Melissa
I drove away from them now on my way to Fort Worth Dallas area. Past the city of Gainesville and the Frank Buck Zoo, across the long stretch of bridge that crossed over Lewisville Lake, and toward home. I arrived in town at six in the morning.
I wanted to grab a shower and change before reporting in to the Director. After the last couple of days, I needed one.
When I arrived at my one bedroom apartment, I realized I didn’t have my keys. Without them, I would need to have my doorman let me in. Looking the way I felt, I dreaded him seeing me like this. I swung into my parking spot and hoofed it to the glass windows to press the bell, waiting for James to appear.
A minute or two later, James strode out, dressed and ready to go for the day. Spotting me through the window, his steps slowed. I gave him a small wave.
He reached the intercom and pressed the button. “Yes? How may I help you, miss?” His simple, curt voice made me grin.
James hardly saw me rumpled, if ever. Whenever I left home or returned back, my hair, makeup, and state of dress were always in place. Messing with him could be fun, but I didn’t have time. “James, I’ve lost my scan card. I need to get in. Melissa Adams, 1276.”
His mouth popped open, eyes widening in surprise. “Of course, Ms. Adams.” He swiftly opened the door and let me through. “I’ll see to getting you another scan card and let you into your apartment.”
I smiled at him as we made our way to the elevators. “Thank you, James.”
We stepped into the elevator, and James chatted about his cat as we rode up to the fourth floor. From there, we made our way to my apartment, and he let me in.
“Here you go, Ms. Adams.” He politely held the door open for me to enter. “I’ll get your key card made. Just come, and see me. I’ll have it ready for you.”
I walked inside and turned around, flipping on the light before giving him a grateful smile as he stepped back, allowing me to take over holding the door. “Give me an hour or two, and I’ll head down there to grab it.”
He nodded. “It will be waiting. Good day, Ms. Adams.”
I closed the door behind me and leaned against it, blowing out a breath as I inspected my almost bare living space which held a basic couch and television. All I did was work and never really got around to decorating, but it was home. I made my way past the television and couch, through the kitchen, and down the hallway to my bedroom. Darkness fled the room as I flipped on the lights and strode past my shaker style bed and into the master closet. In there, I sifted through my clothes to search for the perfect dress for the family dinner this evening with dear old dad.
Finding a simple black dress that could be worn to either a wedding or a funeral, I set it aside, and then took out clothes for my meeting with Director Phillips before I headed to the bathroom to get ready.
In the shower, I scrubbed up with my loofa, easing it over my sore muscles. My backside ached. Who knew spankings like that could cause such an intense orgasm? I didn’t until they gave me one.
Quickly scrubbing up, I turned off the shower, dried off, and headed back into the room, but paused when an old gift set on the counter caught my eye. I hadn’t used it yet and decided maybe now was a good time for it. Grabbing the box, I tore it open, taking out the lotion and perfume. Lathering up my body with the flowery scent, I gave myself one spray of the matching floral perfume. I was going the extra mile for tonight. Or, since I’d see Dallon and Garratt at some point tonight, maybe I’d gone the extra mile for them.
Was I really considering going back there? The answer was easy. I was. Shaking my head, I went to my bedroom and dressed in my work clothes, slipping the flash drive for the Director into my pocket. Carefully putting my evening gown in to the garment bag, knowing I just change on the jet, I grabbed everything I needed and headed towards my front door.
I left my apartment with the door unlocked even though it went against my instincts, but without my keycard, I had no other option. I hurried to the elevator, pushing the button to go down, going against my rules.
Downstairs, I walked over to James’s desk with a wave. “Have my apartment key for me?”
Nodding, he slipped the credit card shaped key from underneath the podium and held it up. “Yes, Ms. Adams.” He handed it over.
Grabbing the card, I explained about my unlocked door. “I’m in a rush. Do you think you could zip up there and lock it for me.”
“Of course.”
Smiling at him, I said, “Thanks,” as I headed out the front door and down to Garrett’s truck.
