Alpha’s Mission: A Special Forces Shifter Romance (Bad Boy Alphas Book 8)
Alpha’s Mission: Chapter 3

Charlie

I drive back to California and go to my small apartment.

The mountains are calling me. I had the urge to shift and run in Tucson but held it together. I was on a job. Now, with nothing to fill my time, I can’t stop thinking about it.

It’s either that or beat down agent Annabel Gray’s door because I can’t seem to get her scent out of my nostrils or the dirty thoughts out of my mind.

Fuck. I have to get myself under control.

My phone blinks with an incoming call. Annabel’s burner phone. “Dune speaking.”

“Charlie?” Annabel sounds breathless, frightened.

Immediately, my senses go haywire—adrenaline spiking, heat flushing through. My cells try to rearrange like my body wants to shift to wolf form. I suck in a deep breath and force the urge back down.

“Annabel? Where are you?” She has trackers on me which I already shut off because the mission was aborted, but I don’t have any on her.

“In my apartment. Can you meet?”

I’m already out the door, running for my vehicle. My brain flashes over a million scenarios. “Do you have a gun? Can you get somewhere safe?”

I hear the tremble in her inhale, but her voice is calm. “Yes and yes. I think so.”

I jump in the truck and start it up, cursing myself for not already changing this vehicle out for another one. “Are you alone?”

“Yes, but someone’s been here.” Her voice raises on the last word.

“All right. Sit down where you can see all the entrances and exits and keep your gun cocked and in your hand. Understand? Stay calm. What’s your address?”

I’m relieved when I hear it’s not far from mine. “I’ll be there in twenty minutes. Call back if you hear or see anything.”

“Okay. Okay. I will.” I can’t stand the fear in her voice.

The fact she called me rather than the cops tells me she’s into something, which I’d already suspected. And if a CIA agent is into something, it has to be deep. Because we’re already on our own questionable side of the law.

Danger usually makes me calm. I’m the sort of guy they sent into diffuse bombs in the war because I practically go serene under pressure, but thinking of Annabel in danger has me keyed up. Or maybe it’s the fucking wolf in me—maybe both. Either way, I have to work hard to find my usual Zen.

I get there in fifteen minutes by stealth racing through the back routes of the city. I don’t see any cars that look like surveillance, but they could be anywhere—someone in an apartment across the street or one of the people walking by. I park around the corner and grab a plumber’s shirt and toolbox out of the trunk for a quick cover. Adopting a slight limp, I head into the building.

It’s an open-air apartment building where all the doors open to outside landings. I take the concrete steps up the side, lumbering as if my hip causes me pain. When I find her apartment, I knock. “CD Plumbing,” I say, hoping she’ll figure out the CD stands for Charlie Dune. We have a code phrase, but for some reason, I don’t want to drop it.

My newly enhanced hearing detects movement inside. She must be right up at the door. I lift the bill of my hat so she can see my eyes through the peephole, and she pulls open the door with an audible exhale. She has the government-issue pistol in her hand, and she’s wearing a business suit like she just came home from the office.

“You have a leak, ma’am?” I step inside and wait for her to shut the door. The place has been trashed—books pulled down from bookshelves, cabinets emptied. Someone was searching for something. The moment I’m in, I drop the plumbing supplies and draw my gun, checking to make sure the place is clear even though it must be. Only when I’m sure—by both my traditional methods and my newly developing sense of smell—do I speak.

“What’s going on?”

Despite her fear, she’s all business. I’d expect nothing less of Agent Gray. She’s a smart and capable young woman.

“Entered through the front door. I found it unlocked. Charlie—look at this.” She leads me to the bedroom and points at a framed photograph lying on her pillow. At first, I think it’s her with what must be her son, but then I realize the woman in the photo only resembles her—a sister then.

“Any prints?”

“I haven’t touched it. I didn’t touch anything. I just called you.”

That shouldn’t make me feel a foot taller, but it does.

I go back to my plumber’s toolbox and lift the basic tool tray away to reveal my more specialized tools. I dust the photograph for prints, but there are none. Same goes with the front door knob.

“What are they looking for?”

Fear flashes in her eyes, but she shakes her head. “I don’t know.”

A lie.

“Anything missing?”

“No.”

