Code of Control (26 page)

“Don’t even
think about it,” he warned, covering the threat with a guarded smile.

Charlotte batted
her eyelashes, playing the innocent act to the hilt. He knew it was only a ploy
to mask her incredible fear about being in the air again, so he let it
slide—this time. Any other time and he would have called her out on it.

“Oh, I’m
thinking about it, and there is nothing you can do to stop me,” she said.

“Want to bet?”

“Sure. How much would
you be willing to put on this bet, Mr. Know-it-all?”

Nolan jerked his
head toward the closed duffle bag lying near his brother’s feet. “How about
that
much…Ms. In-favor-of-too-much-control?”

Charlotte’s eyes
went wide. “Are you joking?”

“Nope, I’ve never
been more truthful in my life. Twenty mil says you won’t grope me in front of
five highly-trained operatives. Another ten says you will not stick your tongue
down my throat in front of witnesses. You want to be tough, but you’re not, so
I’m calling your bluff. ”

Charlotte shook
her head, denying him these bets. “You should not bet against me, Nolan Morgan.
You don’t know me. I like bold challenges. I crave bold challenges. I live and
die for bets.”

“Oh, yeah?” he
teased. “Well, I say I do know you, and out of anyone you would be the last
person on earth to ram her tongue down a man’s throat in front of witnesses,
let alone men who could make your life miserable if word got out about a
possible relationship with the boss.”

She turned,
reached for his face, but Nolan drew back before she could accomplish her quest.
“Okay, fine, you would do it,” he said, chuckling at her face.

“See? You want
me to prove myself, so long as no one else knows about it. I saw your facial
expression, more so when Devon said ‘get a room’. You don’t want anyone in this
helicopter to know about us. Do you?”

He ignored the insinuation.
“My facial expression?”

“Yes, facial
expressions—eyes wide, ping ponging to your brother, then to the other men. It
bothers you…you still think I slept with him and you haven’t let it go. Why
can’t you trust me to tell you the truth?”

“I trust you.”

“No you don’t.”

“Dammit,
Charlotte, I do trust you, but you have a lot to offer any man, and I’m not
sure I’m the man you want at this point. What we have should not be because of
a dare or a bet, or any facial expressions I may have inadvertently made. I’m
in bloody Hell. I can’t help what my face is doing at this point. This was
never about trusting you. This was about you and me and what we have that is
the start of a decent foundation toward a permanent relationship.”

“A decent
foundation? Hell, we live life on the edge, waiting for the next high. We
started this partnership on the worst possible ground, shaky at best,” she
argued.

“If I remember
correctly, the ground wasn’t shaky. It was cataclysmic. And the only high I ever
need is what I can offer you if you’re willing to let down your guard,” he
responded.

“I don’t need
your money, Nolan, let alone give up my self-worth just to make you happy. I’ve
been independent for quite some time.”

“I wasn’t giving
you my money. I was asking for a promise from you, that’s all.”

“A promise? Such
as?”

He reached for
her hand, clamping his fingers around hers. “Yes, Charlotte, a promise.”

“Spill it. I
can’t read minds.”

Nolan took a
deep breath and let it out in a rush. “Trust me to care about you, Charlotte.
Trust me to be in charge. Trust me to know what path to walk and what path to
lead you down.”

“I have trusted
you…for days, you big dumb ox!”

“Oh? I guess I’ll
have to let the ox part of that slide then, won’t I?” he teased, smiling at her
face. “But not the part of you trusting me. So far, I’ve not seen enough for
what I have in mind.”

“Spill it or
spell it out. Either way, we need clarity or there is no partnership or future
between us.”

“How’s this for
clarity? As soon as I heal, you and I are having sex. Not wild and crazy sex like
before, but slow and real, and so damn fine it will melt you into a puddle of
pure forgetfulness.”

“Oh?”

“Yes,
oh
,
Charlotte. Think you can handle that?”

