Anne lay awake well past midnight, listening for the sound of Jack’s footsteps. She’d purposely left her door unlocked, hoping he’d come up and check on her. Maybe she was selfish, but she wanted a repeat of the night before. If things went south the next day, she wanted to have the memory of making love with Jack to be with her no matter what happened.
She must have fallen asleep because the next thing she knew, something was tickling her lips. She opened her eyes to find Jack leaning over her, a smile curving his lips.
“Hey,” he said.
She blinked open her eyes.
He wore a pair of running shorts and nothing else.
Anne moved over in the bed, making room for him.
He slipped beneath the sheets and pulled her into his arms. “Go back to sleep. I just wanted to hold you.”
“Mmm,” she murmured, pressing her lips to his bare chest. He smelled of aftershave and man musk. Anne committed that scent to memory. She felt tomorrow would be a turning point. Whatever happened could set the course for her career, her life and perhaps her relationship with this man. “Promise me,” she whispered.
“Promise you what?” he asked, smoothing her hair off her cheeks, tucking a strand behind her ear.
“You won’t get hurt.” She slipped her arm over his chest and held on tight. “I don’t know if I can go through that again.”
“Go through what, darlin’?” He kissed her temple and the tip of her nose.
“Losing someone I care about.” There, she’d admitted to something she’d tried hard not to do since her husband’s death. Care about someone so much it hurt. And a man who was a stranger mere days before. Was she insane? She scooted closer, until her body was flush with his. Yes, she was insane, but she didn’t care. For the first time since Mason’s death, she wanted someone else in her life and was willing to risk losing her heart again. To a man who risked his life in the work he performed.
His arms tightened around her. “You know, you were supposed to be the job. Nothing more.”
“What do you mean, the job?”
“I wasn’t supposed to get involved.” He tipped her chin up so that he could stare into her eyes. “But I’m failing at that miserably.”
“Miserably?” Her lips twisted. “That doesn’t sound good.” She tilted her head and pressed a kiss to his chin.
Jack turned his head and captured her lips in a soul-defining kiss that left her breathless and wanting so much more.
“I promised myself I wouldn’t love another woman,” he said. “But I’m afraid I might be falling for you.”
Her heart pounded hard in her chest. “And that’s a bad thing?”
“Yes. I’m bad luck to the women in my life.”
“How so?” She shook her head. “You’ve been nothing but good luck for me. I could have been dead twice over if you hadn’t come along and scooped me up on the back of your motorcycle.”
He held her close, crushing her to his chest. “I’m afraid for you, Anne.”
“I’m willing to take the risk,” she said.
Jack rolled her onto her back, pressing her into the mattress with the weight of his body. “I’m not sure I’m willing to risk your life, because I want you so badly.”
“It’s my life. Doesn’t that make it my decision?” she said staring up into his eyes. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down to her. “Make love to me, marine. Whatever this is we’re feeling can’t be all bad, and we can figure it all out after tomorrow. Let’s make the most out of what’s left of tonight.”
“Tonight, then,” he said and proceeded to fulfill all the fantasies she’d had about him before she’d fallen asleep.
They didn’t get much sleep, but they made memories into the wee hours of the morning. By the time her alarm went off, Anne was already awake, staring at Jack as he caught a few minutes of sleep. She wanted to remember him so relaxed and sexy, lying naked in the bed beside her. If all went well that day, they might have more nights like this. If not, she’d have her memories to hold close.
The alarm blared. Anne turned it off and pressed a kiss to Jack’s lips.
He opened his eyes and smiled. “Is it that time?”
“I’d rather not go to work today at all,” Anne said.
He pulled her into his embrace. “If only we could stay here and forget the world outside.”
Anne kissed him again and leaned up on her arm. “It’s like a bandage that needs to be removed. Let’s rip it off and get it over with.”
“Then we can pick up where we left off here?”
Anne nodded. “That’s the plan.” She rose from the bed and padded naked to retrieve her T-shirt from where it had been tossed in the night. After she pulled it over her head, she grabbed her toiletries and paused with her hand on the doorknob.
Jack had risen from the bed and stood looking out the window.
His body was magnificent, all muscle and sinew.
Her core heated again with desire. If only they didn’t have to go to work. If only they didn’t have to save the world…
With a sigh, she left the room, crossed to the bathroom and got into the shower.
A few moments later, the shower curtain shifted to the side and her handsome former marine stepped into the shower with her. He held out his hand. “Soap.”
She gave him the bar and watched in shivery anticipation as he worked up a lather and then spread it over her shoulders and downward to cup each breast and tweak the nipples with his sudsy fingers.
