Mark
She’s so fucking stubborn. She’s right, but that’s beside the point.
I wonder if she’s ever had fun. Does she even know how to let go? Even during that indescribable kiss, she held a thread of restraint. I could feel her fight from within her body, until I touched her bare skin. That’s when it disintegrated.
One touch of her perfect skin and I almost came in my pants. Every inch of her skin I’ve gotten to see is unmarred. I imagined myself running my tongue along the same path. I’d spend hours doing nothing but tasting her, kissing her, and then I’d claim her. She’ll ruin me for all women, I can just tell.
Charlie isn’t the kind of woman you move on from. She draws you in with the brightness of her sun and then leaves you blind. There’s something deep and dark inside of her. She’s trying to keep it locked down, but I can see it in her eyes.
“So, where are we heading?” she asks.
She doesn’t know I have the private jet. It’s not as if we can fly commercial. I do need to fly out of a military base, though, to avoid customs. The number of favors I had to call in isn’t even funny. We need to be at Andrews Air Force Base before one in the morning.
“We’ll talk after the party,” I inform her. I don’t know if someone here is watching us. Considering she was tailed after leaving the agency, I’d bet my ass there are ears. This city is full of corruption, and it’s always the innocent looking ones. Hell, no one would suspect a woman like Charlie would be an agent.
She nods. “I get it. You should mingle.”
“I’ll stick with you.” My hand presses against her back and her muscles clench. I love knowing my touch creates an involuntary reaction. It’s a huge ego boost that as good as she is at her job, when it comes to me—she sucks.
“Of course you will,” she mutters under her breath.
“Dance with me.”
She gives me the evil eye but takes my hand. “I’m only doing this because we have time to kill. Touch me wrong one time, and I’ll make you pay.”
I laugh at her empty threat. Even though I have no doubt she’d try . . . it’ll never happen. I’m on guard with this woman. Takes the term sleep with one eye open to a whole new level.
Out on the dance floor, I pull her close and we get lost in the movement. Her body presses against mine in all the right places, and I fight my dick not to embarrass me. She rests her head against my shoulder as I survey the room. The party seems a little too pricey for my tastes, but it seems to be going well.
“See anything?” she asks without moving her head.
“Nope. Your mother has a huge grin though.”
“She’s probably already naming our children.”
I stiffen, and I’m sure she notices. “Umm . . .” I stammer for words.
“Relax,” she half laughs. “We’ll never have sex, so there will be no children.”
Charlie lifts her blue eyes to mine, and my chest tightens. Something about this girl makes my head spin. Her talk of kids didn’t make me pause because I’m afraid of commitment or kids. It was because I could see it. I could see a life with her, or at least a shit ton of fun.
We dance through another two slow songs while the world goes on around us, but all I see is her. She’s one of those women I have to look at. I can’t believe that someone like her exists. Charlie is an enigma—one I plan to make mine. I watch the men rip their gazes away from her when I catch them. I successfully convey my message without having to say a word, Yeah, step the fuck off, motherfucker. I’ll rip your arms off and feed them to you if you try to touch her.
Her hands rub up and down absently as we dance. My fingers rake the length of her open-back dress. I’m gonna get hard again if she keeps this up. Needing to stop before I create a rather embarrassing situation, I push her back slightly. “Come on, let’s mingle. I need a drink.”
We step off the dance floor, rejoin her brother, and spend time getting to know each other. I like Dominic. He’s a stand-up guy who chooses to work around a constant state of scandal but doesn’t engage. You can see the protectiveness he feels for Charlie. I don’t blame him. I would kick anyone’s ass who looked at my sister. Unfortunately, I only have Garrett and he can take care of himself.
The closest thing I have to protect is Aarabelle. And God help that girl when she steps into the dating world. Between her father, stepfather, and two godfathers, any boy who comes around her is royally screwed.
Charlie and I circle the room. I keep my hand on her the entire time as if she’ll vanish. She is a spook after all.
The waiter passes us twice. Each time she grabs a glass, downs it, and grabs another. I watch her smile, hug, and then almost glow as she floats through the room. Charlie is polite, but cautious. She’s aware, but seems to be enjoying herself. She starts to sway a little as she tips her glass back, emptying every drop.
“I’ll wind up carrying you out of here soon.” I’m only half joking.
“You wish. I outdrank a Russian mob boss once. However—” She smiles. “You should play along. If I’m drunk, my mother will want me to leave. This is my plan.” She slurs her words slightly.
