly.
“I still have a few surprises left in me,” he informed her while grinning. “Just for the record, the odds of getting back down the same way without breaking my neck are not nearly as good.”
“You can use the door,” she replied with a soft laugh.
He took the bottle of brandy from her and removed the cork. “I’m also not going back down for glasses, so it’s going to be the Navy way.”
Ross took a swig from the bottle and handed it to her. Lee laughed and accepted the bottle. She took a small sip then glanced at him as he casually leaned over the railing. She couldn’t deny how sexy he looked standing on her balcony. Moreover, she couldn’t deny how turned on she was by how he got up to the balcony in the first place. Lee tore her eyes away from him and took a large swallow from the bottle then retu
rned it to him. Ross accepted the bottle, turned his back to the half wall, and leaned against it while facing her. He stared at her a moment then became tense.
“So you’re staying at Sal’s beach house in Bermuda, huh?”
She stared into his blue eyes and felt her heart pound. She wanted to throw herself at him and beg him to stay with her tonight. Lee cleared the inappropriate thoughts from her mind and smiled weakly.
“It’s certainly a better option then returning to my apartment and staring at the four walls,” she replied. “If I’m sitting alone in my apartment, there’s a greater chance I’ll give in and go back to work for Sal. I’d rather have a clear head before making that decision.”
Ross casually set the bottle on the half wall and looked back at her.
“There are other options, you know,” he announced gently. “When people aren’t trying to kill you, Colorado can be very peaceful.”
“If the guys wanted me to crash their little lodge renovation party, I’m sure they would have asked,” she replied.
“I didn’t mean the lodge,” he announced gently. “My place offers similar scenery with less cursing.”
There was an awkward silence between them. Lee stared at him as she attempted to make sense of what he was actually saying. Ross suddenly fidgeted and offered an embarrassed smile.
“That wasn’t meant to sound like a proposition,” he quickly announced. “I didn’t mean any disrespect. I just meant, well, you could stay at my place while you figure out what you want to do next.” He offered a warm smile. “I’m very much a gentleman, I promise.”
Witness Protection 2: The Return of Whiskey Tango Foxtrot Page 26
