[Jake]

It’s been the best week of my life. I’m up at least a grade in all my classes thanks to Ryan. I’ve been sleeping better than ever thanks to Kayla falling asleep in my arms each night. Sometimes it’s her room. Other times it’s mine. It doesn’t matter, only that we’re together. I wake up every morning with a ridiculous grin, and that’s before the morning orgasm.

I never thought having a steady girl would feel like this. I’m on a high that I never want to end. Is this what love feels like? Or is it a serious case of the feels? Whatever it is, I want to live in this moment forever.

Ryan and I take up the backseat of the tiny Uber dropping us at the ferry terminal. It’s either the ferry or drive around, and we don’t have an extra hour to spend on the road. I also will never ride bitch on a scooter. Uber wins.

My phone buzzes. I check the screen and frown. It’s the third time a number I don’t recognize has come up in the past few days. TREX always comes up as a blocked number, so it’s not them. I won’t answer if I don’t recognize the number, something my mom taught me. There are too many freak shows out there. If whoever’s calling wanted to reach me, they’d leave a message. So far, no voicemails. It’s probably a telemarketer. Even more reason to not answer the call.

After killing the call, I return to my forever moment and smile.

“I recognize that look.” Ryan talks to me like we’re more than forced together by the agency. Like we’re friends. We have nothing in common aside from girlfriends who hang out together. That doesn’t mean we’ve bonded.

Still, I’m curious so I take the bait. “What look is that?”

“The same look I get when I think what a lucky son of a bitch I am to call Emma mine.”

I’m not about to admit it, even though he nailed the reason. Glancing out the window, I watch the drizzle collect and roll across the glass. If I didn’t already have my heart set on landing a job with the BIFD, I’d relocate to somewhere like SoCal after graduation. Somewhere warm. Somewhere dry. This constant gray and rain depresses the hell out of me.

But then the image of Kayla dancing with me in the rain conjures up, drawing a sharp intake of breath from me. God, she was so beautiful at the park with the way the water coated her skin. Taking her home and licking every drop from her body was definitely the highlight of the night.

“Do you deny it?” He won’t let it go.

“We are not having this conversation.”

“The park worked, didn’t it?”

I face him. “Worked?”

“You two haven’t been fighting, right?”

How’d he know that? “So?”

“Figured it’d work.” He stares straight ahead while I study him. What’s he playing at?

I don’t care. It’s not like we share anything other than the credit when we succeed on a find. That’s the only thing I want to talk about. “What’s the deal with the Order? Why’s TREX after them? Aside from the whole world domination part.”

“I thought Jackson was going to buy you a beer and tell you all about it.” He sets his jaw and keeps his attention forward.

So did I. “We never got around to it.”

“The Order is nothing more than a high-powered mob. They’re forcing their way into the colleges to recruit new members. The last thing we need is a new generation of corruption. My dad tried to stop them, but got too sick to keep going.” He looks at me. “I’m going to finish what he started.”

Damn, he’s got that intimidating look down when he talks about shit he hates. He regarded me with that same cold hatred in his eyes our first day sparring on the mat. When he falls silent and returns his attention to the front, I do the same. Besides, we probably shouldn’t be talking about this in an Uber. What if this driver is a member of the Order?

Ryan and I don’t talk again until we’re on the ferry and halfway across Puget Sound. I’m standing at the bow waiting for Seattle to come into view. The fog and dreary drizzle is so thick I can barely see the front of the ferry, let alone the city we’re thirty minutes away from docking. It’s cold, wet, and the sun is hidden behind a dense cloud cover. The salty mist coats my face and jacket. I shove my hands into my pockets and suppress a shudder.

I’m alone on the front of the boat until my partner joins me. “Hey.”

“’Sup.”

“I’ve been thinking.” He steals a glance before staring at the water and picks at the peeling paint on the railing. “What if I do something wrong? Say the wrong thing? What if I get there and they won’t even let me in? My dad was the one invited, not me.”

“Relax, dude. Just be yourself.” It works for me.

“That’s the problem. What if being myself isn’t good enough?”

Wow. This guy is seriously messed up. I don’t know how to answer that question. He’s as insecure as Kayla. She constantly questions if she’s good enough. She’s more than enough. So is Ryan. Again with the parallels. I don’t like it, so I change the subject.

“How’s your dad?” Bailey told me about his father’s brain tumor. The doctors aren’t expecting him to live through the summer. It’s already almost the end of May. I never really knew my dad. That doesn’t mean it wouldn’t suck losing him. I couldn’t imagine how I’d feel if I actually knew the man.