“Who’s in the photo?”

Tears immediately pop into Annabel’s eyes, and she turns away to hide them. “My sister, Sarah and my nephew, Grady. And Dune—” she drags in a shaky breath. “I can’t get them on the phone.”

I take her shoulders and turn her back to face me. “The photo is a warning. What is this about?”

She blinks rapidly, her throat working. “I’ve been investigating something. Something personal. They told me to stop.”

“And you didn’t.”

She nods.

“The organization told you to stop.” I want to be clear we’re dealing with CIA here.

“Right.”

“Okay, this is a classic scare tactic.” I pace around the room looking for more clues.

“It’s a warning, not direct action. If they’d actually harmed your sister and nephew, you’d know it. So, they’re somewhere. We need to find them and put them out of reach.”

“All right. Good.” Annabel’s shoulders inch down, her lips stop trembling. “I’m glad I called you—really glad.”

I consider her. “I’d do this for you even if I didn’t owe you the favor. You should know that. But Annabel?”

“Yes?” She lifts gray eyes to meet mine.

“I need the whole story. What you’re researching—who’s involved.”

She takes a small step backward and angles her body away from mine. “It’s an internal thing. You don’t need to know in order to protect my family.”

The growl that comes out of my throat surprises me. It’s an animal sound. I grab her arm and spin her around to face me.

“This isn’t a job. It’s personal—for you and for me. You don’t get to call that need to know bullshit with me.”

Her lips press together. I don’t think she’s a natural redhead, but she sure as hell has the stubbornness to match her beautiful auburn locks.

“It will put you in more danger.”

I let out a harsh laugh and walk toward her, backing her up until she hits the wall. I lean on one hand beside her head, caging her in.

“There’s one thing I won’t accept from you, Annabel—lies.”

I swear to Christ, her eyes dilate like she’s turned on, rather than scared. I don’t know if turning her on was my intent before, but it sure as hell is now. I press forward, even more, letting the heat of my body brush against hers.

“You’re the one in danger here, not me. You and your family. Don’t pretend I require protection, sweetheart. You want my help, all the cards go on the table. Otherwise, I’m walking out that door right now.”

It’s not true. There’s no way in hell I’d leave Annabel in trouble and unprotected, but hopefully, she doesn’t know enough about me to be sure.

I’m a highly trained special agent. I speak twelve languages fluently, know fifty-three ways to kill a man with my bare hands, but nothing in my training prepared me for Annabel yanking my mouth down to hers like her life depended on it.

No one calls me slow though. I have her shirt off and her bra down in five seconds flat as she sucks my lower lip into her mouth. One of her long legs is around my waist, and she’s grinding her hot pussy over my cock.

Of course, I’m considering every angle. I’m not stupid. This could be a calculated move to distract me from my line of questioning. Or a more sinister ploy—maybe the whole thing is a trap to get me into her place and nail me with something. But I taste desperation in her kisses, wild, frenzied need.

If I can trust my gut, I’d say Annabel is upset and needs this release. And if I’m wrong? Well, I can handle myself against whatever she pulls. I’ve escaped from literally hundreds of deaths. I cup her breasts and thrust my hardened cock against the notch between her legs. Her scent gets up in my nostrils, and I sense the monster inside me throwing himself against the cage bars.

Her soft lips move like her life depends on the kiss—quick, hungry twists and pulls. Her short skirt rides up to her waist, leaving just a thin pair of panties between me and her delectable pussy.

“You need me to fuck you?” I rasp against her throat as she kisses along my neck, bites my shoulder.

She gives her head a shake like she’s snapping out of something. “Uh, I don’t know.” Suddenly, she’s unsure again, fumbling and scared.

No.

I’m not going to let that happen. She wanted something from me, and I’m going to deliver it. I cup her ass and keep her in the perfect position.

“Say no if you want me to stop,” I rumble against her ear. “Otherwise, I’m going to help you forget. Give you a release.”

“Yes,” she breathes. “Make me forget. Just for a moment.”

That’s all I need. I bounce her higher on the wall, so my lips reach her perky nipple. It is peachy-pink—just like I imagined, so perfect and delicate. I suck on it until it gets hard, then release it and flick it with my tongue.

Her fingers burrow through my hair, and she arches and moans. Her breath comes fast with little needy cries on the exhales.