Director Phillips would have questions about who owned the truck, and I might or might not answer her. It really was a nice truck. I beeped the alarm, held the keys in my hand, and opened the door. It kind of gave me a thrill that Garrett let me borrow it. Most guys wouldn’t let someone borrow their vehicle. They were possessive over them. The thought made me pause before climbing into the driver’s seat. My heart clenched. This meant something. This meant something to him that I took it. Maybe he was letting me borrow it to insure I came back.
Shaking off the thought, I got in, turned on the engine, and pulled out of my parking spot. Driving over to Lindsay Phillips, I considered leaving Garrett’s truck at the office for him to pick up. I bit my lip, trying not to overthink it.
I turned toward Phillips’ home instead of the office. It wouldn’t be the first time I visited her after work hours. Despite it being a Saturday, I knew where to find her. Where I always found her. At her house, just a few short minutes away from me, and most likely in her garden.
Turning into the neighborhood, I waved to old man Fred who was out mowing his lawn as I slid up next to the sidewalk and parked.
When I jumped out, Fred stopped the lawn mower and gestured at my ride. “New vehicle?”
I switched hands with the keys, leaning back against the large beast. “Nope, it’s a friends.”
A smile cracked the old man’s features as wrinkles turned upward, and his eyes squinted. “Only type of friend who would own one of those is a man. You got a man friend, Melissa?”
Did I happen to mention Fred was a nosey neighbor?
I chuckled and decided it was best to get going before he dug any deeper. “Possibly. Hey, is she home?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. She doesn’t come home as much as she used to. Not since you left.”
My lips twisted, and I waved, heading up to the porch. “Thanks.”
When I found the door locked, I knocked. No answer. Rang the doorbell. Nothing. Sighing, I went to the garage and typed in the code. Denied. Damn, she already changed it this month.
I moved to the back gate that led to the garden and made my way back there. She wasn’t there.
Twirling the keys in my hand, I went over to the hand sized stones that lined her flowers, found the one rock in the middle of all the others, and pulled. On the bottom side, an old medicine bottle held her keys.
Grabbing them, I walked to the back porch and entered her house.
“Hello?” I called out, but no answer.
Instead of searching the whole house, I went directly to the garage and opened it. Not finding a car there, I realized she must still be at the office. It made sense. Myter was still at large. Putting the keys back and waving goodbye to Fred, I drove over to the office.
The large, intimidating building stood in the middle of downtown. Driving up to the secure entrance, I waved to the guard before entering my access code to the garage. I slid into my assigned parking spot and made my way to the elevators that would take me up to the fifth floor where Lindsay Phillips’s office was located.
When I arrived at her door, she was on the phone talking to someone in an urgent tone. Did she find Myter? She turned when she spotted me and beckoned me in. “I want to know how that happened,” she demanded. “And I want that information, now. I don’t care if it’s the weekend.” Her tone brooked no argument. “Yes, today.”
She hung up the phone and placed her hands on top of the desk, staring at me. “We have a problem.”
My eyebrows rose. “Okay.” I entered farther into the room. “What kind of problem?”
Phillips stood and walked over to me, placing a hand on my arm. “Look, you know I’ve tried to hide where you’re from the best I’m able to, but…” She shook her head. “Someone found out.”
I tensed. “What do you mean, ‘someone found out’?”
“Myter accessed the computer with Craig’s old passcode and gained access to your files. We were able to lock him out, but not before he gained access to who your real father is. I can’t protect you anymore, kiddo. He knows too much.”
“Shit.” I pulled away from her and went to the window to stare out over the city. “It was bound to happen, right?”
“I’m sorry.”
I nodded and turned back to her. “It just means I have to be careful. He knows what my father is capable of, we all do. Hopefully, that alone will make him err on the side of caution.”
I walked back to her and dipped my hand into my pocket. “Look, I have to go. My dad is requesting my attention. I just wanted to drop this off.” Taking out the flash drive, I gave it to her. “And let you know that…” I paused.
