Love & Deception (Agents in Love - Book 1) (29 page)

He caught her with his best piercing stare.
“That is so true. No matter how much you love someone, it doesn’t
matter if they don’t feel the same.”

“So, let’s forget about those people and
focus on each other. Erase today’s fight from our memories and
chalk it up to us both being emotional because of the past.” She
offered him a smile. “Can we forgive each other and move on?”

He forced a return smile. “I’d like that.
How about we eat dinner and then watch some movies tonight? I’m
really tired, and I’m sure you must be too.”

She winked. “Sure you won’t mind taking time
off from our active fantasy life?”

“Cuddling with you is just as good as
anything we do in the bedroom.” It was the kind of line that always
made women swoon, and Carlie was no exception.

“That’s so sweet. I must be the luckiest
lady on Earth to have found you.”

“And I’m the luckiest man.”

At least he had been until this morning.

The text from Paul didn’t come until the
following afternoon. Nick’s anxiety built throughout the day
waiting for it. Carlie didn’t appear to notice anything wrong, so
at least he’d managed to reassure her. Well, if she did notice
anything off, she probably attributed it to Nick’s feelings about
his dad and decided not to make an issue of it.

Willing to step back and give him space when
he needed it. Not many girlfriends did that. She’d be the perfect
woman for him, if she wasn’t a terrorist.

No. I have to stop right there. She’s
not
the woman for me.

Those stern thoughts did nothing to change
his feelings.

Carlie was in the kitchen preparing food for
the latest table of men while Shelley flirted in the dining room.
If only Carlie were as straightforward as her friend. Shelley’s
intentions were clear. She wanted to find a man, plain and
simple.

He walked into the kitchen, trying to ignore
the way his breath caught in his throat when he saw Carlie. She’d
pulled her hair into a ponytail and the back of her slender neck
begged him to kiss it.

“Hey, Carlie.”

She turned around, a smile on her lips.
Those full, luscious lips. Nick closed his eyes.

“Hey, yourself,” she said. “What’s up?”

He cleared his throat and forced himself to
look at her. “I heard from my manager over at the restaurant. I
need to go finish some paperwork. Will you and Shelley be okay for
a few hours by yourselves?”

“Of course we will, but can you do one thing
for me before you leave?”

“Sure.”

Carlie stripped off her plastic gloves and
placed them on the counter next to the half-completed sandwiches.
She crossed the room, never letting her gaze waver from his.
Stopping in front of him, she wrapped her hands behind his neck and
pulled his face to hers. “Kiss me.”

Their lips met and though Nick tried to
fight it, his pulse raced and he pulled her against his body,
hungry for more of her touch, craving it more than air or water. He
slipped his tongue inside her mouth, wishing with his whole heart
she felt the same passion and love he did.

He broke away and pressed his face into her
neck, kissing her softly and deeply inhaling her scent—like vanilla
and sunshine. Everything Nick wished he could have.

Paul’s upcoming orders made him nervous. He
had no clue what to expect, but Nick knew one thing for
sure—nothing would be the same.

She tried to move away, but Nick grabbed
onto her and pulled her back, kissing her again. He put every ounce
of feeling he could behind it.

“Wow,” she breathed when he finally released
her.

Wow, indeed. Now Nick had to shut those
emotions off. A S.A.T.O. agent couldn’t afford feelings.

***

Pacing the floor of his sitting room at the
hotel, Nick’s nerves jittered as he put off calling Paul. He didn’t
really want to hear his new orders. Dread filled his stomach with a
leaden pain. Whatever they wanted, it would be difficult.

“Screw it.” Twisting his hands like a
worried father wouldn’t change anything. Better to get it over.

He pulled out his phone and connected to the
boss.

“About time,” Paul grumped. “It’s been one
hell of a day, and I want to get a shot of whiskey in me and
relax.”

“Sorry, boss. I was with the target and had
to come up with an excuse to leave.” Nick tugged at the collar of
his shirt, uncomfortable with his boss’ anger even though Paul was
across the country. Although the man had been kind and
understanding about things yesterday, he was irritable today.

