Chapter Thirteen
Grady removed the change of clothes given to him by Gus Wilson back when they’d been at Langley. The pants hadn’t been long enough and the dress shirt had been too tight, but the garments had been enough to see them through the debriefings he and Brienne had gone through. The day had been long and grueling, but it had finally come to an end.
Michael Jensen was back home, safe and sound with his mother, while Bob Jensen was being currently being arraigned. Grady and Brienne had yet to speak with Starr in person. She was busy taking care of paperwork since she’d been on hand to provide Red Starr’s services. Every I needed to be dotted and every T needed to be crossed in order to show that no position of power had been abused to resolve the magnitude of the situations that had occurred in the past several days. As a matter of fact, Red Starr had not fired a shot during any of the recent exchanges.
As for SA Gus Wilson, he was awaiting word from SSA Telfer who had contracted CSA to secure Raheela at a safe house outside of Karachi. Everyone was waiting to hear what was occurring on their end. Qalat had been taken into custody and it was only a matter of time before the Pakistani government dealt out their punishment for aiding and abetting groups aligned against their government’s official policy. Gavin Crest was in the process of reaching out to his contacts, who had found Raheela and were now moving her to another location. There was nothing for Grady or Brienne to do now but wait and see what would happen from here.
Grady opened the door to the master bathroom of his apartment. Brienne had not flipped the switch for the fan, so the steam billowed out once he opened the door. She’d been inside the shower for over twenty minutes and he didn’t like her being in there for so long alone. Their adrenaline had worn off and exhaustion was settling in along with the reality of their insane adventure.
“Hey. Planning on using all the hot water?” Grady asked softly, opening the glass door and stepping inside the enclosure. Brienne had been standing underneath the hot spray with her eyes closed in a somewhat relaxing manner, telling him he didn’t have to worry about her wellbeing. A smile lit up her face as she opened those baby blues and he realized he’d walked into her trap. “Oh, you were waiting for me to come in here, weren’t you?”
“Absolutely, Colonel. And here I thought you were a bit sharper than that,” Brienne murmured, sliding her warm hands up his now wet chest. She didn’t stop until she wrapped her arms around his neck, bringing him closer. “You see, we’ll probably both be in need of a really good masseuse come tomorrow. The impact my body took hitting that water is going to hurt like a—”
Grady kissed her before she could continue, not needing to hear how sore their muscles were truly going to be. He’d already set a bottle of ibuprofen on the nightstand with a glass of water. He made a mental note to call the masseuse Brienne preferred when he got a moment.
“So you decided we should make love in the shower?” Grady asked, finally pulling away and turning them so that his back took the brunt force of the spray. Brienne rested a cheek against his chest, lowering her arms so that they were wrapped around his waist. “I would have thought you’ve had your fill of fun in the water today.”
“The heat feels too good to get out, so I had to wait long enough for you to catch on,” Brienne explained, licking away a stream of water as it ran off of his shoulder. He hardened at the soft feel of her tongue against his skin. “Hmmm, it was apparently worth it. Our muscles are reacting just the way I’d hoped.”
“I don’t even have—”
Brienne held up a small package containing exactly what Grady had been about to name. She must have brought the condom in earlier, meaning this had been her plan all along. She wouldn’t get an argument from him, as she knelt before him before he could take the foil from her hands.
“Brie, your knees—”
“Are just fine. Do you want to catch up here?” Brienne asked with a smile after she’d leisurely wrapped her fingers around his cock. She took her time stroking him, although she needn’t waste the time. He was already hardening up just fine—ready and willing. Grady looked down to see her blonde lashes flutter against her cheeks as she parted her lips and licked his slit with her tongue. It was then he saw the towel she’d placed on the shower floor, but his thoughts were now in a different place. “Hmmm, you taste good.”
“You can play around another time, Brie,” Grady responded in a rather hoarse voice. He chalked it up to their bout in the water earlier. “I need you. Now.”
Instead of seeing disappointment in her features, all Grady saw was longing. Brienne stroked him a couple of more times before ripping the foiled package open and tossing it toward the soap dish. She lovingly unrolled the latex as she slid the rubber over the head of his cock and down his shaft. The moment it was securely on, Grady pulled her up and turned her to face the wall at the rear of the river rock lined shower stall. He adjusted the selector to multiple sprays and several additional showerheads came to life.
“We’re alive, Brie,” Grady reassured her, knowing they would need to repeat those words several times over the next few days. Loving each other like this only solidified the fact that they still had a future ahead of them. He trailed his lips down her shoulder blade as he took ahold of her hips. Brienne had already spread her legs and arched her back, waiting to receive him. She didn’t have to wait and he thrust forward, seating himself deeply within her. “All we have to do is enjoy the ride.”