“I think you should stop drinking because you’re lit.”
“Don’t be such a party pooper, Twilight.” She steps forward and grabs yet another drink. “I’m not even buzzed. I’m just feeling the fun.”
“You said ‘feeling the fun’ and you don’t think you’re drunk?”
She rests her head against my chest. “I thought you liked fun?”
“I’d prefer you lucid when I fuck you unconscious.”
Charlie leans back and smirks before the waiter magically returns.
I swear he’s zeroed in on Charlie. As soon as her glass is empty, he happens to reappear. I hold back my growl and glare at him. There’s something about this guy. He rushes to the other side of the room as she gulps the drink. “Wow, these drinks are amazing. Want one?” she asks.
“Were you drinking water shots with the mobster?” I joke, but I’m really curious because she’s hammered.
“This one time, I was dating this guy, even though I don’t really ever date,” she rambles. “I mean, I could date, but I disappear a lot. Apparently, guys don’t really like being number two in a woman’s world. Anyway, he was trying to convince me that he was better at shooting because he grew up hunting. I remember laughing in his face, which of course didn’t bode well for his teeny tiny ego.” She holds up her fingers as if she’s pinching. “Which wasn’t the only thing teeny tiny.” Charlie nudges my side with her elbow. “If you know what I mean.”
She’s fucking adorable. And toasted. I need to get her to the car before she starts really talking.
“Anyway, he didn’t know I’m a, you know . . .” She starts to tilt but I grab her.
“Okay, no more talking.” I grab a water bottle and shove it in her face. “Drink.”
“Bossy prick.”
“Just drink.”
She had about four flutes of champagne, but there’s no way that would make her this drunk this fast.
“Mark,” she murmurs. “I’m sleepy.”
I remove the drink from her hand and sniff, but I can’t tell a difference. However, with her loss of motor skills and the way she’s slurring, this isn’t just champagne. It hits me like a ton of bricks. “You’re drugged. We need to get out of here. Hold on, don’t let go of me.” She wraps her arms around my waist and I start to walk with her.
I look around for that waiter now, but he’s missing. What the fuck did they put in her drink? It could be anything. She could be out for hours or for days. I have no idea which drug they used or how much.
Anger flows through me as I peer at her slumping form. Once I find out who was responsible for drugging her, we’re going to get a lot of answers. Someone’s head is going to roll.
“I’m gonna take a nap,” she slurs.
I stop and turn her so she’s looking at me. “Stay awake, Charlie. You need to stay awake. Okay?”
“Okay, then I can nap.”
“Yes, then you can nap.” I give her a fake smile and pull her tight as we begin to walk. Each time she slips, I fight the urge to haul her in my arms where she’ll be safe, but that would draw too much attention. So I hold her against my side and keep her moving.
Of course, as luck would have it, her mother notices me hauling her drugged CIA daughter.
This is going to be a shit show.
“Mother!” Charlie perks up as she lets go of me. She bumps into a chair as she walks over. “You look ravishing. Did I ever tell you about that time?” She starts to slump a little and I pull her tight against me.
“Charlie,” her mother cuts her off. She says her name but shifts her gaze to me, then back to Charlie. “Darling, you don’t look so well.”
“I’m great!” She giggles.
“Mr. Dixon?” She addresses me with questions in her eyes.
“There was a waiter. He was feeding her drinks. And she’s not feeling well.” I hope she understands.
“Of course, she would drink too much.” She shakes her head with disapproval.
The need to defend her arises. “No, ma’am. Something was added to her drink.”
“Oh!” she says as her hand touches her chest. “Pretty brazen considering where we are, but I’m not surprised. Would you mind helping Charlie return home?”
“I’m not going nowhere,” Charlie slurs. “Mother. I’m fiiiiine.”
“Of course, I’ll watch over her. But we’re not going home.” I look into her mother’s eyes. Priscilla doesn’t move or flinch, but her eyes say she knows there’s more behind my words.
She steps forward, “She’s very important to me.”
“I understand.”
“She has a bag in the trunk. Always. It’ll have everything she needs.”
I nod.
Charlie grips my arm with both hands and I wrap my arm around her. When I inhale, her honey scent filters in. My hand glides up and down her arm as we stand there. I won’t even let go of her for a second. I can’t believe someone drugged her. I was with her the entire time. I’m going to murder someone.
“Don’t worry about me, Mom,” Charlie says in a hushed voice as her eyes start to drift closed. “Keep the coffee on.”
