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When their charter flight reached Washington, Morrow had them picked up and taken to a hotel where he met with them.
Daria told him, "I just hired Amanda as my travel agent. How come you never put me up at a place like this?"
"Because you never complain about where I put you," he replied.
"Well, that's about to change," Daria assured him.
"I consider it a gesture of your high regard," Amanda told him when he frowned. "If I didn't know better, I'd think you didn't want me along on this job, and that hurts my feelings Now, since you're willing to pop for the nice digs, I figure the girls and I might as well finish up our shopping for the big event. I don't have a thing to wear," she told him, while Matt cleared his throat with disbelief.
"What happened to being prepared?" he asked.
"That's all personal protection equipment," she told him.
"I don't think you're going to find enough men to need that much personal protection," he scoffed.
She lifted a brow and said, "I have your mother's phone number."
"Oh, you meant that kind of equipment. In that case, you should have given the bellhop a back brace. He could have used it. Or maybe a hernia support belt," he advised.
"The women aren't allowed out on their own to shop," Morrow warned them.
"For crying out loud," Daria complained. "How much can there be left to purchase?" she asked Sady.
"Just the basics," Sady answered. "You've got the shoes and the dress. You need the accessories to go with it."
"Well, I need everything," Amanda announced. "It's a good thing you came along, Stubbles, because you get to be my personal bodyguard while I shop."
"You say that like it's a good thing," Matt told her. He turned to Harry and CJ. "We're along for security, right CJ?"
CJ made a few rude remarks, and said, "Of course. John, the price tag on this thing just went up. If I have to go within 500 feet of a shopping center for something beyond necessities, my wages go up in direct correlation to my blood pressure."
Turning to the other women she said, "This won't take long, will it?" Sady and Daria shook their heads,while Amanda lifted a finger to protest. CJ ignored her. "Good. Matt, if Amanda's not done with the others, you get the privilege of keeping an eye on her." She ignored his red face and snarled, "Let's go. No one warned me it involved shopping!” She deliberately knocked her shoulder into Morrow as she left.
Harry gave Morrow a shrug and a smile. "Just be grateful she's not going to the embassy," he said. At the shopping center Sady grabbed Daria, and they headed to a famous lingerie store. Harry elbowed Matt and asked, "Are you still going to complain?"
"It depends on what they're buying, and who's modeling," Matt told him. "If Amanda comes out wearing a thong, I'm just going to blow out my brains right here in front of everyone."
"Please, Stubbles!" Amanda snorted. "Don't get your hopes up. I wouldn't model a flannel nightgown for you. Besides, thongs are over-rated in the comfort department. I prefer bikinis, or cheeky panties."
"If you come out of there modeling those, I'm still killing myself," he promised.
"What would you do for a baby doll?" Amanda asked.
"Who's modeling?" he asked with a grin. She raised a brow, and he said, "I'd shove Carolina Reaper peppers into my eye sockets."
"I'll tell Sady," Amanda told him, as she sailed into the store after the other women.
"Are we supposed to go in there?" CJ asked.
"Hell, yes!" Matt insisted. "Unless you and Harry would rather wait out here. I don't mind keeping an eye on them. Well, Sady and Daria. I'll call you if Amanda needs help."
He entered the store and watched with amusement while they looked over the lingerie. In the bra section, Sady and Daria checked at each other's less-than-abundant cleavage, and with mutual shrugs s u through the padded bras.
"Implants are an occupational hazard," Daria explained. "They interfere with accurate aim. Not to mention self-flagellation when you have to run. You?"
"I got out of the business before they became a necessity to win. Strategic padding was still acceptable."
Daria tossed a bra to Sady. "Check out the wires and padding in that bad boy! I could eliminate a small army with that one. I wonder if that gel is flammable?"
"Don't forget you need a spot for hiding... things," Sady reminded her. "If you use your bra as a weapon, that doesn't leave any place remotely comfortable to stash small items. So don't buy a thong because if you have to use it for hiding an item, you're asking for trouble. Besides, your dress is short, and we already discussed the ramifications of running in a short dress."
Matt choked at the turn the conversation took, and with a in a strangled voice he said, "I'll be standing over by the rack of socks. Pretending I'm not here."
"Don't you want to look over the stockings?" Sady teased.
"Not in here, I don't," he responded. "But if you have another place in mind..." He laughed as she shoved him to the sock rack and told him to stay put.
Sady and Daria finished their shopping in a short period of time. CJ and Harry took them back to the hotel while Matt continued shopping with Amanda. When they finally returned, several hours later, Matt dropped his overload of shopping bags and poured a drink with shaking hands. His eye twitched and he couldn't speak without cussing. When he was coherent, he asked, "How much longer until the embassy job?"
"Day after tomorrow," Daria told him. "Tomorrow, we're going over the plans and the possible issues that might arise. Now, I'm going to lay claim to the whirlpool tub and relax."
