Alyssa wore the same drawn expression her brother had displayed the night TJ had driven him to the ER. Matt had sliced his hand open. It wasn’t pain that had bothered him, but the acknowledgment the gash would have to be sewn up. It was the dread of what was to come.

Theo Robbins answered the door, a politician's reassuring smile in place. But Alyssa didn’t move. Taking pity on her, he nudged her into the foyer. Under the warm glow of a sparkling chandelier, she slowly came back to life.

"Sir, I’d like you to meet Teagan O’Brien. He’s agreed to help us with the-- uh . . . problem."

"Mayor Robbins, it’s an honor to meet you." The mayor extended a hand, his grip firm. Confident. Prematurely silver hair added to the subtle air of credibility.

"I understand you’re in the military? Which branch of the service?"

"Army, sir. Special Forces." He was uncomfortably aware of Alyssa’s eyes on him, drinking in every detail he’d be forced to divulge. She would have found out soon enough, he reminded himself. Robbins’ staffers had likely already reviewed his background check.

"Ranger?"

"The mayor served two tours in the Gulf," Alyssa explained. "He commanded a team of Green Berets."

Great. Hopefully, Robbins hadn't filled her head with exaggerated stories. TJ swallowed a mounting sense of unease. "I went to Ranger school, sir."

"Son, you’re talking to the master of diversionary tactics when it comes to questions.” The mayor studied him. “So, it’s true? You’re a Delta?”

The bastard had his summary file. TJ let the silence lengthen.

“Black ops makes sense,” he muttered. “And seven bronze stars . . .” Theo’s gaze narrowed. “That’s quite an impressive feat, Major.”

“Major?” Alyssa’s eyes sparked with interest. "Wait-- what are black ops?"

Despite years of training—of battlefields and enemy combatants— of knowing each jarring minute spent in the back of a humvee increased the risk of death or having his damned legs blown off- He released a controlled breath. It was this that made him tense. Small talk. Questions. That would lead to hundreds more from Lyss.

"Come along, Alyssa.” Theo wisely moved on. “We have work to do." The mayor pointed to a room off the foyer. "What happened to your hand? Saw some action, did you?"

"Met up with a little hostile fire,” he deflected. If the mayor had any inkling of Alyssa’s true skills, he’d probably move her to his security force. Laughter tightened his chest. The flush along her delicate cheekbones suggested retribution would come later.He followed the older man into a room that had been lovingly remodeled into a study. Leather couches and chairs scattered over a plush tapestry carpet that reminded him of the rugs he’d seen in Pakistan. The walls lined with floor to ceiling bookshelves, the shelves crammed to overflowing with books. What he wouldn’t give for a few days holed up in there.

"Where were you stationed, might I ask?"

TJ flicked a neutral glance at the older man. As if he didn’t know. Hell, his file was probably locked in the drawer of the heavy antique desk in the corner of the room. No matter. He could play the game right along with him. "That’s classified, sir."

"I understand." Theo Robbins surprised him then, clapping him on the shoulder. "Let me just state I’m honored to meet you."

Shit. He’d read his whole freaking file. For an instant, TJ’s jaw tightened with anger before the detachment borne from years of training kicked in and he forced himself to relax. Alyssa’s eyes widened, her expression one of dawning enlightenment. He should’ve anticipated this happening. He was going to be working for the damned mayor of Boston. Of course they’d want to know who the hell he was.

“Thank you,” he said, forcing a smile he sure as hell didn’t feel. No problem. Once the op was taken care of, he’d simply steal his file back. There wasn’t a lock crafted he couldn’t pick. "With all due respect, sir, why don’t we get down to business?"

* * *

"Aside from the one note and this envelope of pictures, you haven’t heard from him again?" Teagan tossed the photograph he’d been holding, watching it flutter to rest on the coffee table.

Alyssa resisted the urge to cover them. Flip them over. Tear them into a million tiny pieces and hurl them in the fireplace. They’d been huddled for an hour—examining the nearly naked pictures of someone. Despite it not being her, Alyssa was still mortified. The woman was blonde. Short hair—like her. Photogenic—unlike her. Fake Alyssa was confident. Sexy. She showed swagger—while stripping from her navy dress . . . Adding insult to injury, Fake Alyssa’s boobs were bigger. Way bigger. Not that she could blurt that to Theo.

The mayor's gaze met hers. "I think that’s accurate.You haven’t heard anything more?"