“Yes,” Brienne moaned, spreading her fingers out on the tile before them as she leveraged herself for his long, hard strokes. The wet strands of her hair flowed down her back and barely budged as he continued to drive in and out of her. This wasn’t a slow and sensual act. The spray angled in front of her hit her nipples as he stroked away. This was a fast, hard, and well-deserved satiation. “Harder, Grady. Drive me home.”
The heat of her sheath was hotter than the water. Grady never once let up the momentum and it wasn’t long before their cries mingled together, joining the steam as it rose into the air. Brienne rested her forehead against her arm as she recovered from such a quick, loving incursion. He placed his arms on either side of her hips, doing the same.
“Ten years your senior,” Grady said after a while, pulling her back against him when they’d recovered. Their breathing was still quite uneven and he had to laugh. “I’ll have to work in a strict workout regimen to keep up with you.”
“We could always work daily sex into the regimen,” Brienne suggested as she rested against his chest. “That counts for losing calories and stretching muscles, you know.”
Grady closed his eyes as Brienne started to talk about all the ways they could stay fit, giving him time to remove the used condom. He washed himself off, pondering if they should have another round. He decided against it, seeing as the water was cooling off and they really would be quite sore tomorrow given what they’d put their bodies through today. Still, he wouldn’t change anything that had occurred these last few days.
Grady had been given the opportunity to truly love two women in this lifetime. Most men didn’t get to say they found their soul mate even once and he counted himself twice as lucky. For all the sins he’d committed in the name of his country and his freedom, he wasn’t certain he deserved such a gift. Either way, he wasn’t planning on returning it.
Grady took his time drying her off with one of the extra soft towels he’d purchased just for her. Brienne loved the feel of the smooth Turkish 802 gram bath towel against her skin and he wanted nothing but the best for her. He’d just finished and was wrapping her body in the towel when a noise caught his attention.
“Grady, is someone at the door?”
He was still kneeling on the plush carpet and rested his head against Brienne’s abdomen. What she needed was rest. There was still a lot left to do regarding her position within the Agency, but none of that would happen until SSA Telfer wrapped up his own internal investigation. Grady was set to meet up with Starr and Crest tomorrow, so who could be here?
“I’m tempted to ignore whoever it is.” Grady sighed in resignation, knowing he could do nothing of the sort. He slowly rose off the floor and pulled Brienne close to him, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead. He would see to her first. “I laid your robe out on the bed. Go ahead and crawl underneath the covers. I’ll deal with whoever is here and then I’ll use those oils we bought a few weeks ago when we were in Annapolis to see if we can’t loosen up the muscles on the back of your legs.”
“How did you know—”
Grady just gave Brienne a tender smile. He knew her better than he knew himself. He took in every movement, every gesture, and every word that she emitted. She had a tell for every single thing that affected her and it was his duty to ensure her happiness. He had willingly taken that position and only death could take that responsibility away.
“I will always know, Brie.”
* * * *
Brienne tied the sash of her robe as she finally made her way through Grady’s apartment to his home office. He hadn’t returned immediately and she couldn’t help but wonder who’d been at the door. Her painted toes sunk into the luxurious carpet Grady had installed a while back, having done extensive upgrades to his place when she started to spend nights here in his apartment.
The office door was open, so Brienne didn’t hesitate to cross the threshold. She really wasn’t surprised to see a woman currently staring out the window overlooking St. Stephan’s Catholic Church across Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Foggy Bottom.
“Ms. Starr,” Brienne said, announcing herself. She wished more than anything she was wearing something other than a blue silk robe. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’d like to thank you for your support in Michael Jensen’s rescue.”
Catori Starr turned, her penetrating brown gaze immediately seeking out Brienne. Stunning was the only word to describe the woman in front of her. Long jet-black hair was currently flowing over her shoulders and the fresh white tailored blouse she was wearing. Her bronze skin practically glowed against the fabric, but it was her high cheekbones and her full lips that drew any admirer’s attention. The striking combination of Native American and English heritage had resulted in a classically beautiful, yet dominatingly attractive, woman.
“Ms. Chaylse,” Starr countered with just as much respect, reaching out her arm. Brienne shook hands with the retired Master Sergeant, wishing there was more information she could provide about Starr’s husband’s final resting spot and that of his team. “Contrary to what Grady believes, I truly appreciate you keeping me up-to-date on a mission that ended so long ago.”
It hadn’t ended though, had it?
Brienne looked over to see Grady pouring two drinks of what appeared to be Crown Royal XR Canadian blended whiskey. The light auburn liquid splashed into the tumblers. She shook her head when he offered her some. She would only stay long enough to tell Starr what was taking place in Karachi, although she suspected that either Grady or Gavin Crest had no doubt already passed along her information.
