Rundown (Curveball Book 2) (40 page)

“
Not
only have you tasked Drew with pretending to be drunk, he then needs
to convince Vivian that he’s in possession of evidence that no one
knows about.  Vivian will take the bait, ask what it is and when
Drew tells her that he found a computer chip but can’t break the
password, she’ll miraculously offer to bring Drew to Major Arnold. 
The CIA rolls in, case closed.  Did I miss anything?”

“
What
specifically do you have an issue with?” Mark asks.

Is
he kidding me right now?

My
expression must do the talking for me because Mark visibly backs off.

“
Why
can’t the two of you figure this out on your own?  You’re
putting Drew in danger…it’s not right.”

I
cannot for the life of me be ok with a plan that puts Drew in direct
contact with either Vivian or Major Arnold.  The guy
masterminded some really messed up things.  Who’s to say he
won’t hurt Drew?  And with the animosity that so clearly
exists between Drew and Mark, am I really supposed to believe that
Drew would be saved no matter what the cost? 

“
He’ll
be protected the entire time.  We’ll give him a wire and a
weapon if he wants one,” Mark assures me.

“
Why
can’t I be the bait?  Vivian’s more likely to show up for
me.  Plus—”

“
No!”
Drew and Mark shout in unison.

Annoyed
at my participation being vetoed, I walk over to a table that has a
few gadgets lying out.  Watches, bracelets, pens, a Swiss Army
Knife, MP3 players…you name it. 

“
What’s
all this?” I ask, picking up a silver women’s bracelet.

“
These
are listening devices, all of which have GPS.”

“
How
do they work?” I ask skeptically.

Mark
tells me to put the watch on and presses a button.  He then
takes a small, black gadget that’s half the size of a cell phone,
and turns that on as well.  “Put that on and then go out in
the hallway.  Say something, but quietly and then come right
back.”

I
slide the bracelet on and venture into the hallway, accompanied by
Corinne. 

“
What
should I say?” I whisper.

Corinne
laughs.  “The ABC’s I guess.”

As
I recite the alphabet, we walk up and down the hall, and then return
to the apartment.

“
Ok,”
I say.  “What’d I say?”

“
You’ve
got to see this,” Drew waves me over to where he and Mark are
looking at an iPad.

I
lean in so that I can see what he’s raving about.  It’s a
map with a dot, which at first isn’t highly impressive.  What
is
impressive is that on the right hand side of the screen are
the coordinates of my movement.  I didn’t go very far, but it
captured exactly where I went.

“
Listen
to this,” Marks says and then presses play. 

“
What
should I say?”

Laughter.

“
The
ABC’s I guess.”

“
I
didn’t know it recorded as well.  That is pretty cool.”

“
Yeah,
all you really need to do is plug this into a mobile device.  We
use these frequently.  They’re pretty fail-proof.”

He
can demonstrate gadgets and feed me statistics all day long.  I
still don’t feel better about the plan.

“
That’s
great...but just so I’m clear, the two of you, and hopefully more
agents, will be there if anything happens, right?”

“
I’ll
be there,” Mark says.  “Spencer has a personal obligation. 
Backup will be available if needed.  We’ve got Agents Everett
and Jackson, and the two other agents that have been working behind
the scenes since before Thanksgiving.  I assure you, we’re
covered.”

“
Then
let’s wait until Spencer can be there.  You know, the more the
merrier?”

“
No,”
Spencer says, shaking his head.  “Vivian’s back tonight. 
We need to move on this tomorrow.  We won’t get this chance
again.”

This
is complete and utter bullshit.  I narrow my gaze on him and
wonder what could be more important to him than this?  Not that
I’ve ever trusted him, but he’s now officially on my shit list. 
 

“
You
don’t have to do this,” I say, turning to Drew.

“
Babe. 
I’ll be fine.  They’re not going to let anything happen to
me.”

I’m
not so sure about that.

“
Let’s
go through this one more time,” Drew suggests.

“
Here,
take this.  I noticed you don’t wear one.”  Mark hands
Drew a watch.  He then removes the gadget from the tablet, sets
it on the table and puts another one in. 

“
Why’d
you do that?” I ask.

“
I
have to plug in the one that’s paired with his watch.”

Corinne
steps out of the room to make a phone call.  The four men review
the plan and show Drew how to turn the watch’s GPS and listening
capabilities on and off.   I’m grateful that no one needs
my input or assistance because I’m drained.  I actually feel
kind of dizzy.  My hearts fluttering and I have a really bad
case of butterflies.  This plan sucks.  I don’t feel good
about it at all. Pftt. I bet I could come up with a better plan on my
own.