Fuck it. Maybe this is the right time to be an animal. I shake a condom out of my wallet while Annabel attacks me with her lips, her teeth.

“Christ, Annabel,” I curse. “Christ.” I get my dick out, and the condom rolled on while keeping her nailed to the wall which I’m pretty sure takes more skill than the average guy has.

“Now, Charlie.”

Oh God. I fucking love her getting bossy with me. Her desperation tears at me, fills me with the need to please her like no man ever has. But I don’t have time for that. This will have to be satisfying in that crazy impassioned way.

I shove her panties to the side. One thrust and I’m deep inside her. She chokes on her gasp, and I stop, somehow dialing it back. “You okay?” I manage to say.

“Move, Charlie. Please.”

Yes, ma’am. That’s all the encouragement I need. I fuck her hard against the wall, ramming up into her with every thrust, holding her captive so I can drill deeper every time.

“Is this what you need, sweetheart?”

She digs her nails into the back of my neck and shakes her head. “Harder. Harder. Make it hurt.”

Make it hurt?

My need to satisfy her collides with the southern gentleman in me, the respectful soldier. Satisfaction wins out—or maybe it’s my goddamn wolf. Either way, I’m no longer capable of holding back. I fuck her so hard, I’m surprised I don’t bust a hole in the wall with her ass, and she takes it. She takes every savage stroke until she’s climbing me, screaming, begging in incoherent babble.

I squeeze her breast, pinch her nipple. When I twist and pull, she comes, a keening cry issuing from her throat.

I come, too, thrusting deep and staying there for my release.

We breathe together, face to face, mouths touching but not kissing. I pick up the beat of her heart, thudding against her chest. Her scent consumes me. Even though I’ve already had her, I have the insane urge to rub my entire body over hers, covering her in my scent—marking her, so other males know to stay away.

But that’s nuts.

Annabel

The room spins. I’m lightheaded from the orgasm or maybe from the heat—I can’t tell. Fortunately, Charlie doesn’t let me go. He keeps me pinned against the wall, his cock still filling me as we both pant to recover our breaths.

His eyes look blue again although there’s no sunlight hitting them now.

I don’t feel guilty I just had sex while my sister and nephew are missing. Hell, if anything, I can rationalize I did this for them. I couldn’t think before, I was so wracked with fear. I needed this.

And if I were the conniving type, which I’m not, I would say it was a good move to bond Charlie and further gain his sympathy. But that’s not why I did it.

I don’t know why he did it, but I don’t care. I’m not going to ask anything more of him. Not going to expect a relationship—which he could never deliver. I just needed this human contact. Just needed to feel his support in this visceral, cathartic way.

After a few moments, he eases out of me and lowers me to my feet. When he straightens my skirt, my chest squeezes a little at being cared for. It’s been a very long time since anyone did anything for me.

“You ready to talk, baby?” He leans his forehead against mine as he deftly removes the condom and buttons up his pants with one hand.

It’s not really a question, it’s a demand. I talk, or he walks. I love how commanding he is—how he manages to still be respectful at the same time.

“Okay,” I croak.

He leaves to dispose of the condom, and I feel the loss of him acutely. I still have the wall to hold me up, yet nothing will keep me from sliding down it and crumpling in a scared little ball on the floor.

But then he’s back, offering his hand. He leads me to a take a seat on my sofa, and he pulls up the ottoman to sit right in front of me—interrogator to detainee.

No, that’s not what this is. My reluctance to tell him my father may have done something bad is not a good enough reason to keep silent. He’s going to help me. I can tell him what I know. I run my fingers through my hair which must be a mess after our escapade against the wall.

“I found out my dad was CIA. I thought he died in the service, but I guess that was a cover. He was on some kind of operation in El Salvador.”

Charlie watches me, that ever-alert awareness to his entire body. He’s so still—there’s no fidgeting, no movement, almost like a predator right before it pounces.

“I was digging around, trying to get into redacted files—same thing I did for you with the lab fire cases, only I couldn’t get much. So, I got bold and made a few phone calls.”

Charlie purses his lips. “And?”

“I called Director Scape. He told me to back off. That I might not like what I found out. Let sleeping dogs lie, that kind of thing.”

