Special Agent: Austin (6 page)

“Because I’m damned tired of people with resources manipulating the world for their own purposes. I believe in truth, freedom and helping others. Is it
wrong
to want that for the world?” His words came out harsher than he’d intended, but at this point, the ship had sailed. “Hell, I know it’s wishful thinking, but does that mean I shouldn’t fight for it, anyway?” He stabbed a finger toward Jaydan. “And, I’ll be damned if I’ll roll over and let Booker and the freak controlling Belle continue to do as they please without considering anyone but themselves. If not through D.I.R.E, you can be damned sure I’ll fight for it some other way.” His chest heaved for breath, while his shoulders relaxed for the first time in months.

Jaydan grinned at him like he’d inadvertently confessed to a murder. Mitchell just stared at him, his face emotionless. Austin felt a trickle of sweat run down his temple.

The agency boss said, “How soon can you get me some answers?”

His heart stopped before sprinting out of control. He glanced at Jaydan whose eyes widened to Frisbees.

He couldn’t contain the grin that blossomed on his face. “Have you got five minutes?”

That garnered a laugh out of everyone but Jaydan.

Mitchell said, “Don’t tell the others you got to sleep with a woman as a sign-on bonus.”

“Hell,” he said, his chest hollow, the pressure of the situation bubbling to the surface. “I don’t even know her.”

“We’re going to remedy that.” Mitchell held up his tablet. “I have her DNA results. They’re going to upset her, so she’s going to need someone to be there for her. I’d like you to keep your connection to us covert and get close to her through this…request of hers. When we bring her in for questioning, she’ll reveal more if she trusts you.”

An undercover assignment - literally. He was actually working for the D.I.R.E. Agency to bring down a known terrorist.

This is what he wanted to do with his life. He’d actually made it happen.

So, why did he hate the idea of deceiving Belle?

A few minutes later, Austin pushed open the hospital room door. Belle stared out the window, one cheek of her bare bottom visible at the back of her hospital gown, her long ringlets trailing down her back to her waist.

“Belle.”

She turned, her smiling gaze going from him to Mitchell, before turning wary. She faced them full on, hands clenched at her sides.

The warrior prepared for battle.

Austin held out an arm to Mitchell. “This is Mitchell Jacobs, head of the D.I.R.E. Agency.”

Her bold gaze raked over his new boss before she crossed her arms over her chest. Her toned biceps peeked from beneath the sleeves of her gown. “I’ve heard a lot about you, Mitchell. None of it good.”

“Belle…” Austin said in a warning tone. If her boldness shocked him, Mitchell didn’t let on.

He gave her a small smile. “Then, I hope I can prove differently today.”

“Don’t hold your breath.” She snapped her fingers, her eyes round with feigned wonder. “Wait, on second thought,
do
hold your breath.”

Damn, she really had been brainwashed. Whoever controlled her must have it out for Mitchell. Which meant he, and the agency, were in serious danger. If he could get close to her, maybe he could get the inside track on any plans they have for D.I.R.E.

Taking her by the hand, Austin led her to the bed and helped her sit. Dropping down beside her, he laced her fingers through his. He wanted to show her a united front, that he was on her side.

“Belle, D.I.R.E. did some medical tests –“

She backed away from him on the bed before her gaze flew to Mitchell. “You had no right.”

Turning her to look at him, Austin took her hand in his again and laid it on his thigh. He felt a shiver rush through her before her shoulders relaxed.

He spoke in a soft voice. “Sweetpea, we have some news for you.”

Her body tightened, the grip on his hand tense. Her round, blue eyes searched his before she glanced back at Mitchell.

“Belle,” Mitchell said, his posture stiff as he held a folder at his side. “What do you remember about your childhood?”

She spat her reply. “I don’t have to answer your questions.”

Austin tugged on her hand before leaning over to whisper low. “I accept your offer.”

Her mouth dropped open before she clamped it shut to swallow hard. Her gaze bounced over his face, studying him. “You’re not conning me?”

Shaking his head, he said, “No. Do we have a deal?”

