Agent M4: Riordan (8 page)

Mitchell glared at Dar before turning to his son. “Tristan, John Warner runs several of the Warner business holdings – including their technology company. From what I understand, he and Paul worked closely with their R&D department.”

Riordan ran his hands through his hair. Dammit, did the man get off on keeping information from him?

Mitchell said, “Just as we predicted, Saint, our request for new identification caused a ripple in the imposter’s disguise. Not only has he taken a sudden vacation to Maui, Luke Powers has started his own investigation. I want to see where that leads, so I had to put a stop to another investigation into your past.”

Riordan pulled back his head. “
Another
investigation? Who? And, why the sudden interest in me?”

“It was Dan Meeks.”

He blew out a breath. “Why am I not surprised?” Riordan clenched his fists. “I thought he already knew all about me.”

Mitchell said, “He was royally pissed I pulled rank on him and stopped it. I’m sure he’ll find another way to get his information. I’ve just got to make sure Powers doesn’t get wind of it.”

“Damn, Mitchell. You pulled rank on a Senator?” Aidan’s eyes went wide.

He cocked a brow. “Damned straight, Monroe. I’ve worked my ass off to make it clear across the world that no one messes with D.I.R.E.”

Tristan braced an arm on the door jam. “If Meeks thinks his daughter is in danger, could he have started the inquiry just to protect her?”

Mitchell shook his head. “No, this was a deep, I-don’t-care-what-you-have-to-do-or-what-the-cost-is kind of investigation. It went beyond personal interest.”

“Why are you worried about Powers finding out?” Riordan said. “Have Meeks and Powers butted heads in the past?”

With a sarcastic smirk, Mitchell gave an exaggerated nod.

“Oh, yes. Powers has been instrumental in the fight against government regulation of private industry and its inventions. With Powers’ cutting edge mobile technology and society’s hunger for it, Meeks believes Powers has too much
power
over the country’s way of life.”

He held out his hand. “On the other hand, Powers also supports anyone running against Meeks, regardless of their platform. Meeks’ cronies in the capital want either a part of Powers’ profits, or to reduce Powers’ influence to rubble. The government doesn’t like competition when it comes to control.”

“So, you think the identity thief and Saint’s disappearance are connected?” Aidan frowned, his arms crossed in front of him.

Mitchell shrugged. “Maybe. Maybe not.” He looked at Riordan. “Either way, we have to consider Saint in danger until proven otherwise.”

#####

Natalie watched the crowd exit the building and funnel onto the sidewalk like ants leaving an anthill. One second the sidewalk looked deserted, the next it overflowed with workers eager to get home. Friday meant two days off for most of them.

For Natalie, it meant just another day of missing Riordan.

Crossing her arms over her middle, she leaned against the window frame. Her father had told her Riordan was dangerous.

He had no bloody idea.

Riordan St. James had made her face her true self. Her choices, her mistakes… her lies. The term
obnoxious
suited him, his in-your-face honesty and gumption downright frightening – and refreshing.

She got away with nothing in his presence. She couldn’t run away from her fears, her desires, her past. He made her face them all, whether she wanted to or not.

Yes, she’d wanted him that day at the pool. God, how she’d wanted him. The heated look in his sky blue eyes had flooded her with sharp and shocking desire. If they’d been alone, he could’ve had her that day – within minutes of meeting him.

She had no shame.

He’d made her face the cold, hard fact that she
did
run from problems, despite the lies she told herself. She’d run from her father’s public life as soon as she graduated high school. She’d left home and went to college clear across the country, just to leave behind the etiquette and magnifying glass of her life.

However, when she’d found herself ousted from the crowd
because
of her father’s position, she’d gone running back home.

Whiplash, anyone?

It was her father that financed her psychology practice and filled her client list when the banks wouldn’t loan her the money. Without a credit history, no one would take a chance on her.

Riordan was right – Daddy always
did
have her back.

She ran from Mitchell’s request to help Riordan, and ran from the all-consuming attraction she felt for him. Trusting her had been a huge step for Riordan.

She’d thrown it back in his face.

Natalie shook her head. She’d always considered herself a woman of integrity. Yet, betraying him had come easy.

Did she know herself at all?

How she wished she had his courage. He’d faced life-threatening odds…

Tears blurred the crowd before her now. What a waste that would’ve been. The world was a better, safer place with him in it, despite his opinion on the subject. He’d gone into his line of work for survival’s sake. His entire life had been built around simply surviving.