Charlie still doesn’t move.

“The next day I get a call from Agent Tentrite. She tells me she’ll prosecute if I hack any more internal files.”

He absorbs the information and waits. Not one to spend a useless word, this guy.

“This morning I called Senator Flack. He was at my father’s funeral. They were friends. He didn’t call back. When I got home, I found this.” I indicate the wrecked apartment and the bedroom with the photo. Tears pop into my eyes again as fear for my sister and nephew spikes.

“But what were they looking for here? Did you print anything out? Transfer files?”

I shiver. Acknowledging this fact makes everything so much more real. “I said I found a journal of my father’s. It wasn’t true, but I didn’t want to admit I’d hacked files.”

Charlie purses his lips and nods. “So, they want the journal. They may not stop until they get it.”

“I don’t have it!” My voice rises in pitch before I force myself to take a breath.

My phone rings and I snatch it up. “Sarah!” I cry when I see my sister’s name on the screen. I swipe right and answer. “Oh my God, where have you been?”

“Hey girl!” I hear nothing but cheeriness in her voice. “We’re here! Can’t wait to hit Disneyland.”

“Wh-what?”

“What an incredible surprise. Grady is over the moon. Thanks so much for swinging this, but next time a little heads’ up would’ve helped. I had a big project at work, and I had to call in sick to get here.”

“Wait, where are you?” I stand up, already grabbing my purse. Dune is right behind me as if he heard every word.

“We’re in Anaheim already. We took the hotel shuttle, checked in and came straight to the park. Didn’t you say to meet you at Space Mountain? Why all the cloak and dagger, anyway?”

“Uh, so you’re at Space Mountain now?”

“Yeah, but I don’t see you.”

“Right. I’m not there yet, but I’m on my way.”

“Tell her to get lost in the crowd,” Dune whispers.

“Don’t wait for me. Go ride a bunch of rides, and I’ll call you when I get there. Okay? Get busy, and I’ll find you.”

“When are you going to tell me what this is all about? Why the big surprise?”

“Go!” I practically shout, then dial it back in. My sister’s phone is probably bugged. My phone is probably bugged. “I’ll see you soon.”

“Okay, whatever! See you soon.” Sarah hangs up, and I grab Dune’s arm.

“They have my sister,” I whisper in a choked voice.

“No. This is a mindfuck.” He shakes his head and touches my shoulder. “If they wanted to hurt her, they would have. This is an elaborate game to scare you. Either that or they plan to hold her hostage for the non-existent journal.”

I stare at him, my heart racing. “This just keeps getting worse and worse,” I whisper. “And the minute I called you in, I declared war.”

“Yeah,” he nods, grimly. “So, we’re going to get to Sarah and Grady before they do.” He takes the phone out of my hand, drops it to the ground and steps on it, crushing the electronics. “Only the burner phone from now on.”

I nod.

“You go first. Take my keys. My truck is parked on the street south of the building. Get in and drive to the west side. Pick me up there. I’ll see you in two-point-five minutes.”

I have to force myself to gape at the precision of his instructions. There’s no time to marvel. I have two-point-five minutes to follow his orders. I move briskly out of my apartment and down the stairs. I’m paranoid, so every single human being I see looks like an agent watching me—even the little old lady walking her miniature schnauzer.

No one stops me. I get in the truck, start it up, and drive to the west side. Charlie emerges out of nowhere and gets in. He directs me through the Los Angeles streets toward Anaheim.

I’m a nervous mess, but his calm, clipped instructions keep me sane, focused. He drops the passenger side shade and uses the mirror in it to watch behind us.

“Turn into this alley,” he commands sharply. Sᴇaʀᴄh thᴇ Find_Nøvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

I squeak and make the turn, my tires screeching on the pavement. “Are we being followed?”

“That’s an affirmative.”

He takes his gun out and cocks it.

“What are you doing?” I wail. Things have escalated too fast. I know shootouts happen. I know car chases happen, but they don’t usually involve me. He rolls down the window and aims at the car that turned into the alleyway after us.

“Just slowing him down.” He fires and the car behind us swerves.

“Turn right, back to the main street. Step on it,” he commands.

They return fire as I make the turn, but nothing hits us.