I look at Charlie, and then at Priscilla quickly, and catch her nod. Her code for a mission? Her mother wraps her arm around her waist before she kisses her cheek.
“I love you, Ch—” she stops, looks at me quickly. “Charlie.”
Not another word is said as we head out the door.
Now to get the name of that son of a bitch waiter, cut off his balls, and feed them to him.
We get to the car and she starts to get sick. “I’m sorry,” she says as I hold her hair back. “I’m so tired.”
I keep her body from falling to the ground as she lets it out. “I know, beautiful. Puking is good, get it out.”
Once she’s finished, I scoop her into my arms and load her in the backseat. She can’t even hold herself up. I rush to her car and grab the bag, head back to my car, give the driver our destination, and climb in. Charlie leans against the glass, but I want her closer. As soon as she’s situated in my arms, her eyes close, and we head off.
We’re silent on the drive to Andrews. Charlie sleeps in my lap as I try really hard not to consider all the things she spurs me to feel. I’ve never been so goddamn possessive, or protective. Her being drugged causes me to literally want to go guns blazing and kill everyone who came near her. No one should’ve gotten that close. No one should’ve had an opportunity to slip something in her drink.
So instead, I let my mind wander to my own parents and how they’ve fared with my and Garrett’s choices. My brother is a doctor in Virginia. He had it all and lost it. He had a successful practice, made a ton of money, slept around on his wife, and was the most miserable son of a bitch I knew. His gold-digger wife Michelle caught him banging his nurse and took every penny she could. He packed up, moved to Virginia, and is now dating Annika. She’s fine, but a carbon copy of Michelle—she only wants his damn money. Each time we talk, I wonder, why? Why the hell would he live a life he hates so damn much? We only get one, might as well make it the best we can.
Which then brings me back to Jackson’s offer.
It makes no sense why I put it off. I love this company—clearly. There’s just something about making it permanent. As of now, I can walk away at any time. If I become his partner, I would be tied to this forever.
Before I get too deep, I grab my phone and set some things in motion.
“Hey, jackass.” Liam’s voice fills the line.
“Why did we become friends again?” I wonder aloud.
“Because my wife told me we had to.”
“You know there was a minute I thought that kid was mine. She and I had a moment,” I tease. My relationship with Liam really turned after the mission to rescue Aaron. I saw how hard it was on him, but he manned up and did what was right. He earned a great deal of my respect. Plus, he loves my goddaughter as if she were his.
He scoffs, “Yeah, by immaculate conception.”
“She slept with me in her mind.”
“What do you want, asshole?”
I gaze at Charlie sleeping in my lap. I called Liam because I trust him. I also know there’s no chance he’s involved in all the shit that’s been going down with Cole Security. When you feel threatened, you tighten your circle. Liam is about to be one of two people who know anything.
“I need you to find out who the waiters were at the party I attended tonight.”
“You couldn’t get his phone number on your own?” he jokes.
Charlie shifts and releases a moan as she clutches her stomach. “Funny. No, Charlie was drugged.”
Liam shuffles, and I hear a door close. “Is she all right?”
“She’s fine. I was with her, but this was our second close call.”
“I take it this needs to be done without anyone knowing?”
“Yeah, man. I need the office left in the dark about what’s happening. That way I can rule that out.”
Liam sighs and then takes a long pause. I can only imagine what he’s thinking. His wife, the woman he’d die for, works there. The last thing he needs is to worry about her safety when he’s deployed, but if she leaves, it could shift the balance. “Natalie is my priority. I need to know she’s safe.”
“Liam, I would take a thousand bullets before I would let anything happen to Lee.”
“I know, and Aaron already told her that when he says it’s time to leave, she needs to leave. I don’t know what you got going on there, but Lee loves you guys and the job. So, I’ll do what I can. I have some buddies in DC. Let me see what I can dig up. Send me the info and I’ll be in touch.”
“You’ll have a secure e-mail soon.”
“Don’t do anything stupid.”
I laugh and brush the hair off Charlie’s neck. “I never do.”
“Right. Gotta run. I swear this kid only takes a crap when his mother is gone.”
Liam disconnects the line right as the driver opens the door. I hoist Charlie into my arms. She’s so light, I wonder if she ever eats. She curls into my chest, and rubs her cheek against my shirt as I hold her tight. She’s calm, docile, and sweet, which will only last until she wakes up. A part of me wishes she’d stay like this instead of turning into the hostile jungle cat that tries to claw my eyes out.
