More Than a Billionaire (26 page)

“Did you know about this, Warren?” Mark Sherbrooke’s voice shook with anger and she expected him to leap to his feet.

She didn’t know what a NOC was, but judging by Gray’s dad’s expression it wasn’t what the CIA called the mail boy.

“This is the first I’m hearing any of this.” The President directed a disapproving look at the man he addressed as Clarence.

“I’d like to finish, Dad.” Gray looked at her, although he spoke to his father.

“In the beginning, Randall, my handler, occasionally had me retrieving and passing along information.” Gray gestured to the other unnamed man in the room. “To help maintain my cover, I kept up the persona of a rich party boy who worked at Sherbrooke Enterprises and traveled the globe, looking for a good time while at the same time keeping my position with Sherbrooke Enterprises.” As Gray spoke, he glanced at both his father and uncle, but, for the most part, he kept his eyes on her.

“Over the past year, the Agency has required more of my time, and I’ve cultivated several key assets around the world. My most recent assignment was getting intel from a Russian agent, Nadia Danilova, regarding the two Army officers who stole military secrets.”

Kiera remembered hearing about two members of the military who had gone missing with out a trace. For a while, the news reported that officials suspected they’d gone AWOL to join a terrorist group after stealing military secrets. Later, the media changed its tune and said they were rumored to be in Mexico. As far as she knew, neither man had yet been found.

“Mr. President, because of the information provided to Gray by Nadia Danilova our Special Forces were able to apprehend the two men before they were able to sell the material to Russia, which was their plan all along.”

“I’m aware of the operation, Randall.” The President paced, his hands clasped behind his back. “All of this should’ve been brought to my attention long ago, Clarence.”

“With all due respect, Mr. President, you know the Agency doesn’t share the names of its undercover operatives. Few in the Agency know who the operatives are,” Clarence said.

“When your agency has my nephew working as an operative without an official cover, I need to know about it.”

“As far as the Agency is concerned, Gray is no different than any other NOC, so the less people who know the truth, the better. I stressed that to Gray before this meeting.”

“I trust my son, my brother, and Miss Renault. Nothing said here today will leave this room, I assure you,” the President said.

As if anyone would believe her even if she did tell them.

“Are you okay?” Jake asked in a low voice while his father continued his discussion with the CIA official.

“I’m not sure.”

“It no longer matters, Mr. President. I informed Randall and Clarence that I’m done with fieldwork. I’ll still support the Agency by using my job and connections to facilitate their operations, but I’ll no longer be directly involved.”

The President’s heated discussion ended at Gray’s announcement.

“I have something more important to focus on.” Gray looked at her. “Working as a NOC makes that impossible.”

“That is the only intelligent thing you’ve said tonight,” Gray’s dad said, telling her so much about his emotional state.

“And like I told Gray, Mr. President, the Agency needs him.” Clarence said.

A lively discussion ensued between the men from the CIA, the President, and Gray’s father, but Gray didn’t join in.

Trapped between Gray’s dad and his cousin, Kiera watched him walk toward her and wished she could bolt out the door. Gray’s admission left her head spinning and in no shape for dealing with him. It didn’t look like she had a choice right now.

“Can we talk?” Gray stood in front of her, one hand extended.

“I guess so.” She got up, keeping her hands clasped together.

Gray’s hand fell by his side, and he looked as if she’d slapped him as he led her across the room.

“Kiera, I know you must have questions.”

What an understatement. She didn’t know where to start she had so many.

“I’ll tell you everything I can. If I could’ve told you before, I would have. I hated keeping this from you.”

She would start with the most pressing question she had. “You’re a spy. Wow. So when you were with Nadia, it was only to collect information?”

“Yes.”

“And you did whatever necessary to get information from her.”

Gray moved his hands as if to touch her, but when she took a step back, he let them drop again. “It’s not like that. She is a professional, but because her father is the Prime Minister, bodyguards constantly surround her. Most Agency people couldn’t get close to her, but my cover as a party boy let me fly under their radar. We had to pretend in public that we were intimate so no one would be suspicious.”

