Undercover Engagement (12 page)
Read Undercover Engagement Online
Authors: Lucy McConnell
I blinked several times trying to make sense of what just happened. Devin tightened his grip on my arm. If I'd been thinking instead of reacting I could have used the distraction to break away from him.
Dang, my secret agent skills needed some work.
The goon on the right tripped forward onto a bench, then sat, unmoving as another man arranged his arms and legs into a natural position so quickly I almost wasn’t sure he didn’t throw his arm over the back of the bench on his own.
Sweet. My backup has arrived
.
Devin ignored the wailing woman and pressed the gun hard enough into my back that I was sure it would leave a bruise. “Well, I’m sure your boyfriend would be willing to trade it for you.”
Jason materialized next to me with an I-gotcha smile. My heart did a flip-flop that had nothing to do with the gun at my back. Man was he gorgeous.
“I’m not her boyfriend, I’m her husband.”
I bit my lip and wiggled my eyebrows at him. Though he smiled, he didn’t take his eyes off Devin.
“Congratulations. Now, hand it over,” Devin ordered.
Jason hooked the key ring and dangled the drive from his pointer finger.
Devin let go of my arm, so he could take the drive, but kept the gun at my back. Quick as a flash, Jason grabbed his hand, yanked him off balance, flipped him over his shoulder and stripped his gun from his right hand. He stood over Devin with the gun pointed at his face. “Don’t move.”
“I didn’t know you could do that!” I clapped my hands and bounced on the balls of my feet. My spy husband was so cool.
Jason tossed me the drive. “Go.”
Filled with gratitude for the dancer with great taste in running shoes, I dashed to the railing only to find it empty. Police and paramedics arrived with their sirens blaring and their hands on their guns. The two unconscious men were strapped to stretchers. I saw the woman climb in with them, claiming she couldn’t leave her husband alone.
I tucked the drive back into my bra on my way to Jason, disappointed that we’d missed another drop off. Seriously, would this mission ever be over? I mean, how much did a girl have to go through to save the world from terrorists and their funding?
I found Jason in the center of it all giving the cops some story about my boss bringing me to Vegas against my will. Well, I guess that’s partially true. I gave a statement to the officer, along with my cell phone number. Being a tourist town, the cops had the street cleared of gawkers in fifteen minutes – leaving Jason and me on the bench together surrounded by families and couples waiting for the next show to start.
“What will happen to Devin?”
“Once his prints clear the system, my office will get a hold of his records and file the real charges. Same with the other two.”
I pulled the drive from its nesting place noting the way Jason glanced quickly away and turned pink.
Who ever heard of a blushing groom?
I loved it.
“I’m sorry we didn’t make it,” I said as I twirled the drive.
He put his arm around my shoulders as the pirate ship in front of us came to life. We had prime seats for the show. I leaned my head against Jason feeling safe for the first time in days. As the show ended and darkness fell, I felt a small hand brush my shoulder. I jumped.
“Alyssa.” The man nodded to me.
“Mr. Stone,” Jason smiled in relief, “you’re breaking code.”
“That was quite a show you two put on, even better than the pirates. May I?” He held his hand out and I gladly handed him the flash drive.
He played with the drive thoughtfully. “I look forward to your report. Jason. Mrs. Jason.” Touching the brim of his stupid looking hat, Mr. Stone melted into the darkness and vanished like a lounge singer when the set was over.
“I like that, Mrs. Jason.” Jason interlaced my fingers with his. I smiled – I liked it too.
I laughed. “That wasn’t exactly how I had envisioned our wedding.”
Jason pouted. “What was wrong with our wedding?”
“I’m not sure I want to remember my wedding as a life-and-death situation involving an Elvis impersonator.”
He put on his best Elvis impression, “
Any Way You Want Me
.”
I groaned and shoved him.
“Come on, let’s go find my car.”
I shrugged. Yes, the car. That wonderful, life-saving, purr under my fingers, car was right where I’d parked it.
“Jason,” I said as we neared the deliciously dangerous vehicle. “I think I know what I want for a wedding present.” I traced my hand over the scratches on the hood and then up his arm.
He placed his palm on the roof of the car and closed his eyes before turning to me. “You can have anything you want – even my car – as long as you don’t
Leave Me Cryin’ in the Chapel,
darlin’.” He curled up his top lip and gave me an Elvis smolder.
I wrapped my arms around his neck and he brushed his lips against mine. When he leaned back, I pulled him in again giving him permission to take over my lips and hold me indecently close in public. As he kissed away all the fear and stress from the last few days, cannons boomed in my ears, lasers flashed before my eyes, ooh’s and ah’s escaped, and goose bumps formed. Oh, and the pirate show started again, too.
This book was written way back in 2009. At the time, I was just getting my feet wet in the publishing world and once the first draft was done, I set it aside to await editing and the querying process. Whenever I would talk about writing my mom would say, “
You
should publish it.” Well, Mom, thank you for nudging me along the path. It has been a rewarding journey in so many ways. You were right.
Janet, you have been an overwhelming support and amazing critique partner. Thank you for the time you put into my writing.
Cathy, your edits and suggestions took this dingy old manuscript and made it shine. Thank you for being honest in your feedback. It makes all the difference in the world.
Audy, your eagle-eye proofreading is an amazing talent. I’m so blessed to know you.
I can’t finish thanking people and not mention my hubby and kids. They are supportive to the 1000th degree and without them my life would be colorless.
Lucy McConnell has always been a reader and a writer. Once caught up in a story, she disappears into a cave until the first draft is done. She writes fantasy, clean romance, Christian romance, historical fiction, and cookbooks (under the name Christina Dymock.)
When she’s not writing, you can find her volunteering at the elementary school or her church, shuttling kids to baseball, soccer, basketball, or football, depending on the time of year; skiing with her family; wake boarding; cycling; or just curled up with a good book.
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