She gave him a
genuine smile, drawing in a ragged breath, but letting the words sink in. It
was long moments before she answered him, and when she did it was barely
audible, as if to speak it would turn her into a pillar of ash. “That’s one
hell of a promise, Mr. Morgan.”

Nolan shrugged,
belittling the depth of his feelings for her. A knee jerk reaction that would
have to end. “Take it or leave it, Ms. Raven.”

“Can I think
about it for a few days?”

“Not on your
life. I’ve seen you in action. A few seconds should be enough for you to make
up your mind.”

Charlotte’s
brows rose. “And your point is?”

Nolan’s jerky
shrug undermined the moment. “You don’t like being in charge. Never have, never
will.”

“I don’t like—”
she quickly balked.

He set his
finger against her lips, sliding its length, feeling her silky softness. Just
to touch her, be able to hold her, see her alive and well should have been
enough for him. It wasn’t. He needed more. “Yes, Charlotte. You don’t like
being in charge. No matter what you say, or what you do, you truly like an
alpha male taking control and then keeping it.”

She turned away
from him, glancing at the backs of the men seated in front of them. “Can I just
say…I never asked for your opinion on this or any bet to be made? All I wanted
was another kiss from you. Instead, I get a lecture on what I do or don’t like
and how much control I want or don’t want.”

Nolan leaned
toward her, expecting more pain than he could handle, but accepting it as his
due. Thankfully, God was gracious, just this once, to keep the unbearable
spiking heat in his insides from breaking him into a cold sweat. She turned and
stared at him, eyes wide, so he reached for her chin.

“There are
moments when you will get my opinion, sweetheart, whether you like it or
whether you care to hear it or not, and you don’t have to ask for a kiss.
They’re free,” he said.

“You’re such an arrogant
man. I’ve said this so many times before but I guess it needs repeating.”

He tipped her
head up and kissed her, leaving nothing to chance.

Chapter Thirty

Days later, in a
stifling Belize clinic, Nolan was resting on a chair after being thoroughly x-rayed.
He could not leave the country the same way he and Charlotte came into it if
barely able to walk. The doctor confirmed three broken ribs, no spleen damage—all
survivable and the bandages tight.

“I told you so,”
she said, walking toward him.

He’d been
awaiting her outcome to a quick health check.

He gingerly
touched his stomach. “Only three. Not too bad, considering advanced age crept
in unnoticed.”

Her light
laughter put a smile on his face. “Not too bad, considering you were nearly
killed by a bunch of drug-pushing thugs.”

“How did a rather
good ass-whipping get built into the definition of nearly killed?”

She sat down
next to him, sighing. “Easy.” She then turned to face him. “Was this supposed
to be the plan all along?”

“What do you
mean?”

“Us? Sitting
here, abandoned by Devon until he comes to his senses and gets us the hell out
of here.”

“He can’t move
mountains even if he thinks he can. He’ll come through for us.”

She turned away
from you, mumbling, “You said this before—and it’s been days. When are you
going to believe him a rouge operative, hell bent on screwing with the plan?”

“When I’m six
feet into my grave,” he replied, clenching his jaw.

Charlotte
reached over and grabbed his hand. “I want to get out of here, Nolan. Make this
happen.”

“We will.”

“No, I mean now.
Like in the next ten seconds now.”

A hurried glance
down the hallway showed him the men from Tactical Team 2 were standing guard,
plain clothes as to not draw attention. He gave her hand a squeeze, sharing
what his heart felt. “We will, just as soon as Devon comes back for us.”

Charlotte very
gently eased her hand out of his. “I don’t think he’s coming back for us.”

“What makes you
say that?”

“A hunch.”

“Oh, ye of
little faith,” he teased, because Devon was walking toward them and Charlotte
had yet to notice. “My twin would never stand me up, especially if wanting to
live to a ripe, old age.”