Across the room, the discussion between Gray’s dad and the CIA officials escalated, and she looked in that direction. She’d never seen Mr. Sherbrooke so angry that his face got red.

“Can you forgive me for not telling you everything?”

That was a loaded question. “Yes, and I think I understand why you didn’t tell me, Gray.”

“I heard a
but
in there, love.”

“You’ve had this whole secret life going on.”

“Not anymore. I’m done with fieldwork. I’ll use my connections to help other case officers and NOC’s but that’s it.”

Kiera glanced at Gray. “Those two men over there have other ideas.”

Gray touched her chin. The contact sent longing through her body. She’d missed him so much.

“I don’t give a damn what they want or anyone else. You’re the only person who matters to me.” His other hand touched her cheek. “Please tell me we can work things out. I love you.”

She heard the catch in his voice and the dam holding back her tears almost let go. “I love you too, but I’m not sure. I need some time to process all this.”

“Fair enough.”

“My plane leaves soon. I need to get back to the airport.”

“I’ll drive you.”

Kiera pulled his hands from her face. “No. You should talk to you dad. He looks on the verge of a heart attack.”

Gray looked over his shoulder. “My uncle can take care of him.”

“I can’t be around you right now. I’m sorry.” Kiera forced her feet to move backward. She watched Gray’s throat work and wondered if he was trying to keep from crying.

“Jake promised he’d drive you back,” Gray said.

“Thank you.”

After verbally assuring both the President and the CIA director that she wouldn’t say anything about what she’d learned, Kiera left the room and walked outside with Jake. When she’d agreed to see Gray, she’d prepared herself for some story about how he and Nadia were just friends. That he’d been spotted with her because she needed a friend that night. Nothing had prepared her for the truth.

“Are you in as much shock as I am?” Jake asked breaking the silence. Neither had said a word since leaving the White House. “My brain cannot accept that my cousin is a CIA NOC.”

There was that word again. “What’s a NOC, Jake? I get the impression it’s not what they call the guy who delivers the mail or answers the phones.”

“NOC is what they call an operative working with non-official cover. Many officers work with an official cover. They may work as an aide at the US embassy in a foreign country. If one of these officers is caught spying, they have diplomatic immunity and just get booted out of the country. No big deal. Since a NOC has no official cover, the United States government doesn’t recognize them. If they get caught, they can face criminal punishment in that country, which can include execution. It’s a dangerous job.”

Execution! She pictured Gray’s lifeless body on the ground somewhere, and gasped.

“That’s why he didn’t tell anyone,” Jake said.

The airport came into view, and Jake headed toward the parking garage.

“I can’t believe he did that kind of work” The image of Gray dead stayed firmly in her head and a chill went through her body.

“Me either. But Gray said he’s done and I believe him. He loves you and knows he can’t have a life with you and do that job. Operatives like that don’t have normal lives.”

The car stopped, and Kiera looked at the other cars parked around them. She’d much rather discuss the situation with Stephanie or Joanna, but since she couldn’t, she’d take what she could get. “I’m not sure what to think anymore.”

“I understand. I’d have reservations, too. But he loves you. He wouldn’t have done what he did tonight if he didn’t. And I’m confident you can trust him. He only kept the secret to keep himself safe. If he could have told you, he would have.”

“I need to check in and get my boarding pass. Thank you for the rides tonight.”

“I’ll walk you inside.”

***

Gray let himself into his cousin’s townhouse a few hours later. His head pounded thanks to the heated discussions that had ensued after Kiera and Jake left. Clarence and Randall did everything they could to change his mind about leaving fieldwork. Once the two men finally left, his uncle and father voiced their feelings about his past activities and they hadn’t done so quietly. With all that behind him, now his mind reverted to more important matters.

He’d told her everything, but she still left. She’d promised him an hour and that’s all she’d given him.

Once he’d told her the truth, he’d thought she’d change her mind and stick around. Maybe it was the shock. When he’d made his announcement, she’d gone pale. In her place, he’d have a similar reaction. That didn’t mean he had to like it.