“Did you shoot someone?” I know I don’t sound like a CIA agent, but I’m rapidly going into shock here.

“No, I shot their tire. I’m not going to shoot one of our own unless I’m sure they’re going to kill one of us. And I don’t believe they have orders for that.”

“Th-this could be someone we know.” The thought occurs to me with a sinking sensation. It’s not some nameless enemy.

“Yeah. I couldn’t see their faces, but that’s another reason I think we’re safe enough. If a kill order had been issued, we’d know it.”

He speaks with such certainly. I have to trust he knows what’s going on here. He’s usually the guy doing the chasing.

It takes me an hour to get to Anaheim. We park and get out. “You know what the worst thing about this is?”

“What?” Charlie asks, eyes scanning the parking lot, the park, every bit of our surroundings.

“I’ve been talking to Sarah about bringing Grady to Disneyland since I moved here three years ago. I never made it happen and now—”

“Now they’re fine. You’ll have a chance to take them later.”

I lean into his quiet authority. Hope to God he’s right.

“Right now, you’re going to call your sister. Figure out a place to meet without saying it if you can.”

My fingers tremble as I call my sister’s number.

“Hello?” She doesn’t recognize the burner phone number.

“Hey, I’m here. Meet me at the ride I puked on when we were little.” I end the call before she can answer.

Charlie’s lips twitch. “Good work.” He pulls my suit jacket off and rips open my blouse, popping all the buttons off.

“Hey!” I yelp, even though I know what he’s doing.

“Sorry. I’ll buy you a new one,” he says. He ties the two ends of the blouse at my waist, leaving my camisole exposed in front. Then he rolls the waistband of my skirt down a couple times, shortening the length of my skirt by several inches. He hands me his ball cap. “Any chance you can get all that hair underneath this?”

I guess dying my long hair dark red wasn’t my smartest move. Way too recognizable. I twist it up into a knot on the top of my head and pull the cap over. It doesn’t quite fit—my hair overstuffs the hat—but at least it’s covered.

“You need those glasses to see?” he asks, starting to take them off.

“Yes,” I jerk out of his reach.

His lips twitch again. “All right. Keep the cap low.” He throws his plumber shirt into the truck, transforming into hot Disney dad in an aqua t-shirt and jeans. He buys us entrance tickets, and we head in.

“I’m gonna guess Space Mountain.” He raises his eyebrows in inquiry and slightly amused look. It’s nice to see him without the blank super agent expression. Nice to know there’s a real guy underneath the warrior armor.

I let out a nervous laugh. “Actually, no. It’s A Small World.”

“Come on, you have to be kidding.” Even though we’re bantering, we walk fast, almost jogging. My hand is in his like we’re a couple on a date, and he smiles encouragingly like we’re running because he can’t wait to show me something, not because innocent lives are at stake here.

Clever, clever man.

“No. I ate too much ice cream and got overheated. I threw up right in the boat.”

Charlie winces as he navigates smoothly through the throngs of people. We’re surrounded by the din of music and people, the smells of sweet confections and body odor. He gets us to the ride in record time.

“There!” I point. My sister and Grady stand in front of the ride, Sarah’s arms folded over her chest, annoyance tightening her face.

Charlie’s scanning, scanning everywhere. “You get Grady. I’ll take your sister. Meet at the truck in ten.”

My feet scramble to catch up with the orders. Okay, so we’re splitting up. Good plan. Charlie’s already cruising right for Sarah.

“Sarah!” Grady exclaims as if they’re long-lost friends. He opens his arms wide for a hug. Sarah flashes me a frown over his shoulder, right before he envelopes her.

“Hey, Grady!” My nephew runs to give me a hug. “Come on, I want to show you the best ride, ever.”

“I wanted to do Splash Mountain,” he protests. “And we already had to get out of line to meet you here.”

Charlie’s already said something to Sarah and whisked her away. She knows where I work. If he told her she’s in danger and he showed up with me, she should go along with it. Hopefully, I can wrangle Grady into listening, too.

“Grady, Grady, listen.” I bend my knees to look him in the eyes. He’s eight years old and a smart kid, he’ll understand. “We’re in trouble. Someone’s after you and your mom and me. So, I just need you to pretend we’re heading for a ride, but I’m going to get us out of here as fast as I can. Got it?”