He could see the wheels turning in her head. She had to be second guessing herself, while at the same time, he hoped like hell she came through for him with the truth. If she was playing him now like she had at the airport, it would make him look like a fool in front of Mitchell, and question the intuition in his gut that told him she wanted an out.

Cupping his cheek in her palm, she leaned forward and kissed him. His body hardened, eager to start, as she ended the kiss and turned to Mitchell.

“My parents were killed in a car accident when I was four. I was sent to a girls’ home.”

Mitchell said, “What if I told you your parents were alive and well? Not only that, but you have two younger brothers?”

The blood drained from her face. Her skin turned cold in his palm, her hand shaking.

Good God, she’d been taken as a child, just like Keegan Meeks. She’d been lied to and stolen from her family. Donner’s presence yesterday made so much sense now.

Wrapping an arm around her shoulders, he held her. Damn, these people had balls. The idea pissed him off so bad he wanted to rip Cyrus Matheson’s head off his body. He knew Matheson was tied to whoever Belle called boss. To bring down this bitch would even the score for both Belle and Jaydan.

Her voice came out in a low, ominous tone. “I’d say you were wrong.”

Mitchell pulled some papers from the folder and handed them to her. “Here are your DNA results, and those of your parents. Behind them is a photo of your family taken last year at the opening of your mother’s natatorium.”

With a flick of her wrist, the documents scattered to the floor. “Don’t waste my time with lies.”

Austin bent to retrieve the documents. He couldn’t blame her for denying the claim. He’d felt the same way when Booker first told him and Gunner that he was their biological father.

“Are you a part of these lies, too, Austin?”

Shaking his head, he sat up on the bed. “I’m hearing it for the first time.”

“Oh, really?” She stiffened her spine and crossed her arms over her chest again. “You had nothing to do with this farce?”

“It isn’t a farce, Belle,” he said in exasperation. “What would we have to gain by it?”

Her answer came quick. “To make me vulnerable.”

But, not as fast as his reply. “You’re already vulnerable.”

She jumped up from the bed. He grasped her hand and shoved the photo in front of her face.

Belle looked just like her brothers. They each had her mother’s blue eyes and her father’s blond, curly hair. They didn’t need the test results to see the truth.

He understood the denial. God, he’d been there, and he didn’t wish the lies upon anyone. Especially, her.

A tear fell on the photo. He looked up. She held her hand over her mouth, tears raining down her cheeks. He pulled her against him, rage burning in his gut. Whoever did this would pay, big time. He’d make sure of it.

It was obvious now that the hardened attitude she gave off had been forced on her, while her true nature peeked through the tears. She deserved a normal life. He’d give her back to her family, one way or another.

“Your real name is Monica Montgomery.” Mitchell spoke in a gentle voice. “Your mother named her natatorium after you. Your father’s boat is registered as Monica’s Maiden Voyage.”

She shook her head against his shirt, her body quaking in his arms.

He kissed the top of her head. “I think they’ve missed you.”

She smiled against his chest before tightening her hold on him.

“Monica, you’re free to leave with Austin,” Mitchell said.

“Free,” she said, turning her cheek to rest against his shirt. “Hardly.”

“The guards outside have been instructed to take the two of you back to the hotel as soon as you’re ready to leave. We’ll talk again tomorrow, once you’ve had time to take in all of this. Austin, you know where to find me if you need anything.” He walked out of the room.

As soon as the door swished shut, she pulled away and reached for a tissue on the beside table.

“Do you remember them, Belle?”

Nodding, she sniffed back tears. “As soon as I saw them, I remembered.” She looked up at him, her eyes red-rimmed and bleary. “Why didn’t I remember before?”

He trailed his palm up and down her arm. “You were young, Sweetpea. I don’t remember much when I was four.”

Shaking her head, she went to the window and stared out. “I wonder if the same is true for my sisters.” She turned around to look at him. “If Grayson Donner really is Cindy’s brother.”

So, she did know his identity. Things were snowballing fast.

“D.I.R.E. could bring them in and take DNA samples.”

She gnawed on her bottom lip, deep in thought. “We have DNA samples at…home. If I got them, would you have them tested?”