He needed her back. He missed her so much it physically hurt. In fact, he now had a whole new appreciation of how hard it must have been for his dad when his mom died. Gray didn’t know how his dad had survived it.

Gray heard the television on somewhere in the house and went straight upstairs. Tomorrow, he’d fly back to Providence and get back to work. Tonight, he would crash in his cousin’s guest bedroom and keep his terrible mood to himself.

He didn’t bother with the lights. Instead, he unbuttoned his shirt, tossed it somewhere on the floor and hit the bed. Staring into the darkness, he replayed the meeting—minus the shouting from his father.

His dad never kept his emotions as masked as his Uncle Warren, but rarely did he lose it like he had tonight once the three of them were alone. He didn’t care to see it again.

At least the shouting had been worth it. Kiera now knew the truth. She hadn’t taken him back, but she hadn’t told him she never wanted to see him again either. Instead, she said she needed time. Gray understood her request. He’d dropped a lot in her lap tonight. Perhaps it had been unrealistic for him to think she could accept his explanation and fall back into his arms, but, realistic or not, it’d been what he’d wanted.

“Charlie is making tacos. Are you hungry?” Jake called through the bedroom door.

His stomach didn’t need anything added to the lead weight already there. “All set. Thanks.”

The door opened, casting light from the hallway inside. “In case you’re wondering, Kiera made her flight home.”

“I knew you’d make sure she did.” Gray remained motionless on the bed. “Thanks.”

Jake flipped on the overhead light, blinding him for a moment.

“What the hell possessed you to work as a spook?” Jake shouted his question so loud his wife could’ve heard it.

“This question coming from the guy that wanted to be a Navy SEAL?”

His cousin didn’t respond, a rare event, and even though Gray stared at the ceiling, he could picture his cousin’s expression.

“Did Kiera say anything to you?” Gray propped himself up on his elbows.

“Not much. You shocked the hell out of her. Everyone.” Jake crossed his arms and leaned against the wall. “I’m not sure she’s ever going to take you back.”

“Don’t you have a wife downstairs?”

“Can you blame Kiera, asshole? You’ve led a double life for the past four years. You could’ve been killed or tossed in prison and none of us would’ve known what happened to you. I’m pissed at you myself about that.”

“Get lost, Jake, before your unborn child loses its father.”

“You think that if you want, but I can still wipe the floor with your ass.”

Gray kept silent. If he didn’t respond, Jake would get bored and leave.

“I still can’t believe you’re a spook.”

“Was.”

Jake nodded and straightened up. “She still loves you. Any idiot can see that, although God only knows why. Give her some time.”

“Go away, Jake. Bother your wife or something.”

Kiera finished reading the article online and rubbed her eyes. Since Gray had dropped the truth on her, she’d spent hours on the computer. She’d read everything from articles about the origin of the CIA to ones that explained the role the Agency played in keeping America safe. The one she’d just finished talked about an operative who had been undercover for two decades. She found it almost impossible to comprehend that someone could lead a double life for so long.

How could anyone pretend to be someone they weren’t and still maintain any normal healthy relationships? Kiera doubted she’d even make it a week if she tried.

Gray lasted four years.
 

She pictured his expression and tone that night at the White House. She’d never seen him look so dejected as when she’d told him she needed more time. The sight that night in the Oval Office had taken her already broken heart and shattered it into a million more pieces. She hadn’t been able to get away from him fast enough.

Gray loved her. His expression and his actions that night backed up his words. He’d given up his position with the Agency for her. She’d heard him not only say as much, but she’d also heard the men from the CIA comment about it. While Kiera suspected both men had spent ample time trying to change Gray’s mind, she knew how stubborn he could be. If he’d decided he wanted out of fieldwork, no amount of persuasion on their part would change his mind.

Like they did every time she tried to sort things out, her thoughts moved along to the last stumbling block standing between her and her happily ever after: Nadia Danilova.