Circle of Danger (5 page)

“You can't be everywhere. We're not joined at the hip.” Her eyes glazed over as if she remembered another time. “I don't want to feel helpless.”

He stared at her for moment. People talking in the hallway blended with the humming of the instruments taking her blood pressure and heart rate. She remained still, waiting for his decision. She was right. No one deserved to feel defenseless.

“Okay. I'll accept your conditions. But I have some of my own,” he said, anger tinting the edges.

He watched her blink several times. She hadn't expected him to accept her conditions so readily, much less place some of his own. That was good. He wanted to avoid letting her know how hard he found saying no to her. Angry from feeling helpless with her new stubbornness, he hid most of his feelings while he practiced controlling the rest.

“I'll show you how to handle a handgun and fire it, but nothing bigger than that.” When she opened her mouth, most likely to protest, he raised his hand. “Give me some time and I'll think about it some more. As you know, for the last few years, we've had trouble with several of our operations going sour. I don't want you to place yourself in a position to get hurt. In the meanwhile, be forewarned: while you're still under the influence of that drug, you're my responsibility.”

He guessed his look of surprise matched hers. He'd said the last before he thought it through. But he knew there was a reason. No other man would help her find relief from the side effects, because he refused to allow it. The thought of anyone else touching her made him want to go ape-shit on their ass.

“A gun is a good start.” She tightened the sheet around her. “But what are you . . . uh . . . Doc said I could take care of it myself. This is crazy. I can't believe this is happening to me.”

He fisted his hands as he watched the tears stream down her face. He could handle explosions by terrorists and being tortured for information, but seeing her cry killed him.

“No. I'll do whatever it takes,” he said. What had she expected him to say? That he would hire a surrogate lover for her?

“Okay,” she whispered.

The room felt too bright and too hot and too . . . too much. Ryker stood and took a deeper breath. “Let's get one thing straight. This is only until the drug is out of your system.”

She slowly nodded, keeping her gaze on him. “Ryker?” she asked with a hesitation in her voice.

He crossed his arms, gripping his biceps. Her forlorn look almost pushed him into wrapping his arms around her. He had to remain detached, emotionally and mentally. She wasn't a young kid anymore, clinging to him after Theo ranted about how bad she was and how he would punish her when he found her hiding place. The place Ryker had hid with her.

“Yeah?”

“Are you sure you're okay with this? I hate to ask you. Maybe we'll be lucky and Doc will come across something that'll stop it.”

When he saw her lift her chin, he knew she'd be okay. He'd always admired how gutsy she could be even when the odds lined up against her.

“Shh!” Unable to resist, he placed a clumsy finger over her mouth. “You would do the same for me.”

Her face flushed scarlet, and she pulled the sheet tighter around her. “You're right.”

“I'll have your things moved into the mansion.”

“No!”

“There's no use arguing. If you should have an attack in the middle of the night, it could take too long to reach you. That can be dangerous.”

“What? A total of ten minutes?”

“Either you move into the mansion where you have your pick of three bedrooms near my own, or I move into your apartment. I don't plan to sleep on the floor.”

Her eyes widened. Then she looked down. “All right. As long as I can pick my bedroom.”

“On the same floor.”

“Yes. The same floor.”

He almost sighed. She gave in faster than he expected. Between providing her relief and discouraging her aspiration to go out in the field—ah hell! He needed to find a way to survive the next few weeks and not make her hate him.

 

C
HAPTER
F
IVE

M
arie flopped backward onto the feather-soft bed. It sat in a room the size of her apartment's living room and kitchen combined. A small sitting area near French doors led out to a balcony and looked over a small valley near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Fine evening mists hung over the treetops, and farther out the numerous ridges tinted blue gave her a peaceful feeling. She knew the electric fence surrounding the house was hidden, allowing the occupants to believe they lived in a normal—but extremely large—home.

“Enjoying the bed?” Jack strolled across the room. Making himself at home, he dropped into a chair and thumped his heels onto the coffee table as he folded his hands across a flat stomach.

Shaved head and bulging muscles defined in a skintight faded blue T-shirt, he was gorgeous and exotic with his many piercings and tattoos. Marie had met him several years ago when he'd been promoted from the ranks, and she quickly realized his ferocious looks misled most. Though nearly as talented in dealing death as Ryker, he could recite poetry and loved cats. In fact, he had a sweet little snow-white feline named Kinky that he babied in his private suite.

“Yeah. I've never felt one so soft.” She rolled over and sat up, arranging the pillows behind her. “This place is amazing.”

“Wish you had taken Ryker up on his offer to live here the first time?” He raised his brows.

“No.”

“Why?”

“We talked about this before. I want to be my own person and Ryker always felt responsible for me. I need to take care of myself.” She blushed. How could anyone believe she was capable of that? She had screwed up enough on her first assignment to be captured. Maybe she was one of those people who needed a keeper.

“You had bad intel. Don't take it as your failure.” His warm blue eyes shuttered and he looked away, picking white fur off his pants. “If you don't want to be here, just give me the word and I'll take you to a safe place until the drug wears off.”