His face goes pale, but he nods, immediately trotting beside me without another protest.

Good kid.

I see a guy move from a nearby railing and fall into step behind us.

Shit.

I yank Grady into a candy shop, then squirrel through to exit out the other side.

My tail is still there.

“Okay, Grady, they’re following us. Any ideas?” Kids are way smarter than people give them credit for. And sometimes, they have ideas an adult would never consider.

He takes off sprinting at top speed. Well, that’s one idea. I run to follow him.

The guy behind us also jogs to keep up.

Grady weaves in and out of people. I almost lose him myself and have to push to keep up with his agile darting.

We end up driving into a thicker mass of people and… the six p.m. parade.

Genius.

I don’t know if Grady led us here on purpose, or it was just luck, but it’s a perfect place to disappear. I trail my nephew as he ducks through the throng, then, miraculously, we’re at the entrance.

“Great work, buddy. This way.” I lead him toward the truck, hoping Sarah and Charlie had equal luck.

When I get near the truck, I find Charlie leaning against some other car, kissing Sarah.

Charlie

There’s a guy fifty yards away, scanning the parking lot. I kiss Sarah for cover, right when Annabel arrives.

For the record, they may be sisters, but Sarah neither tastes nor smells like Annabel. My body doesn’t have the animalistic reaction I have to Annabel. Which means the lust I feel for her isn’t just the emergent wolf in me. There’s something more to this attraction.

While I work the kiss, I hold an electric lock opening device up to the door lock of the Lexus SUV we’re leaned up against. We can’t drive the truck out of here if we hope to escape unfollowed.

I break the kiss when the door beeps and pull the door open. “Get in,” I order in the same low, calm voice I use for every command under pressure.

I take the driver’s seat because, this time, we really need to lose any tail we pick up. Plus, I don’t think I’ll need to fire a gun. Hell, I’d better not have to fire a gun around Disneyland. I’m an excellent shot but taking chances with innocent children would kill me.

Annabel and Grady jump in seconds later. She takes the front passenger seat and glowers at me. I use the same device to start up the car and drive out of Disneyland, watching my speed, so I don’t attract attention.

“I like your car,” Grady says.

“It’s not his,” Annabel mutters. She snaps her gaze to me. “Did you just kiss my sister?”

“Yeah, do you even know each other?” Grady asks from the back seat.

“It was a pretend kiss, honey,” Sarah chuckles drily, “because someone was looking at us.”

Annabel’s still glaring daggers at me which, I have to admit, turns me on. I like the idea of receiving her anger, soothing her. I like the idea of her jealous.

Way too much.

I don’t know what the hell I’m doing with this woman, but I’m in way over my head.

I probably just gave up my job for her, for one thing. And I don’t have the kind of job you can quit. You either retire, or you go out in a body bag. They don’t like loose ends in the CIA. I don’t think they’re going to fire me and let me be out in the world with everything I know.

In fact, I’m sure they won’t.

Of course, I have every means at my disposal to disappear permanently, so it’s not that big a worry.

The bigger concern is the magnitude of my attraction to her, and what I’m going to do about it. Even if I don’t lose my job over this, I don’t live the kind of lifestyle that allows for a relationship. Even more, I don’t even know if I’m safe for her to date.

Do werewolves attack people at full moons? That’s the lore. I’m certainly finding my aggression and sexual desires mounting each day we draw closer to the full moon.

I glance over at Annabel, whose jaw is set, eyes pinned to the road. “I’m sorry.” I use a low voice. “I won’t do it again.”

Surprise dances over her face followed closely by a pretty blush.

“I don’t have a sister fetish, I promise.” I reach over and squeeze her hand.

I think she wants to stay mad, but her lips tug up in a reluctant smile. And it’s incredible what that smile does to me. I’m suddenly high over our escape, adrenaline bringing me a joy I don’t usually allow myself to experience.

And touching her brings on an erection so hard, I have to shift in my seat to alleviate the discomfort.

Annabel—ever observant—glances down at it and back up at my face. Her smile grows.

“So, when are you going to tell me what in the hell is going on?” Sarah demands.

Right. Focus, Dune. Lives are at stake here.

Annabel turns in her seat to address Sarah. “Charlie and I work together. We had a mission in LA that might have been compromised.”

