to turn it of . She found the sheet and pul ed it over them. “Because Im
not let ing you get up. Maybe not for a couple of days. She turned
on her side again and wrapped an arm around Cams middle. “Im so
glad youre here.
Cam stroked Blairs hair and held her tightly. “I need to be here. I
need you.
“Im here. Go to sleep now,
darling.
Morning would come soon enough, and when it did, the hunt would begin
again. But for now, Cam accepted the peace that only Blair could bring
her, and slept.
Chapter Fourteen
Thursda
y
M atheson smiled at the man who joined him on the steps of the
Lincoln Memorial. He was much younger, a stocky redhead in neatly
pressed work pants and a brown leather bomber jacket with an
American flag patch stitched onto the sleeve. They shook hands and
moved of to one side of the rotunda as a maintenance worker began
polishing the stone floor with an electric buf er. The noise made
conversation dif icult, but it also provided excel ent cover.
“How are things at the new compound, Colonel? Matheson asked his
freshly- promoted second-in-command.
“The men have nearly finished the
barracks, sir.
“How is morale? Matheson had lost some of his best of icers during the
Special Ops raid on his compound in Tennessee. Unfortunately, many
of his ground troops were unseasoned volunteers who had never faced
combat or even given any thought to what a real bat le might be like.
Now he needed to rebuild his paramilitary force and relocate his
base, and some of the menmostly truck drivers and other blue-col ar
workerswere beginning to realize that they werent just playing at being
weekend soldiers. There was a war on. And war meant casualties.
“We lost about twenty percent of our original force to desertion, in
addition to those who were captured, the redhead reported. “But were
adding new men at twice the normal rate since 9/11. The patriots are
rising across the nation in response to the attack.
As we predicted , Matheson thought. The only reason that he and his
patriot brothers had been wil ing to aid the foreign insurgents was to
further their own agenda. An at ack on American soil was guaranteed
to ral y the loyal. Now, with more men joining them every day, he and
his compatriots could consolidate their power base and expand their
sphere of influence.
“The FBI wil undoubtedly accelerate their at empts to infiltrate our
ranks now, so be vigilant, Matheson said.
“Yes sir. Were screening careful y. The redhead hesitated. “Have we
resolved the problem with the security breakdown here, sir?
Matheson shook his head. “Not yet. Take this lesson to heart, my friend.
Never rely too strongly on anyone but your most trusted brothers-in-
arms. He clamped a hand on the younger mans shoulder. “But, despite
the unreliability of dealing with bureaucrats and low-level informants, its
also useful to have sources inside the system. We may be able to deal
with al our problems another way.
“Sir?
“I was advised that the White House press secretary released an
interesting tidbit last night, Matheson said. “Blair Powel and her
deviant secret service guard intend to hold a so-cal ed wedding
ceremony. I imagine the papers wil have that this morning.
The redhead grunted. “Shes an embarrassment to the entire
country.
“But the timing is good for us. If a moral y outraged manor womanwere
to put a stop to them, wed fulfil our mission to destabilize
President Powel s administration, and wed cut of a possible return
route for our missing CIA agent.
“And we could disavow any
involvement.
“Exactly. Lets cal on our friends to activate someone, preferably a
member of one of the splinter groupssomeone expendable who wont be
traceable to us or our Conservative Coalition al ies.
“What should I tel them about the target,
sir?
“That we want both neutralized, but Roberts should be the
priority.
“Do we have their location,
sir?
Matheson grimaced. “No, weve lost them temporarily, but Powel s
“A public assault is a suicide mission, the redhead said
mildly.
“All the better, as long as heor shetakes the targets out
first. “Yes sir.
The men shook hands. “Godspeed, Colonel. “God bless
America, General.
* * * * *
When Blair awoke, she was surprised to discover that Cam
had gotten out of bed without waking her. Ordinarily she was a
light sleeper, but she had lain awake for a long time the night
before, after Cam had fal en asleep in her arms. Partly, shed
still been wound up from worrying about Cam all day, but it
was more than that. Felicia and Renée were staying in the
guesthouse, which had been transformed into an ad hoc office
for the OHS. Her security team had relocated to the main
house, and Mac was probably already setting up a command
center in the dining room downstairs. Diane remained in
the main house at Paulas
suggestion, which made it easier to protect her as well. The
new arrangements made it impossible to deny that she was
living in a high security complex. And now her lover was a
deputy director in a national security organization that had not
existed two months before. Blair was faced with the cold hard
realization that, even when her father was no longer president,
her life was not suddenly going to be normal. This was normal,
and it was what shed been fighting to avoid all her life.