Considering what she required to survive the next few weeks, she wasn't sure how to respond to his offer. She opened and closed her mouth. No matter how gorgeous he was, she never felt that way toward him. There hadn't been room in her mind or heart for anyone but Ryker.

“No. I better stay here,” she croaked.

“If you change your mind, I'll take you out of here in a flash.”

“Over my dead body.” Ryker slammed the door closed and glowered at his second-in-command.

“I wanted her to have a choice,” Jack said in a calm, even tone. He remained seated as he stared at his boss.

“She made her choice when she begged me to fuck her last night.” Ryker's arrogant smile stretched the scars on his face. The image gave his countenance a menacing cast.

“Ryker!” She covered her hot cheeks.

“Damn it, man, be a little sensitive.” Jack came to his feet, fists clenched at his sides.

“You can sniff around all you want, but she's mine and I don't share.” Ryker stalked across the room to stand between them. “Bryan said he needed to talk to you.”

She'd never seen Ryker act this way before. He'd controlled his temper when others would lose their heads. To think of it, she'd heard he'd hit Bryan yesterday. What was going on with him?

He stepped toward Jack when the other man didn't move.

“Ryker,” she said, frustrated with his chest-thumping. “Listen to me.” She came to her feet while keeping her distance from the two men.

“What?” he snapped without taking his attention off Jack.

“He was only being polite. You could take lessons from him.” She crossed her arms and dared him to say anything hateful again to his second-in-command.

Ryker glanced her way for a second and then said to Jack, “Go. She'll tell you her decision later.”

Even Marie could tell Ryker believed there was no decision to be made, that he would see to her needs, and Jack could jump in a lake.

Jack hesitated but thankfully left without another word.

“Why do you treat him that way?” she asked. By the scowl on his face, he didn't like her question.

“Why? How can I trust that son of a bitch? He's one of Mas— Theo's creations.”

R
yker stood with his feet braced apart, like a captain on his ship, unmoving as he waited for her to answer. Theo had taught him that stillness often brought the best solution to a problem.

Every time he talked with Jack he wanted to punch him out. He'd been promoted to second-in-command by their master a month before Ryker had taken over The Circle.

Since the man did his job well and followed orders without question—more often than not—Ryker ignored his connection to the former regime. No need to change something that worked. But he didn't trust him. For that matter he didn't trust anyone. Noticing the soft green eyes watching him with concern, he amended, he trusted only one person.

She shook her head. “We're all Master's creations. How can you blame him for that?”

Ignoring her question—no need to upset her with his answer—he looked her over. “How are you feeling?”

The blush spreading across her face showed she understood what he really asked. As she returned the once-over, her eyes flared with heated interest. Just knowing he would be touching her again hardened his whole body. Lust and fear roiled together.

“I'm tolerable.” Her voice shook. “And quit askin' me.”

He liked how her southern accent thickened whenever she was turned on. Last night, she'd dropped her Gs on several of her requests and stretched several one-syllable words. Marie had a softness to her that hid the strong-willed woman she'd become. Even with the type of experiences she'd endured, she still radiated innocence.

“Tolerable, huh?” He moved closer.

M
arie gasped as the back of her knees hit the bed. “Yeah.” Oh, goodness, did he always smell so good?

“Are you hungry?” he asked in a rumbling voice. With only a good, deep breath away from touching her, his body heat warmed her.

She looked up as he towered over her, wrapping her in his spell. His tongue brushed his bottom lip. Had he even realized he'd done that?

“Yeah.” She could only manage one-word answers. The emotions the drug produced were so much like what she normally felt, yet different. For some reason, she knew at this moment she experienced something purer and not driven by an artificial stimulate.

“Good. I asked the cook to send dinner to your room. I figured you'd enjoy something less formal for your first night here. We can talk without interruption.” Neither his voice nor face betrayed what he was thinking.

Being alone with him could be good or bad. It depended on how her body reacted and how he responded. What was she thinking about? She was scared spit-less. Attacking a man, begging him for sex, was something she never imagined doing, even with the man she'd loved for most of her life. She needed to keep her mind on food and not think of how his warm skin felt beneath her fingertips. Or how his hands gripped her thighs, dotting her with bruises he didn't mean to leave.

Stop, stop, stop!

A knock on the door broke their silent perusal of each other. Ryker let in the cook and the housekeeper. They laid out the dinner with silverware and crystal. A bottle of wine on ice was uncovered with a flourish and a brace of candles lit. As the couple left, one reached over and turned off the lights. The flames from the candles brought an immediate intimacy to the room. Marie wasn't sure what to make of the romantic dinner.

“Sit. Eat.” He waited until she was seated and he began slicing his steak. “I told them to cook yours well done; I know how you hate to see it pink inside.”

Following his lead, she cut a piece of the steak and bit into it. She closed her eyes for a few seconds as she chewed. The juicy, smoky flavor burst across her tongue. When she opened her eyes, Ryker looked down and expertly sliced a sliver and brought it to his lips without lifting his head. He'd been watching her eat.