Her life had been built around self-indulgence.

The night with him at the D.I.R.E. office had been about self-indulgence. She’d wanted him and had given into her desires knowing it was wrong. Consideration for Riordan’s feelings had never entered her mind.

He thought she was too good for him.

The truth was, it was the other way around.

“Natalie.” Josie walked over and rubbed her back. “Why don’t you go home?”

Home or the office, she’d still miss the challenge of Riordan.

She smiled at her assistant. “I will. You know I like to leave after the crowd thins.”

Josie let out a bored sigh. “Yes, you never deviate from your routine. Not good if you want to discourage stalkers.”

That was another thing. Her routine. Obviously, she’d become predictable, mundane. Boring.

Why would someone as alive and on-the-go as Riordan be interested in someone like her?

“Maybe you should shake up things a bit, Nat. Be daring and leave five minutes early?”

Natalie swatted at her friend’s arm. “Get out of here.”

Josie grinned. “Or, you could cause a total ruckus and…
gasp
, call Riordan St. James.”

Natalie shook her head. He’d already shaken up her world and left her bereft.

“Have a good weekend, Josie.”

She sighed again. “Okay. Don’t listen to me. Enjoy your thrilling weekend alone with rocky road and
Revolution
episodes.”

Natalie whipped around. How did she know?

Josie smiled as she walked out with a wave.

Ugh. She
was
predictable.

That was it. He’d shaken up her world. He’d made her sit up and take notice, made her actually participate in life. Her heart beat a little faster, her mind worked a little harder in his proximity. He kept her on her toes, challenged her.

Thrilled her.

So, unlike Paul.

Paul had floated along with her, a partner in her mundane world. Looking back, she realized he’d never wanted to rock the boat. He’d never wanted to do anything to upset her or what they had when all along, he’d been on a crash course with death.

Her phone vibrated in her pocket. Could she hope Riordan had read her mind and texted her?

Pulling it out, the sender read
Private
.

It’s all your fault.

A chill raced down her spine as she frowned at the screen. Her mind went straight to Paul Warner and his suicide, the text forcing guilt and shame to the surface.

She typed in a reply.
Who is this?

Nothing.

Maybe she should call her father and have him send over security. She’d always declined his offer for security, even though many of his associates’ families utilized it. The last thing she wanted was a man in a suit following her everywhere.

Perhaps, she should call Mitchell. He’d know what to do, and she wouldn’t receive an overblown
I-told-you-so
. He may not answer, but she could at least give it a try.

Dialing his number, she waited for him to pick up. “Mitchell Jacobs.”

“Hi, Mitchell. It’s Natalie Meeks.”

“What can I do for you?” No small talk. Just straight to the point.

A commotion came from the outer office. She whipped around to stare at the open doorway. Someone was out there.

Rushing to her office door, she spoke into the phone. “I just received a disturbing text from a private number.”

Mitchell’s tone went from tolerant to alert. “What did it say?”

“It’s all your fault.” She wiped a shaky hand over her brow. “Should I be worried?”

John appeared in her doorway, winded and flushed. “
Natalie
.” He breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank God.”

“Hold on, Mitchell.” She lowered the phone to her chin.

“There’s been a bomb threat. The building’s on fire.” He held out his hand to her. “Smoke is filling the lobby. We need to get out of here.”

Mitchell’s raised voice reached her ears. “Get out of there, Natalie. And, keep your phone with you. I’ll send help.”

The fire alarm sirens went off just as the smell of smoke reached her nose.

“I’ll take care of you, Natalie.” John tugged on her hand.

“Let’s go.”

“Saint.”

Lowering his sparring gloves, Riordan stared at Tristan. He’d asked Jacobs to show him a few martial arts moves to go along with his enhancements. They’d been in the fitness room an hour now, his white t-shirt and black shorts soaked with sweat, his hair falling loose of its tie.

Riordan spoke into his armband. “Yeah, Mitchell.”

“It’s Natalie.”

Riordan’s heart dropped to his stomach before galloping out of control. He locked his jaw against the anger and worry that threatened.

“What?”

“There’s been a bomb threat on her office building – on her specifically.”

He shared a glance with Tristan as they pulled off their gloves.

“They’ve got a fire on the top floor and everyone’s being evacuated. Warner is with her. I need you to track her phone, find her and bring her back here. I’ll have Rose meet you onsite and fly you out.”

“Roger that.”

Mitchell disappeared from the screen.

