Beck: Hollywood Hitman (13 page)

Chapter Sixteen

“He’s sleeping with her.”

“You’re certain?” Estrella tilted her head, and Remi couldn’t see the scarred side of her face. She sat behind her desk, in profile to Remi.

“The attraction between them is obvious.”

“Is he aware of why we chose him?”

“You mean other than the obvious qualifications of him being a superb operative with a near-perfect record?”

Estrella clasped her hands in her lap. “The real reasons.”

“He doesn’t remember his last mission. Why he was sent, what he saw . . . who was killed.”

“Then he doesn’t remember who he was meant to kill either.” Her gaze narrowed and she lifted her head. Her chin fixed with a solemn strength. “We’re close, Remi. We get closer each day. Palook can’t hide forever. He can’t stay away.” She turned her head. Estrella’s entire face now lay bare to his gaze. Her scars, her torture, her pain, all at the hands of a madman. “He wants to finish what he started. He wants
this
finished.” Estrella’s fingertips brushed over the ragged scar that sagged across her cheek. “And then he wants me dead.”

A chill curled down Remi’s spine. To deny Estrella’s words was to lie. Fatigue lived deep in his bones. He’d worked beside Estrella for more than a decade . . . since the day he’d arrived in the hospital and seen her entire face wrapped in bandages and gauze. She hadn’t been able to speak and then refused to speak for months after her release. Since then, Remi’d pursued Palook from country to country, and each time he escaped Remi’s grasp. Estrella used every resource at her disposal to hunt Palook down.

“He’s not in Argentina,” Remi said. “After the incident with Beck, the location got too hot. My sources say Thailand.”

“A likely place with the sex trade. Any dead bodies piling up?’

“Not with his trademark, not yet.”

“Doesn’t matter if it’s a sex worker or a socialite, no one deserves this.” Estrella’s gaze locked with Remi. “No one.”

He nodded. Estrella’s pain at the psycho’s hands had changed her—how could it not? She was doggedly determined to find him, to stop him, and to stop what seemed were now a group of psychotic followers. Remi admired her grim and determined perseverance, but Estrella’s passion to find Palook consumed her days and was starting to cloud any possibility of a future.

“Beck will be here tomorrow?”

“I told him twenty-four hours at Greystone,” Remi said. “You taking him off?”

“What are your thoughts?”

“The situation becomes more dangerous with his emotional attachment and hers—”

“Or their emotions for each other cause them to connect at a deeper level and she takes fewer risks and he’s even more cautious.”

“Big gamble.”

“And here I thought you were a romantic.” The right side of Estrella’s mouth curled into a small smile.

Heat whispered through Remi.

“If I leave him in the field,” Estrella continued, “I may get more information on Palook.”

“That’s a large risk to take for a personal gain.”

Her eyebrows lifted. “Not completely personal. Beck’s last mission put him close to Palook, and it’s possible that he or one of his acolytes is after Natalie.” Estrella stroked the spot between Pearl’s ears. “Is Beck so compromised that he can’t function as her guard?”

“He’s emotionally involved and possibly in love.” Remi paused and looked into Estrella’s eyes, willing her to acknowledge his feelings for her. “Is that compromised?” He skated around a question more personal than the one about Beck and Natalie.

Estrella’s eyes widened and her lips opened to answer, but instead of the response Remi desired, she tore her gaze from him. He wouldn’t get her response to his unspoken question now.

“He’s a solid operative,” Remi continued. “I’m certain he’s saving his confession about their affair for you.”

“Beck’s a smart man. You’re much more heartless.” Estrella turned the bracelet on her wrist, not looking at Remi. “I still believe in love. Do you?”

She was goading him. He grew tired of this game. She kept him hanging on the edge. She shared just enough of her heart, her feelings, to keep his hope alive that one day she might be ready to love.

“I believe in love, Estrella. I always have.”

Heat passed between them. A moment. He desired her, all of her, but she wouldn’t let him have her or touch her. She allowed him only the role of the man who ran Greystone for her. She might never let anyone get that close to her, not after what Palook had done to her and her lover.

Estrella stood and walked toward the window, Pearl at her side. “We’ll see what Beck tells me tomorrow. I’m not as convinced as you that love is a liability. Even after all I’ve been through, I still have to believe that love is stronger than fear. That love helps more than it hurts.”

