Desired in Darkness

by Heather Sunseri

Mom smiled knowingly. I probably didn’t need to tell her that we’d already taken care of our need for intimacy last night, this morning, and again before we dressed for the party.

  “Well don’t be long,” Mom said. “Guests will begin arriving any minute.”

  I grabbed my flute and headed for the study.

  The study was actually Dad’s office on the rare occasions that he worked from home. It was off limits during my parents’ parties and was usually locked when people were in the house. I started to punch the code into the keypad to gain entrance, then saw that the door was already cracked open. Declan was apparently already inside, waiting for me.

  I pushed the door open. The study was lit by a work lamp on Dad’s desk, and by a floor lamp beside a leather chair and ottoman. But there was no one there. Strange. I would have called Declan to ask him where he’d gone, but I had left my phone in my room, thinking I wouldn’t need it.

  I shrugged. Maybe Dad had caught Declan and had drawn him off for another drink. I laughed at that thought, and as the doorbell rang, I went to join Mom in greeting the arriving guests.

  Chapter 10

  Declan

  I had been living the high life for years, attending the best of the best galas and parties all over Europe and the United States. I’d even been responsible for hosting my own parties from time to time, with the help of the best planners.

  “Cigar?” Jack asked as we stepped onto the covered patio. It was still snowing, but the outdoor fireplace and heaters provided enough warmth for two tuxedo-clad men to step outside for a cigar. The women would struggle without an extra layer over their dresses.

  I waved off the cigar. “No, thank you.”

  Jack had the bartender pour us each a glass of bourbon—a twenty-year-old bottle of Orphan Barrel Rhetoric—that I knew was rare and expensive. I took the offered glass and savored the first sip as it slid down my throat nice and smooth, warming me as it went. I breathed in the scent of burning tobacco from Jack’s cigar. The smell reminded me of my grandfather, who often disappeared to a shed behind his house to smoke, much to the chagrin of my grandmother.

  “Declan, I didn’t want to tell my daughter this tonight, but I’m afraid Harrison has been following and watching her even longer and more intensely than we had originally thought.”

  I gripped the glass tighter. “How long?”

  “As I think Brooke is well aware now, she caught the attention of Harrison when they were at UVA. The analysts I have on the case now have uncovered information about what happened to Harrison after he was expelled for violating the UVA honor code.”

  “Go on,” I said.

  “Harrison was a computer genius. When he got kicked out of UVA, he began working for a security firm in the DC area. He became well known for being able to hack into the computer systems of some of the most secure companies in the United States—companies that had paid for and implemented the best cybersecurity measures money could buy. He made his firm a lot of money as a result—because these companies fired their existing cybersecurity teams and hired Harrison’s firm instead. He also moved several times during the few years that he worked for them.”

  “Are you saying his moves are significant?”

  “Yes, because every time Brooke moved—”

  “He followed,” I finished.

  “He always lived in close proximity to Brooke, including while she was at Quantico.” Jack took a sip of his bourbon, then stared at the ice. “We’ve even found an employee of the security firm who said Harrison was always going on and on about his ‘FBI Special Agent girlfriend’ who couldn’t come to events because she was working undercover.”

  None of what he was saying surprised me, which was precisely why I’d hired Dimitri to find anything he could about Harrison.

  When Jack looked at me again, his face was grim. “NSA discovered Harrison while Brooke was at the Academy. He worked as an analyst for the NSA for a couple of years, and then he was recruited by the CIA.”

  “And while he worked for these agencies,” I said, “learning even more ways to infiltrate the most secure of computers—and to basically become a ghost who could slip in and around places unnoticed—he used his skills to monitor and track Brooke.”

  “That’s what I think.”

  “What, exactly, was he hired to do for the CIA?”

  “I still haven’t been able to obtain that information.”

  “How is that possible?” I asked. “Don’t you have the highest level of security clearance?”

  “Yes, but it’s always based on a need to know. And any organization can bury classified information that they never want seen. I’m working on it.”