By the time he cupped her sex, she was past ready. When he lifted her by the backs of her thighs, she swallowed the moan rising up her throat and lowered herself over his shaft.
They made love until the water cooled.
Then they dried each other off and dressed quickly, aware of the hour and the fact they had to get to the station in time to catch the early train into the city.
Combed and dressed, they made their way down to the kitchen where the rest of the team had gathered.
“Arnold is driving you two into the city this morning, so you won’t have to catch the train.”
Anne glanced at the clock. They were still early enough they would miss the worst of rush hour. “Thank you. At least we won’t have to worry that there might be bad guys on the train in.”
Jack nodded. “Right. Let’s save the confrontations for later.”
“We can hope there won’t be a confrontation at all,” Charlie said.
“Then we wouldn’t smoke out the Trinity assassins entrenched in the White House,” Declan said.
“True,” Charlie conceded. “I hate to be a downer, but we’ll only be scratching the surface of the organization by identifying and eliminating some of the pawns in their game. Until we find the leader and take him out, we won’t hear the end of Trinity.”
“You have a point,” Declan said. “We’ll work on that. Hopefully, we’ll recruit Anne’s texter to join our team. Between her and Jasmine’s help we might have a shot at finding their leader and bringing him down.”
Carl had breakfast cooked and laid out on the table. They all took their seats and dug in, not knowing what the day would have in store for them.
Anne could imagine the marines eating like it might be their last meal for a long time. In the desert, they probably went for long stretches without decent meals as they prepared for and conducted battles.
Today would be like that, only in a falsely civilized theater of operations. Even though they’d be in the heart of the city, they would be up against some of the most ruthless opponents they’d ever contended with.
Anne prayed they all came out of it alive.
* * *
IF JACK HAD his way, he’d leave Anne at the Halverson estate where she’d be safe. Knowing her like he did, he didn’t even suggest it. She wouldn’t stand by and let things happen to the people she worked with. If there was any way she could help, she would. Staying home from work wasn’t an option, and if he insisted, he worried she’d find a way in, no matter what, without his protection.
With that in mind, Jack held open the door to the SUV Charlie had provided for her to climb into, glad she’d chosen to wear a pantsuit and sensible shoes. If there was any running involved with the day’s events, she’d have a better chance in flat shoes than the heels she normally wore with her skirts.
Declan, Mack and Cole were getting into the White House as tourists and would be close by if needed. Arnold and Charlie had pulled some strings and secured a Secret Service uniform for Gus. Jonah had hacked in and had Gus added to the Secret Service roster for the day. Gus had already reported to the Secret Service Office in the West Wing of the White House. Hopefully, he hadn’t had any difficulties assimilating. Mustang would enter the West Wing as a new staffer assigned to fill in for Dr. Saunders in the national homeland security advisor’s office during Saunders’s recovery.
Declan’s Defenders would be in or near the West Wing during the National Security Council meeting. They would be able to monitor for anything unusual and be there to help out if something bad were to happen.
Not knowing who would initiate the event or what would transpire had Jack on edge. After spending time in the West Wing, he found it unsettling that some in the building might be Trinity assassins planted over time. He might have passed them in the hallways.
He handed an earbud to Anne.
“What is this?” she asked.
“Radio communications.”
She shook her head. “Not that I even know how to use them, but how would we get them past security?”
“Put it with your cell phone when you go through the scanner. If they ask, it’s a Bluetooth earbud for your cell phone. The worst they can do is set it aside and hold it until you leave for the day. The best would be if they let it pass and you have it in case you get in a tight situation and you need to communicate with one of us.”
She stared at the device as if it might bite her.
Jack chuckled. “It won’t hurt you.”
Arnold dropped them off a block away from the West Wing. He would find a place to park and remain close by throughout the day. As a prior military man himself, he could provide backup in case they needed him. If nothing else, he would be there to provide transportation should they need to get somewhere quickly.
With a practiced eye, Jack surveyed the surroundings, searching for anyone who seemed out of place or looked as if they might initiate an attack. He kept Anne close to him as they walked to the West Wing and entered. As usual, they passed through the metal detectors, dropped their cell phones and earbuds into a dish to go through an X-ray machine and scanned their IDs. They reached Anne’s office without any undue delays. Since it was early, there weren’t as many people in the building yet, although there were more than Jack expected.
“Is this usual for this many people to be this early?” he asked.
Anne laughed. “The NSC meeting is a big deal. We like it to go smoothly. Most areas have someone come in early to make sure there are no loose ends remaining to be tied.”
