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“HE LOOKS WORRIED,” Anna said Monday afternoon, watching as Jett rushed down the hall to the conference room. Luke was at his side, and they were talking rapidly about something in low voices.
“Yeah. Some of the team is gone,” Clara pointed out. “Nick and West are on assignment. It’s unusual for West to be gone for an extended amount of time. Usually, he’s here at headquarters or attending local meetings. I wonder what this is about.”
“You’d think December would be more petty theft at retailers, not secret government-sanctioned missions,” Anna said wryly. “Jett said we’d be busy this week dealing with several situations. I already had to order some supplies in case some of the team goes overseas. I’m pretty sure Nick and West are stateside. Jett seemed preoccupied all weekend. I almost felt bad leaving Brody with him. I couldn’t tell him why I’d gone into the city, so the timing wasn’t ideal.”
“I’m sure he figured you were just Christmas shopping with your friends,” Clara assured her. “After all, it is baby’s first Christmas.”
“You’re right. Besides, Jett insisted that I deserved a chance to relax and catch up with my girlfriends.” Anna shot her a smug look. “The man had no clue I was trying on wedding dresses.”
“And the one you sent me a picture of was beautiful.”
“It was incredible, wasn’t it? It practically fit like a glove,” Anna said with a smile. “And oh my goodness, I almost forgot how amazing Manhattan is at Christmas. I lived there for years, so I should know. We really don’t get into the city much anymore with a new baby.”
“Things will change,” Clara assured her.
“Well, not anytime soon,” Anna declared, rubbing her flat stomach.
“Give it a few years then,” Clara said. “You’ll be pushing the double stroller down the streets of Manhattan. Or not,” she added with a grin. “You’ve got a nanny, so grab your guy and go.”
“I should. Jett and I met in Manhattan, after all. We could use an amazing date night there. Speaking of the city, I’ve got to call Ashleigh,” Anna said. “The bridal boutique was able to take measurements for alterations on the gown I picked out. It was almost perfect, but they were going to tweak a few little things. Ashleigh’s going to head back to the bridal shop to pick it up for me so I don’t have to make another trip.”
“You’re lucky to have such great friends.”
“I miss them sometimes, living upstate,” Anna admitted. “I wouldn’t change my life with Jett and Brody for anything, but my girlfriends and I sure had fun when we were younger.”
“Didn’t we all,” Clara agreed with a laugh. “Well, some of us more than most,” she added, looking at Anna pointedly.
“Guilty as charged,” Anna joked.
“Life is good now,” Clara said. “Better.”
“It’s a thousand times better. Hey, do you want to taste test some wedding cakes with me this week? Lena is going to set up an appointment for me at a few local bakeries. I obviously can’t bring Jett since it’s a surprise.”
“For sure,” Clara said. “Can they bake a wedding cake with short notice?”
“We’ll find out,” Anna said with a shrug. “If not, we’ll have fancy cupcakes or something. A donut cake,” she said as inspiration struck. “That’s going to be my backup plan. The point is to marry my man and surprise the hell out of him. He’ll walk into the backyard and not even know what’s coming.”
“I’ll be extremely impressed if you manage to pull this off without Jett finding out. He knows everything.”
“That’s why this wedding will be so amazing. He’s fully expecting us to wait another year until baby number two arrives. But guess what? We’ve waited long enough, so this mission is a go. His brother already requested leave and booked a flight to New York.”
“Slate’s really coming? I’ve heard about him over the years but never met the man. He sounds more intimidating than Jett.”
“For sure,” Anna agreed. “Slate’s a real hard ass. He’s been in the military his entire career. We’ll have other men in uniform there, too. The Shadow Ops guys are helping me reach out to some old Army buddies of Jett’s. They should be coming as far as I know. My parents are flying in. My best friends are already here in New York.”
“And you know most everyone in the office is coming, aside from the essential staff needed to keep headquarters running.”
“Maybe I should live stream the wedding ceremony,” Anna mused.
“That’s smart. Are you hiring a videographer?”
“Oh shit. I should. I need a photographer, too,” Anna said, biting her lip. “How could I forget about that? I swear, pregnancy brain is a real thing. Quick, start googling names of local photographers. I can’t believe that wasn’t even on my list. We need to hurry before Jett comes out here and sees what we’re up to.”