A low rumble reaches my ears, and I realize I’m growling. I cut off the sound just as Annabel turns to me curiously.

Sarah pulls Grady in tight against her, but the youngster pushes his mom back off.

“Are you spies?” he asks.

“Yes, sort of,” Annabel answers.

“So, the plane tickets—the trip to Disneyland—it was to get us safe? Why didn’t you just tell me?”

“I didn’t send the tickets.”

Sarah pales and yanks Grady against her, this time ignoring his struggle. “So, now what?” she asks in a shaky voice.

“I’m taking you somewhere safe,” I speak up. “And you’ll have to stay there until Annabel and I get things figured out, so it’s safe for you to go home.”

Annabel shoots me a grateful look that makes my dick throb.

I drive them to my cabin in the mountains. It’s the most secluded safehouse I have at the moment and a place I’d feel comfortable leaving Sarah and Grady alone. The only drawback—I don’t know if I can contain the monster inside me once I’m up there. And I sure as hell don’t know what will happen if I come dragging myself back naked and covered with blood when I’m done hunting.

I don’t even consider my biggest fear because I’m the kind of guy who refuses to surrender to worry. But fuck, if there’s any sign I’m a danger to these people, I’m going to have to leave them. Maybe even figure out a way to end my life which goes against every instinct in my body—I’m wired for survival at all costs.

Annabel

Charlie gets quiet as he drives us up a dirt road winding up the mountain. Or maybe he’s always this quiet. It seems strange that I don’t know. I feel so close to him, and yet we haven’t spent that much time together—very brief snippets over the past few years as his handler, and now, today, that’s it.

The moon is half full, peeking through the trees as we wind higher. We arrive at a tiny, solitary cabin, tucked away from everything. It appears old and rustic, but there’s a satellite on the roof and inside is simple but comfortable. Grady and I walk around, taking in the place. The cupboards are already stocked with enough non-perishables to last a month. Charlie stopped at a convenience store on the way up to pick up basics like milk, eggs, fruit, and bread.

A desk is against the wall of the living room, wired with the latest high tech, government-issue equipment.

There’s only one bedroom.

“I’ll take the couch,” Charlie offers as if guessing where my thoughts are going. “You three can share the bed.”

I’m not sure why I find that thought so disappointing. What did I think, I’d be having more sex with Charlie with my sister and nephew a few feet away?

Hard no. Sigh.

Besides, we’re not on a date. We’re on a mission.

I’m not certain why Dune picked such an out-of-the-way place for a safehouse. “Is this where you were when you said you spent the night out of the city?”

He looks over from the refrigerator where he’s putting away groceries. “Yeah.”

“Why?”

“I wanted to be alone. And I like to… explore out here.”

Huh. Charlie Dune, mountain man. I had no idea, but it makes him all the more appealing.

There’s a television, which I doubt Charlie watches, but he gets it hooked up and streams in the latest Star Wars movie for Grady. Then he beckons me to the desk. I follow because we need to talk.

“My sister and Grady—” I begin in a hushed voice, stepping close to him so we can whisper.

“Are on a need-to-know basis,” he finishes for me. My skin prickles at his proximity. Even in normal clothes, Charlie could never be mistaken for a civilian. There’s too much power, too much energy packed into his hard, muscled body. “I would never tell them anything that would put them in jeopardy.”

I nod.

“Show me everything you have on this case.”

This case.

It seems strange to call my father’s death a “case,” but I guess it is.

“All right. What I know is my father’s death coincided with the signing of the Chapultepec Peace Accord ending the civil war in El Salvador. As I’m sure you know from your American history, our government had an interest in keeping the military-led government in place despite their horrific acts of violence and human rights abuses.

“The story I heard growing up was my father was on Marine security detail for one of the U.S. Government officials and was killed by a left-wing political activist. He was given a hero’s burial. So, when I found out he was killed in the line of duty while on a mission for the CIA, I started digging.

“What mission did we have? Who really killed him? I don’t know why I needed to know, but—”

Charlie waves his hand. “You don’t need to explain yourself to me.” His tone implies he understands too well the obsession that came over me to find the truth. “So, what did you find?”