“Gavin Crest currently has contractors taking care of Raheela. Once she is safe, I will see if she is willing to give up whatever intel she might have overhead from her husband.”
“Who is currently dead,” Starr shared as if she’d just announced it was raining, taking a step forward to accept the proffered drink from Grady. Brienne gave him a reassuring smile when he joined her, wrapping one arm around her waist while taking a drink of his bourbon. “Shujaat Qalat will be of no help to us now that he is dead.”
“I’m sorry,” Brienne offered, knowing full well the Pakistani government had terminated the threat to their security before any information was compromised. It was the way these things were done.
“I must applaud you for obtaining Raheela as an informant,” Starr said, raising her glass in salute. Her smile didn’t reach her eyes and Brienne could only imagine the anguish Starr lived in every day knowing her husband wasn’t at rest. “You must have been very good at your job. The CIA has lost a valuable asset, although I do hear they are gaining a well-placed consultant.”
Brienne nodded her acceptance of such praise, only wishing she’d been able to do more. Raheela had aided the CIA in numerous missions, but it wasn’t until recently that she’d wanted more rupees to benefit the women currently trapped in horrible situations. Raheela had thrown out abundant facts regarding her husband, which had eventually revealed his role in eliminating the former Red Starr team upon their approach while rescuing mission workers.
“Grady wasn’t pleased with my role in this assignment,” Brienne revealed honestly, “and though I understand where he was coming from…it was still my duty to let you know Raheela wasn’t sure what happened to the bodies of your former team. With no bodies—”
“There’s no confirmation of death,” Starr finished before taking another sip of her drink. “Either way, when the time comes that you’re able to speak to Raheela, I would like to be kept apprised of any details she might have been privy to.”
“Of course,” Brienne responded, wishing she could do more to help Starr reach the peace that was currently out of her hands. There was no guarantee that Crest’s contractors would be able to relocate Raheela outside of Pakistan without considerable help. “I will—”
Grady’s office phone rang, cutting off Brienne’s promise to follow through on a case that she no longer had any influence over. She no longer held the position of a field agent and she certainly wasn’t a liaison anymore. She’d lost that privilege once her name was announced to the world. The ramifications of that hadn’t even hit the U.S. airwaves, but it would happen soon enough. Maybe by then she and Grady would be off to another country conferring with those who used to be her colleagues.
“Yes, she’s right here.” Grady had set his drink down on a coaster beside his monitor. He was watching Starr, but holding the phone out to Brienne. Her heart lurched slightly upon realizing this could very well be the final nail in the coffin. “It’s Crest.”
Had the contractors relocated Raheela to a safe house? Was Crest calling to tell her that the woman had been lost, never to be found again? There was only way to find out. Brienne reached for the receiver, grateful when Grady didn’t leave her side. Unfortunately, it might not be her who needed the support.
“This is Brienne.” She’d stumbled a bit over her name, usually referring to herself as Agent Chaylse.
“We have her safe and sound.”
Gavin Crest’s words literally stole Brienne’s breath away. She reached for Grady’s hand and held on tight as Raheela was finally put on the line, having been connected through a three-way call. She was naturally scared and only wanted to speak with Brienne, who’d been her main contact and had always kept her word. After taking the time to talk to Raheela and soothe her worries away regarding her husband and his tyranny, Brienne finally broached the topic for which she needed answers.
“Raheela, I understand why you only gave pieces of information at the time,” Brienne assured, opening up a dialogue that would give Starr the closure she needed. “Those women who came to you for help needed a way out. And you did that for them. But your life there is now over. You’ll be brought to the United States under an assumed identity once we have secured passage and documents for your new life. What I need to know is everything you can remember from when that rescue mission occurred. The one your husband prevented from occurring. What happened to those men in that Red Starr unit?”
Brienne listened intently, not truly believing what she was hearing. It couldn’t be. She swallowed over the lump in her throat, trying to confirm what Raheela had just revealed.
“Are you absolutely sure, Raheela?” Brienne asked after clearing her throat.
She sought out Grady’s gaze. His eyes were filled with questions, whereas Catori Starr had gone completely still. There was no telling what the woman was thinking, but the lethal glimmer in her dark eyes was enough for Brienne to know she was glad she wasn’t on the receiving end.
Gavin Crest had taken over the conversation, telling Brienne that he would be at Grady’s apartment within the hour. They had work to do. She disconnected the line and finally revealed the truth of Brendan O’Neill’s fate.
“Red’s alive, Starr,” Brienne divulged, a tentative smile forming on her face as her heart tightened with happiness. Raheela’s new identity wasn’t the only one to be established today. The gift of life renewed was in the air and now all that was left was for Starr to go and retrieve Brendan O’Neill from his bondage. “Your husband is alive.”
~THE END~