"And I'm going to model," Amanda announced. Turning to the others she said, "Everything looks good, so you'll have to tell me what looks the best."
Matt scoffed, "I've seen it all, and you already know my opinion. I'm going to lay claim to the mini-bar and the cable TV."
"I'll join you," Harry offered. "Later," he continued, after CJ grabbed his arm to prevent him from leaving the room. A half hour later, he asked CJ in a low voice, "Didn't she just come out with that one on?" CJ nodded, and Sady had to explain the difference between the two dresses Amanda modeled.
The next time Amanda came out to model a dress Sady was the only one on the couch. "What happened?" Amanda asked with a frown. "Never mind, I know. Handsome was getting overwhelmed by my modeling, and Mrs. Handsome had to get him out of here before he acted on impulse. Am I right?"
Sady chuckled to herself and told Amanda, "More or less." She didn't have the heart to tell her best friend that the overwhelming impulse had been murderous impatience... on CJ's part. Harry took her out for a walk before she acted on that impulse.
"Well, no point in wasting any more time since there's no one here to see me," Amanda said, causing Sady to smile again. Amanda didn't mean to be offensive. She just really liked men. Typically, Amanda turned and said, "I'll save the rest for your uncle."
Morrow arrived the next morning, ready to discuss the plans he worked out with Daria. Her mission was to steal a flash drive with sensitive information from a foreign operative who planned to auction it off. Sady and Amanda would provide distraction and help, if necessary.
"What's on the drive?" Amanda demanded.
"It's highly valuable information, and need to know only," Morrow replied. "Now, he keeps that drive in his personal possession at all times. It won't be easy taking it,and getting out will be more difficult if he realizes it' missing. We'd attempt a swap, but they will confiscate everything that they perceive to be a possible threat, or that seems out of place. A replacement drive in your purse would be out of place."
"There are other places to hide things, Uncle Sam," Amanda said.
"Prepare for a body search that stops just short of being criminal," John warned. "You don't have a problem with that, do you?"
Matt laughed and said, "As long as it's male doing the search, Amanda won't care."
She gave him an arch look and said, "Speak for yourself. I'm ready to make any sacrifice to protect the men and women who serve this country."
Sady nudged Matt and said, "I think Amanda's been watching your war movies."
"What's the plan if something goes wrong?" Harry asked John.
He frowned. "It better not. If you knew what I went through to get those three invitations..."
"Are you serious?" Amanda interrupted. "If something goes wrong, then I'm gonna run like hell for the door!"
"So much for sacrificing anything," Matt whispered to Sady.
"That pretty much sums it up," John said. "Although, I'd like to think you'd at least try to make sure your friends were safe as well."
"Do I look like a Marine?" Amanda huffed. "If this thing gets a flat tire, I'm riding the three good ones straight to the exit."
Sady and Matt howled on the couch, John looked distressed, Daria and CJ looked bored, while Harry looked worried.
Morrow pulled out photos. "This guy is the target, and strictly Daria's business. These others are personal security and bodyguards. You aren't to go anywhere with them, other than the dance floor. And that will be highly unlikely since they're on duty. If you need to distract them, you are authorized to do so as long as you stay in the public eye. Ladies, please keep it clean. I know what you're capable of doing to an unsuspecting man. Remember, most of the guests there are innocent bystanders. I'd like them to stay that way. Any questions?"
Harry, CJ, and Matt were the only ones with questions regarding the mission. John ignored Amanda's questions, after she asked if she could keep one of the guards if she caught him.
John gave them a layout of the embassy to memorize, and any other information he felt was necessary. "Daria's in charge once you pass the gate," he reminded them. "She'll let you know how fast to move, and if she needs help. I'm hoping this is a fast in-and-out job."
The next evening, as the women prepared to leave the hotel, Harry whistled when he saw them dressed. Matt remarked sourly it looked like a fast job. CJ smiled and slipped them each a small item. Harry cleared his throat, and CJ said, "Hey, it looks like a cough drop but the acid can blind a man or burn through a lock." He shook his head and closed his mouth.
The women chose shorter dresses, above the knee. When Amanda made an appearance, CJ elbowed Matt in the ribs when she heard his intake of breath. "Tell me later," she whispered.
"Not all of it," he said with a grumpy look when he saw Sady's short dress. "Where does she find those things?" he complained.
"You have to admit, she looks good in them," CJ reasoned.
"A little too good," he replied.
"Daria cleans up nice," CJ continued.
"Yeah, and she knows how to play dirty," Matt said. "I wish I could attend just to watch these three in action."
"Me, too," CJ admitted. "But, if you tell anyone t'll rip off your ears and make you eat them." A call from the front desk let them know the limo arrived to drive them to the embassy. They left in a flurry of waves and smiles.
"That's a worried bunch of women," CJ said sarcastically. "They act like they're going for a good time."
"I hate to say it, but I think they are," Harry smiled.