  “Why are you sharing this with me?” I asked.

  “Because, Declan, my daughter is being tracked by a crazed lunatic. She’s going to need you. I know you have resources that are… different, for lack of a better word… than mine. And I can’t protect her twenty-four hours a day the way you can. I have to justify every action I take.”

  I shook the ice around in my glass. “Of course I will do everything in my power to keep Brooke safe. But what are you asking of me?”

  “She’s going to have to know what she’s up against. She’s going to start learning more and more about the man who has been living in the shadows of her life. I don’t think I have to tell you what a man like Harrison will do when he’s backed into a corner, with all of his secrets exposed.”

  No, he didn’t. If Donaldson’s theory was true, Harrison was already killing everyone who knew his identity.

  That reminded me of a question Jack hadn’t fully answered earlier. “Jack, why would Donaldson say he’d been ordered to step back from the case?”

  “I’m not sure. But I plan to find out as soon as he arrives.”

  Chapter 11

  Brooke

  As I reached the foyer, my mother motioned for me to come stand beside her. I knew this was the moment she had been looking forward to most: showing me off to all of her friends. Or, as she would probably refer to it, “introducing me to the ‘right’ kinds of influential people.”

  “Brooke, honey,” she said as I joined her. “I want you to meet…”

  I barely listened to the words that followed. I simply smiled, nodded, and shook hands with guest after guest as they entered.

  Eventually I saw Declan standing beside Dad in the living room. They were drinking bourbon and speaking with two gentlemen. Declan was lucky—his situation looked so much better than the torture I was enduring. But I grinned through it.

  After twenty minutes of this, Ty and James walked through the door, and Ty scooped me up in a hug. “Thank God you’re here,” I said when he released me. “Mom, I would like to introduce you to Tyler Jamison and his partner, James.”

  “It’s nice to meet you,” Mom said, then went immediately back to greeting her friends. I took the opportunity to grab both Ty and James by the hand and pull them toward the bar.

  “This is where you grew up?” Ty said.

  “Who did the flowers?” James asked.

  I rolled my eyes at both of their questions. “I’ll have bourbon on the rocks,” I said to the bartender. When the bartender reached for a large bottle of Elkhorn Reserve—bourbon anyone can get at the neighborhood liquor store—I quickly clarified, “The bourbon my father and Declan are drinking,”.

  The bartender paused before stooping down to grab a bottle of Orphan Barrel twenty-year-old that was tucked away.

  Ty and James both ordered champagne. When we all had drinks in our hands, Ty and I stepped over to one of the high-top tables, while James excused himself and walked off toward the dining room, probably to admire more of the floral displays.

  “Have you spoken to Mike since yesterday?” Ty asked.

  “No.” I took a sip, savoring the complex blend of notes of the premium bourbon. “I need to, though. He told Declan that he’d talked to me about Romeo before I got the chance to tell Declan myself.”

  Ty
’s eyes narrowed. “Was Declan pissed?”

  “Surprisingly, no.” I lifted my hand and pretended to push bangs away from my face while giving Ty a full view of my ring.

  “Holy shit!” He took my hand and held the ring closer. “Is that a…”

  “If you were going to say ‘blue diamond,’ then I’d say, ‘Why yes, it is.’” I fluttered my eyelashes at him. Ty was the only person in the whole world that I would be so ridiculous with.

  “Daaaaaaaaamn, girl! That is one gorgeous rock. And it must be, what? Three carats?”

  I waved a hand. “You know size doesn’t matter to me.”

  Ty angled his head in disbelief.

  “Okay,” I said, “it’s over the top, but it is beautiful.”

  “Beautiful is too boring of a word to describe that bad boy.”

  I was still smiling when Mike and Marie Donaldson entered the living room. I hadn’t realized how far along Marie was. She had to be close to full term. “Mike’s here,” I said. “Let’s go say hello.”