"No, sir," she confirmed. "The pictures arrived Thursday."

"Delivered where? Office or home?"

"Home-- for both of us. I haven’t heard anything since."

"No prints?"

"We’ve contaminated them,” she reminded. “But Sean was going to check anyway."

"My set has already been checked,” Theo said. “Only Maggie’s prints . . . and mine." A wry expression crossed his distinguished features. "When the wife hits you with that as you walk through the door, you can forget about a peaceful dinner."

Alyssa winced at Maggie’s name. She hadn’t seen her since the pictures arrived. Part of her wanted to get the first awkward meeting over-- while another part prayed she wouldn’t run into her before they’d caught the culprit—or could provide an explanation for the horrifying package Theo’s wife had opened three days earlier. Did she truly believe Alyssa had nothing to do with it, as Theo claimed? Or was he just trying to make her feel better? Did she doubt her husband’s loyalty? And hers?

"Why haven’t we heard from the blackmailer?" It had been gnawing at her for three days. "Isn’t the whole point about money? Or influence?” The ruination of a powerful man? Or his lowly assistant?

"He wants something from him." Teagan nodded to Theo.

"If he wants him to back out of the governor’s race-- why not go to the press? Why give us the opportunity to hush it up?"

Teagan was silent for a minute. "Maybe that’s not his primary motivation."

Alyssa had all she could do not to shout her frustration. "He’s got sixteen months left as mayor. Do they want him out?"

"Alyssa, dear. . . we’d have to examine our own camp as well as the enemy’s. My advisors and I may not see eye-to-eye on every issue, but we stand unified as an elected team. Even my detractors in the party wouldn’t want this scandal because it will rub off on them, too."

Lifting trembling fingers to her temples, she sighed. "It doesn’t make sense. What does he want from us? What does he want from me?"

Teagan turned to her. "Basically, you’re a pawn. You were probably the easiest target-- or maybe you’re just unlucky. My initial hunch is your role in this could have been played by any female staffer. Whatever this message is, it’s meant for the mayor.”

“That makes me feel much better.” For the last hour, she’d debated Teagan’s contemplation, his seemingly endless reserves of patience. He didn’t like rash decisions and he sure as hell wouldn’t be cornered into making them.

"A political enemy instead of someone wanting money?" Theo turned from the window, where he’d stood for the last ten minutes.

Teagan flicked a brooding glance her way. "I didn’t say that, Sir. Not yet, anyway. I’d rather be methodical in ruling people out before I settle on a reason. Could be someone exercising his authority."

"What do you mean?" Theo closed the drapes.

"He’s letting you see he has access-- intimate access. Could be he’s demonstrating how he can make your life miserable in ways you’ve never imagined."

"You mean this is a game to him?" How would they catch someone whose motivation was proving a point?

He shook his head. "Not necessarily."

"What, then? Psychological warfare?" Theo crossed the room. "What’s his gain? You should know better than anyone, TJ, there has to be an underlying motive. Otherwise, what’s the point of the exercise?"

What did her boss know about Teagan's background that she didn’t? She’d assumed he was a typical military guy-- wear the pack, trudge the miles and blow things up. But he’d reached the rank of Major. And what had Theo said about bronze stars? What kind of combat earned him a star? Seven stars? A shudder rolled over her. Teagan was one of those guys—the quiet, no-nonsense, take-it-to-his-death sort of superhero. A dangerous man—in constant danger. Her boss had asked whether he was Delta. And Teagan hadn’t liked it. She’d recognized the annoyance that crossed his features—having provoked it herself several times. Psychological warfare? What kind of training did that take?

"I guess that’s where I come in,” Teagan disrupted her thoughts. “Give me a few days. I’ll find out what’s going on."

She stared at him, acknowledgment strumming through her. Could Teagan be one of those special warriors-- unseen, unheard and unconventional? Theo’s Green Beret connection meant he knew a whole lot more about TJ’s job than she would ever know. What exactly did Deltas do?

"Major, under these circumstances-” Theo sat in the leather chair. “I can only grant you a few days. I’m already violating procedure by keeping most of my security staff in the dark."

“Luther, too?” Alyssa schooled her expression neutral. The militant, drill-sergeant, never-missed-a-thing chief of the mayor’s security detail was not a staff favorite. Unfortunately, Theo was crazy about him.