***
JETT SAT BACK IN HIS office, watching the surveillance footage on his large monitors. West had set up a secure feed for him to see what was happening inside the Defense Department building. Although cameras weren’t allowed inside of SCIFs, also known as sensitive compartmented information facilities, the unclassified areas of the office were fair game. The cameras were discreet and would be unnoticeable to most. The higher ups knew what was going on, but Peter Susco and the rest of the employees were left in the dark.
While this wasn’t the type of operation that Jett would normally have eyes on, he was curious about the man leaking classified intel. He’d already been noticed walking suspiciously around the office building. It made little sense, because if Susco had stolen information on a flash drive, he could’ve hidden it easily on his person, walking out of the building with no one the wiser. Peter Susco seemed to also be taking hardcopies of various intelligence reports. Once they found them, they’d have both an electronic and paper trail—the electronic fingerprints from when he’d accessed the files, and the hard copies that he’d evidently printed out. They just needed to prove Susco was the only person involved.
The camera had only been in there one day, and Jett watched as Susco stacked various reports on his desk. That alone was a security breach, because all classified materials should’ve remained in the SCIF.
“This guy can’t be this dumb,” Jett muttered.
Luke poked his head in the door. “What was that, boss?”
Jett’s gaze flicked to him then back to his screen. “Just watching the footage from Boston. It’s almost like this asshole wants to be caught.”
“Except he covered his tracks electronically,” Luke pointed out. “His entire team has allegedly accessed every single report that was leaked. We know that’s bullshit, and Susco is likely behind it. West will be able to prove that while he’s onsite.”
“Affirmative. I’m not sure what Susco’s endgame is. He had to realize snooping around outside the office building would make people suspicious. It almost seems like he’s trying to draw attention to himself.”
“Any updates from West?”
Jett shook his head. “Nothing yet. The IT guys will be swapping out the CPUs tonight—routine maintenance as far as anyone else is concerned. Nick’s getting a feel for the office, talking to people. We don’t want a full-blown interrogation, just an idea of what others might know. The Feds will deal with Susco after we gather enough on him. West will get his hands on the computers at oh-four-hundred tomorrow. Even though the DOD staff couldn’t find the electronic fingerprints left by Susco, I have no doubt West will. Once we can prove Susco is behind the breach, we can wrap this operation up.”
“I’m surprised they’re still letting him have access to the office building and secure servers,” Luke said with a frown.
“It wasn’t my call. It’s a risk, but he’s been leaking information for several months, and they want to catch him red-handed. DOD narrowed down a list of suspects as the flow of classified intel grew. Lives are in danger because of this asshole. Why he’s purposefully getting sloppy now is problematic. He’s up to something.”
“Maybe he’s in over his head and wants to get out.”
“By ending up in jail? He’s leaking more intelligence.”
“It’s a busy time of year,” Luke said. “Maybe he needed cash to pay for the holidays. He needs more money and is selling more secrets.”
Jett raised his eyebrows, and Luke held up both hands, chuckling. “I’m just saying it can get expensive. Christmas,” he added, almost as if an afterthought.
Jett let out a groan. “Anna was teasing me all weekend about her big Christmas surprise. I don’t suppose you know anything about it?”
“I’m sworn to secrecy, boss. It’s good though.”
Jett shook his head. “I was out in the lobby earlier and heard Anna and Clara conspiring. I’m pretty sure the whole damn building knows what’s going on and not me. Obviously, I could pull the camera feeds and find out for myself, but she’s so damn excited, I don’t want to ruin it for her.”
“You’ve got it bad,” Luke joked with a grin as he crossed his arms.
“I’d do anything for her,” Jett admitted.
“I hope you’re talking about me!” Anna trilled, peeking her head around the open doorway, a huge smile on those plush lips. Her wrap dress swished with the movement, and Jett’s hungry gaze raked over her, taking in the way it hugged her breasts and skimmed over her hips. “Oh hi, Luke. Hope you weren’t giving away my big secret.”
“Of course not. Wren and I are both like vaults,” he said, pretending to zip his lips shut and toss away the key.
“Jesus,” Jett muttered, running a hand over his face. “Even your women know?”
“Yep,” Luke said, looking amused.
“I knew I could count on you,” Anna told him. “I think my fiancé is starting to realize everyone knows my Christmas surprise but him. This is kind of fun,” she teased. Anna brushed past Luke as she sashayed across Jett’s office like she owned the place, draping herself over his lap and kissing his cheek.
Luke’s lips quirked. “It sure the hell is fun,” he agreed, winking at Anna. “And on that note, I’m out. I’ll be on standby if you get any more info on the overseas mission,” he told Jett, his smile fading. “Otherwise, I’ll catch you both tomorrow.”
