My Spy (38 page)

He did neither.

Because orders were orders.

Izzy tapped softly at the door.
Time to go.

He took one last look at Annie, her lashes shadowed in the dim light, her face pale and calm and deceptively fragile.

He hoarded the precious images, one by one, as his hand rose. But how could he change what he had to do? And what did he have to give her when he came back? A job that could pull him away at any second? A heart full of dreams?

Dreams didn't count for much.

Silent and grim, he turned to the door. A man in a black flight suit took his bag, waiting impatiently. Dawn was a bloodred streak above the sea when they crossed the courtyard toward a waiting car.

A
NNIE
FELT
IT
THE
SECOND
SHE
OPENED
HER
EYES.

There was a stillness to the house that hadn't been there before.

Suddenly cold, she ran one hand over the far side of the bed, tracing its chill. Gone, she thought.

Sam was gone.

She closed her eyes. A moment later she was crouched on the bed gasping hard, fighting for breath.

He'd gone without a word, just like the last time, and the pain was past bearing.

She looked at the beach and beyond, where the sea was fading from flat pewter to cool, dimpled green. As she watched, dolphins crested the cove, their grace and energy leaving a sense of awe. She could almost hear their unearthly, highpitched chatter. Did they share their worries the way humans did? Did they agonize over offspring and weather?

As the last tears leaked out, Annie rubbed her face slowly. Silent, she sat up, hugging her knees and staring out at the cove. A small boat drifted exactly where Sam had moored long weeks before.

The same place she'd lost her heart to a man with a rugged face, a calm laugh, and too many dark memories in his eyes.

Annie hadn't asked about his past although it had drifted around him like smoke, a clear warning that they had nothing, absolutely nothing in common.

One week later she'd given herself to him without fear, without limits. He'd answered her with gentle hands and a fierce hunger, and later with something like regret.

Both of them had been very careful not to speak of love. Neither had made any promises.

And now?

Now he had orders, she told herself. She was in love with a hero, and for a hero, duty always came first.

She rose slowly and began to dress. Sam had asked her to trust him and she was going to try.

S
HE
FOUND IZZY
IN
THE
GUESTHOUSE
HUNCHED
OVER
A LAPTOP computer with two exterior disk drives. At least that's what they looked like to her. “When did he leave
?”

Izzy looked up, his eyes narrowed. “It wasn't his choice, Annie.”

She nodded, hearing the words as if from a distance. “He told me he'd have to go. I knew it was coming.” She looked away and took a sharp breath. “We both knew, but we hoped it would be later.”

“If Sam had his choice, it would have been.”

“I believe that.” Annie filled a cup with coffee and held it out to Izzy. “I suppose this fiasco with Marsh hasn't helped the situation.”

“It was just a question of time. Sam's a valuable asset now that he's recuperated.”

“Recuperated?” Annie glared at Izzy. “Sam's knee is still shaky and his shoulder is barely usable. He's going to need that brace off and on for at least another week. If he gets shipped out on a mission now—” She ran one hand across her eyes. “Tell me to shut up anytime you want.”

“He won't push himself unless he has to, Annie.”

“Unless he's in danger, you mean.”

Izzy nodded. “He told me he was serious. Leaving was the last thing he wanted. Maybe that helps.”

It did, just a little.

Trust him,
Annie told herself.

Izzy closed his laptop and rose slowly. “How about we go out for some ice cream?”

Annie had never felt less like eating. “A little early, isn't it?”

“Never too early for the good stuff.”

She managed a smile. “Only if it's truly sinful. Chocolate chocolate mocha chip.”

Izzy studied her thoughtfully. “Sinful can probably be arranged.”

W
HEN
THEY
PULLED
OFF
THE
COAST
HIGHWAY
TWENTY
MINUTES later, Annie was disoriented. “This isn't the way to town.”

Izzy drove on, his eyes unreadable.

She frowned as the minutes passed and they drove inland along a pitted fire road, mountains rising before them. “I might also point out that this is a long way to go for ice cream.”

“But they get the really good stuff here.” Izzy turned onto a twisting dirt lane. “You'll see.”

“See what?” Annie stared as they stopped before a house with weathered stone walls and a sloping blue roof. “I don't understand.”

“I'll get your bags out of the back.”

“What bags?”

Izzy pointed up the hill. “Go get your chocolate chocolate mocha chip.”

The door on the big stone porch opened and a white dog rocketed down the hill. Behind him a man appeared, wearing worn blue jeans and the faintest of smiles.

Annie drew a sharp breath. “He's here?”

