Family Secrets: Books 5-8 Page 5

  I dont think

  Come on, he coaxed. His mother would have disapproved, but he really wanted to know. How old?

  Thirty-six, she said, as if it was sixty-three and she was Madeleine Granny Albright.

  He would have guessed she was a couple of years younger. Still

  Im thirty-three, he said.

  Her pretty mouth dropped open. You cant be.

  He didnt know whether to be flattered or insulted by her surprise. Sure I can. Im getting up there for active duty, but

  Why do you do it?

  He shifted, uncomfortable now that the conversation had turned to him. He hated having to explain himself. He wasnt any good at it. The first day of school had always been hell.

  Yes, maam, Im adopted.

  No, maam, I cant remember my teacher from kindergarten. Or my birth parents. Or my real name.

  Only in the SEALs it didnt matter. In the Teams he was judged by what he could do and not where he came from.

  He shrugged. Im still in good shape.

  Yes. Her gaze flicked over him and down. He could feel himself swellhis head, his chest, everywhere.

  Down, boy.

  So I can get the job done.

  She bit her lip. Was she smiling? Im sure. But I didnt ask how you could do it. I asked why.

  Somebodys got to. Protect the planet. Defend truth, justice and the American way. It was a joke he used to share with Jimmy.

  This time Samantha Barnes definitely smiled. She also shook her head. There has to be more to it than that. Was your father in the military?

  Father and brother, he admitted. His adoptive father. His adoptive brother. The armchair warrior and the fly boy.

  Navy? she guessed.

  He looked at the car window. Yeah.

  SEALs?

  Damn. When had they started playing twenty questions?

  No, that was my big idea. The SEALsSea, Air and Land Teamsare the elite. Only the best of the best even apply. Youve got to survive six months of some of the toughest military training in the world to make it. Ninety percent of some classes drop out. And thats just the beginning. If you do make it, youve got to be prepared to go places nobody else will go, to tackle missions nobody else can do.

  And why do you?

  Why does anybody do anything? Because I can. Because Im good at it. Same reasons youre an ambassador, I bet.

  Actually, I inherited my position from my husband. Im continuing his work.

  It was a good line. He wondered if shed repeated it so often she believed it. He didnt. Hed seen her in action.

  He grinned. Nope. You do it because you get a kick out of it. Same as me.

  She lifted her chin and glared at him like there was something wrong with her enjoying her job. With loving it. With wanting it. Or maybe there was just something wrong with him commenting on it.

  Its not the same at all, she said crossly.

  It was kind of cool he could make her mad like that.

  Truth, justice and the American way, baby.

  Yes, but I dont get shot at, she said.

  And just like that, his enjoyment died.

  I dont get shot at.

  She had no idea.

  Four

  I ts not that I dont appreciate the view, James Robinson said from his wheelchair. Because that much of me is working fine, thank you, Jesus. But why did you bring her with you?

  The two men were on the hospital terrace, watching Samantha wander the flat, grassy rectangle belowher round, tempting figure; her neat, dark suit; her red hair blazing in the sunlight. Shed slipped down the steps a few minutes ago. To explore the gardens, shed said, but Marcus knew it was an excuse to let him talk with Jimmy.

  He was grateful for her tact. And determined to take advantage of her absence.

  I cant leave her alone, he said.

  Jimmy pursed his lips. Thats not like you.

  Heat crept into Marcuss cheeks. He was glad he was standing behind the wheelchair so his buddy couldnt read his face. No, I mean I cant leave her alone. Ive got to protect her.

  Well, you brought her to the right place, then. There are enough deck apes around to hold off a full scale attack.

  Yeah. Marcus stared glumly out at the sunlit lawn. Samantha was inspecting a boring green bush like it was part of the White House rose garden. The problem is after we leave.

  The hotel?

  Hotel securitys fine. But I may have to move her.

  Where?

  I cant tell you.

  Okay. Why?

  Marcuss hands tightened on the back of the wheelchair. I cant tell you that, either.

  Jimmy didnt protest, as he had a right to, that Marcus could tell him anything. Could trust him with everything, including his life. What do you need, Lieutenant?

  Lets take a hypothetical situation, Marcus said.

  Hoo yah.

  Say you were guarding somebody. Hypothetically.

  Jimmy gestured to the casts on both legs. Have to be hypothetical.

  Marcus grinned. Yeah. So youre protecting her against assorted bad guysspooks, Tsand the situation is complicated because there may be somebody higher up among the good guys who wants to see you fail. With me so far?

  Spies, terrorists, traitors. Got it.