“What?”
“To let you know that whatever is going on with me, I need some time.”
She nodded, giving my shoulder a squeeze. “I figured that.” She went back to her desk, opening her notebook to flip through it. “I’m giving you a month’s leave to figure it out.” She glanced up. “To get whatever treatment you need. Full pay.”
My eyebrows rose. “Full pay?”
She nodded slowly. “The agency doesn’t want to lose you. They’re willing to take action or incentives to make sure you stay.”
“What about Myter and Bane?”
“Other agents will take care of it. You and Trisha are off the case.”
Frustration filled me. “But I want to help.” I stepped forward. “I need to.”
“I’m sorry, Melissa, but you’re off the case. Spend this time sorting yourself out.”
Angry now, my voice went low. “You can’t do that.”
She walked over to me and navigated me to the door. “I just did. Figure things out, come back, we’ll talk.”
“But how can I keep myself safe if I’m not involved?”
“It’s because you’re involved that you aren’t safe. Go on, have dinner with your father.”
Once she had me out of her office, I turned and headed down the hall. “Don’t go doing something stupid, Melissa,” she warned, reading my mind. “Let us worry about this.”
I flipped her off.
“And get a new phone!” she yelled.
Back in the truck, I made the drive to the airport, arriving just in time to grab the private jet my dad sent for me. Dress bag and shoes in hand, I boarded, settling into one of the large, cushioned seats as the jet took off. It curved through the air, flying me toward the Colorado Rockies. It wasn’t actually my father’s jet, but he knew somebody and used his pull to get me access since the only way in and out of his mountain retreat was by air.
During the flight, I took the time to get dressed, do my hair, makeup, and put my shoes on. Have to look my best.
***
We landed in the evening, and the chill in the air didn’t bother me much.
One of my dad’s guards, Tanner, greeted me with a smile. A familiar face since my dad had few employees. A little uncomfortable sharing body space, I took his elbow and let him guide me into the massive estate that held my father’s mansion-like cabin. From there, Tanner left me in the hands of the butler. The house was the same. With a classic elegance to it, it displayed items that were never used. Never touched. Only objects to be admired.
Once in the dining area, I greeted my dad, who wore a formal suit, and his wife, who was stunning in a blue satin gown. My dad placed his hands on my shoulders, giving me a slight kiss on either cheek, as did his wife. The three of us sat down, letting the four course meal begin.
We talked briefly on meaningless things before my dad jumped into what was going on currently.
Midway through the first course, he asked, “Gin, are you going to use the item I gave you?”
I shifted uncomfortably. “Yes, I am. I want my free will, and I’m sure Dallon and Garrett wouldn’t have chosen this.”
“Well, make sure that’s what they want. You might be surprised. How are you doing with work?”
“Lindsay put me on leave. She assigned another team to search for Myter.”
“Ah, that’s why you’re in such a mood tonight.”
“I’m not in a mood. Trish and I are being put on the back burner, leaving others to clean up our mess. It’s our problem. We should be the ones fixing it.”
“Well, I think it’s a good thing. You’ve become irrational and attached to the case.”
I dropped my spoon in my bowl and sat back. “Irrational? You read my file. You know what happened on my mission.”
His mouth pressed into a flat line. “You have a job. To get the information through. You chose to stay behind, and in the end, you got yourself caught as well. Both you and Trisha are bright and intelligent, but you’re loyal to a fault. That’s going to get you two killed someday, Gin.”
My fist clenched my my lap, disbelieving what I was hearing. “So that’s what being loyal is called now? A fault? Getting the information through didn’t work out so well for me, did it? Or mom.”
“You should really know your facts, Gin. I did go back for Hanson. After getting back to the base camp that evening, I got the information through, saving millions.” He was cold as he said it. Expression empassive. “I went back for my partner right away. But by that time, he was already gone. Navy SEALs found him a week later in an undercover op.” My father paused as a muscle ticked in his cheek. Not as cool as he seemed to be. “He never once expressed ill will toward me, not once. We were best friends. He understood. He never let on he hated me for my actions. The information had to get through. He knew that. We both did. I didn’t leave my friend behind. He knew the risks.”
