Promise Renewed (20 page)

“I’m with you, sugar.” She grinned.

He asked for a private table in the corner, then handed the man a fifty to make sure it stayed private.

“How does it feel to throw money around?” Gina asked when they were seated.

“Like an idiot. With the amount of money we’ve blown on the hotel, food and tips, I could have landscaped my backyard twice.”

Gina chuckled.

A waiter poured water and handed Darin a wine list.

“What would you like?” he asked Gina.

“How about a bottle of Chardonnay?”

“Sounds good to me.”

He picked the most expensive bottle on the list and placed the order.

Darin might not be accustomed to the high life, but as Dutch Farley, he was giving a damned good imitation.

When he turned his attention her way, heat scrambled through her body.

Even in their ridiculous disguises the attraction was there. She didn’t want it. “Do you want to hear my idea?”

“Wait until the wine gets here.”

Sure enough, the sommelier was there in less than a minute. After pouring a sample for Darin to approve, he filled their glasses, handed them each a menu and left.

“This is good.”

“It should be. Did you see the price?”

“No, and I don’t want to.”

Darin lifted his glass, touched hers. “Here’s to a successful take-down.”

“I’ll drink to that.” She smiled and took another sip.

“Okay. Let’s hear your idea.”

“The FBI has all kinds of tools we don’t. If they can clone Chavizi’s cell phone, we can have the FBI send every member of the squad, even those we didn’t pick, a text message saying something like, ‘Important: no response needed. Need you at the exchange tonight. We’ll celebrate later,’ sign it with a C. Such a message would cover either a man or a woman. Our team, because I know we picked the right bunch, will call Peavy to find out what’s going on. If I’m right, the mole will show up, and he or she gets taken down at the same time as Chavizi.”

Darin nodded. “It might work.”

“It
will
work.”

“If we’re lucky. And if the FBI can clone his phone.”

She sat back, glass of wine in hand, a smile on her face. “I’m going to think positive thoughts.”

The waiter was back for their order so they waited to finish their conversation.

“I’ll talk to Agent Peavy and see if he can do it. If he can’t, maybe he can come up with something. He’ll handle the situation from his end. Once we get the time and place to meet we’ll text Peavy, he’ll send the message to the team, and we see who shows up,” Gina said.

“And hope to hell whoever it is doesn’t recognize us.”

They discussed their options once the sting went into motion.

When their dinner arrived, conversation stopped.

“I feel as if I walked in here and waddled out,” she said as they left to go to their room.

“Why don’t we go for a walk? We’ll feel better.”

“Good idea, except for these heels. I feel like I’m leaning forward all the time. Besides, they hurt my feet.”

“We’re close to the Galleria, we’ll buy a pair of walking shoes.”

Gina frowned. “I’m not sure whoever is financing our stay is going to appreciate it if we blow too much money.”

“If they give us a hard time I’ll pay them back. You need to be comfortable.”

“You’re so nice, sugar. But what will I do about the gun in my boot?”

When they arrived at the mall it was close to nine. And still crowded. “Let’s check out that window display.” He looked around the mall. Were they being followed? Any one of a dozen shoppers could be watching them. A man standing with his back to them at a window across the mall looked suspicious. So did a woman pushing a stroller. Was there a kid in it? Or was it a cover?

Act Dutch Farley normal.

They stood there looking at an array of diamond rings, necklaces, and bracelets.

“I like that one,” she pointed to a simple diamond ring.

“Not very ostentatious.” He held up the hand sporting the large sparkler.

“Maybe not,” she whispered. “But this isn’t me.”

“I’m going to take out my billfold and drop it so I can take care of the gun.”

Gina did her best to block anyone’s view of what he was doing.

In seconds, he popped up beside her to admire the glitter for a while longer.

“Sorry about that, sweet one.” They kept the act going while they bought Gina a pair of Nikes and started the walk back to the hotel.

“Better?”

“Sugar, you have no idea. My feet thank you.”

They were almost at the hotel when Gina had a thought. “What if one of Chavizi’s people got into our room and planted a bug?” she whispered.