“He needs to be aware of the reality of the situation. Love can cause you to overprotect. To try and take care of every possibility, to overstretch—”

“Are we still discussing Beck?” Estrella asked, her voice soft. She stared out the window, almost as though she were afraid to meet Remi’s gaze. Afraid of the emotion he might witness in her eyes. “Who are we speaking about, Remi? You? You seem painfully aware of what falling in love with someone you work with might do. Have you fallen for one of the operatives? Perhaps Fallon or—”

Pain speared his chest. Was she this unaware or just obtuse? Did she need to pretend, to protect her own heart, that their attraction for each other wasn’t obvious?

“They’re like children, Estrella. Most are half our age. I only have time to mind them, not love them.” Again words that he chose to keep unspoken hung in the air. He’d make time to love Estrella if she’d let him. If she’d only allow him to dedicate his life to her, hadn’t he already proved his commitment, his truth, his steadfast heart? What did he have but Greystone? Maybe his work and his mission were enough. Maybe wanting Estrella was too greedy.

Remi stood. The brief was over. Their meeting finished. He turned toward the door.

“Remi?”

He glanced at her. Was that longing in her eyes? Need? Want? Or was that only—

“Thank you. I can’t thank you enough for all you do for the agency, for Greystone . . . for me.”

His gaze softened. He wanted to do more,
be
more for Estrella. “You’re welcome.” Remi slowly turned to the door. Sometimes wants and desires and needs were best left unsaid.

***

“So which one? The red, the black, or the blue?” Stacia stood in front of a rack filled with gowns, and she held a red dress in her right hand and a black dress in the left. Natalie stood in front of a giant three-way mirror, examining the navy blue gown she wore.

Natalie tapped her fingertip to her lips. “Maybe the coral?”

Stacia spun toward the rack. “Ooooh, that’s a good choice. I love what coral does to your skin tone and your hair. We could accessorize with turquoise and gold.” Stacia hung the two dresses on the rack. “Let’s try it.” She pulled the coral gown from the hanger. “Turn around.” Natalie spun her back toward Stacia, who slid the zipper down.

“Stacia,” Natalie whispered.

“Yeah,”

“I need—”

“Wait, why are we whispering?”

Natalie looked over her shoulder and jerked her head toward the bedroom door.

“Oh, right, ears everywhere. Top secret, eh?”

“I need your help. I need get out of the house.”

The zipper slid down. “No problem. We can take my car. Why is this a secret?”

Natalie stepped from the gown and handed it to Stacia. “Because I need to go out without one of those guys with me.”

“Beck’s been gone less than five hours and you’re already trying to ditch one of the new guys?

“Just for a couple hours. Okay? I have something I need to do and I need to do it alone.”

“Is that something named Rico?” Stacia raised an eyebrow and held out the coral dress.

Natalie grasped Stacia’s shoulder for balance and stepped into the gown. “I have to go somewhere and I need you to cover for me. Will you do it or not?” Natalie pulled the gown up over her shoulders and turned her back to Stacia for a zip-up.

“You know I will.” A defeated tone in Stacia’s voice. “That’s the thing about being a best friend—sometimes you have to do shit you don’t want to because it’s your friend.” Natalie turned toward the mirror. “Oooh, you like?” Stacia asked. “Because I love love
love
. Makes your eyes pop. I think this is the one for the premiere.”

Natalie turned to the left and then the right. The color did great things for her and she could nearly guarantee no one else would have on this color. She lifted her hair from her neck. “Up or down?” She glanced in the mirror at the reflection of Stacia.

“Nat, I don’t think you ditching your security to meet Rico is a good idea. Just wait and take Beck with you.”

Heat flooded Natalie’s face. She bit her bottom lip and took a long deep breath.

“Oh no.” Stacia shook her head and closed the distance between them. “No, no, no. You did not! And didn’t even tell me? How long?”

Natalie pressed her lips into a line and glanced at Stacia.

“Oh, hell no. How. Long.”

“Since my mom’s house?”

“What the hell?

“You’ve were working in London and I haven’t seen you that much and—”

“Girl, I was
only
in London for two weeks! I’m your best friend. You do not keep this shit away from your best friend, unless . . .” Stacia’s eyes widened and her jaw dropped. “You’re in love,” she whispered.

Natalie’s cheeks turned a bright red, and she pressed her lips tight and stared at Stacia’s reflection in the mirror.