“President Sharp took forever to return my
call. And, of course, the Vice President is worse than useless,
since he doesn’t even know about us.”

Something had Paul more on edge than normal,
though Nick knew better than asking questions. “I saw the Vice
President was released from the hospital. Full recovery from his
pneumonia.”

“Yeah. Hopefully those useless secret
service men don’t let him catch
pneumonia
again.”

Paul’s scorn for any other branch of defense
was obvious. He hated the FBI, the CIA, and thought the military
was full of idiot generals. The man believed he was better than any
ten other men. That attitude bothered Nick, but he wasn’t in a
position to say anything.

“Let’s hope they don’t,” he said instead.
“My new orders, sir?”

“About that. I’m going to pull you off this
case and give it to Stephen Chance.”

“But Carlie doesn’t like...” The feeling of
dread in his gut turned to nausea. “What, exactly, are you saying,
sir?”

“I’m saying that I think it’s best if you
don’t know the new orders. I’m not sure you can handle it.”

And the orders had changed to something
anyone could do, even someone Carlie hated. That must mean the
mission had changed from information gathering to action. That
could be very bad for Carlie.

“I still need you to do one last thing
before I get your plane ticket back to D.C. and give you some
well-deserved time off,” Paul said. “We need that bracelet, Nick,
and you’re in the perfect position to take it.”

Nick held his breath for a few seconds,
battling to ignore his conflicting emotions. “I can get the
bracelet, sir, but if it’s all the same to you, I’d like to
complete the mission.”

“Even though you love the target?” His voice
was flat, betraying nothing.

“I loved the person she pretended to be.
What are my orders?”

Paul sighed and stayed quiet so long, Nick
wondered if he would answer. “Are you sure you want the
mission?”

He wasn’t sure, but he had to see this
through. “Yes.”

“Fine.” Paul blew out a loud breath. “The
President’s orders are to retrieve the bracelet and kill the
target.”

Bile rose in his throat, but Nick fought it
down. He’d never been on a case before where they wanted the target
terminated, though it happened from time to time. What could he do?
He loved Carlie, but she was a dangerous criminal who planned to
hurt innocent citizens.

“Nick? Are you okay?”

Though his throat clogged with emotion, he
forced himself to speak. “A little surprised, that’s all.”

“I’ll have Stephen finish the mission. Get
the bracelet and I’ll bring you home.”

Desperate to come up with a different
solution, Nick knew he had to tread carefully. “Sir, if I take the
bracelet and keep an eye on the target, there’s no reason to kill
her, is there?”

Paul sighed. “I know this is hard for you.
The President and S.A.T.O. board members carefully considered this
before giving the termination order. Your target will never be
brought to justice legally, but she is a large threat to our
country. We can’t set her free and you can’t stay there forever
watching her. I need you for other cases.”

Trembling, Nick sank onto the couch and
closed his eyes. This was going to happen. They were going to kill
Carlie. He knew better than arguing. Once the President sent an
order, Paul would never go against him. Not even for Nick.

“It’s okay, Nick,” Paul’s voice was soft.
“There is no shame in you stepping away from this one. You’re a
good agent, but that’s asking too much. Stephen’s set to do the job
and just awaiting my orders.”

Even if Carlie didn’t love him, he did love
her. Knowing Stephen, the man would rape her before beating her to
death—slowly, with as much pain as he could manage. Nick couldn’t
let her go through that. He loved her too much to let her suffer
more than she had to.

“No, I’ll do it. When I kill her...” He
paused, fighting down a spasm of pain so intense, he actually
pressed his hand against his chest in an effort to relieve it.
“When I kill her it’ll tip Muhammad Khan off, even if I make it
look like an accident.” Nick hoped his anguish didn’t go through
the line to Paul, though the boss probably knew anyway. “Have you
prepared for that?”

“I talked to Sharp about that. He wants to
stop Khan if we can. If you secure the bracelet without arousing
her suspicion, that might buy us a couple days.”

“And when does my target need...” He paused
as his throat clogged with another knot of sorrow.
“...terminated?”

