Shattered Pieces (Undercover Elite Book 1) (5 page)

Johnnie

I find myself fidgeting as I stand in front of the door, listening to his footsteps as they get closer and closer. Why am I nervous about seeing him? Why do I find myself hoping he thinks I look beautiful in the clothing he picked out for me? This isn’t like me. Normally, I couldn’t give a fuck less what any man thinks of me.

My breath hitches when the familiar beep warns me of his arrival. I look up to view a man who looks like he is going to a formal dinner. His black eyes rake over my body and cause a clenching in my lower abdomen. The black tux he’s wearing fits as if it has been tailored specifically for him. His white shirt stretches across his massive chest and has me wondering if the buttons would pop open if he moves the wrong way or flexes.

“I do believe this is the first time I have ever had the privilege of
you
checking
me
out.”  I immediately feel my face heat with embarrassment.

“There’s no need to be embarrassed; I’m flattered.”

He takes my arm and hooks it in his as he leads me out the door and down the long, winding staircase to the dining hall.

“It’s beautiful,” I whisper as I eye the long dining table laden with silver, china, and roses, complete with candlelight. I am glad when he leads us to the head of the table and pulls a chair out for me next to where he’s going to sit. The distance from one end of the table to the other would have been an awkward seating arrangement and my nerves are already on edge.

He pushes my chair in and I mutter a quick thank you. He leans down, seductively whispering in my ear, “You’re welcome, love.” Why does this man have to be so fucking sexy? He is the epitome of the term
sex on a stick.

He sits, unbuttoning his jacket and eying me. “Red or white,” he questions me about what type of wine I prefer. I immediately say red in hopes that it will take the edge off of the anxiety I’m feeling. I grab the glass and down half of it, welcoming the numbing warmth as the alcohol enters my system.

“Take it easy there. I have some very important things to discuss with you.”

“I have a lot of questions, Cash.” I grab the glass, ignoring him and downing the rest of it. His only reply is to chuckle and refill it.

“Do I make you nervous?”

“What do you think? You kidnapped me.”

“You were never one to mince words.”

“No I’m not, Cash.”

“Well let me put your mind at ease. I believe, after tonight, you will not only have some of your questions answered, but you will be much more at peace about your position here in my home.”

We’re interrupted when a waiter brings in our salads. “Thank you,” I look up and say as he places the salad plate in front of me.

“You’re welcome, ma’am.”

“That will be all, William.”

“As you wish, sir.”

I am a little taken aback by the manner in which he speaks to the man. It’s evident he doesn’t like the small verbal exchange between the two of us. For a second, I’m confused by his behavior but then it hits me. Cash is jealous! I have to catch myself before I chuckle.

“I’m certain you’re curious as to why I brought you here. I have a proposition for you.”

The wine has done its job and I’m feeling decidedly less nervous. I’m also feeling bolder than I normally do in his presence. “A proposition, huh?”

I get the feeling by the way he continues speaking, that this proposition is going to be more of a mandate.

“I’m not who you think I am,” he answers what I was going to say as if he already knew. “I’m certain you have come to the conclusion that I am a businessman of sorts; I’m not. I come from money and though I’m not ashamed of the fact that I’m a blueblood, I do feel the need to give back. People hire me to do things when no one else will take the job.”

My life growing up in the streets taught me very early on that things aren’t always what they seem. “Are you an assassin, an enforcer? What do you do?”

“If I had to label it, I would say I’m an enforcer. I level the playing field.”

“Like a vigilante?” I ask, taking a drink of wine to wash down the salad I’m eating.

“No, vigilantes kill for emotional reasons. I take jobs that go far beyond the realms of the law. For instance, I’ve gone into third world countries and removed women who were victims of kidnapping for the purpose of white slavery. I’ve gone into third world countries where journalists have been taken hostage to prove a political point. There’s a team of us, six men to be exact. As I said, people hire us when no one else will take the job.”

Now, he has my attention. I am glad for the interruption when William rolls in a tray with the main course as it gives me a moment to digest everything he just told me. I note that, this time, William doesn’t look at me or acknowledge me in the same friendly manner that he had just moments before.

Cash waits to speak until William is done serving and leaves us to our dinner.

“I want to train you, Johnnie. I want you to work with my team. I can’t have a normal relationship and I don’t want one built on lies and deceit.”

Now, he definitely has my attention. Not only that, but he’s piqued my interest as well. “Do you think I can do this?”

“Not now, no… but by the time I get done with you, I do. I’ve watched you for six months and I believe with the right training, you can do this.”