Actually…

Can
I?

I
wander over to the window, stopping briefly at the table holding all
the trinkets.  Making sure the coast is clear, I swipe the
gadget Mark removed from the tablet that’s apparently linked to the
bracelet I’m still wearing, and stuff it in my pocket.  I’m
not sure whether or not I’ll need this, but it sure as hell can’t
hurt to be prepared.

“
You
ready,” Drew asks seconds later, startling me.  “Are you
ok?” 

“
Fine. 
Just hungry.  I didn’t eating anything yet today.”

Concerned,
he pulls me into a quick hug. 

“
Let’s
get you some food then.”

He
kisses my forehead and leads me to the door.  I can feel Mark’s
gaze burning through me the entire time.  I might care about
that if I wasn’t convinced that he’s asked Drew to do this
because he doesn’t care whether or not he survives.  That, and
I’m feeling pretty guilty over the fact that I just lied to Drew. 

Get
used to it
, I tell myself. 
The lies are just beginning.

“
What
the—” Drew groans.

“
What’s
wrong?” I ask, sitting up and flipping off my eye mask.  

Waking
up next to Drew is like a dream come true.  Waking up to Drew
with two sets of miniature feet in his face is downright hilarious.
 It’s almost possible to block out the events that are
supposed to happen tonight.

“
Don’t
worry, they had baths last night,” I tell him, laughing and
slinking back down into the covers.

“
I’m
ordering us a new bed,” he groans.

“
California
king should fit us all.”

“
Not
if they’re going to continue sleeping sideways.”

“
You
have to get up soon anyway.  I’ll roll them off you if you
need to get to practice.”

“
Why
don’t you get in the shower and I’ll get them breakfast so you
can get ready before I leave.”

“
You
sure?”

 
Half
an hour later I must have abused my allotted time, because the most
spectacular looking man has just pulled the shower curtain open and
is watching me with the utmost appreciation.

“
Hey,
I gotta get going in a few.  You almost done?”

“
I’ll
be out in a few minutes.” I tilt my head back into the stream of
steaming hot water to rinse the conditioner from my hair.  Sensing
that his eyes are still on me, I peek at him.  

“
Need
help with anything?” he asks with a wink.

“
I’m
good,” I laugh and then just for fun I grab the liquid body wash
and generously lather up my body, making sure that I pay special
attention to cleansing his favorite assets.

“
Baby,
you are seriously overestimating my willpower.”

“
I’d
extend you an offer if you didn’t have to go,” I tease.  

“
You’ve
been in here a long time.  That’s a serious waste of natural
resources.  For the sake of our planet, I think it’d be wise
if we showered together in the future.”

“
Since
when did you become a conservationist?”

“
Since
I thought it could get me laid.”

I
open my eyes for the sole purpose of rolling them at him.  

“
You’re
ridiculous.”

“
At
least give me a kiss.”

I
step out of the spray and get pulled into Drew’s arms.

“
You’re
going to get wet,” I warn.

“
As
wet as I get you?”

“
You’re
so funn…oh…ahh,” I moan as Drew’s mouth darts south of my
lips, latching onto my very sensitive nipple.  His hand travels
even farther.  “Neither of those are m-my mouth.”

“
All
mine,” he replies.  His husky voice is dripping with lust as
he slowly trails kisses up my chest, neck and chin, finally landing
on my lips.

“
It’s
ok with me if you’re late to practice.”

“
Thanks
for clearing that up for me.”  He laughs, pulling away his
hand and completely leaving me hanging.  “To be continued.”

He
kisses me again and backs up marginally.  I can’t help but
sigh.

“
What’s
wrong?” he asks.

His
wry smile tells me he thinks my frustration is due to a denied
orgasm.  It’s not…well, maybe partially.  

“
This
should be continued tonight, but what if…what if we don’t get
that chance?”

“
Hey,
don’t.   I
am
coming home tonight.  You
called Vivian last night and from what Mark said she’s taken the
bait.  It’s going to be fine.  I’ll be back in a few
hours.  We can talk more about this when I get back from
practice.  Ok?”

Despite
my best efforts, I can’t stop reflecting on all the things we’ve
been through.   Being the sole survivors of a diverted
flight gone wrong; almost losing him to a snakebite; being tracked
down by gunmen; watching Drew be beaten within an inch of his life;
worst of all…breaking his heart.  The emotional collateral has
built up to catastrophic proportions.  There’s no way I can
withstand him being put at risk, especially when I’m certain that
Mark will put more effort and resources into ensuring my safety. 
I swear I’m coming unglued.