“Sharp says Thursday, Friday at the latest.
It has to be before they strike against us, which we think is
happening Saturday or Sunday because there will be less people
around those days.”

Damn. Two days, three at the most? He could
barely wrap his mind around everything, and now he only had a few
days left with her.

“Nick, I’m not convinced I should give you
this job. I know you love her. Are you sure you can handle it?”

He had to, didn’t he? Either that or let
Carlie suffer at Stephen Chance’s hands. Nick shuddered, knowing
that wasn’t an option. He couldn’t let that happen to her. “I’m
your man, sir. Consider the target taken care of.”

***

Shelley helped Carlie finish deep cleaning
the kitchen, but paused to smooth back her dark hair. “I can’t
believe Nick’s not back yet. We’re almost done here.” Both women
glanced around the nearly spotless room. “Maybe I should drive you
home?”

Checking her phone one more time, Carlie
sighed and nodded. “It’s past seven and he’s not returning my text
messages. He’s probably caught in a meeting and can’t answer his
phone. I’ll just let him know you’re taking me.”

She quickly punched in the message.

“Are things okay with you guys?” Shelley
asked. “You haven’t wanted to talk about anything. Was the date
that horrible?”

Carlie shook her head. “The date was
fantastic. A dream come true. Nick opened up and talked about his
childhood, and we danced and laughed.”

“And then things proceeded to the bedroom.”
Shelley jiggled her eyebrows. “That man is hot, for sure. You’re so
lucky.”

“He’s really opening up to me and sharing
his life. I certainly am lucky. Things have been a little off the
last few days though. I think it has to do with his father and
never being good enough for him.” Carlie clutched her hands in
front of her and looked at her friend, desperate to share how she
was feeling. “I’m in love, Shelley. We’ve never said that to each
other, and it’s all happened so fast, but I think tonight’s the
night to tell him. I want to live with him. I want us to stay
together and start a life together.”

“I hope I can find someone as good as him
one day.” Shelley wrapped her in a hug. “I’m happy for you. Both of
you.”

Carlie’s phone buzzed and she checked the
message.

See you at home. Be there soon.

“He’s meeting me at the house. I’m so
nervous.”

“Don’t be. I’m sure he feels the same way. I
can tell by the way he looks at you.” Shelley hung her dishrag over
the edge of the sink. “Let’s hurry and get you home. Your soul mate
is waiting.”

***

Carlie sat next to Nick on the couch,
watching a show she’d paid no attention to, palms sweating. The
dinner they finished earlier fought to come back up. It was crazy
for her to be so nervous. With the way he kissed her earlier today,
he obviously felt the same way.

Their recent fight was what made her
hesitate. She didn’t completely understand what had happened. Nick
was still distant tonight, but he struggled with the feelings
talking about his father had brought up and Carlie tried to
understand that. It must have been hard on him as a kid, never
being good enough. That was probably the reason he never came close
to marriage or having a serious relationship. Parents sure could
screw up their kids.

Drying her fingers against her pants as
unobtrusively as possible, Carlie slipped her hand into his. “Can
we shut the TV off and talk? There’s something important I need to
tell you.”

Nick glanced at her, eyes narrowed, but
pushed the power button on the remote. His hawk-like stare trapped
her, making it hard to breathe.

“I don’t know why I’m so nervous to tell you
this, but I am.” She looked at their clasped hands and tried to
calm her racing heart. “You’ve become very important to me.”

“And you’re important to me.” He let go of
her hand and put his arms around her, cuddling her close. “No
matter what you’re about to say, know that it won’t change things
between us. Don’t be nervous. You can tell me anything.”

Leaning into him, she kissed him lightly and
ran her fingers across the back of his neck. “I know what’s
happening between us has moved really fast and things aren’t
perfect, but I want us to share our lives totally.”

“That’s what I want too.”

“I know I told you before that I didn’t want
you giving up your dreams for me and that I wouldn’t give up mine
for you, but I’ve been rethinking that.”

“Really?” He cupped her cheek in his hand
and Carlie leaned into it, savoring his touch. “I’m a little
surprised. You were so adamant about not giving anything up that
you’d worked for.”