Her gaze followed his hands as he worked the knife. Her breath shortened. She hungered for his touch more than food.

Instantly, she shut the thought down.

When he poured her some wine, she asked, “Do you have a soda? I'm not much for wine or any alcohol.” With the drug in her system, she imagined it best not to take a chance.

“Sure.” He called downstairs. Within minutes, a tall glass filled with ice and a bottle of cola sat next to her plate.

By the time they finished, the candles had burned to half their length. The dessert of strawberries and cream was a perfect final touch. Their conversation remained light throughout the meal. He'd touched on popular books and current events. Nothing too in-depth or controversial like a perfect gentleman on a date. Marie leaned back in her chair and looked at him. Was that his intention? Offer her a chance to experience what they had skipped over? She'd never imagined being with him in this way. Nor, for that matter, had she imagined yesterday ever happening.

She loved being here, having him sitting across from her. Another new memory for her to tuck away. No way would this last. Too many bad memories shared.

Yet, the way he watched her allowed her to return the favor. His white dress shirt and navy blue slacks brought out his dark good looks. Perfect with the eye patch and scars across his cheek and down his neck. His hair, a little longer than normal, hid and revealed the scars as he moved. He looked like a swashbuckler. He looked relaxed, maybe a little contented.

“You've got a little cream near your mouth.” He grinned.

She wiped around her lips.

“You missed it. Let me.” He came around the table and leaned down. She lifted her chin and waited, closing her eyes. She shivered. Instead of cloth, she felt his lips pressed the corner of her mouth and his tongue traced her bottom lip. “There. All better.”

“Ryker?” She wasn't sure how she did it, but she placed her hand on his chest and pushed. “What are you up to?”

Guilt flitted across his face. He stepped back and looked out the French doors.

“Ryker, answer me please.” She shivered again.

“I know the drug makes you . . .” He waved a finger toward her and then jammed his hands on his hips as he glared at the floor. After a heavy sigh, he added, “I wanted to make it easier for you to ask for my help.”

“Quit pitying me.” She squared her shoulders and glared back at him. So that was it. He thought he was helping by romancing her. She resented how it took her being drugged to get his attention and the reaction she'd always wanted from him.

“Damn it! I'm not,” he said.

He turned toward her as someone rapped on the door.

“Fuck off,” he snapped. Without pausing he reached for her.

“Ryker!” She crossed her arms, not caring for his attitude.

The door opened. He turned toward the intruder and growled, “I said—”

“We found the Wizard,” Jack cut him off. Marie watched with amazement as the man calmly entered and sat in Ryker's vacant chair. Not many people would brave his temper.

“Where?” Ryker asked.

“In Gatlinburg. He's staying in a rented chalet with twenty of his closest friends,” Jack said. “And he's put out a contract for the return of the woman who broke into his house. We believe they have two other women drugged and ready for the market.”

Ice ran down her spine. Why would the guy want her? He obviously could get any woman he wanted. How could she say that? She didn't wish the drug on anyone.

But why go to the small town nestled next to the Great Smoky Mountains? Maybe by being a well-loved tourist location, it was a perfect place to hide as thousands of strangers rent cabins of all sizes everywhere on the mountains. Anyone could easily blend in.

R
yker looked at Marie. She appeared slightly disturbed by the interruption and his display of temper. Then again, she knew him better than anyone. It amazed him how innocent she could still look after the years of neglect from her parents and the abuse by Theo. Even in her frustration with him, she allowed him to see how much she trusted him. A trust he hoped never to betray. If she ever grew to hate him, it would kill him. What little soul he had left would shrivel and evaporate.

He pulled his gaze from her and looked at his second-in-command. He didn't care for how Jack thought he could barge in whenever he wished. He needed to teach him some boundaries.

“He didn't go far,” Ryker said.

“No. For an intelligent man who developed such a powerful drug, he's doing some stupid things,” Jack said.

Ryker caught the man cutting his eyes over at Marie, examining her as if he expected to find her abused and defeated. Yep. It was time to teach him some hard lessons.

“Tell Bryan to send the details to Liam.” He knew Jack hated Liam's guts as much as Liam did Jack's. No one knew the reason for their animosity. There were rumors of Liam's ex-wife being involved. Ryker couldn't help but wonder if Jack had a thing for unavailable women. From what he'd heard, Jack had a hard-on for Olivia, Ryker's brother's wife, and rumor was he'd slept with his own brother's fiancé.

“Liam?” Jack said the name as if he had a bad taste in his mouth.

“He'll be working lead on this one.” Ryker turned and faced Marie. Her confused expression said she understood what he'd done but not why. Just as well. He had a hard time explaining it to himself. His distrust of Jack played only a small part. That much he was certain.

Jack gripped the arm of the chair, his knuckles turned white as his lips pressed together. Ryker had to admire the man's control.

“What's my role in all of this?” Jack asked between clenched teeth.

“You're to stay here.”

“So I'm to sit around here with my thumb up my ass?”