"Is it safe?"
Jack nodded. "We're about the same size. It was given to me six months ago when I had a tooth pulled. It should ease him some."
"Thanks, Jack," Steele said gratefully.
"No problem." Jack motioned for Syd to get up. "I have a guest room you might want to put him in."
Both of Steele's eyes flew open. "You're a god, Jack."
"I know. Now get your lazy ass up before you bleed on my sofa."
"I'll bleed on you, you old coot." Steele pushed himself up with a grimace.
As soon as Steele was on his feet, Jack led them to what Syd had thought was a wall. He pulled what appeared to be a stalactite in the ceiling. Two seconds later, the wall shifted to reveal a hidden hallway.
"I never sleep out in the open," Jack said with a wink. "You never know who might drop in on you."
She shook her head at him as he walked inside, then flipped a wall switch. Lights came on to illuminate the narrow hallway. "It's the second door on the left. The bathroom is right across from it. You get him situated, and I'll go see about making sure no one can find us."
"Thanks, Jack."
He inclined his head before he left them.
Holding the medical supplies, Syd led the way down to the bedroom, which was surprisingly hospitable. It had a queen-sized sleigh bed along with a dresser and nightstand. Like the rest of the place, there were no windows, but the lights were bright enough that she didn't really need one.
Steele headed straight for the bed while she set her supplies down on the nightstand.
She moved to help Steele take his shirt off, and cringed at the sight of his bleeding shoulder. "That looks painful."
"For once looks aren't deceiving. It hurts like hell."
She could just imagine. As soon as he was lying down, she set about cleaning and bandaging his injuries. The one in his shoulder looked incredibly angry. It was red and puffy, probably already infected. "You really need to rest this."
"That's what I wanted to do, but someone"--he glared meaningfully at her--"made me get up and go assassin hunting."
"Okay, I'm sorry. Happy now?"
"Not really."
Shaking her head at him, she left him long enough to go to the bathroom. Just as she'd hoped, she found a small stack of Dixie Cups. She grabbed one and filled it up before she returned to Steele. She handed him the cup, then dug out the meds from the Army container.
"Bless you," Steele said as he reached for it.
As soon as he washed it down with the water, she took the cup back and set it on the nightstand. She tucked him into bed, then brushed the hair back from his damp brow. He had a slight fever already.
"Don't get ill on me, Steele." She grabbed the box and dug out the supplies she needed to tend to his slashed forearm.
He opened one eye to pin her with piercing look. "Don't worry. I'll be well enough to go confront your assassin leader tomorrow."
"That's not what I meant."
"No?"
She shook her head. "No. You're a good guy, Steele. I would hate to see you taken out over this."
He opened his other eye. "What? Are you actually softening up?"
"Just a little, but don't tell anyone. This is just between you and me, okay?"
One corner of his mouth quirked up. He reached his uninjured arm out to her so that he could cup her cheek in his hand. His rough palm scraped her skin. He lightly stroked her lips with his thumb. "It's our secret. Promise."
It took all her self-restraint not to turn her face in his palm and kiss his hand. It'd been way too long since she'd had such an intimate moment, and she had to say that she cherished the novelty of it.
She could hear Jack down the hallway.
Steele let his hand fall away as he closed his eyes again. The absence of his warmth brought an ache to her chest.
Good grief, Syd. What is wrong with you?
But then she knew. She was lonely. No matter how much she wanted to stand on her own two feet and have no emotional attachments, the truth was that she was human. And all humans wanted someone they could depend on. Someone they could call their own.
She'd never really had a man like that. One who openly acknowledged her. For some reason, she only seemed to pick guys who were afraid that by being open, they would lose some kind of respect or prestige. Guys who didn't believe in any kind of public displays of affection.
But she'd been raised on movies like Casablanca and Gone with the Wind. Movies of a woman being swept off her feet by a guy who didn't care what other people thought of him.
Oh, what a stupid thought!