“My brother is with him. He hasn’t left his side in months.”

“That doesn’t answer the question.” Classic avoidance. Kayla does the same thing, addressing a question by avoiding the answer. “How is he?”

He shrugs and sucks in a quick breath through his nose. “He’s, uh…”

“You don’t know, do you?”

Dropping his gaze, he shakes his head.

“Why wouldn’t you call him? Go visit him? It’s not like he’s across the country. He’s across the Sound.”

He remains stubbornly silent. Sure, now he shuts up.

“Ryan, you won’t have him around much longer. It sucks, but it’s the truth. You need to see him before it’s too late.”

“You don’t know how hard it is to see him like that. He’s not the man he used to be.”

“He’s still your dad,” I fire back. “Hell, if I knew where my dad was, you bet your ass I’d visit him. He’s in and out of prison. Last I checked, he was back in.”

Ryan studies me before offering, “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry you didn’t visit him while he’s still here to visit. Trust me, I’d be at his bedside to take advantage of every second you have left with him.”

“You’re right,” he declares with a nod, shocking me. “Do you think we have enough time to make a quick stop before we meet up with TREX?”

I slap him on the back. “We’ll make the time, buddy.”

* * *

TREX HQ

Bailey paced in front of the glass doors of the Seattle apartment building TREX used as a combination housing for agents and safe house for assets. Ryan and Jake were supposed to be there already. She gave them the address. They both had smart phones. TREX-issued. TREX-required. They knew how to use any one of the plethora of apps to get the directions.

TREX should have pulled the cadets off this mission and brought in seasoned agents. It was too big a target, too important a find to leave it to a couple recruits. What if they screwed this up? The agency would lose the lead on the Order. They needed this.

“They’re late.” Bailey flopped into one of the chairs lining the walls by the elevator. “Swanson’s a bad influence on my intel recruit.”

“They’re both your recruits,” Jackson corrected as he picked at his nails. “Just because one’s a field agent doesn’t make him any less of an agent. You sideline agents are all the same, always thinking the higher the IQ, the better you are. Let me tell you, sweetheart. It takes more than a big brain to succeed on a find.”

Spoken like a true field agent. She blew out a breath and fought to check the door. Or her watch. Again. They didn’t have time for this. TREX needed agents who respected the chain of command. If they couldn’t follow a simple order of showing up on time, what else would they disregard? “The ferry docked hours ago.”

“Maybe they missed it and are driving around.”

“They should have called. I’ve texted each of them several times.”

“Out of range?”

She glared and thinned her lips. “Stop making excuses for them. They should be here by now.”

“And we’ve gone full circle.” He pushed out of the chair and moved to one of the floor-length windows, keeping his back to her. When he brought his hands to his hips, Bailey knew. He was just as annoyed by their tardiness.

After another tense fifteen minutes of Jackson and Bailey taking turns pacing, a cab pulled up to the curb in front of the building and out stepped the late recruits. Bailey’s irritation faded when they walked into the building and Ryan stepped out from behind Jake. His eyes were red, swollen. “What happened?”

He wouldn’t answer and kept his head down. Jake pushed Ryan behind him. “We went to visit his dad.”

“You weren’t authorized to do that.” Bailey snapped her mouth closed when Jake glared before nodding at Ryan. She glanced at him, saw how beaten he looked, and swallowed thickly. It was a terribly heartless thing to say. “I’m sorry, Ryan. How’s he doing?”

He shook his head and kept his attention on his feet. Again, Jake spoke for his partner. “He’s in good spirits and loved having both his sons there.”

“He…” Ryan whispered. When he lifted his eyes, they were filled with distress. Bailey had seen that same look in her dad’s eyes when he’d realized Grams wasn’t leaving the hospital after her surgery. “He couldn’t talk. He tried, but he… He just couldn’t.”

“He communicated just fine, buddy.” Jake slapped him on the shoulder. “You saw how he couldn’t stop smiling when you walked into the room. He even laughed when you and Derek got into it over who’s the better Batman.”

That comment drew a slight lopsided grin from Ryan. “Yeah.”

“You sure?” David exited the elevator, his phone to his ear. “When did the guest list change? Something smells off about this. Why would they change it at the last minute? No one on the list is that important. Send a copy to my phone. No McKoy, I’m not doubting you. I’m not. You’re a real pain in the ass.” He grinned. “You too, brother. Give Bethany my love and kiss that nephew of mine. See ya.”