“No—of course Luther knows.” His expression suggested she might be a little slow. “And he’s not crazy about the plan.” The mayor’s forehead creased. "Though we’re speculating here tonight, we both know this is probably related to my possible run for governor."

Teagan hesitated. "Probably."

"I can’t afford to fumble this,” he admitted. “Too much is at stake-- for me and the party. Whether I run, I can’t afford alienating the leadership. And I won’t risk damaging the party. I’d step down first."

"I understand, Sir.” Teagan nodded. “But, we’re not completely alone. Your protection detail is in the loop. And Mullaney’s set up a forensics team on a need-to-know basis. Besides that, someone has clearly apprised you of my background." His solemn face creased with a smile. "Despite your concern, you have to trust someone."

Processing Teagan’s comment, the mayor nodded. "I don’t think it’s possible to keep anything completely secret in this position. After all these years, I’ve learned to monitor even my thoughts. I can only imagine the loss of privacy one experiences when he aspires to higher office."

Alyssa held her surprise at the rare glimpse of Theo’s concerns. Teagan reached for the pictures again. Slumping back in her chair, she sighed. They’d been staring at the damn things for an hour, examining angles, searching under different lighting. Anything to establish a method, a motive, a clue.

"What about this dress, Lyss?" Teagan abruptly changed the subject. "The blue one?"

"I have a navy dress."

His sigh was the first sign his veneer of endless patience might be eroding. "Do you recognize it? Do you own one like this?"

Snatching the photo, she held it under the lamp. "I’d remember the neckline plunging to my knees."

"Me, too." Sensing their mounting frustration, Mayor Robbins attempted a little levity.

"I’m sorry." Alyssa swallowed around a sudden knot in her throat. "This is so-- awkward." She stopped, surprised by the sudden rush of tears. "I know this is about you, sir, but . . ."

"You’re the one who’s overexposed," he finished, his voice compassionate.

Embarrassed, she wiped her eyes and discovered Teagan studying her, his enigmatic eyes revealing nothing of his thoughts. He raised another photo into her line of vision. "What about this one?"

Swallowing her animosity, she accepted the picture. Teagan was doing his job-- the one she’d forced on him. But it would serve her well to remember this moment. To him, she was an annoying puzzle in need of solving.

Another hour melted away, the rain pelting steadily against the windowpanes. Teagan quizzed her endlessly about photos she’d appeared in. But it had been of little use. She’d been snapped with the mayor too many times to count. In politics, paparazzi went with the territory.

Yawning, Alyssa gave in to the urge to move. As Theo launched yet another long-winded conspiracy theory, she crossed the room. In a way, the boob pictures had finally lost their sting. It was tough to remain embarrassed over something that had become almost clinical in the way it was viewed.

She supposed she should be grateful whoever doctored the photos had cut her some slack in the humiliation department. At least he’d stopped at cleavage shots. A chill shivered down her spine. What if this set of photos was only the prelude? What if there were more to come?

Ignoring her worried reflection, she gazed beyond it to the gurgling fountain. Her mind wandered back to the elusive Teagan.

Her boss had been impressed. Which meant Theo had read his file. No way would he have agreed to bring in a stranger without knowing everything about him. Since they shared the bond of special forces, it meant whatever exploits Theo had learned were likely military in nature.

Alyssa swung away from the window. Teagan had been upset-- forced to divulge information he considered classified. He’d hidden his reaction well, but she’d recognized the clenched jaw. The frost to his eyes when he was ticked off.

Her thoughts drifted as she moved to the bookcase. Maggie Robbins had worked tirelessly to provide her family a semblance of normalcy in their increasingly fishbowl lives. She examined the cluster of photos on the shelf. With the exception of Theo’s army photos, the resounding theme was family-- the joy in life’s quiet moments.

Contrasting the black and white military photos was a vivid shot of Theo and his then toddler son Michael asleep on his shoulder, purple mouth sticky from a treat.

Maggie snapped pictures not of the future governor or the wildly popular leader of the city of Boston. Maggie captured moments-- her husband, rumpled and un-posed, and her children, carefree and exuberant as they went about the business of growing up.

She studied the grainy military photo-- a long-ago Theo and a scruffy group of unsmiling men, all garbed in desert camo, their stark backdrop a desolate, unending desert. The bearded man to his left drew her gaze—his sullen stare seeming to mock the camera.

“What are you looking at?”

Her thoughts scattered, Teagan’s familiar voice looming over her shoulder. For someone so large, he had the stealth thing down pat. “Theo’s old army photos from the Gulf War.”