She had much more important things to think about than long-buried high school fantasies.
She fought the urge to reach out and stroke Steele as she got up. He was delectable, lying there at her mercy. But she had an assassin to interrogate and a lunatic out there who might maim or kill him just for looking askance at his dog.
Syd hastened her steps as she went back to the command center. True to her fears, Jack had the assassin tied so tightly that his limbs were turning blue.
"Jack?"
Grumbling, he immediately set about loosening the ropes. "You know, that's the whole problem with this country. Too many bleeding hearts. What about my bleeding heart? They could have killed Cletus."
He tightened the rope again.
"Jack! If he hurts Cletus, then I'll let you kill him. As it was, all he did was try to hurt him."
"Trying is as good as doing in my book." Even so, he loosened the ropes so that the assassin's limbs began turning back to their original color.
"Thank you."
Jack made a rude noise as he ambled away. Shaking her head, Syd double-checked to make sure the assassin was still alive and secure, but not in danger.
"How long will he be out?"
She swore she heard him mumble, "I hope for eternity." In a louder tone he said, "I don't know. A couple of hours, probably."
Syd grimaced at that. So much for interrogation tonight. Damn.
Jack gave her a sympathetic look. "You hungry, angel?"
Syd nodded as she remembered the fact that it was dinnertime, and she hadn't eaten since breakfast. "Starving actually."
"So what appeals to you? And please don't tell old Jack that you're one of those cabbage eaters."
Smiling, Syd shook her head. "I like cabbage. You know, roughage is good for you."
"Yeah, well, I don't got none of it here."
"And I like corned beef too."
He actually looked relieved. "I got steaks and potatoes."
"That sounds great. You want me to help?"
"Nah, that's all right. You keep an eye on our friend, and I'll go fire up the grill."
She widened her eyes at that thought. "You've got a grill down here?"
"No, that'd be stupid. There's a difference between crazy and stupid, woman. And I'm the former, not the latter."
Syd held her hands up in surrender. Steele had been right, Jack-Logic was unique. Far be it from her to question it. "Do you mind if I tinker with your computer while you're gone?"
He scratched his chest as he thought it over. "You can use Roberta. I don't think there's anything you can screw up on her."
"Gee, thanks."
He winked at her as he went over to the computer next to the one he'd used to track their hired gun. He moved the mouse to bring it out of sleep mode. He turned toward her and handed her another earpiece. "You need anything, just holler."
"Will do. Thanks."
He inclined his head to her before he took off.
As soon as she was alone, Syd sat down and pulled up information about the Uhbukistanis. The president wasn't here yet, but the clock was ticking.
She considered contacting Andre, until she glanced over at the assassin behind her. Given the weirdness of Steele's job interview, it might be better to go this alone. The last thing she wanted was to put Andre in any danger. Granted, he could handle himself, but then so could she.
>
Her heart stopped as she realized something. "The assassin's phone..." They could trace him right to their door.
She didn't realize that she'd spoken aloud until she heard Jack in her ear. "Relax, cookie. Jack already took care of it."
"How?"
"There's a steel box at your feet. You see it?"
She looked down. "Yes."
"It's plated so that nothing inside it can carry a signal. I stuck both their phones in there while you were tending J.D. Not to mention, you're far enough underground that it's unlikely even without the box that a signal would carry out to a tower. I just don't believe in taking chances."
"You ever think about working for the government again, Jack?"
"Time to time it crosses my mind. Then I go have lunch with friends at Langley, and that instantly kills all thoughts of it. I like my life, such as it is. What about you?"
"I liked it better when I didn't look like Angelina Jolie."
He laughed at that. "Don't feel so bad, Syd. I personally think you're a lot prettier."
In spite of herself, his words warmed her. "You're an old charmer, Jack. You keep talking like that, and you might get into trouble."
"Nah, I've seen the way J.D. looks at you. I've never been the kind of man to trespass on another one's territory."
She scoffed. "The only thing Steele wants is to toss my butt out of his life."