He ended the call and announced, “Change of plans.” As soon as he spotted Ryan, he tensed. “You okay, kid?”

Ryan wiped at his eyes and inhaled sharply. “I’m fine.”

“Good.” He tucked the phone in his pocket. “Swanson, you’re going in.”

“No, sir.” Ryan shook his head. “I can do this.”

“I have no doubt, but we just got our hands on an updated guest list. Most of the names are local celebrities and political badasses, your dad included. There’s one name we found—D. Mara—who’s not adding up. Do either of you know that name?”

They exchanged glances and both shook heads.

Being an old movie buff, Bailey spoke up. “Demara is the main character in The Great Impostor. It’s a Tony Curtis classic.”

“A movie based on the real Demara. It’s no coincidence the name on this list is a play on one of the best con artists of all time. We think that’s our anonymous donor.”

“Why not send me in?” Ryan asked.

“Because of the name that just showed up.” He regarded Jake. “You’re BFF, Gerald Murphy. You’ve already got the in.”

“How?”

“By calling him and letting him know you’re in Seattle and arranging to meet up before you head out tomorrow.”

As if on cue, Jake’s phone buzzed. He pulled it from his pocket and glanced at the number. “Damn telemarketers. This is like the fourth time this week.”

David put his hand in front of the phone before Jake killed the call. “Answer it.”

“I don’t answer unknown calls.”

“You do now. Put it on speaker. The rest of you, don’t even breathe.”

The steely look in his eyes, the stony expression, had Bailey on alert. What’d her BIL know he wasn’t telling the rest of them? The team gathered around as Jake held the phone out. “Hello?”

“I’ve been trying to reach you for three days. Thank God you’ll have a person to answer your calls for you when you’re a senator.” It’s Gerald Murphy, and David didn’t look happy Jake had been ignoring the calls. The newest recruit would be getting smoked later because of it, no doubt. David Snyder didn’t take kindly to green agents ignoring anything.

“Mr. Murphy.” Jake locked his attention to David. “What can I do for you, sir?”

“I’m attending a little get together tonight at the Edgewater and would love to introduce you to a few of my friends. Very influential friends. I don’t suppose you can be in Seattle in the next four hours?”

“Actually, I’m in Seattle to visit my mom.”

“I wasn’t aware your parents lived in Seattle. Your mother, at least.”

Shit. Jake regarded his partner. His intel. His lifeline. To Bailey’s surprise, Ryan had already helped himself to the tablet she’d set down. He held it up, screen facing Jake. Shane Greene dead.

“She’s the only one I have left.” Jake held Ryan’s gaze until the intel agent looked away. It didn’t take a mind reader to pick up on the meaning behind that look.

“Of course. I apologize for my thoughtless comment.”

He tested Jake and didn’t even try concealing it. What an insensitive asshole. As if his involvement with the Order wasn’t enough reason to hate him.

“Would she mind if I steal you for a few hours? The people attending this get together could make or break your political career.”

“Campaigning for me already?”

“It’s never too early to start.” Murphy chuckled. “Things seem to be falling into place quite nicely.”

David stiffened and narrowed his gaze. He picked up on something. The frown creasing his brow caused Bailey even more worry. He sliced his hand through the air, signaling to kill the call. “We’ll meet you at the hotel, sir.”

“We?”

“I’ll have my bodyguard with me.”

“There’ll be no need to bring your own security. This is a very small event. We have plenty of security.”

Hell no. Bailey wouldn’t let him go in without some sort of backup. She shook her head, but David brought up his hand. Was he crazy? He grabbed the tablet from Ryan and wrote something before holding it up. Jake nodded and read from the screen, although his strained expression told an entirely different story. “I trust you, Mr. Murphy. If you say I don’t need my bodyguard, then I don’t need one. I’ll find a way to ditch him.”

“Already making the right decisions. Eight o’clock, Jake. Be prompt.”

He ended the call and slipped the phone into his pocket, his attention on Jackson and Jason, who’d moved to the other side of the lobby. Those two butted heads about anything and everything, so to have them whispering and nodding at the same time sent Bailey’s suspicions even higher.

But it was David’s expression that had her most concerned. He brought his phone to his ear. “I was right. He knows. Send her down. We need her with him on this one.”

“What’s going on?” Bailey asked. When he didn’t answer, she pressed him. “David, what were you right about? Who are you sending in with my recruit? It’d better be security detail.”

“This is one better.”

“One better than having a trained agent covering me?” Jake joined the conversation. “That sounds a lot better than sending me in alone and unarmed.”