“Dedication.”
“Some major decisions come out of these meetings,” Anne said.
He moved closer and lowered his voice. “Anything dealing with the major pharmaceutical companies?” Jack asked.
“I don’t think so,” Anne responded. “Why do you ask?”
“I’m trying to connect the dots between the Russian aid worker in the dead Syrian village, the pharmaceutical company experimenting with cancer vaccinations and the potential attack on the National Security Council. None of it’s adding up.”
“I know what you mean.”
“Would the NSC be interested in a pharmaceutical company performing unsanctioned drug testing on humans in Syria?”
Her brow puckered. “That might be something that would be discussed. And the word sanction brings up another thought. Imposing sanctions on a country known to conduct biological warfare on populations.” Her eyes widened. “Do you think Trinity is working with the Russians and the big pharmaceuticals? Maybe they don’t want the NSC to shut down trade between the US and Russia. It might cut into their profits.”
Jack pulled his cell phone from his pocket and called Jonah. “I need you to check into members of the NSC and who might have connections to Waylon Pharmaceuticals. Text me with anything you might find as soon as you get it. Thanks.”
A knock sounded on the door to Anne’s office.
Jack, being closest, opened the door.
Gina poked her head inside. “Mr. Louis wants to see you, Anne.”
“Thank you, Gina. I’ll be right there.”
Gina left, closing the door behind her.
Anne glanced at Jack. “Be careful today.”
“Same to you.” He winked. “I’m counting on seeing a lot more of you.”
She crossed to where he stood, leaned up on her toes and pressed a kiss to his lips. “Me, too.”
Jack pulled her into his arms and kissed her hard, his tongue pushing through to slide along hers in a long, sexy caress. Then he set her away from him. “Do you still have your earbud?”
She patted the pocket of her suit jacket and nodded.
“Don’t forget to use it.”
“I won’t.” She gave him one last glance before he opened the door and stood back.
“Have a good day, Ms. Bellamy,” Jack said. He prayed she would have that good day.
Anne left the office and went to the one next door.
While Anne met with her boss, Jack fitted his earbud in his ear and switched it on. “Testing,” he said quietly. “Snow here.”
“Gus here. Stationed outside the NSC room as sentry.”
“Declan here with Cole and Mack, waiting to get into the White House tour. Close by, if you need us.”
“Mustang at Dr. Saunders’s desk, awaiting computer access. Deliver me from boredom.”
“We can only pray for boredom,” Jack said softly.
“Amen,” Declan responded.
“Arnold?”
“On a park bench, feeding the pigeons. Here if you need me.”
“Is Ms. Bellamy wired?” Declan asked.
“She has the gear,” Jack said. “Whether she chooses to use it is up to her.”
“Gotcha. Stay cool,” Declan said. “And call if you need us.”
“T minus two hours and counting.” Jack said. “See you at close of business.”
Unable to sit still for long, Jack paced the length of the office, turned and paced back. The NSC meeting wasn’t for another two hours. What would he do until then? He sat at the computer and thumbed through what little data he could tap into. As a new staffer, he still didn’t have access to much. Not that there would be anything on the White House database that could incriminate any of the president’s advisors. They’d have to be completely stupid to put anything on the shared databases that could compromise their careers.
He did find a draft copy of the NSC agenda Anne had worked on until it was finalized.
Jack glanced through the topics and yawned, until he got to the line listing the scheduled address by the director for Europe and Russia. He was to speak on Russia’s most recent involvement in the Middle East and move for sanctions.
Had he been close when he’d speculated that some folks on the council would not want sanctions imposed against Russia? Would some people do anything to stop the sanctions from being invoked?
Leaving the office, Jack strode through the halls of the West Wing, too wound up to stay in one place. He was back in his own hallway when Anne emerged from the national security advisor’s office.
She smiled as she walked toward him, a stack of paper in her hand. “Can’t stop. Have to get to the conference room to help with setup,” she said as she passed him.
“Can I help?” he asked.
Anne shook her head. “Sorry. Just me and the conference room facilitator, Terrence Tully.”
He tapped his ear with a pointed look as a reminder that she had an earbud for communications, should she need it.
She gave a brief nod and continued down the corridor toward the conference room.
Jack’s gaze followed her until she disappeared around a corner. He wanted to go after her and be with her every second of the day but knew he couldn’t. She had a job to do, and he couldn’t follow her everywhere.
It didn’t make it any easier knowing someone might make a move that day.
The wait was excruciating. But the longer they waited, the longer the people in the building remained unharmed.