Jack became so silent that for a minute she thought she'd lost their connection.
"Jack?"
"You're an agent, Syd. Don't tell me you're not more observant of people than that."
Now it was her turn to be quiet. "I, uh...I've got work to do."
"And I've got steaks to burn."
She heard a click, as if he'd cut communication with her. Taking the earpiece off, she flipped the monitor off and went to check on Steele. She wasn't sure why she felt the sudden urge to look in on him, but she did.
She found him sound asleep, lying on his side. There was something about him that was sexier than hell, even while he was unconscious. Or maybe it was because when he was unconscious, he wasn't giving her that probing stare or making a smart-ass comment. But she had to admit that she actually liked his bizarre, often irreverent humor.
Then again, she really liked him. Period.
The bad thing was, she didn't even know why. He was so not the type who should attract her, and yet he did.
Shaking her head, she brushed his hair back from his face. Then she trailed her finger over the stubble on his cheek. There was something about a man's face late in the day...the ruggedness of his shadow coming in...
She bit her lip as she remembered the way he'd felt holding her while they stroked each other.
You are dangerous to me, Steele. To her sanity and her convictions.
And still she wanted another taste of him.
"You keep doing that, Westbrook, and I'm going to pull you into this bed with me."
Syd jumped back at the deep, rugged sound of Steele's voice. "I thought you were asleep and drugged."
"I was, but I'd have to be dead not to wake up with a woman groping me." He opened one teasing eye to stare up at her. "Interested in some undercover work?"
She tsked at him. "And to think, I was actually having a tender thought about you. Do yourself a favor, Steele...Become mute."
He laughed, then ended with a hiss of pain.
"You okay?"
"Yeah, but you know it's bad when you're on painkillers and you can still feel the bite when you move."
He was right. "Thank you, Steele."
Scowling, he stopped moving. "For what?"
"Seeing this through."
"It's what I was hired to do, right?"
"Yeah, but still...thanks."
"You're welcome." He reached out and captured her hand. His eyes burning into hers, he lifted it so that he could lay a tender kiss on her knuckles.
The woman inside her melted under that tender assault.
Steele gently pulled her closer to him and the bed. Syd wasn't sure why she went, but she did. And when she was just above him, he lifted up to capture her lips with his.
Syd closed her eyes and savored the taste of him. There for a moment, she allowed herself to wonder what it would be like to be on the inside with this man. What would a relationship with him be like?
Never dull.
She laughed at the thought.
Steele pulled back with a scowl. "What was that?"
She bit her lip as she continued to smile. "I was just thinking that life with you is never boring."
His scowl melted beneath a dazzling smile. "I'd say the same of you, Syd Vicious."
Even though she knew she should step away from him, she traced his bottom lip with her thumb. "Jack is cooking. Are you hungry?"
"I'm sure what I want isn't on the menu." His gaze dropped down to her breasts.
She knew she should be offended by that, but for once she wasn't. "You are so stereotypical."
"And you're not?"
"No."
He shook his head as he pulled her close again. "Sleep with me tonight, Syd. I want to hold you."
"Why?"
"Because you set me on fire." He pulled her hand down to cup the bulge in his jeans so that she could feel how hard he was for her. "Have mercy on me, Syd."
"And how many people will you tell about it?"
"Not a soul. No one will ever know about it from my lips. I swear it."
He was so tempting....
Syd licked her lips as she debated. "Shouldn't you rest?"
"I'll rest a lot better with your scent on my skin." He kissed her gently. "C'mon, Syd. I promise you, you won't regret it."
She wished she was so confident, but as he gently licked and teased her lips, her resistance fell. Honestly, it would be great to be held again in the late hours.
"One night, Steele."
He pulled back with a stunned look. "What?"
"You heard me."
Joy spread across his face.
"But you need to get some rest now." She gently pushed him back. "I'll be back with food in a little while."
His joy turned to a look of deep, dark suspicion. "You're not just stringing me along, are you?"