“Oh my God, you
are
in love. If you weren’t you’d be squawking at me. Oh. My.” Stacia’s fingertips covered her mouth. “Is he in love too?”

Was Beck in love? “I don’t know. Maybe? He hasn’t said anything . . . we haven’t really discussed us . . . or the future or—”

“Imagine that, Mr. Tall, Beautiful, and Military didn’t discuss his feelings or the future? The strong, silent type. At least he’s the strong, silent, and
caring
type.” Stacia hung up a dress that lay on Natalie’s bed. “You should take Beck with you. I don’t like the idea of you seeing Rico alone.”

“He needs closure. I’m completely over him.”

“I’m not worried about you sleeping with him, bae, I’m worried about him or some random he hangs out with hurting you. What if something really bad happens?”

“It’s two hours. What could possibly go wrong?”

“Famous last words.” Stacia crossed her arms over her chest. “If I’m doing this, I need details on where you are and how long until you come back. The only way I’ll do this is if I know exactly what time you’re meant to show up after you see Rico.”

“I’ll text you everything.” Stacia didn’t look convinced, but Natalie knew that she’d help.

“Fine.” Her face took on a grimace. “What next?”

“Shoes!” Natalie pulled up her dress. “You know the shoes are always my favorite part.”

Chapter Seventeen

“Dude, you must have fucked up big to be back at the Grey mid-mission.” King pulled a chair back from the conference room table and dropped into the seat beside Beck. “What’d you do? Fuck your client?” A slick grin crawled over King’s face and he leaned back in his chair. He shot a smug look at the agents gathering around the table for the afternoon meeting.

Heat seared through Beck’s chest. A joke. Obviously. Ignore it—

“Who could blame you? That Warner chick is pretty fucking hot. Man, those tits of hers—”

Beck was up and out of his chair. He grabbed the collar of King’s shirt and yanked him out of his seat. “You need some fucking manners.”

“And you need to take a ’lude. What the fuck, man?” King yanked away from Beck. “We’re all on the same team here, or didn’t you get the memo?”

“Oh, I got the memo,
dude
, about how some guys are assholes and say inappropriate things about women and their anatomy.”

“You must have fucked her, otherwise why get so upset about a high-priced piece of ass?” King turned toward his chair, and Beck grabbed him and pulled him into a choke hold.

“Chill the fuck out,” King choked out.

“Apologize.”

“To who? You? No way.” King pulled forward, his body tensing and getting ready to fight.

“To the women we work with.” Beck pulled tighter around King’s neck and eyed Fallon sitting on the other side of table beside two women analysts and one of Zed’s programmers. “You think they want to hear your foul-ass mouth discuss a woman’s anatomy?”

Beck squeezed tighter, cutting air and drawing King’s attention. King relaxed as though finally Beck’s words had hit him. Beck whispered in King’s ear, “We work with and for women, asshole—have some fucking respect.”

While King’s nostrils flared, his posture relaxed.

“Fine,” King bit out, and Beck released him. “I’m sorry.” King nodded to his female co-workers. “I’m an asshole. I’m sure you’re aware.” He pulled out his chair. “But I meant no disrespect.” He sat down across from Fallon.

She tapped her pen against her lip. “Next time, I take one of your balls.”

“What ball?”

Fallon lifted an eyebrow.

King’s eyes widened. “Fuck, Fallon, it was a joke.”

“So are your balls. Next time I keep one.” She sliced the air in front of her as though chopping off the limb of a tree.

King winced and the entire table snickered. King settled into his chair like an adolescent slouching in history class. Zed walked in with Remi following, and everyone at the table sat up a little straighter.

“She’s ready for you.” Remi nodded at Beck. “Zed will give you the details from the meeting later today.”

Beck stood. Every pair of eyes was on him. He pushed in his chair and walked toward the door. Beck was sure he heard King mutter “good luck, asshole” under his breath.

***

“This isn’t going to work.” Stacia shook her head.

“Of course it’ll work.” Natalie pulled on Stacia’s shorts and T-shirt. “Thank God you wore a ball cap today.”

“Listen, I’m telling you these guys are well-trained—you’re not getting by them.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. I wouldn’t get by Beck, but those two? Not a problem. They already know we’re in for the evening but that you’re going to pick up food while I take a long soak in the tub. Enjoy the bath, by the way.”