Blair rolled over and opened the bedside table. Cams
weapon wasnt there, because she was wearing it. Because
even in this, their soon-to-be new home, they werent entirely
safe. She walked to the window to look out over the dunes to the
ocean. There was no one in sight. Even the fishing trawlers
were so far out to sea they were no more than dots on the
horizon. She was as alone here as she had ever been, and she
should have felt free, but she didnt. With a sigh, she pushed
her melancholy aside and went to look for her lover.
She found Cam in the kitchen, leaning against the counter
drinking coffee. She wore her casual work attirechinos and a
button-down col ar shirtand her weapon.
“Did you eat something? Blair asked as she placed a hand in
the center of Cams stomach and kissed her. Then she sidled
around her to pour her own cup of coffee.
“I had some toast. You want some?
“No thanks. Blair kept her back turned. “Il grab some later.
Hows your shoulder and hip?
“Fine. Cam set her mug down and caught Blairs wrist before she
could slip
away.
“Whats
the
mat er?
Blair smiled and brushed her fingers over Cams chest again.
“Nothing.
Cam waited unt
il Blair had sipped her cof ee, then plucked the cup
from her hand and deposited it next to hers on the counter. Then she
threaded her arms around Blairs waist and pul ed her gently against her
body. She kissed Blair a little bit longer than her normal morning hel
o, and then studied Blairs eyes. “Something happen I should know
about?
“Just a case of the blahs, Blair said lightly. She nipped at Cams chin.
“Real y. Go to work.
“Youl tel me when youre ready, right? Cam murmured, placing
another kiss gently on Blairs temple.
“Mmm hmm, Blair
sighed.
“Ready
now?
Laughing, Blair pressed her mouth to the hol ow at the base of Cams
throat. “Ive forgot en how persistent you are. I was just thinking that
what you do, what you al do, isnt confined to some of ice in a building
in DC or Langley anymore. Its everywhere, wherever you are. Wherever
we are. Even here.
Cam caressed Blairs back. “I wish I hadnt had to bring this into our
home. I
wish it didnt touch you, or us. As soon as I can, Il move the
team
Blair shushed her with a kiss, sliding her hands into Cams hair and
melding her body a lit le more tightly to Cams. She felt Cams heart beat
against her breast and the muscles in Cams stomach and thighs tighten.
She felt the connection that held her secure no mat er where she was,
no mat er what was happening, and realized that just as the danger was
part of their life, no mat er where they were, so was their love. And that
mat ered more to her than any place on Earth. She stroked Cams neck
as she leaned back in her arms. “Thats not necessary. Id
rather you and the others work here if its the most secure location. She
pressed her hand to Cams heart. “This is my safe place.
Cams eyes darkened and she held Blair more tightly. The next kiss was
rougher, longer, deeper.
“Cam, Blair said just a lit le breathlessly. “One
word.
“What, Cam growled, sliding her hands under the back of Blairs
T-shirt.
“Briefing. Cam
hesitated. “What?
Blair laughed and bumped her pelvis into Cams crotch. “I love to
make you forget yourself, butwhat time is your briefing with Felicia and
Renée?
“Hel , Cam mut ered, tracing the edge of Blairs ear with her mouth.
“How did you know I had one?
“Because its morning and you always brief in the morning. Blair
murmured appreciatively and closed her eyes as Cam sucked her
earlobe. Cams breath was quick and hot against her neck. Nothing
aroused her more than Cams desire. “Careful.
“I was tired and sore when I got home last night, Cam whispered,
kissing her way down the pulse that shimmered in Blairs throat. “Im
not anymore. She nipped at Blairs neck when Blair tilted her head back
with a sigh. “And I didnt thank you yet for the massage.
Blair caught her breath as Cam skimmed her fingers around her sides and
over her stomach. When Cam stroked higher, brushing the
undersurfaces of her breasts, her nipples tightened in anticipation of a
caress. She was dangerously close to not caring if Cam had a briefing
or if Diane came looking for her any minute to take a walk on the
beach, which was their habit. “You have two
seconds to decideeither move your hands or be late for your briefing.
Because if you get me any more excited, Il have to come, and since you
started it, I expect you to take care of that.
“You started it. Cam was seriously considering delaying the briefing
when a discreet cough from the doorway caught her at ention. She lifted
her head from Blairs neck and found herself staring at Tanner Whitley.
“Sorry, Tanner said, grinning broadly, “but Stark said to come on
back.
“Remind me to speak to her about that, Cam
mut ered.