Then I remember the way the waiter hovered. The way he was so attentive to her and how she really didn’t drink enough to make her pass out.
I get her and all our gear loaded on the plane. There’s a small bedroom in the back; I debate whether I should strip her out of her dress, but she’ll probably knee me in the balls.
“Ready to go, Mr. Dixon?” the pilot asks.
“Yeah, just get in the air and then I’ll let you know where to,” I command.
He nods and heads out. I leave Charlie dressed in her gown and sit on the bed next to her. She’s so fucking beautiful, but there’s more than that. She’s smart, funny, and can obviously handle herself. She’s everything I’ve ever wanted in a woman. She’s right that being together while doing this is a dumb idea, but I’ve never claimed to be all that bright.
Once we’re airborne, I give the pilot instructions, then head back to the bedroom. I lie back, pull her in my arms and close my eyes.
“Where the hell are you taking me?” Charlie’s unhappy voice wakes me. She’s pointing a knife in my face. Well, that’s one way to wake up.
“Good morning, princess.”
“Fuck you. Why am I in the air and still in the dress I was wearing last night?”
“Anyone ever tell you that you curse a lot?”
She glares.
“You have less than a second to explain.” She shifts and I wonder if she would really stab me. Yeah, she would.
“You were drugged.”
“What? No. I couldn’t!” She presses the heel of her hand to her temple after getting a little too loud. “Ugh!”
“Headache?” I ask. I’m sure she’s been drugged before in training; she knows how it feels.
“How? Who?”
“I knew it! Son of a bitch! The waiter, did you get a good look?” I ask as she walks the floor.
“The waiter?” Her brow furrows as she shakes her head. “How am I okay right now?”
“I gave you an IV when we got in the air. Just one bag of fluid to flush your system. There was no way you would go from sober to that drunk just from champagne.”
“I don’t remember much. Shit! How did I not notice?” She throws the knife and it impales the wall.
“That’ll cost me,” I mutter offhandedly.
“How could I be so stupid?” she asks more to herself than anything. “You!” She turns to me. “You do this to me! You mess with my head and then I suck at my damn job. It’s you!” Her eyes close as her hands fly to her temples.
“Sure, blame the guy. That’s new.” I smirk, and lean back against the headboard. I’m beat. I start to catalogue everything in my mind, replay it. It couldn’t have been the same two guys who followed us before—I would recognize them. So, either it’s new people, or it’s the agency watching her. However, it wouldn’t make sense for them to drug her.
“My head,” she groans before flopping onto the pillow.
“We’ll figure it out. I’ve got someone looking into it and he’ll turn something up.”
She sits up, placing her head in her hands before she turns to me. “You’ll never find anything if they’re after me. These people aren’t small time, Mark. To go after an operative isn’t a child’s mission. They’re skilled and more than willing to do what they need to.”
I know she’s right, but I’ll try. Liam isn’t a child or unskilled. He knows this is important. He knows Charlie as well. He’ll come through.
“We’ll see. I’ll check in with them when we get there.”
“I need to know where you’re taking me, why, and what the plan is.”
Her hand rests on her lap while her mouth sets in a pouty face. I want to kiss her lips, demand her to submit to me and just do what the hell I tell her. But that’s not her. She’d probably bite my tongue off.
“We’re going to Bahrain to meet a buddy who’s a SEAL. The plan is—I don’t have one. We do whatever we need to do. Chances are we’re heading to Egypt too, so either you choose to work with me and do it my way, or I’ll tie you up and leave you here.”
“The hell you will. I’ll knock your teeth out.”
I let my voice drop. I use the one that gets all the panties dropping. “Sounds like foreplay.” She scowls. Talk about infuriating females.
“You need to fly into another country. We’re not flying directly to Bahrain.”
I lift my brow. “I’m sorry.” I look around. “There’s no way you’re telling me how we’re running this. I didn’t have to bring you in.”
She shifts forward slowly on the bed. “Mark” Her tender tone goes straight to my nuts. Her tiny hand rests on my forearm. “I’m telling you we can’t fly in where anyone knows we were planning to go. I’m saying that if it’s someone we know or someone who knows your plan . . . we can’t.”
Why does she have to be so good at her job?
“Tell me your name,” I plead.
Her head snaps back. “What?”
“Tell me your name and I’ll go anywhere you want.”
“You’re ridiculous.”