  Anyway, you get orders to extract her to a safe house. Only youre thinking, if there really is a security leak somewhere, how do you know this house is safe?

  You dont, Jimmy said promptly. You have to take her someplace they dont know about.

  Marcus nodded. Thats what I thought. But if you were this hypothetical bodyguard and you had a real friend, someone you could trust, whose family used to have a place somewhere close by

  like Virginia.

  But still out of the way

  like a farm.

  And deserted

  since his parents had retired, which you knew, since you helped the friend move them down to Florida a couple years ago.

  Marcus smiled and a fraction of the tension left his shoulders. Yeah. Well, anyway, you might ask this friend if you could hole up there for a couple days or weeks or whatever.

  You need a key? Jimmy asked simply.

  Gratitude eased Marcuss grip on the wheelchair. No. I dont want you implicated. Better for you if I break in. If they come after you

  But Jimmy shook his head. Not going to happen. Place has been empty for two years now. Nobody outside the family even remembers it. And it was in my mothers family, so my name isnt even connected with the place on the tax rolls.

  What about utilities?

  Theres a well. And if the wiring still works, theres a backup generator in the barn. But i
ts a dump. Youve got water and electricity and not much else.

  How about a car on blocks in the front yard?

  You need wheels?

  Marcus grinned. Unless you think we should take a cab.

  Funny, Clark. Why dont you just tuck her under your arm and fly?

  The idea had real appeal. Except he didnt want her under his arm, exactly. He watched her cross the grass in her tight navy skirt and two-inch heels, and he just wanted her. Under him. Moving with him, stretching, soaring. Flying.

  Jimmy cleared his throat. Earth to Superman.

  Marcus flushed. Oh, man. What was he thinking? What was he saying?

  Actually, I, uh, bought a car. Through the paper. Paid cash, havent registered the title. But I need somebody to pick it up.

  And leave it where?

  Marcus felt the usual appreciation for his swim buddys quick understanding. Dunn Loring Metro Station. The far back corner of the commuter parking lot.

  When?

  Friday. This Friday.

  Jimmy rubbed his jaw. I cant drive. But Garcia would do it. Or Buzz.

  Marcus weighed both possibilities. The squad was currently stationed at the Naval Amphibious Base in Little Creek, Virginia, about three hours away. Buzz would throw himself into action without thought or hesitation. But Garcia was the squads weapons specialist. And hed keep his mouth shut.

  Garcia, Marcus decided. He slid a blank envelope from his back pocket and held it folded against his palm. Heres the key. Tell him to leave it under the mat. And Ive got a list here of some things Ill need that I cant get myself.

  Jimmy raised his brows. Are we talking the kind of things that money cant buy?

  Theres money in there, too, Marcus said. If he needs it.

  Hoo yah, Lieutenant. Jimmy extended his hand.

  Marcus took it. And when he released his grip, Jimmy closed his fingers carefully over the envelope.

  Samanthas eyes misted as she watched them clasp hands, the tall, muscled warrior and the slight black man in the wheelchair. There was something so sweet about that simple gesture.

  No, sweet was the wrong word. Moving, maybe. In the cloaked and compromised world she lived in, where a handshake could hide or disguise a mans true intent, there was something deeply moving about the honest affection and absolute trust that flowed between Marcus and his wounded comrade.

  She started up the steps toward them. Marcus looked over and saw her. Just for a second, some subtle alteration in hima shift of gaze? a change in posture?made her hesitate.

  But then he smiled, and her quick discomfort evaporated.

  All set? he asked.

  Only if you are, she said, smiling back.

  What do you think, Jimmy? Are we set?

  The two men exchanged glances. Once again, Samantha had the oddest sense ofsomething. She was being excluded.

  And what in heavens name was wrong with that? They were shipmates, after all. Friends.

  Yeah, were set, the skinny XO said. He turned his head toward Samantha. Appreciate your coming by, maam.

  My pleasure, she said, and meant it. Can we take you back to your room?

  No, I think Ill stay out here a while and enjoy the sun.

  Marcus touched his shoulder briefly. Take it easy, Jimmy.

  Take care, Clark.

  Samantha waited until they were walking down the blue-and-white hallway before she asked, Clark?

  Did she imagine it, or did Marcus color under his tan?

  Its a nickname. A lot of guys get handles in BUD/S trainingthats Basic Underwater Demolition/SEALs.

  Your friend didnt, she pointed out.

  Yeah, he did.

  Jimmy? Thats not a handle.