“There you two lovebirds
are. I’ve been all over this place looking for you. How bloody hard is it to
find a guy who looks exactly like me? You’d think they’d never seen a twin
before, the way they’re staring.” Devon’s head tipped toward a pair of nurses
starting to talk about them under their breath.

“Can we go now?”
Charlotte asked.

“Yes, Charlotte,
we can go now,” Nolan agreed, “if my brother did what he was supposed to do.”
Nolan’s gaze reached for Devon, awaiting answer.

“Yes, I did what
I was supposed to do,” Devon said, sounding snappish.

“And?”

“And, you can
fuck off, bro, if you think I am not going to keep up with my undercover
operation infiltrating the cartel. I’m this close to getting Rual behind bars
for life.” He used his thumb and index finger to show them how close he was to
the goal.

Nolan gathered
in as deep of breath he could, which was not enough to sustain him for long.
The painkillers the doctor gave him were not working, either. “Are you always
going to be this way?” he asked Devon.

“Oh? And what
way is that, might I inquire?”

“Never listens
to anyone. Does what he pleases no matter the cost. Aggravates me beyond sane
reasoning just because he can. Loses my money, and does not apologize for it
yet.”

“Hell, yes! It’s
so damn much fun when it happens. And the money will get returned, once the
authorities close in on Rual.”

“I meant the huge
amount of money in my duffle bag, you asshole,” Nolan responded. “The twenty
mil you took, thinking I would not notice.”

Devon smiled.
“Oh,
that
money. No worries, bro.”

“I’ll worry
until I’m dead when concerning you.”

“Like I said, no
worries, working on it as we speak.”

“What the hell
did you do with the money? It was at your feet in the helicopter,” he rushed at
Devon. “We both saw it.” His head jerked to Charlotte.

Of course, Devon
merely shrugged, smiled at Charlotte, and completely ignored Nolan’s growing
anger. “I put it in a safe place, bro. Don’t get your undies in a bundle,” he
said.

“Where?” Nolan
ground out.

Devon helped him
to his feet, the bandages around his ribs a little too tight. He would have to
take most of them off later, when no one was looking; at least when Charlotte
would not give him shit for doing it without doctor’s permission.

“If I told you
where I put it, all my fun will disappear.”

“Devon!” he
ground out, his fury building.

“Jesus, bro! The
money was wired back into
OSHIT
’s bank account five hours ago. Things go
a little slow around here. I had to wait until a bank opened up.”

“Where’s my
receipt, if you put it in a bank?”

Devon again
looked at Charlotte. “Is he for real?”

She tipped her
head up and smiled at Nolan instead. “And you think I have issues?” she asked him
quietly.

Nolan bent to
give her a kiss, but Devon interrupted the sentiment, as usual.

“Damn, the two
of you need to get a room. You’re making the rest of us feel left out with all
this love and hugs.”

Nolan backed
away from Charlotte to face his brother. “Find me one, and I’ll gladly use it.
I’ve got unfinished business with this woman.”

“I’ll just bet
you do,” his twin taunted smugly.

Charlotte jumped
into the conversation. “I’d like that room, too. I have unfinished business
with this man that needs the utmost attention.” She then tucked her arm around
his, staking claim, and the simple act never felt so good to him before.

Feeling it,
letting it sink in, he allowed the tenderness and openness to cover his guarded
soul. She was good for him. Hell, he should have seen this the moment they made
love in that hotel room. It took him this long to admit it, then admit it
freely back to her, but while contemplating if the timing was right to say what
he felt, tell her the truth, Devon stepped over to Charlotte and leaned to her
ear.

“I didn’t stand
a chance against him, did I?” His words loud enough for all to hear. Nolan
groaned and Charlotte shook her head.

She tipped her
face to him, ignoring Devon. “This man in front of me is everything I have ever
needed, everything I have ever wanted, and if he will still have me as his
partner I’d be more than willing to give it a try. It’s up to him. I gave up
the control for good, and he has yet to say he trusts me….”