  “If we must.” Ty took a sip of his champagne as we started across the room.

  “Mike, I’m so glad you both could make it.” I had never actually met Marie before.

  “Thank you for having us. Marie, I’d like for you to meet Brooke Fairfax and Ty Jamison.”

  “It’s lovely to meet you both,” Marie said. “And congratulations on the engagement.”

  She had a beautiful smile and short, pixie-style hair. “Adorable” was the only way to describe her.

  “Thank you,” I said, returning her smile.

  Dad and Declan stepped up from behind me. “Good evening, Mike.”

  “Hello, Director Waller,” Mike answered formally.

  “Marie, you look lovely tonight. How much longer?” Dad asked.

  “Four excruciatingly long weeks, if all goes well,” Marie answered, giving her swollen belly a pat.

  “Do you mind if I borrow your husband for a moment? I promise not to keep him long.”

  “Of course.”

  “Agent Hendricks is meeting us outside,” Dad said to Mike as if Mike was expecting it. “Marie and Brooke can spend some time catching up.” Dad nodded at me. He had no idea I’d never even met Marie Donaldson until now. He just wanted to make it clear that he needed to speak with his agent, and that I was not invited.

  Declan touched my back to let me know he was there. I turned my head and gave him a quick kiss, then introduced him to Marie.

  “Can we get you something to drink?” Declan asked Marie.

  “No, but I could use a restroom. This little boy is constantly dancing on my bladder.”

  “Of course.”

  I walked her to the powder room. When I returned to Declan, he was standing alone.

  “Ty went to find James,” Declan explained. He tipped his glass to mine. “To a rare moment alone.”

  I smiled. “What did you and my father speak about?”

  Declan playfully touched a finger to my nose. “Just a little guy talk. He plans to fill you in later.”

  “About what?” I prodded.

  He kissed me. “Later. Let’s enjoy the party.”

  “Fine.”

  Just as I took a sip of my bourbon, I heard the sound of Marti’s voice. “Brooke!” I turned and saw her rushing toward me with her arms spread wide. She hugged me. “We made it.”

  Aidan was right behind her. He shook Declan’s hand while giving him a one-arm hug. “Congratulations, mate,” he said. Then he leaned down and kissed me on the cheek. “You look beautiful, Brooke.”

  “Thanks, Aidan.”

  “My, how far we’ve come since the day Brooke came to work at the racing stable,” Marti joked. “Mom sends her love. She wanted to be here.”

  “We can celebrate again in Midland,” Declan said.

  “Ooh. Good idea. I’ll get Mom working on something a-sap.” Marti turned to me. “So, when are we going dress shopping?”

  I laughed and eyed Declan. He knew I wanted something simple, and that I wasn’t keen on a formal wedding gown. Of course, if my mother had her way…

  “I think I can set up something fun for the two of you and Mrs. G back in Kentucky,” Declan said, saving me from having to disappoint Marti.

  Marti squealed, then talked to Declan about all the lovely boutiques in Lexington while I scanned the room for any sign of my father or Mike.

  “Let’s get some food,” Aidan said to Marti.

  They took off in the direction of the dining room just as I spotted Marie talking with a man and woman—probably agents with the Bureau. I was relieved she knew people here since Dad and Mike still appeared to be missing from the party.

  “Who are you looking for?” Declan asked.

  “Mike.” I started to walk away, but Declan squeezed my hand and pulled me back to him.

  Looking into my eyes, he said, “Do you need to do this tonight?”

  “Unfortunately, yes. I told you last night that I really want Ty to hear Mike out. If Ty thinks I’m making too much of the deaths of the men in that picture, then I’ll drop it.”

  Declan held my gaze for several beats, saying nothing. Finally, after a long breath in and out, he let his eyes close. “I don’t think you’re making too much of it.”

  I angled my head. “You don’t?”

  “No. And neither does your father.”

  “Is that what the two of you spoke about?”