“You’ll eventually tell me.”
She lets out a deep breath. “Let’s go see the pilot, shimmer boy. I’ve got to plan.”
Charlie squeezes my forearms and then stalks off toward the cockpit. She may have won this round, but we have a very long flight—time enough for another bout. Time to see who comes out victorious.
“Rise and shine, Twilight.” She slaps my stomach to wake me.
“Good morning to you, Chastity.” I groan, rolling over. “Sleep well? Or do blood sucking evil demons only use coffins?”
“You’re the expert, I hear. You’re the one named after a vampire.”
I groan while I sit up and pull the drawer open next to me. I remove the contents, and toss an envelope at her. “Here’s a passport and new ID.” She opens it, looking suspicious—as always. “Memorize it. We don’t have time to get tripped up because you’re unable to remember.”
“I don’t have a problem keeping my cover,” she snaps. “Plus, this is from my bag! Don’t act like you did anything but retrieve what I already own.”
“Talk to me once I’ve had my caffeine. Right now all I hear is wah, wah, wah.”
We head into the main cabin where I smell the coffee. I grab a cup, take a few gulps, and sit at the table across from her.
“As I was saying,” Charlie says impatiently. “I’ve heard all about the SEALs and how big their muscles are, but their brains . . . not so much. So if anyone should be worried about their cover being blown, it’s me with your tiny pea brain.”
“There’s nothing small on me, princess.” I smile and lean back with my hands laced behind my head.
“We’ll be landing in Egypt soon. I assume we’ll use that cover to figure out whatever we can about the issues you’re having there and then change into the new identities when we leave. You trust the pilot?”
“I trust him.”
“I have a plan.”
It’s way too early to think, but no way is she leading this. I chug the rest of the coffee sitting on the table. “That’s great. I have one, too.”
After Charlie and I talk about the missed checkpoints from our guys in Egypt, she and I decide we need to investigate it a little more. We’re in agreement that Mazir is somehow connected to Cole Security Forces. There’s nothing substantial, but enough coincidence to make me question it.
Nothing with this woman is easy. It takes me two more cups of coffee before we finally come to some kind of understanding regarding how to handle this. Of course, she argued so much that I now have a splitting headache.
The pilot comes over the intercom, “We’ll be landing in about fifteen minutes.”
Charlie and I share a brief moment of resolution. We’re both committed to seeing this through. Neither of us is willing to allow failure as an option.
She clears her throat and looks away. “He needs to leave and fly home as soon as we land.”
“He already knows.” I smirk. “I took care of it while you were napping earlier.”
She scowls. Even her dirty looks make her hot as hell. I don’t think she could be unattractive if she tried. It’s when she’s in her hostile form that makes it impossible for me not to want her. I love her ability to argue, except when it comes to me touching her. Then I seem to affect her more than she likes.
Charlie sits in her chair, racks her nine millimeter, and slips it into her thigh holster. My cock strains in my pants as she pulls her skirt down a little. She looks up and gives me a snarling glare. I deepen my stare, challenging her to say something. I could give a flying fuck if I get caught looking. I’d do a hell of a lot more than that if she weren’t so hell-bent on fighting me off.
“Stop looking at me like you’re going to eat me.”
“Stop looking so damn delicious.”
“You know you don’t have to say everything you’re thinking.”
I laugh. “I’ll remember that.” I don’t say close to half of what I’m thinking. I’m pretty sure she’d have kneed me in the balls if she knew the things I plan to do to her.
She quirks her eyebrow. “Good.” Her mouth sets as if she’s battling saying something more. Of course, she can’t resist. “Even if I don’t believe you. You’re a major pain in my ass.”
“I’ll be happy to rub the pain away.”
“Point made.”
“You know,” I stand and walk closer to her. I study her face, and watch for any small indicators that tell me she feels what I’m feeling. “You’ve probably never had a real man.” My body presses forward as she stands her ground. “No one was strong enough to deal with your penis envy.”
“Penis envy?”
“Yeah, sweetheart.” I reach my hand to cup her cheek. “You live in a man’s world. You fight harder, stand straighter, and battle for your place.” I see the flash in her eyes that lets me know I hit a chord. “I don’t need you to assert your shit, babe. I’ll own you. You won’t want to have control because I’ll make it so fucking good that you’ll beg me to take it.”
Her lips form a perfect ‘o’ and she just stares at me. I exploit this moment of speechlessness and crush my lips against hers.