The subject of their conversation joined them. “82^nd Airborne Ready Brigade.”

Teagan whistled. “Jeez, you were right there when it started.”

“We were deployed to Saudi three days after Hussein invaded.” Theo’s eyes took on a distant quality. “We saw a lot of action those first few weeks. Got to know Riyadh pretty well.” He nodded to the picture. “A few of my battalion mates. You know him, Alyssa.” Theo pointed to the bearded man. “That’s Luther.”

She should have known. Alyssa forced a smile. Theo’s no-nonsense head of security was a lurker-- with the unfailing ability to appear out of thin air. Sort of like Teagan, now that she thought about it. Maybe the sneak-up-on-you quality was a military thing.

"Who are the others? Do you ever see them?"

She knew Teagan's question was more than mere interest. For him, any information was pertinent. Until it wasn't.

"As it happens, I see them all the time." Theo lifted the picture from the shelf. "That's Joe Petrusky." He glanced at Alyssa.

"The city budget director," she explained to Teagan.

"And this is Andy McQuinn." The mayor's smile faltered when she startled, his expression chagrined when he remembered too late her tenuous relationship to McQuinn.

Paul's father-in-law. By dumping her, he'd traded up. Alyssa plastered a smile on her face, hoping Theo wouldn't go into the embarrassing details. "That's-"

"The congressman?" Teagan recognized the name. "Pretty impressive histories for all of you." Leaning in, he pointed to the fourth man. "Who did he turn out to be?"

Theo's forehead creased as he traced his memory. "I didn't know him well. He was from Ohio. Henry . . . something. He was friendly with Luther." He dusted the frame before setting it back on the shelf. "Doss, maybe? Durst?" He shrugged. "He and Luther decided to re-up. I lost track of Luther for a few years.” Theo smiled. “Burke's a real patriot. He ended up on the team looking for missing SCUDs after the war.”

Teagan stared at the photograph. “I understand several were never found?”

Missiles . . . Alyssa stilled as her memory crackled. A grad student-- who’d contacted her about his thesis. His research on military grade weapons. He’d requested an interview with Theo—to discuss his time with the Ready Brigade during the Gulf War.

Theo nodded. “Probably sold on the black market. Tons of stuff went missing back then—small arms, medical supplies, rations-”

Teagan smiled. “We’ve come across M16s and Colt Commandos from the nineties.”

“It’s a pretty common problem,” her boss acknowledged. “At the start of the war you send everything you’ve got—no rhyme or reason. Just get it there.” He shrugged. “At the end—everyone's half-assin’. You just wanted to get home. Anything left unguarded was pretty much up for grabs. Hell—you name it. Even a few tanks couldn’t be accounted for.” He chuckled. “How do you lose a damned M1 Abrams?”

Alyssa searched her memory. The grad student’s timing had proven terrible. Eight days later, she’d been assaulted. The next two months had been a blur. Coma . . . surgery and finally, healing. By the time she’d returned to work, she’d long forgotten the unusual interview request. Curious, she wondered whether he’d ever received any answers.

The sharp rattle of the doorknob turning sent everyone scrambling. Mayor Robbins bolted to the coffee table, but was beaten there by Teagan. In a heartbeat, he’d cleared the surface, all evidence of their discussion tucked into his jacket. If she hadn’t witnessed the vapor trail, Alyssa would have been impressed when he beat Theo to the door.

"I’ll get that, Sir."

Pulse racing, she waited as it swung inward. A moment later, her heart did a cliff dive to the pit of her stomach. Dread nearly swallowing her, she acknowledged their unexpected visitor.

"Good evening, Mrs. Robbins."

* * *

"Good evening, Alyssa. I didn’t realize we had visitors.”

The moment she’d dreaded. Sunday evening-- off duty-- in the privacy of her home, Maggie Robbins was still impeccably dressed. Expensive dress, exquisite pearls. Prada peep toes. Her tone as icy as her gaze. Or had she imagined it?

“I assumed Theo had fallen asleep in here with a book in his lap."

Heart pounding in her ears, Alyssa forced a smile. "We-- were just leaving, ma’am."

"Hello, darling." Theo intercepted his wife. "We’re just wrapping up in here." With a cursory glance at the now empty coffee table, he relaxed, fondly kissing her cheek. "Come meet Alyssa’s friend."

Still staring at her, Maggie spoke again. "How are you holding up this time?"