  “Yes. He didn’t ask Mike to back off this investigation, and neither did anyone else that he knows of. He thinks someone impersonated him and somehow got Mike’s ear, and now he’s worried that someone has infiltrated the FBI’s communication channels and manipulated Mike’s investigation.”

  “How would that happen?”

  “I’m sure that’s the question your father would like answered. But he’s worried. He’s worried that they’ve underestimated Woodford Clay Harrison. And he’s worried about your safety. Which means,” Declan lifted my hand to his lips and kissed my knuckles, “that I, too, am worried for your safety.”

  I suddenly remembered the note from earlier. “By the way, what was up with the note you sent me earlier?”

  His brows tilted inward. “What note?”

  “To meet you in the study.”

  Declan shook his head. “I didn’t send you a note. I would have just come and gotten you.”

  The hairs on the back of my neck stood. It was exactly the kind of thing Romeo always did to me. Just when I was feeling safe, he swooped in and threw me off kilter.

  “He’s here,” I said. I scanned the room. “It’s Romeo.”

  “That’s not possible,” Declan said, but he sounded unsure. “There are agents at the entrance to the farm, checking invitations, and there are more agents at every door, watching every guest as they arrive.”

  “He’s infiltrated the staff, then. But Declan—he’s here somewhere.”

  Chapter 12

  Romeo

  It was so easy to manipulate my lovely Brooke. I was sure no one else here would recognize me, dressed as one of the catering staff, but my beloved Brooke would have. So I sent her a note, and she ran off to the study to see her precious Declan, just like I’d known she would—giving me time to put everything into place.

  After I paid a visit to Brooke’s bedroom, I made my way down a back staircase. I was almost questioned by one of the catering managers, but managed to steer him in a different direction. Now I was perfectly positioned behind a tractor inside Director Waller’s equipment barn, spying on the director and Agent Donaldson, who had entered the barn moments before. Donaldson was already whining about being followed, yet they were both too arrogant to double-check their surroundings before discussing a case.

  But where was Brooke? I wanted her to witness and learn, right beside her father, as I taught Agent Donaldson a lesson.

  It would be okay, though. I would leave behind just the right breadcrumbs for Brooke.

  Director Waller flipped a switch, illuminat
ing a single light bulb sticking out horizontally from the wall. “Agent Hendricks sent me a message that he needed to see both of us out here at the barn,” he said.

  “Why here?” Donaldson asked, looking around. “And why both of us?”

  “He’s worked enough of my parties to know that I like to come out to the barn for these chats. I’ve been having him check into a few things surrounding the night Teddy was killed.”

  A look of surprise registered on Donaldson’s face. My lips curved into a slight grin.

  The director glanced back up toward the house. “I'm going to give him a quick call.” He pulled out his phone and dialed. “Voicemail,” he said after a moment. “Well, while we wait, you can fill me in on your investigation. Have you collected any evidence that proves that those men’s deaths weren’t accidental or of natural causes?”

  “No, sir. No one thought to investigate any of the deaths at the time they occurred.”

  “That’s unfortunate. What about the other men on Bhatia’s list? Have they been warned?”

  “I’ve been unable to reach two of them. I managed to locate Miles Holbrook, in Virginia Beach, and he was already well aware of the situation. In fact, he’d been trying to convince the authorities that the other deaths weren’t accidental, but no one believed him.” Donaldson shrugged. “He’s a known conspiracy theorist. Apparently, he has a number of wild theories about ‘Washington cover-ups.’ His wife divorced him and took the children across the country, and his friends think he’s insane. So it’s understandable that the authorities won’t listen to his theories about his college buddies.”

  “Monday morning, I want to talk to this guy,” Waller said. “Bring him in.”

  This was good, I thought. If they thought Holbrook could help them, they were in for a big surprise.

  “Yes, sir,” Donaldson said. “Sir, I’d also like permission to bring your daughter in for an interview. She knows more about Harrison than any of us. She’s spoken with him and spent years analyzing him.”