Nolan swallowed
the huge lump in his throat while staring into incredible blue eyes drowning him.
“I trust you, sweetheart. I said it before but I will say it again if need be. Besides,
I would much rather have you as my wife than as my partner…if you’d even
consider such a thing with an old goat like me.”

Charlotte’s gasp
echoed throughout the hallway.

“Are you
joking?” she asked incredulously. “We barely know each other. We have a ton of
secrets, a million things that haven’t been said…”

“My secrets are
all out. Everything I needed to say to you I have.” He waited with baited
breath for response to this.

“Mine are all
out,” she agreed. “But there is a lot more I want to say to you, Nolan Morgan…a
lot more I need to do.”

“We have time,
Charlotte Raven.”

“Oh?”

His quick smile
must have convinced her they had all the time in the world. “Yes,
oh
. I’d
hate to find out you were holding out on full confession after all I have been
through this past week.”

“After all
you’ve
been through?” she rushed at him.

“Yes, me. I
don’t see you wrapped up in bandages and cringing in pain.”

“That’s because
I was smart enough not to get my ass handed to me on a silver platter by a
bunch of gun-toting bastards.”

“Touché,
sweetheart.”

“Besides, would
I do such a thing to you?” she inquired, grinning shamelessly at his face.

“In a New York
minute.”

She rose on her
tiptoes and kissed him soundly. Minutes later, they pulled apart.

“Damn! If knowing
you were going to kiss me like that I would have gotten down on one knee to ask
you properly, yet I’m afraid if I had, I would not have been able to get back
up without losing my dignity along the way. A man does have a code to live by—or
so I’m told.”

Charlotte
reached for him again, both hands planted firmly on either side of his face.
“You never cease to amaze me, Mr. Morgan.”

“Diddo to that
sentiment, sweetheart.” He bent, molded his mouth against hers and gave her the
kiss of her life, a kiss that meant so much more than just partnership or the
beginnings of a relationship. The kiss he gave her was a true promise straight from
the heart.

Devon had to clear
his throat to gain their attention. “Yep, no chance at all,” he grumbled
loudly.

Nolan drew away
from Charlotte, turned in slow motion and smiled at his twin. “Did you really
think I would let her get away from me after all she and I have been through? I
need to take this woman home, teach her a thing or two about milking cows, and
see how things go from there.”

“Crap. I was
hoping she would slip through your fingers so I could teach her how
not
to milk cows,” his twin responded glibly.

Nolan turned to
Charlotte, staring into her gaze. “Not on your life, bro. She’s all mine and I
don’t like to share.”

“Glad to hear
it,” she said softly. “I’m a one-man woman anyway, but the cow thing will have
to go under lengthy negotiation.”

He chuckled.
“Ms. Raven, I’m a one-woman man. I live by a code of control. There are no
negotiations, but if you say you will even consider it…”

She gave him her
brightest smile. “I’ll consider it.”

“Boring,” Devon
coughed out.

Nolan jackrabbited
toward his brother. “Hell, I’d die happy if boring was my future, than care to
die being predictable like you are.”

“What’s that
supposed to mean?” he brother demanded, balling his fists.

“You’re
predictable and I’m not. I win.”

“Are you two
always going to be this way?” Charlotte suddenly interrupted, preventing a
brawl from starting.

Nolan returned his
attention to her. “It’s in the genes, babe. I can’t help it.”

“Those genes are
my leftovers, bro,” Devon replied. “Try to remember that whenever taking cheap
shots at me in front of your girl.”

“Are you my
girl?” he asked Charlotte, holding his breath.

She nodded and smiled.
“Yes, Nolan Morgan, I am your girl.”

“Still boring,”
Devon rudely blurted.

They did not
stop laughing until thoroughly out the clinic doors and the three of them onto
another adventure, following the code.

The End