The elevator ding announced the arrival of the cart. The doors whooshed open and Megan McKoy, Bailey’s flirt of a cousin, walked out of the elevator, adjusting the form-fitting dress by pulling it up in the front and down in the back.

What was she doing there? Strike that. When did she get there and how did Bailey miss her? “Meg?”

“Hey, Bails. I’d hug you, but Charis told me if I so much as get a stain on this dress, I own it. No way can I afford it. I can barely afford rent. Do you know how much bartenders make?”

“I do.” David grinned.

“No one asked you, mister.” She had her dark hair piled high on her head. The blue jewels hanging from her ears brought out the cobalt in her eyes. “This was your bright idea to dress me up as a high-priced escort. I can’t even breathe in this thing.”

“You look great.”

“I look like I charge by the hour. You’re saying I have to go under as an escort?”

“That’s what I’m saying. It’s a better cover. Going in as his girlfriend adds too much risk. You don’t have to know any history on a client. He’s just another John to you.”

She narrowed those intense blue eyes. “Are you asking as an assistant director? Or as part of the family?”

“Which one gets me a yes?”

“The only one I have to answer to.” She smiled sweetly.

“The target is suspicious. We need a way to keep him distracted.”

“Why is it only women get to play the distraction?”

Jason raised his hand. “Not true. I had to keep Whitney Harrington busy while Jer did his thing.” He darted a look Bailey’s way. She avoided his gaze. It wasn’t like they were exclusive. When the mission called for a distraction, it was the agent’s responsibility to distract the target by any means necessary. Jason just happened to be better at a specific physical distraction than others. She understood the reason. That didn’t mean she had to like it.

“Why not send in Bails?” Meg’s question caught her attention.

“We need an agent trained in security detail. Besides, Bailey is too old.”

“Hey!” She thrust out her chin. “Twenty-five is hardly old.”

“Twenty-three is younger. Besides, we need a tease, someone good at flirting. We need a player. You, Bailey McKoy, aren’t a player. You don’t have a forward bone in your body.”

She couldn’t argue that fact. She was the exact opposite of forward. Jason teased her all the time at how terrible she was at taking charge, at telling him exactly what she wanted. Being forward was a trait she lacked, yet something her twin had in spades. She accepted her fate and nodded at her cousin. “Have you been briefed?”

“I’ve been upstairs with the mom and dad twins for the past hour. Between Charis lecturing me to be careful and Chris showing up on the com link feed every five minutes to remind me of something else he’s already told me, I’m about as briefed as I’ll get.”

Bailey regarded her BIL. “Are you sure about this? Meg is barely out of Gahanna. She doesn’t have a lot of field experience.”

“But I have a hell of a lot of flirting experience,” Meg defended and wrapped her arm around Bailey’s.

“How can we be sure there’ll be enough chemistry between them for this to work?”

“Don’t worry about that, Bails. I got this.” She faced the two recruits and asked, “Which one of you high rollers paid to have me as your date for the night?”

“I, uh… I, um… I…” Ryan and his stuttering. He still hadn’t gotten over it when he talked to girls.

Jake, however, had no problem talking to women. He stepped forward and offered his hand. “Jake Greene. I’ll be your date tonight.” Ryan blew out a breath, clearly relieved.

“Megan.” She accepted his hand and giggled when he brushed his lips over her knuckles. “You’re charming.”

“You’re beautiful.” The smile he flashed her even sucked Bailey into the spell it cast. Damn, he was good. “Is that gorgeous blue your real eye color?”

“It is.”

“Amazing. I’ve never seen eyes the same color as my favorite gem.”

Bailey crossed her arms. She had the exact same color eyes. All the McKoys had deep blue eyes and dark, dark hair. It was the classic McKoy look. Why hadn’t he noticed her eyes?

Meg touched the earrings. “You like sapphires?”

“I love them, especially on you.”

She giggled again. Oh, brother.

Jackson seemed to be as taken with the exchange as the two flirting like crazy. “I’d say that proves it. There are enough sparks flying between them to start a fire.”

David moved to Bailey’s side and said for her ears only, “I knew the kid would never make it having a pretty girl as his partner.” He looked at Bailey and dropped the smirk. “It could be a problem.”

“I know.” She sighed. They had to find a way to get Ryan over his stuttering when it came to talking to girls. Just not tonight. Resigning to the fact Jake would be in the field and Ryan in the van, Bailey cleared her throat to catch everyone’s attention. “We have three hours to brief. Let’s take this party upstairs.”