"I-I’m fine. Thank you." Alyssa applauded her cool façade, wondering how the older woman could pull it off.

"At least the press doesn’t have the pictures yet.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Although last time . . . you slept through the worst of the embarrassment, right?”

She swallowed a gasp, her chest tightening at the jab. Forcing a smile, she nodded, not trusting herself to speak. Score one for Mags. A bitchy hit from her blind side.

When Maggie’s gaze returned to her husband, Alyssa’s tension-filled body wanted to sag to the floor with relief. Knees suddenly rubbery, she moved to the overstuffed chair, leaning against the solid, reassuring bulk. Teagan’s all-knowing gaze lasered into her from his position near the door.

"Maggie, I’d like you to meet Major Teagan O’Brien."

TJ stepped forward. "It’s a pleasure, ma’am."

"Teagan is special forces, too."

Maggie accepted his hand, her smile the epitome of political graciousness. "Special forces? Theo has probably cornered you with a barrage of war stories."

"Major O'Brien is assisting with our . . . little problem," Theo announced. "There’s nothing a Delta can’t handle, darling. Especially an expert in psych ops."

Despite the tension clutching her stomach, Alyssa bit back her smile when Teagan’s jaw turned granite. At least she wasn’t the only one suffering.

"What is the plan, Theo?” Ignoring her husband’s lavish praise of the stranger standing before her, Maggie cut to the heart of the matter. “It’s been three days. We need to put this to bed."

Sensing her irritation, Teagan focused the blast force wattage of his smile on her. "Ma’am, we’re still in the preliminary stages. The details haven't been fully-"

"That’s what I’m afraid of." Her husband’s exuberance only seeming to increase her worry. "Is this wise, Theo? Shouldn’t we involve the police? If the press-"

"If the blackmailer wanted that," he interrupted, "the press would already know."

"What about Luther?" Her worried gaze pinned her husband. "Does Captain Burke approve of you circumventing procedure?"

"Luther knows what’s at stake.” Theo acknowledged his wife's displeasure. "We agree the police should only get involved if this thing blows up."

His description drew a wan smile from his wife. Alyssa wondered how she'd react-- discovering incendiary pictures of a husband with his assistant? Though she was trapped in the middle, she could easily side with Maggie. Theo's typical male reaction was infuriating. Don’t worry about the details--we’ll make them up as we go along. All things considered, Maggie was handling the situation rather well.

"Ma’am, we’ll get this situation under control quickly." Teagan jumped in-- his quick assessment of Theo's simmering wife dictating he defuse the ticking time bomb. "The photos are rather amateurish. We're not dealing with a professional."

"Amateurish?” Heat staining her patrician features, she favored him with an icy glance. “The press won’t find them lacking when they rake my husband over the coals."

"In my opinion, it's someone with a grudge."

She closed her eyes, releasing a breath. "Someone on staff? Someone here in the residence?"

Teagan’s expression was almost comically painful as he decided how to respond. Play it safe and feed her a line of vague rhetoric from his army handbook? Would he risk the wrath of the mayor’s wife? Or violate his personal protocol-- and release a grain of information?

"Ma’am . . . I’ll know more tomorrow evening."

She spun to her husband. "I thought after Bridget. . . I thought we re-examined everyone’s credentials. We did . . . right?"

Alyssa read Theo’s badgered expression. It was time to get the hell out of there before Maggie detonated.

"We vetted everyone on staff . . . again."

Alyssa moved for the door. "Sir, we’ve kept you and Mrs. Robbins long enough. We should go."

Teagan's glance contained relief, a humanizing chink in the gorgeous armor.

Mayor Robbins escorted them through the darkened foyer. "We’ll see you tomorrow." He hesitated at the door. "If someone questions what he’s doing?"

"It’s covered, sir," she explained, her voice muffled in the empty hall. "Luther will announce a new security initiative at the staff meeting. Similar to last year, when we had people milling around."

"If anyone is more than mildly curious, maybe there’s a reason why." Teagan's quiet voice seemed to settle Theo and he opened the door.

She was grateful for the rush of scented, spring air flooding the hall. The rain had finally stopped.

The worst was over, she convinced herself. The mayor hadn’t fired her. Yet. Maggie hadn’t knocked her down and started yanking chunks of hair-- yet. They had a sketchy, but workable plan. If events evolved as Teagan and Mullaney expected, the ordeal should be over in a few days.