“Absolutely nothing. So, I called Director Scape. And he—” I grind my teeth at the memory, my stomach twisting up in a knot.

Charlie’s watching me closely. “Tell me everything,” he warns like he knows this is the part I want to leave out.

“He implied my father went rogue and did something bad. That I’d be better off remembering him as a hero because if I found out what really happened, it would change how I felt about him.”

“Did you believe him?”

I shrug. “At first I did. But the way he ended the conversation, with such a strong warning not to keep looking, well—” I chew the inside of my cheek. “It made me suspicious. Of a cover-up.”

“Okay. Then what?”

“He wanted to know how I found out my father was a covert operative. That’s when I made up the journal thing. He said it was government property, and I had to turn it in, so I said I had already destroyed it.”

“That was your mistake,” Charlie says. “If you’d turned in something manufactured and innocuous, they might have put this to bed. Or even if you promised to turn something in.”

I suck my cheek in between my teeth. “I could still do that. Call in and offer it. Apologize for everything. Maybe they’d let me keep my job.”

“Yes. That’s an option. It has risks.”

“Which are?”

“There will certainly be disciplinary action, for both of us.”

A spike of fiery regret slices through my belly. One phone call, one decision and I cost Charlie his job, possibly his freedom.

And he hasn’t once complained or pointed it out to me.

“There may be manufactured charges or inflated ones. Enough to put us in jail and out of their way. Depends on how well you’re trusted and who’s willing to go to bat for you. Or how afraid they are of you discovering the truth.”

“What about you?” I whisper.

He shrugs. “I’m useful to them. I might get a slap on the wrist, especially if I play you up as my lover.”

I’m pretty sure the blood drains out of my face. Did he—? Is that why—?

“No,” he says firmly as if he’s guessed my thoughts. “I didn’t have sex with you to cover my bases. Not even close.” He speaks so certainly, with total conviction, I have no choice but to believe him. My anger drains away, leaving only raw vulnerability.

Damn my lips for trembling.

“Hey.” His fingers tangle in the back of my hair, and he uses it to lift my face to his. His lips brush across mine. “Sex with you was completely out of my control. I didn’t plan it, I don’t know it if was wise, but there was no helping it. What I feel for you is pure, raw animal magnetism. The only thing that would’ve stopped me was you. I’ll always respect your wishes. I hope you know that. It’s not a requirement for my help.”

Something rearranges in my chest. A warmth and lightness steal through me like rays of sun after rain. “Thanks,” I mumble and try to drop my head, but Charlie won’t allow it. He keeps me captive in his iron grip, the gentleness in his expression in direct opposition to the dominating hold.

“Believe it, Annabel.”

Tears pop into my eyes. “I do,” I whisper.

He claims my mouth with the passion, the fervor of before. His lips drag across mine, open and close over mine, devouring me. “You’re like an addiction,” he murmurs when he’s thoroughly taught me a lesson in submission, and my pussy is wet for him.

I wriggle in my chair, needing relief, but it’s not destined to happen. I feel my sister’s curious gaze on us from across the cabin and Grady’s right there, too.

Damn.

“Keep talking,” he orders, releasing my hair like nothing just happened. “There’s more, isn’t there?”

My voice shakes a little as I tell him about my boss calling and her direct warning, and about leaving a message with Senator Flack.

“What number did you leave for him to call you back on?”

I glance at my purse. “The burner phone.”

Charlie’s mouth quirks. “Good.”

“So, what now? Should I call my boss? Tell her what’s happened?”

Charlie has that blank expression on his face, which I believe means there’s a shit-ton going on inside his head.

“You could. What do you predict will happen?”

“She’ll tell me to come in. Set up a location to meet.”

“And?” I get the feeling Charlie’s asking only to force me to think this through, that he’s already run every scenario available to me.

“Then, like you said, there could be disciplinary action. And there won’t be answers. If I go in now, I’ll never find out what happened.”

He nods.

I clench my teeth. “I need to find out what happened. What they don’t want me to know.”

“Then we keep pressing,” Charlie says. The fact he used we and not you nearly makes me weep with gratitude. “Sarah and Grady are safe. We investigate the clues we have. You can always call in later. Produce a fake journal and call a truce. It’s an option. But not your only option.”

I reach out to grab his hand. “Thank you.”

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