“In the flesh. You should know that somebody bent a lot of rules for this.”

“Bless that somebody.” Annie kissed Izzy swiftly, then swung open the door and flew over the lawn.

Right into Sam's arms.

Neither heard the sound of gravel when Izzy pulled away.

T
HE
WIND
WAS
GENTLE
ON
ANNIE'S
FACE.
“H
OW
LONG
DO WE have
?”

“I don't know, Annie.”

No lies, no evasion. This way was best, she told herself.

Sam's fingers tightened in her hair. “Can you accept that?”

“I'll have to.” She frowned. “I need to phone Taylor. It may be a while before I get back.”

Sam ran his hands over her cheeks, as if memorizing every bone. “Izzy will set up a secure line. Just keep the details vague.”

Annie felt a sudden kick of fear. “Sam, has something happened?” She gripped his arm. “Are you in danger?”

For long moments he didn't speak. His eyes shifted, focused over her shoulder. “I believe that's the assumption.”

“You're not going to tell me any more than that?”

“I can't. You need to trust me on this, Annie.”

“I can't walk around in the dark, Sam, and I'm no help to you if I don't know what to watch for.”

After a long time he nodded. “Security's involved, Annie. I've got to restore those missing days, and the clock is ticking.”

“You can't
make
yourself remember,” she said sharply.

“Tell that to the doctors. They say I might be fighting something.”

“Then you need to relax. How about a nice massage in front of the fire?”

Sam's eyes narrowed. “I can think of something that would relax me more.”

“That could be arranged, too,” Annie murmured. She turned as the big white dog bounded up the hill, tail swinging. “Who's your gorgeous friend?”

“His name's Donegal. Be careful, he's a real charmer.”

The dog sniffed Annie's legs, then sat alertly at Sam's feet.

“Is he waiting for something?”

“For me to tell him if you're friend or foe.” Sam looked down into the dark, intelligent eyes and smiled. “It's okay, Donegal. She's a friend.”

In a shot, the dog was at Annie's side, pressing against her hand and barking excitedly. “He's lovely, Sam. What breed is he?”

“Irish wolfhound. But Donegal's more than another pretty face, trust me. I trained him myself.”

Annie's brow rose. “You mean he's a show dog?”

Sam laughed dryly. “Not that kind of training, honey.” He whistled once, and Donegal trotted to his side. “Down,” he said firmly.

Instantly the dog went flat against the ground, head down, all motion ceased.

“Scout,” Sam ordered.

Keeping his body low, the wolfhound moved off through the grass, ears pricked forward and body tense.

Annie stared. “You mean he's some kind of guard dog?”

“Way beyond a guard dog. Donegal's saved my hide three times now. His nose is a hundred times better than any man's, he can guard a perimeter like Rambo, and he doesn't need C-rations.”

“So you actually take him on missions?”

“When conditions are right.” A muscle moved at his jaw. “Donegal, heel.”

In a blur of pale fur, the dog shot over the grass and stopped smoothly at Sam's side, his eyes watchful.

Sam scratched the dog's neck. “Good boy. You've charmed her already.”

“You're worried, aren't you? Things have gotten worse.”

Sam surveyed the hillside behind her. “I remembered something important yesterday, at least part of it. Because of what I remembered, we're looking for someone, and things could get nasty until we find him. I want you close where Izzy and I can protect you. That's all I can say for now.”

Annie sensed he was revealing more to her than most civilians would have been told, though it made little sense. She tilted her head, resting her palm against his chest. “Izzy said a lot of rules were bent for me to come here. Is that true?”

“Izzy talks too damned much.”

“Funny, I think he's just about perfect.” Her lips pursed. “Except for a friend of his. The man's totally arrogant, of course. Stubborn and irritating—”

Sam lifted her palm and laced his fingers through hers. “I just hope you can't live without him.”

“Well, I like his dog. I'll tell you the rest in a few hours.” Annie shivered. “It's freezing out here.”

“Must be a storm coming.” Sam's voice was low, and Donegal instinctively edged closer, waiting for an order.

Looking at Sam's eyes, Annie had the feeling he was talking about more than the weather. “Where's lzzy?”

A bank of clouds was moving in from the west as Sam glanced up the hill. “He'll be around.”

“I don't see anything.”

“That's the general idea, honey.” He slid an arm around her shoulders and turned toward the big stone porch. “Let's go inside. I've got a fire going and a bottle of merlot just waiting to pour.” He rubbed Donegal's head, then pointed down to the road. “Scout.”

The big dog barked twice, then vanished into the trees.