“We’ll know when we walk in. Remember, Agent Peavy said he would have it swept every two hours. We have to trust him.”

“I’m more than ready to be me.”

They stopped whispering when they entered the lobby and headed for the elevators.

When they entered the room, Gina’s gaze went to the table. A single red rose sat in a bud vase. “Yes!”

“I’m getting comfortable,” she said. She couldn’t help being paranoid about being found out so she lowered her voice. “Tonight is my night for the couch.”

“We’ll talk about it after you change.”

There wouldn’t be a discussion. What was right was right, she thought, as she took off her clothes and got out of her bustier. She washed off her makeup and slipped into silk pajamas, then ran her hands up and down the soft, smooth, silk. It sure didn’t feel like the old T-shirt she usually wore every night.

Shaking out her hair, she took the brush to it. It felt good after being piled up and plastered with hairspray all day. She would be glad when this was over. Slipping into the plush robe provided by the hotel, she went to join Darin.

****

Breath left him the minute she walked in. She was one of those rare women who looked just as good without makeup as with.

Her hair was a hundred times prettier without the teased look of Meg Farley.

“You look comfortable.”

“I feel better. Do you want to change?”

“I won’t be a minute.” To tell the truth, he didn’t want to be away from Gina even that long. He enjoyed watching her play her part or just simply sitting there. He wanted to be in her presence more and more. Since he’d never felt this way before, he wondered where it would go from here.

Or would it go anywhere? The gun episode this morning gave him pause. He had a feeling Gina had a story. One she fully intended to keep to herself.

Partners didn’t have affairs. Besides being frowned on by the department, ninety-nine times out of a hundred they turned out bad.

As he took off his wig, the fake scar, and scrubbed his face he wished it would be different. He wanted to kiss her again, hold her.

He had to stop thinking along those lines. And he had to call Agent Peavy. Though he trusted the FBI to sweep their rooms regularly, he turned on the shower. He told Peavey how he almost blew the deal by putting too much pressure on Chavizi. Then he explained their plan to close in on the mole. “Can you do it? If so, it will make it easier to find the mole. You don’t have much time. The deal can come together anytime now.”

“It’ll take a bit of luck, but I think we can. Let me know when you’re contacted, and I’ll send the text. Don’t worry, when this goes down, we’ll be there. We’re set for the takedown. All we need is a time and place.”

“I may get the time; I doubt they give me the place. You’d better have us followed.”

The agent laughed. “We
do
have you followed. Does Ms. Carlson like her new shoes?”

“You’re good. I looked. Saw a couple of suspicious folks, but couldn’t pinpoint anyone watching us.”

“One of Chavizi’s men followed you, too. So you’d better stay sharp. We’ll be waiting to hear from you.”

Darin kept his voice low as he explained to Gina what Peavy told him. “We had the FBI, and one of Chavizi’s men following us. Did you make them?”

“One, maybe. Is there a chance anyone saw you take the gun out of my boot?”

Darin frowned. “Nope. I was too careful.”

“Good.”

He sat beside her on the couch. “Are you tired?”

“I should be, but I’m kinda wound up. This is happening fast.”

“Would you like a nightcap? There’s a fully loaded bar.”

She shook her head. “I’m fine.”

They sat there a minute. Gina had turned the TV on low. The
Late Show
was on. Neither was watching. They had turned the lights off, but the glow from the TV gave enough light to see clearly.

“You met my family. Why don’t you tell me about yours?”

Meg Farley’s perfume wafted his way. She looked and smelled the part. And he was the one to benefit.

For a minute, he didn’t think she was going to answer. “There’s just me and my sister, Maddy. She’s all the family I have.”

“I’m sorry. I don’t know what it would be like without my mom, my brothers and sister. Now there are in-laws, nieces and nephews. Mom is in heaven.” He chuckled. “I don’t mind it either.”

“You like kids?”

Everyone likes kids.” She was close, but Darin wanted her closer. “So tell me about you and Maddy. How did your parents die and when? I want to know everything about you.”

She couldn’t tell him everything. So she skimmed over the part he didn’t need to know. “Our dad was killed in an accident on the job. Mom got worker’s comp, and we were fine until she remarried. It was okay for a while, but after she got cancer and died, Elton Griffin turned mean.”

