AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Bailey could feel an edge of panic moving inside her now.
“Then what do you want?”
“I want you to walk away,” he stated carefully. “Go back to your life, however you intend to live it, and walk out of his life. Then, he’ll once again be effective. I’m afraid until you do so . . .”
“You’re wasting your breath.” She came to her feet, fighting the anger that had begun to build inside her. “I don’t order John. I don’t tell him what to do, I don’t tell him how to live his life. That’s his decision.”
He shook his head. “He relinquished that decision when I saved his life in Australia. When I saved yours,” he added. “You owe me, Ms. Serborne.”
“I don’t owe you my soul,” she argued. “And neither does John.”
“Sit down, Ms. Serborne,” he commanded, his tone hardening.
“Go to hell.”
“Learn how to take orders or you can learn just how powerful an enemy I can be.” He came out of his chair, dominating, commanding. Forceful. “We can do this one of two ways. You can join John in the life he signed up for, of which he now has seven years that he owes to the agency. Or you can learn to do without him for very long periods at a time. And I can do that.” He was in her face then, his gaze icy, steel-hard. “I can send him on missions that will hold him for a year at a time. I am not required to pander to his ego, his sex life, or his emotional promises to a woman. You want him, you can join him.”
She stared back at him in shock. John had finally explained the agency to her. The Elite Ops, what they were, how he had joined, why he had joined. What they did. The idea of it had intrigued her, but she had never imagined this. Never thought this choice could come her way.
“Join the team?” she asked carefully. “I could work with him? Not separate from him?”
His nostrils flared as he straightened once again. “The two of you make a damned good team, and you’ve already fucked my life up by making yourselves a team. John Vincent is more than just a cover. He’s a connection, a pipeline into an underground force that we can’t afford to lose. You’ve already proven yourself as his partner. If you want to keep that position, then you damned well better learn to consider me not just your boss, your director, or your commander. Ms. Serborne, I’m your worst fucking nightmare.”
She was about to believe it.
She licked her lips and glanced back at Milburn. He was watching the show with a hint of amusement and satisfaction.
“Does John know?” she asked.
He frowned back at her. “John would have to answer his phone first, wouldn’t he?” he snarled back at her.
“You called me here because John wouldn’t answer your summons?”
“My calls,” he snapped.
“Your summons,” she informed him. “I heard the messages. You, Mr. Malone, have a god complex.”
“And you, Ms. Serborne, had better learn how to deal with it,” he snapped back in reply. “Do you want in? Or do I see how far away, and for how long, I can commandeer your lover?”
“My husband.”
His eyes narrowed. “Excuse me?”
“My husband, Mr. Malone. John and I were married in a private ceremony last night. I believe that marriage trumps your contract in several ways.” She lifted her hand. “Clause seven, paragraph three: ‘Married, and having formed a legally binding tenet with one whose classified rank matches or exceeds his own, requires that said agency, unnamed but existing, to ensure that said agent, namely one John Vincent, the choice of working with his spouse, or barring the ability to do such, the choice of ensuring proper marital time as befitting his rank and mission status. That time shall be not less than one month to every three, or one week to every three. Said agency is required to enact and ensure such marital time without restrictions.’ ”
His eyes narrowed. “He showed you the contract?”
“After the ceremony, of course.” She smiled coolly.
“Clause eight, paragraph four: ‘If unable to work with or aligned with said agent, spouse must accept that said agent must complete one mission before each marital benefit can be demanded.’ I determine the length of time a mission lasts.”
“It’s a good thing I enjoy working with him then.” She smiled cheerily. “You are required to allow him three months’ leave for a honeymoon, I believe.”
His lips parted.
“And,” she continued, “I believe Milburn will be hearing from my lawyers soon. The charities that the majority of the profits of my companies go to are being redirected, Mr. Malone, under certain conditions to a charity near and dear to our president’s heart. Have I mentioned the president and vice president are close family friends? The charities being redirected to are fronts, I believe, for the Elite Ops.”
His teeth snapped closed.