Riordan cursed under his breath. He wouldn’t go there. Wouldn’t give into the panic, wouldn’t think about Natalie in danger, hurt, or with Warner. He had to treat this like an op, like part of his job.

Yeah, good luck with that.

Tristan turned his back to Riordan and held out his arms at his sides. “Let’s go, Saint.”

He did a double take. “What?”

Tristan looked over his shoulder. “You want to get to her, don’t you?”

It wasn’t a matter of want, but need. He
had
to reach her.

Swallowing hard, he gave a brief nod.

Jacobs shook his head once. “I fly cheap and can get you there in seconds. Just lock your arms with mine.”

Surprise and relief washed through him. His teammate wanted to help. Instead of an hour or two, he’d be with Natalie in seconds.

Backing up to Jacobs, Riordan braided his forearms with Tristan’s. “I owe you, Jacobs.”

“You don’t owe me shit, Saint. This is what we do.”

Swallowing over the lump in his throat, Riordan gave him the address. He shut his eyes as green plasma floated around him in a hazy fog.

I’m coming, baby.

A second later, light flashed in the room, blinding him, before the floor fell out from under his feet.

#####

They rushed into the lobby. Thick smoke billowed from the elevator shafts as occupants filed out of the stairwell, a firefighter rushing them through the front door. Natalie’s lungs felt full, dry as she struggled to breathe. Holding her hand over her mouth, she coughed into her palm.

John held the crook of his elbow to his mouth as he led her onto the sidewalk. Utter chaos met them. Multiple police cars pulled up to the scene, sirens blaring. A fire truck with lights whirling sat in front of the building. Policemen with whistles directed people off the street, others set up barricades at the end of the block.

Natalie rushed across Broadway, her hand in John’s hot palm. Reaching the opposite side of the street, they shoved through the crowd and onto the walk, the smell of perspiration and fire permeating the thick air. Voices surrounded them on all sides as people spoke into their phones, giving recounts of what had transpired.

A man in dark glasses and a suit stepped into their path.

“Ms. Meeks?”

She stopped short. “Yes?”

“Your father sent me. He wants you to come with me.”

It’s all your fault.

The text message popped into her head. How did she know this man belonged to her father’s team? And, why hadn’t her father called her first?

She looked at John, who glared at the agent. How did she know John didn’t send it? And why was he in the building this afternoon at closing time?

Releasing his hand, her gaze darted between them, her heart racing against her ribs. Who could she trust?

“
Meeks
.” Her name sounded over the fire truck’s bullhorn and sailed over the chaos and noise.

Catching her breath, she whipped around as the crowd silenced.

Riordan
.

He stood on the step beneath the open driver’s door, strong, confident... beautiful. Wearing workout gear, his hair was pulled back from his face, though several strands had escaped. His eyes searched the crowd, before he spoke to a dark-haired man standing on the ground below him.

Tears filled her eyes. He’d come for her.

An ambulance rushed past on the street between them, blocking him from view. A moment of panic hit her, robbing her breath. She couldn’t lose sight of him. Not again.

Shoving through the crowd, she heard John call to her but she forged ahead. Nothing mattered but getting to Riordan.

Rushing past the officer that herded the crowd, she ran to him, needing to touch him, needing to know he wasn’t a mirage.

The policeman’s shout faded into the roar of a revving engine. She stumbled, the heel of her shoe catching in a crack on the hot asphalt.

“Meeks, no!”

She could feel herself falling but felt helpless to stop. Gasping, she whipped to her side.

The police car would hit her.

Her mind registered the thought just seconds before she hit the ground and slid along the asphalt. Hot, burning pain sizzled up her leg to settle in her thigh.

Riordan was there, standing before her, his arms extended in front of him. A ripple washed over her, warped and heavy, pulling her toward him. The car creaked and groaned as the driver’s side rose in the air, the underbelly visible above her head. It rolled past on two wheels as Riordan slid in the opposite direction, the powerful, magnetic force repelling him away from her. The rear tire brushed her head before the car dropped to four wheels on the pavement. It rolled to a stop several feet away.

Oh God…
Her wild heart lodged in her throat, her body shaking from head to toe. Her bare leg burned like wildfire, scorching, stinging.

Riordan squatted before her, his hands shaking where they hung between his thighs. Copper and gold armbands engraved with intricate carvings, wrapped around both of his forearms. His dark eyes bore into her as his gaze scoured her from head to foot.