  Marcus cleared his throat. Definitely embarrassed. She was charmed. Jimmy for Jimmy Olsen. The little reporter guy who hung with Lois Lane and Clark Kent?

  And youre Clark. Oh! She got it now. Superman.

  Black hair, blue eyes, chiseled jaw, muscled bodyMischief crept into her voice. It suits you.

  Dont start with me, he warned.

  Oh, she was enjoying this. Are you faster than a speeding bullet, too?

  He slanted a look down at her. Are you asking to see my moves, Ambassador?

  Now she was the one whose cheeks got hot. Hurriedly, she asked, So youve been friends since training?

  His eyes gleamed, but he allowed her retreat. More than friends. Swim buddies. The instructors at Coronado paired us together our third week of BUD/S.

  They made an unlikely couple, she thought. Almost as unlikely asBut she didnt allow herself to finish that thought.

  Why so late? Or wasnt that late?

  He shrugged. Halfway through the course. Normally boat teams are created by height to equalize the weight of the boat. You get a couple of tall trainees, they can end up carrying the whole thing while the short guys slack off. Anyway, when we started BUD/S, Jimmy was on the Smurf team, and I was leading boat team two.

  He opened a glass door for her, and she thanked him and walked through.

  Our class had a lot of DORstrainees Dropped On Request, he explained. Usually a third will make it all the way. We were down to half that. All the Smurfs were gone. The instructors had to shuffle the teams, and Jimmy was assigned to my boat.

  She smiled. And you pulled him through.

  No. We pulled each other through. I dragged him through some of the physical rotations, but he saved my sorry butt a bunch of times.

  It was hard to imagine this comic-book-hero-brought-to-life in need of rescue. And yet he had no reason to lie to her.

  Really, she said. How?

  Being a SEAL isnt all about being the fastest or the strongest. Its mental toughness, too. He looked right at her and admitted frankly, I wouldnt have survived the classroom training without Jimmy. I wouldnt have been a SEAL.

  Samantha met those clear blue eyes and got lost.

  Marcus Evans wasnt anything like the cocksure career officer she was expecting: arrogant, aggressive, gung ho.

  He wasnt like the cautious politicians she knew: educated, opinionated, pretentious.

  He wasnt like her.

  Samantha had graduated summa cum laude from Stanford University and earned her masters degree at the Harvard School of Diplomacy. She couldnt begin to relate to his problems in the classroom.

  On the other hand, she understood lonely. And it was loneliness she saw in his eyes now. Saw and responded to.

  She found her breath. Found her voice. You must miss working with him very much, she said gently.

  He broke eye contact. His jaw tightened. More than you know, he said. More than you can ever know.

  She didnt look like a widow tonight.

  Samantha drew a deep breath, making the beads sewn onto the ice-blue bodice of her Donatella Versace gown shimmer. She looked good. She felt good. She felt alive.

  And when she swep
t into the outer room of her hotel suite to find Marcus Evans on his feet and waiting for her, her heart beat harder. Her breath came faster. The crystals on her dress twinkled a little more.

  I hope I didnt keep you waiting.

  Thats okay. Im He broke off and stared at her, heat in his eyes.

  Warmth flooded her cheeks and pooled in her belly.

  Youre what? she prompted, hoping he would say stunned or dazzled or at least impressed.

  early. He grinned. And I left the corsage at home, too.

  Oh. She smiled wryly at his prom reference. And at herself for thinkingFor hopingWell, anyway, what a good thing hed made his little joke before she made a fool of herself.

  My corsage and your tuxedo, she said.

  He wasnt in uniform tonight. He wore a dark suit with a dark T-shirt under it. Miami Vice noire. He must be hot, she thought, under that jacket.

  Yeah, since Im filling in for Walker, I figured I should try to look the part.

  For the first time she noticed they were alone. Where is Agent Walker?

  In his room. He got sick after lunch. Hes either got a bug or he ate something that disagreed with him.

  Her awkwardness dissolved in concern. Is he all right?

  Marcus lifted one shoulder. He feels like crap now, but he ought to be better by morning. If its food poisoning, that is. You want me to contact DS, ask for a replacement?

  Is that necessary?

  His eyes were bright blue and very intent. Well, youve got me. But its your call.

  Im sure youre all I need. She bit her tongue. That hadnt come out at all the way she intended. For tonight.

  Oh, dear. Worse and worse.

  But Marcus smiled at her. Her insides jittered. I hope so, he said.

  She cleared her throat delicately. Theres no point in embarrassing Agent Walker by requesting another agent.

  Nope. Marcus held the door for her.