“Why was he kept alive?” Camille asked as she laid a comforting hand on his arm.
His focus shifted to his wife. “At the time, the agency and I were never sure why. But looking back now, I see it.”
The blood rushed from my face. “He sent the men to our house. Had mom killed.”
He gave a nod. “It’s just speculation. I have no proof, but I believe he did. He took you, Gin. He stole what was mine.”
I reared back. “Yours? You talk like I’m a piece of furniture or one of the priceless paintings you own. I’m a person, Dad. Your daughter. I’m not an object to claim.”
He sighed, glancing to his wife as if to say, ‘see what I have to deal with?’ before bringing his attention back to me. “I never said you were an object that I owned, but in a sense, you are a priceless piece. One designed after me. A precious one. We will always be connected. If that makes you upset, I’m sorry. When we found you, I felt it was best to keep you safe. To eliminate the danger and send you to a more… normal family. Director Lindsay assured me you would have a normal upbringing and the visits between us back then showed me I made the right decision. Now, all grown up, you took the leap into my world. You adhered to the rules. My dear, like it or not, you’re taking the path I once did at a young age. You are, if I may say, your father’s child.”
Feeling the calm before the storm, I answered him. “While I may have your looks and desire for danger, I am not the same as you. Do you know which rule Mr. Hanson changed?”
My father’s face turned grim. “I have my suspicions.”
My shoulders stiffened as I nodded. “Rule number one. Where yours was to always get the information through, his was to always ‘be prepared to die’. Can you imagine? A six-year-old memorizing that? He made me chant it over and over until I was doing it in my sleep.” My voice trembled with the emotions I couldn’t hold back. “I hated it. In fact, I have a new set of rules. My own. Rule number one: Never leave a man behind. You might have gone back for Mr. Hanson, but you left me in a farmhouse scared and unsure of the future.”
My stepmother broke in. “Melissa, he was doing what he thought was right at the time. Now, he’s trying to make amends and hopefully for you to let go of the animosity you have against him.”
I threw my hand up. “Why? Why now?”
My dad spoke up. “Because I’ll be leaving the mountain and coming out of retirement. I’m needed with all the unrest going on overseas.”
This information perked my curiosity . “Where are you going?”
“Here and there. I have many places and locations to hide. I want you to have one as well.” He slid an envelope across the table to me. “I want you to have the mountain. A safe place for you to escape to and raise a family if you choose. This is my way of keeping you safe. Mack will no longer be at your disposal. I’m…” His lips quirked upwards in amusement. “As your mother would say, ‘I’m cutting the apron strings.’ You’ll be on your own.”
My resolve softened. “I’ve been on my own for awhile, Dad.”
My stepmother’s brow furrowed with concern. “But you’ve used Mack recently, more than once, Melissa. You won’t have that any longer. Your father’s trying to let you understand exactly what’s going on.”
“I understand,” I told her, frankly.
Dad grimaced and leaned in, addressing another conversation. “I can tell you weren’t keen on talking about the antiserum. Are you sure you want to take it?”
I narrowed my gaze at him. “Do you think I shouldn’t take it because you like the idea of me being with two guys, two men?”
“No,” he said slowly. “I’m not fond of the nature of it, but I’m not opposed to having two highly trained operatives as permanent fixtures in your life. If they happen to give me a grandchild or two, I would be grateful.”
“I’m taking the serum.”
He chuckled. “Sure you are.”
The stepmom patted his forearm. “Enough of this chat about what needs to be done before we leave.”
“Wait, what about Myter and Bane?” I demanded. “Surely, you’re not leaving before this is solved. He knows who you are, now. Who I am.”
He shook his head, his eyes pinched with regret. “I’m sorry, it’s out of my hands.”