"No. Trust me, this isn't something I would ever tease about. You have one night, Steele. One."
Steele couldn't breathe as tried not to show just how thrilled he was. Syd bent down and gave him a quick kiss before she pulled away and headed for the door.
He wanted to follow after her, but he was too dizzy from the medicine. She was right, he needed to rest for a little while and let his body recoup. Because he fully intended to give her a night she wouldn't forget. One that, when it was over, would have her coming back for more and more.
Thirteen
S yd finished up her steak, which was as burnt as Jack had promised. But she ate it without complaint as she watched their "friend," who was still unconscious, on the couch. She didn't know what was in store for them tomorrow. Most likely more of the same--mischief, mayhem, bloodshed. Heck, Steele would probably get shot again, the way his luck was working.
Sighing at the thought, she scooted off the stool. "Where should I--"
"Just leave it on the table there, and I'll take care of it," Jack said as he handed a piece of steak to Cletus, who greedily snatched it from him and chewed it.
Syd took Steele's plate and grabbed a can of soda before she headed back to his room. She veered off to the bathroom to grab a few supplies before she went across the hallway.
She pushed the door open to find Steele asleep. She smiled at the sight of him stretched across the bed--at least, until she saw the blood on the sheets from where he'd started bleeding again. She cringed at the sight. Poor guy. It amazed her that he was able to sustain such injuries and not complain about them. Most of the guys in BAD tended to whine like babies whenever they were hurt.
Moving to the nightstand, she placed the plate and soda there before she sat on
the edge of the mattress. "Steele?" she said, shaking him gently.
"Syd?" His voice was deep and ragged, and he whispered her name as if in a dream.
"It's me."
"You got your gun?"
She frowned at his odd question. "Yes."
"Then put me out of my misery."
"Ahhh," she said as she cuddled up behind him. So much for him not complaining, but then she supposed he had every right to. "Poor baby. You've had a really crappy day."
He rolled over to look at her. "Yes, I have. And I hope you're here to make it better."
She smiled as he pouted. Good grief, the man was delectable. It was all she could do not to lean forward and suck that lip between hers for a long, hot kiss.
She brushed her hand against his taut arm as her heart started pounding. "How's the knife wound?"
"I'm relatively sure I'll live, barring infection or a new knife wound to my heart."
She cocked her head as she watched him watch her. "I brought you steak and mashed potatoes." She reached over to it and pulled it across the nightstand until she could pick it up and hand it to him.
Steele pushed himself up with a grimace.
"Here," she said, taking the knife and fork away from him. "You rest your arm, and I'll cut it for you."
She saw the relief on his face. "Thanks."
She cut the steak up, then offered him the fork. He captured her hand with his before he placed a sweet kiss over her knuckles.
"Why do you do that?" she asked.
"Do what?"
"Kiss my hand so much."
His eyes scorched her with heat. "I like the way your skin smells. You use some kind of scented lotion."
"Rose milk."
He nodded. "It makes me want to take a bite out of you."
But instead, he took a bite of the steak and then found out what she had...Jack couldn't cook.
Making a face at the charred taste, he chewed for several minutes before he swallowed.
Syd passed the soda over to him.
"I think I lost a tooth," he said before he took a drink.
She laughed. "He means well."
Steele looked skeptically at the plate before he tasted the potatoes.
"Betty Crocker," she told him with a smile.
"Oh, thank God."
Syd bit back her laughter this time. "Yeah, it's hard to mess those up." She watched him eat for a few minutes as she thought about their crusty host. "So why do you call Jack 'Gator' sometimes?"
Steele took a second to clear his throat before he answered. "When he was in the Army, he once got dropped into a pool of them by mistake. The Army was sure he was completely eaten, but they did a reconnaissance, and when they found him, he was surrounded by the body of ten gators he'd shot while waiting for them to remember where they'd put him. As a lark they started calling him Gator King, which later got shortened to just Gator."