Jett nodded goodbye before he clicked off the surveillance footage on his computer screen and then properly kissed Anna hello, taking her sweet mouth with his own. His hands tangled in her hair, and she melted against him, wrapping her arms around his neck.
“That looked positively boring to watch,” she said, her eyes shining with amusement as they finally broke their heated kiss. Jett’s erection was pressing against her bottom, and he knew she could feel it. Anna licked her lips, and he had to stop himself from kissing her again.
“It was, but it can’t be helped. Just trying to catch the bad guy,” Jett said dryly.
“That’s where West and Nick are this week,” she said astutely. As much as she loved to flirt and tease him, not much slipped by Anna. She wasn’t involved in any of their operations, but she was sharp. He’d do anything and everything in his power to protect her from the darkness in his line of work. Her efficiency and organization helped keep the black ops side of his business running smoothly, but she’d never be involved in any dangerous tasks.
“They are. I’m hoping to end this in a matter of days though. We’ve got other missions coming up, and I need the team ready.”
“Well, as long as everyone plays nice after that. I can’t have them ruining my Christmas surprise.”
Jett’s lips quirked. “I was thinking,” he said, letting his hands roam over Anna’s gorgeous body. She was facing him, away from the door to his office, and he palmed one breast, listening to her tiny whimper. His cock twitched, and he wished he could take her right here, sinking into her tight heat and making her cry out his name. “We should get away for a couple nights around Christmas. Have the nanny watch Brody. I want some time alone together.”
Anna’s eyes lit up with delight.
“You like that idea.” It wasn’t a question. He shifted the fabric of her wrap dress, exposing her lacy bra. “I should’ve told Luke to close the door to the office,” he muttered, glaring at the opening.
She giggled, watching his movements. Jett’s fingers trailed over the fabric hugging her cleavage, and he tugged it lower, exposing her nipple. His thumb swiped over the pink bud, watching as it tightened. Anna playfully swatted at him, and he righted her bra and dress, grumbling. “No, you shouldn’t have, because we’re at work,” Anna pointed out. “I’m not opposed to quickies, as you’re well aware,” she teased, “but I’ve got stuff to do this afternoon. Clara and I have an errand to run when she finishes with those numbers she’s pulling.”
“And you have work here to do,” he said regretfully.
“Yep. I have several things to finish up. And if I spend too much time in here with the boss, I won’t be able to finish them in order to sneak out. You said you’d be home a bit late tonight, so I figured it was a good time to run our, ahem, errand.”
Jett lifted a hand, his fingers trailing down her cheek until he was cupping her jaw. “And this errand is about my Christmas present?” he asked, his voice gruff.
“Maybe,” she teased.
“Anna,” he said, his lips pressing against her slender neck as she arched against him. “I have my ways of finding out what you’re up to.” His other hand trailed up her spine, and he didn’t miss the way she shivered in delight.
“Of course, you do,” she said, smiling before sliding off his lap. She glanced down, making sure her breasts were properly covered, and Jett’s hands itched to pull her close once again. “But I also know you wouldn’t dare. Don’t ruin your surprise, baby.”
“Maybe I’ll get it out of you tonight,” he said, his lips quirking. “Tease you until you can’t say no.”
“You could try,” she said, winking at him. “Finish your surveillance stuff.”
He shook his head, trying to hide his smile. “So that was a yes for a getaway at Christmas? I’ll look into booking something or have Lena plan it for us.”
“As long as it’s after Christmas. Brody’s first Christmas needs to be at home. And let’s go someplace tropical. A beach vacation! That sounds heavenly, doesn’t it? You, me, sunscreen, fruity drinks—virgin for me, of course. You’ll sip your whiskey; I’ll have a virgin pina colada. It’ll be heavenly.”
“I’ll have you all to myself,” he said, his blood heating.
“Maybe I’ll blindfold you this time,” she joked. “It sounds perfect, baby. I’ll stop in before I leave for the day. Don’t stay too late.”
His phone began to buzz on his desk, and she blew him a kiss before turning to leave. Jett watched Anna’s hips sway as she sauntered out of his office, her dress swishing around her shapely legs. His Anna was a temptress. It was amusing to watch her try to keep her secret from him, but he wouldn’t have it any other way. Jett might control things in the bedroom, taking her how he wanted, but they both knew Anna was really the one who had the upper hand.