Blair pushed Cams hands away and spun around, leaning her back
against
Cams
front.
“Tanner!
“I
was
in
the
neighborhood.
“Ha ha. You live next door. Blair drew Cams arms around her
middle and folded hers over them. “Whats up?
“Wel , I was wondering if you and Diane were up for a lit le trip to see
what Ive been doing at the marina. She slid her hands into the pockets of
her khakis and rocked back and forth, stil grinning. “But I get the feeling
this isnt a good time.
“Its a great time, Blair said emphatical y. She tilted her head back and
kissed the side of Cams jaw. “Cam has to go to work and I dont
have anything planned until this afternoon. Once the lights a lit le bet er,
Im going to paint.
“Il let Stark know so she can organize your teams, Cam said as she
careful y loosened her hold on Blair. She would have preferred that Blair
stay close to the compound, but that wasnt her cal anymore. Plus, the
whole team would be heading to Boston the next day for the
fundraiser. Maybe if Blair had the opportunity to relax today she
might not resent the upcoming restrictions so much.
She kissed Blair lightly. “Have fun. Im heading down to the
guesthouse.
“See you later,
darling.
“You wil , Cam
murmured.
“Sorry about that, Tanner said after Cam had left. She strode across the
kitchen and looked out the back door. A member of her private
security force stood guard on the rear deck. “When Stark asked me to
assign some of my security of icers here, she requested the ones with
military training. Combat troops. She turned to face Blair. “I know you
cant tel me anything, but I just wanted you to know that Adrienne and I
are prepared to do whatever you need us to do.
“You two have done enough. Im not even sure we should have come
back here. Blair loved the island and she loved this house. But part of
what made the property so perfect for their needs was that it abut ed
Tanners estate. They had no year-round neighbors to the north and
Tanners house, which occupied half of the island, was less than a mile
down the beachclose by if they needed her, but far enough away for
privacy. “I feel like Im taking advantage of our friendship. And
Adrienne shouldnt feel obligated
“Adrienne is a naval officer. Do you think I could convince
her that it wasnt her duty to assist you in any way possible?
“God, this is hard.
Tanner walked over to her and put her arms around her. “It
is. But it would be harder if you didnt let us help.
Blair rested her forehead on Tanners shoulders. “Youre
helping. Not just with your security people, but because you
understand. Thank you.
“Youre welcome. So, lets get Diane and go cruising.
Blair laughed at the line that Tanner had always used when
they were planning to sneak out for a night of partying. She
squeezed Tanners hand, grateful that despite all the changes, the
love that the three of them had forged h
ad never faltered. “Im
afraid this time, were not going to be able to duck security.
“No problem, Tanner said, grinning. “Ive already pissed off
your lover once today. Im not about to push my luck.
* * * * *
“So, Cam said, taking a chair across from Davis and Savard at
the sleek glass and wood table that now served as their
conference table. They had turned the first floor of the
guesthouse into their base of operations. Davis had the
computers up and running and networked. The dining room did
duty as their file room. All things considered, it was a better
working area than the converted storage closet they would have
worked out of in the West Wing. “Lets prioritize.
No one took notes. Everyone understood that there would be
no reports generated by their work, and the only files would
be the ones they appropriated from other security agencies.
“First order of business is to find Matheson, because we have
to assume that there will be another attack on Egret. He and
his organization will lose credibility if a failed attempt is
allowed to stand. Cam careful y kept her voice and face from
showing her rage. “We can assume he will either establish a
new paramilitary base of his own or join forces with another
one. Hell need a network in order to reestablish himself.
“A guy like that wont give up control easily, Savard said. She
wore
jeans and a dark blue polo shirt. Shed pul ed her hair back into
a loose ponytail, and she looked more rested than Cam had seen
her in weeks.
Cam nodded and pointed the pen shed been rol ing between
her fingers at Davis. “He didnt do much to hide the
compound in Tennessee because he didnt expect us to come
after him. This time hell take more precautions. Background
himhis family by blood and marriage, the military academy and
its faculty, donors to the school, previous graduatesanyone who
might have purchased or inherited land. For now, Id prefer a
covert examination of the academy files, because anything else
is going to tip him off. She shrugged. “But the academy is the
logical place to start. We know he recruits there. If I have to, Ill
confiscate every scrap of paper in the entire place.
“The FBI should have files on the other patriot organizations, Savard
said, “and if hes ever so much as made a phone cal to one of their
leaders, there should be a record of it somewhere. She grimaced. “The
biggest problem is the files are so decentralized its practical y impossible