“Your stepfather raised you?”

She couldn’t tell him the truth, so she changed the subject. “We attended college and here we are.”

“Yes. Here you are.”

He was closer than he had been before. When had he moved? She edged closer to the armrest. “Are you tired? They’ve turned down the bed.”

“No. Are you?”

“Yes,” she lied. “And you’re sitting on my bed.”

He chuckled. The sound made her insides tremble. Why didn’t he go to bed and leave her be? If he left the room she wouldn’t feel so shaky.

He put an arm around her shoulders.

She stiffened.

“Relax, Gina. It’s been a big day.”

“I am relaxed.”

But she wasn’t. Every nerve ending tingled.

He leaned close. “I think we need to practice a little more,” he said as he captured her mouth with his. She wanted to shove him away. Instead, she found herself leaning into the kiss.

His tongue touched hers.

Electricity shot through her. She couldn’t stop the groan of pleasure.

The kiss went deeper. He pulled her closer. She couldn’t think. A tug of desire engulfed every part of her. This had never happened before. His tongue danced with hers. She was ready to explode. Was this normal? Did everyone who kissed feel this same agonizing awakening?

A hand went to her waist, then inched higher.

She screamed, thrust him off her, sprang to her feet, and hunted for a gun that wasn’t there.

“What?” he said, a dazed look on his face.

Gina let out a whoosh of air and tugged her robe tight.

A knock on the door brought her to her senses. What was she doing? But Darin had kissed her, held her tight. Too tight. The memory of what just happened washed over her in waves of revulsion.

Her stomach rolled with disgust. At herself.

The knock grew louder. “Is everything all right?” a man called out.

Darin opened the door a crack. The room was dark enough so he couldn’t be seen.

“Who is it, sugar?” Gina called out in her Meg Farley voice.

“Don’t know, sweet one.”

“Hotel security. I was passing your room when I heard someone scream. Are you sure everything is okay?”

“You must have heard the TV. We’re fine.”

“Sorry to have bothered you,” he said, and left.

Chapter Seventeen

Darin shut the door and leaned against it. What the hell had just happened? One minute they were deep into the most sensuous kiss of his lifetime, the next Gina was screaming as if he was going to rape her.

He was lucky she didn’t have her gun.

It was his fault. He knew better. Had promised to keep his distance. So much for promises. It appeared as if he couldn’t keep his hands off her. What was going on? She wasn’t a frightened teen, and he was a seasoned cop. The kiss shouldn’t have happened, nor should it have caused such a reaction. Not even one as heart stopping as the one they’d just shared.

But the woman was scared shitless. If she’d had her gun, he was afraid this time she would have used it.

His insides shaking, he went to the living area. He expected to find her in the bedroom with the door locked. Instead, she sat on the couch her head in her hands, tears leaking between her fingers. He wanted to take her in his arms. Didn’t dare. Gina Carlson could turn on him in a second.

He dragged a chair over to the couch and sat facing her. He was close enough to touch, but didn’t. For a moment, he sat there listening to her sob. He wanted to help her in the worst way, but didn’t know where to start. He was out of his element, but wanted to find out what the problem was. He’d never been in a situation where his partner had dissolved into tears in the middle of an operation, especially one as big as the one they were on.

On top of that he cared for her. And the caring went way beyond the way one cared for a partner.

“What happened?” he asked quietly when the sobs lessened.

Gina took a shuddering breath. “I’m so sorry, Darin. This isn’t your fault. It’s mine. Please, can we pretend this never happened?”

“No, we can’t,” he said, his voice soft. “It’s my fault, not yours. I know better. We’re partners. How many times have we been warned to keep relationships between partners professional? How many times have we discussed it? The thing is, I care for you.” More than care, but he wouldn’t muddy the waters by bringing it up now. “If partners can’t help one another, the partnership is doomed.”

Her fingers parted. She looked at him, not with the fear he saw earlier, but with sadness. What had happened to this beautiful woman?

“Talk to me.”

“I can’t. I promised.”

“Promised who?”