I can feel my heart race and the mental battle of wondering whether or not this man is for real begins to wage war within me. By the look in his eyes, I know he is dead serious. I can feel myself getting excited about the prospect of working with him, about making a difference. I like what I’m hearing and find myself wanting to agree to what he’s asking of me.

He had to have seen something in me because a man of his caliber would have stopped following me the first week if he hadn’t seen potential. Part of me is proud of that fact and wants to explore the possibilities but I also find myself wondering if I truly have what it takes.

“And if I decide I don’t want to?”

“I pride myself on the fact that I’m a gentleman with manners but you, young lady, have crossed a line. Let’s just say that for you, there is no turning back. You would do well to agree or you’re going to be leading a very cooped up life in a mansion with a man who is gone quite a bit.” He leans in and growls in my direction, “I have no intention of letting you go.”

Cash

After six months of watching her, I know her well enough to know that the little adrenalin junkie sitting in front of me is going to take me up on my offer. She’s a tomboy at heart and absolutely perfect for what I have in mind.

“It won’t be easy, having your lover as your boss.” I resist the sardonic grin trying to manifest itself on my face when I view the reddening of her cheeks. I continue speaking now that I have her attention. I’m going to seal this deal while I have her seriously contemplating my offer. This is the first woman I have ever come across who fits the bill and I’m not about to let her go.

“You’re already in shape. You work out like you’re part of the team. You’ll need sharpshooter training, interrogation training, debriefing classes, and you need to freshen up on your Spanish speaking skills. Your training will be mental, as well as physical, and you will be required to study and take classes. In many aspects, it will much like taking college courses.

“Johnnie,” I look intently into her eyes, assuring she understands the magnitude of what I’m telling her. “There are going to be times you hate me and I’ll still be in your face.”

“You’re kidding.” I chuckle as she rolls her eyes and answers me sarcastically. She can give as good as she gets. It’s one of the reasons she’s perfect for what I have in mind.

My expression changes to one of seriousness as I begin speaking again. “You’ll need a good night’s sleep to begin your training tomorrow so it’s time for you to head back to your bedroom. That is, of course, unless you want me to lay that fine ass of yours up on this table and lick your sweet, little pussy until you come all over my face.”

“You seriously did not just say that to me.”

“I damn sure did,” I counter, boring into her eyes as I dare her to deny me. I lean in and hiss in her direction, “You. Belong. To. Me. I will bend your ass over a table, car, desk, or anything else I can find. I’ll fuck you until you’re screaming my name, begging me to come. When it comes to you, I’m insatiable.”

“I haven’t said yes.”

I ignore her comment because it really doesn’t matter if she agrees to what I’m offering her.

“Now, take your ass to bed and be ready to meet your worst nightmare in the morning.”

I watch as she jumps from her chair and rushes down the hallway. It’s a good sign because it means that she knows, in her heart of hearts, that I mean business. She needs to take me seriously for her to make it through the training I have in store for her.

I have to push away thoughts of taking her on the table where we just dined or I won’t get anything done. Her training will begin tomorrow but mine has already begun. That means I need to head back to my office but before I do, I ring the bell and bid my waiter, William, back in.

“Sir, I meant no disrespect,” he begins speaking immediately, letting me know that he realizes exactly why I have called him back in the room.

“I take the ownership of the woman residing here very seriously. You would do well not to get too friendly with
my
woman. Are we clear?”

“Absolutely, sir.”

I toss the linen napkin from my lap back onto the table and push myself up from the chair. I know I’m overreacting and, yet, when it comes to this woman who is now not only my lover, but also my partner, I’m possessive beyond reason.

I make my way down the hallway with intentions of taking a shower and getting back to reading her journals. The documentation of her life and the emotions conveyed intrigue me and I find myself anxious to see how her story unfolds.

Johnnie

I rush to get undressed so I can sit down and put my thoughts into words. I eye myself in the mirror as I brush my teeth after putting on some comfortable sweats and a t-shirt. I study my face and I can’t help but wonder what draws him to me. I don’t have the face of a killer, an equalizer, or even a badass. I don’t know what he sees in me. I just know, at this moment, I’m glad he sees it.

I want to do this. After a lifetime of being tossed around from home to home, basically because nobody wanted me, I have the opportunity to make my life count for something.

Though Cash took me against my will, he did it because he sees something in me. Well, there’s that and the fact that for some unknown reason, the man is obsessed with me. I don’t believe in love. I do, however, believe in obsession. He is probably the closest thing I will ever have to a real relationship. We won’t have a normal relationship where he woos me with flowers and chocolates, but it works for a girl like me. We’ll bond by working together to help those who can’t help themselves. Who needs roses and champagne when you can have knives and Glocks?