“Come on, baby.” With ease, he lifted her into his arms. Pain registered along her leg but she dismissed it.

Riordan held her.

Applause and whistles exploded across the street as he walked in the opposite direction. Glancing over his shoulder, she saw scores of people holding up their phones, taking video.

The dark-haired man met them on the sidewalk. “This way.”

They ducked behind the fire truck and rushed down the walk. Jaydan Rose stood beside a dark SUV at the end of the barricaded street.

The dark-haired man opened the back door. Riordan set her in the middle of the seat. Her skirt hiked up to reveal a long strip of road rash down the side of her leg. He cursed under his breath.

The man slapped him on the back. “Be thankful she wasn’t hurt worse.” He ran around the vehicle to climb in the passenger side.

Riordan scrambled in beside her and shut the door.

Wrapping an arm around her shoulders, he pulled her against him to relieve the pressure on her leg. She wrapped an arm around his waist and snuggled against him. His sweaty, spicy scent enveloped her in comforting safety.

“Thank you for saving my life.”

His fingertips grazed her cheek as he wiped away her tears.

“He just wanted to show off his new enhancements in front of an audience.” Jaydan grinned in the rearview mirror as he pulled away from the curb.

The dark-haired man shook his head. “Mitchell is going to be
pissed
when he finds out. Once that shit hits the internet, we’re going to need security for our security agency.”

Holding out his hand toward the man, Riordan said, “Natalie, this is Tristan Jacobs. Mitchell’s son and D.I.R.E.’s top agent.”

The man glanced over his shoulder with a half-smile and a nod. Now that she looked at him, he was actually a really
hot
, dark-haired man, with Mitchell’s pitch-black hair and blue eyes.

“Hell, after that spectacle, Saint, I could lose my seat to you. That was one helluva save.”

Natalie smiled up at Riordan with admiration. “You were pretty amazing.”

His gaze traveled over her face before he turned to the men in the front seat. “You hear that?
Pretty
amazing. Sounds like I’m going to have to come up with something bigger to impress her.”

Tristan chuckled. “You could always repel a fork into the ceiling. That impressed me.”

She grabbed one of Riordan’s armbands to study it. The carvings were a maze of science and criminal justice images,
The D.I.R.E. Agency
intermixed among them. Flipping over his arm, the band fused into the flesh of his arm.

His enhancement had been installed. He was now a superhero.

Her gaze shot to his. The urge to kiss him shoved her toward him, persistent and brash. She stared at his mouth, remembering his taste, his hands on her body.

His eyes swirled in awareness before he looked away. “Rose, we need to have her leg looked at before we head out.”

She frowned. “Head out? Where?”

His baby blue eyes swirled with anxiety. “Mitchell wants you at D.I.R.E. Headquarters in Nevada.”

She sat up to face him. Burning pain knifed through her leg. Curling in her lips over her teeth, she smothered a wince.

“Why? Because of the text?”

His scowl looked downright frightening. “What text?”

Reaching into her pocket, she handed him her phone. “I received it minutes before John helped me out of the building.”

Tristan spoke over his shoulder. “What’s it say, Saint?”

“
It’s all your fault
. Same as the bomb threat.”

“The caller said the same thing?” She glanced back and forth between them.

With a grimace, he nodded slowly. “The voice was computer-generated but yes, they said the bomb threat was all your fault.”

Riordan’s face blurred from view. Someone would kill innocent people to get back at her? For what? What did she do?

Regardless, she couldn’t remain in Riordan’s company. What if they came after him?

Scrambling away, pain clipped her words. “I need to get out.” She scooted to the opposite door.

His wide eyes held an incredulous gleam. “Like hell you’re getting out. We’re getting you to Nevada where you’ll be safe.”

“And you won’t.” Brushing tears from her cheeks, she reached for the door handle. Riordan leaned over and stayed her hand.

“Have you freaking lost your mind?”

“I need to keep you safe,” she cried. Turning to the front seat, she said, “Let me out, Jaydan. I’ll call my father.”

Riordan clutched her arm in a tight grip. “You
have
lost your mind if you think I’d let you go now.”

She shook her head. “Riordan, no-“

“
Meeks
. Look at me.”

His hard, commanding tone stilled her in the seat. Her gaze shot to his determined, sapphire eyes.

“We can argue twenty-four seven, and you can run from me until your legs won’t carry you anymore – it doesn’t matter. As long as I’m alive,
I
will protect
you
. Do you understand? There is no protecting me. If you die, we both do.”