She wanted to be in the car driving away, shaking off the claustrophobic stuffiness of the library. Squelching the uncomfortable memory Theo’s army picture had stirred. Why had she remembered the grad student? Such a random memory— but it had caused a sizzle of recognition. Enough to startle her. Enough to make her start questioning. Again.

But never enough to remember the important things-- like who had attacked her-- and why? Something had stirred her memory. The dusty cobwebs had shifted-- as though a breeze had floated through her brain's archives. Something had triggered tonight.

But what? Talk of the Gulf War? The photo? She imagined it again on the shelf. Was it Luther? She dismissed the idea. He’d been on Theo’s staff for a decade. Longer than she’d been working for the mayor. Just because the stiff, unsmiling cop wasn’t her favorite person didn’t mean he’d had something to do with her attack. Hell—Luther had been the one to investigate it. Maybe it was the fatigues. The men's battle-weary expressions? Frustration flooded her.

Two years later, she knew as little as she'd known the night she'd been attacked. Robbed of her briefcase-- which hadn't mattered-- and her father's watch, which had. In the heartbreaking way little things mattered after someone you loved was gone. Her dad's watch, worn on his right wrist for nearly thirty years. Worn on hers for fifteen. She blinked back the sudden rush of tears. Lost forever-- in an alley she hadn't wanted to take-- the shortcut Paul had insisted on.

Staid, boring Paul. First and last fiancé. A safe choice. A political choice. How she hated that word. Hated what it had almost turned her into. As though his charming, cocktail party veneer had been a quality of utmost importance. Instead of something to run from.

Paul's zeal to protect the mayor's tough-on-crime stance meant she'd been swept under the rug. Maggie’s words returned to haunt her. Last time, you slept through it. Yeah— in a damned coma. Drawing attention to the attack could have created bad press for Theo. Her fiancé had cared more about awkward questions from the media than he'd cared for his beloved fiancée. In his take-charge moment, Paul had forgotten-- her.

Her therapist's voice echoing in her head, Alyssa rolled her eyes. This time-- she'd achieve closure, damn it.

"Goodness, Alyssa, I nearly forgot."

Startled, she paused on the wide, brick steps, Maggie’s expensive heels echoing through the foyer behind them. Behind her, Teagan skidded to a stop, his eagerness to leave clearly matching hers. Moments from escaping.

Maggie’s round face appeared over Theo's shoulder. "I was so caught up in our situation-- I nearly forgot to congratulate you."

Turning, she intercepted the question in Teagan's eyes. “Congratulate?"

"Your engagement, of course. I spoke with your mother an hour ago."

* * *

"My-"

Reading the play, TJ moved instinctively and swiveled on the step. Contain the explosion. Damned Madeline. He’d suspected she might be incapable of following orders. Minimize collateral damage. A step below him, Alyssa's bewildered expression suggested the possibility of blurting something that could make it worse.

"Thank you, ma’am.” Hauling her against him, he squeezed her waist in warning. “Lyss has been after me for years." She swayed into him convincingly-- and pinched him. “I’ve been away so long, she’s still getting used to the idea."

"Alyssa? I had no idea. That's— wonderful news." Theo's smile widened. "You certainly never gave any indication-"

He gave her another let-me-do-the-talking squeeze. "We were waiting until I came home." Ignoring her nails digging into him, he offered a dazzling smile. "She's enjoying planning all the details."

Eyes shooting deathrays, Alyssa nodded.

Mrs. Robbins' smile seemed to unfreeze for the first time since he'd been introduced. Madeline's interference might take the pressure off Lyss. If Maggie believed them engaged, she might ease up on the mayor.

A chaste, boring kiss would seal the lie. Another minute and he’d have her out of there. “Play along,” he muttered against her lips.

But instead of a quick, show-the-folks-we’re-fake-engaged kiss, Alyssa smiled against his mouth. That should have been his first warning the mission was about to go astray.

Throwing her arms around his neck, she sank into the least chaste kiss TJ could ever imagine. He was rocket-launched back to that morning-- to her--writhing on his bed. To being this close to inside her.

A moment from insanity, she finally let him up for air, her smile begging him to object. In the lone brain cell not focused on getting her naked-- he heard Theo clear his throat.

“After ten years of Teagan chasing me, I allowed him to catch me.”

Over her head, he acknowledged Theo's amused get a room stare. All things considered-- not the worst first impression with the mayor of Boston. "Goodnight, sir."