She trusted him that much? Guilt washed over him, gnawing at his gut. Then again, this wasn’t just about working for D.I.R.E. anymore. It was about discovering the truth. Uncovering the lies.

He’d thought he’d gotten the shaft from his mother and Booker but, Belle had been taken from her family by someone who’d used her for their own purposes and thought it was okay. If he could get her to take him to her home, he could find out who was behind all of this.

“Of course, Sweetpea. Where’s home?”

Her face split into a sly grin. “I’m not giving you anything until you fulfill your side of the bargain.”

B
elle heard Austin shut the hotel room door behind her. Until that last hit, she’d never been frightened of anything, other than the Madam, in her adult life. Even now, the anticipation turning her stomach, the excitement nipping at her skin, invigorated her. Yet, all of that didn’t eclipse the absolute fear she felt deep inside.

Although he’d used her for D.I.R.E.’s gain, it didn’t lessen her intimidation. Austin Rose was the most beautiful, thrilling man she’d ever met. He’d brought her the truth of her existence, a possible way out for her sisters.

A forbidden indulgence in her last days.

This time with him would never happen again. How did she make it last? Make it all it could be and more?

She had no experience with men, no idea what to do. While it was a life-changing experience for her, she didn’t want it to be a duty for him. She wanted it to be just as important, just as meaningful.

Looking around her room, she realized D.I.R.E. had cleaned her out. All she had left were the clothes left lying on the dresser and a few toiletries furnished by the hotel. If they hadn’t already, they would soon hack into the Madam’s black internet server, alerting her to Belle’s failure.

She had hours before one of her sisters appeared. Her time with Austin grew short.

Stepping out of her hospital slippers, she set her empty purse on the end of the bed. “Just so we’re clear on this…”

He spun her around to face him. His chocolate eyes blazed with a hunger and ferocity she’d seen only in combat. The intent to devour before being devoured.

She let him pin her against the wall. Her instincts told her to shove him away, to fight her way out of such a vulnerable position. Yet, his leathery scent, his familiar touch belied those reflexes. Every hard, rocky muscle pressed against her every soft curve, eliciting a comfortable truth. They were meant to be here now, in this room. No matter what happened
to
them, between them, this was meant to be.

“Clear on what?” He nuzzled the side of her neck, causing goose bumps to pop up on her arms.

“This agreement.” Tilting her head, she encouraged his small kisses along her bare shoulder.

“What about it?” His breath felt warm, moist against her skin.

A shiver raced through her. “You’re going to have sex with me…”

His lips trailed down her décolleté, stopping just shy of her breasts.

Her growl of frustration escaped. “As often as I want.”

His tongue snaked out to lave her swollen mounds. The urge to rip off her dress and hold his head to her chest fought with her control. How did she tell him what she needed without coming out and saying it?

He stopped long enough to speak before teasing her more. “Nope.”

“What is this, then? I… I thought you agreed to my terms.” Shrugging out of her gown straps, she clutched the back of his head as he continued to torment her without mercy. Her breasts tingled with tiny bursts of heat, the bodice of her gown confining.

Stopping his attentions, he grasped her face in both hands. They were large, strong hands, the callouses rough against her cheeks. “Call this whatever you want, Sweetpea, but you and I both know this isn’t a business arrangement. We’re here because we started something last night in that parking garage that’s stronger than both of us. So, stop trying to control me and this situation. I’m not now, and never will be weaker than you, beneath you, or whatever the hell you’ve been taught to believe. We’re here as equals. Got it?”

He crushed his mouth to hers, the longing, the absolute hunger in his kiss a palpable thing. She felt it pull her under, swallowing her, taking her captive without pity.

The Madam’s voice shouted in her head, fighting to be heard.
Don’t leave yourself vulnerable to a man. It means certain death, in one form or another.

Yet, in that moment, Austin’s arms felt like heaven, not hell, his arrogance expected and welcomed. She
wanted
him to think of her as his equal, to consider this a mutual satisfaction situation.

She broke away, needing her wits - and her breath. “So, you’re saying I can’t order you to kiss me?”

His crooked grin was the sexiest thing she’d ever seen – other than his rear in jeans. “This is about free will, Belle. We’re both here because we want to be.”