Critical Intelligence Read online

  “Great, sounds like Eadan’s in the mood for some ‘classics’ again. This will really keep the dickheads seated for a bit,” Melanie droned.

  Snorting, Missy looked around the bar. “Be on the lookout for the ‘fly boys.’ The ones who didn’t get the message those leisure suits are no longer acceptable nightlife attire.”

  Peren’s eyes widened. “I just got a vision of a thick gold chain and an excessively hairy chest. Make it go away.”

  “Can’t, I’ve got it too. Wonderful. I’m going to make a voodoo doll of the man who first started that revolution in the back corner of the bar right now. Don’t bother me. I’ll aim for the second idiot who latched onto that craze too. It’s not like one man alone could have made that fashion nightmare stick.” Missy grinned as she dipped a fry in ketchup. “I mean, did the guy not notice the massive amounts of Yeti-like hair that was ripped from him as he got undressed at night? Pulling those gold chains off was hazardous to his image and health.”

  Smiling, Peren nodded. “Oh, I know. And if that wasn’t enough, needing a guard and a spot at Fort Knox to house his collection of over-sized gold jewelry should have told him something.”

  Melanie snorted as she pushed the plate of food further from her. “Can you also make a doll of the person who thought leg warmers were fashionable? I cringe when the family pulls out pictures of me when I was little.”

  “I may be old but I didn’t wear those.”

  Melanie grinned. “No. You used to dress up in just about anything you could and pretend to be a spy. Gawd, how many times did you make us pretend we were bringing down the bad guys?”

  Peren laughed. “It was funny right up until Missy tried to teach us how to repel down the side of my dad’s house. I think you loved the endless amounts of training he put me through. I swear that you were the daughter he should have had. You ate up every detail of it all and then went home to soak in some more. Our fathers needed sons.”

  “No.” Melanie winked at them. “My dad got one and he’s as weird as Missy.”

  Missy waved her hand before Melanie’s face. “Hey, sitting right here.”

  She grinned. “I know.”

  They all fell silent as a short man fitting the mold of the topic at hand walked by. The look on his face said he was eyeing them up. The second he licked his fingers and ran them over his Einstein-like eyebrows Missy burst out laughing. Peren and Melanie followed right behind her. “Mmm, I’m gonna go get me some of that. Yum-yum.”

  Peren laughed so hard that a tiny high-pitched squeal came from her. It was music to Missy ears when Melanie joined in too. Her friends needed to be happy. Too much had gone on in their lives. They needed moments like these.

  “Lukian asked me to marry him,” Peren said suddenly breaking the mood instantly.

  All eyes went to her. Missy sat for a second, too stunned to do anything. She opened her mouth to say something and then closed it when nothing came to her. Repeating the motion two more times, Missy finally found her train of thought. “What? I don’t think I heard you over the music. I thought you said that you’re marrying a man you hardly know but that can’t be right. That would make you insane and at last check, you were odd but not crazy.”

  “Peren, you hardly know the man. Missy may be a bit of a bitch, but she has a point there. It’s been less than two weeks since you met Lukian.”

  “Hey, I’m sitting right here.” Missy smiled at Melanie. “Oh, and thanks for the compliment. I’d like the title of ‘The Bitch’ now. Thanks.”

  “No problem, sugar.” Melanie winked at her and they both laughed. They had long ago gotten used to playfully calling one another bitches. It seemed to kill time too. When one of the group truly was being one, the other two just shouted it out and that was the end of it.

  Peren cleared her throat. She sat there with her long auburn hair spilling around her shoulders and looked nervous. Who could blame her? They’d been friends a long time and tossing a marriage proposal out on the table meant it was up for debate. Like it or not, they were like sisters. Peren wanted their approval. Missy wasn’t entirely sure she was willing to give hers. Too many questions still roamed around her head regarding Lukian and his team of men. Something didn’t add up. If it was what she suspected then fine. If not then there was no way in hell she was going to let her friend do something stupid.

  Missy nodded slightly. “I know that your father is taken with Lukian, but is he okay with the idea of you marrying him so soon?”

  Peren bit her lower lip and shrugged. “It’s odd, but he was the one who suggested we have a ceremony for humans … er … everyone to attend.”

  Humans? It was odd that Peren would use that term. Did she know more about what else existed out there than she was letting on? Missy didn’t dwell on it. Instead, she focused on her friend. “If you love him, and it’s what you want, then I’m all for it. I can’t promise not to kill him if he tries anything stupid. And he better not be thinking of monopolizing all your time. I’ll be kickin’ some Lukian ass if he does.”

  Peren laughed slightly. “Lukian would never limit my time with you two. He knows that we’re like family. It’s like that between he and his men too.”

  “I don’t know how Lukian puts up with Roi.” Missy shook her head. “The man gets on my very last nerve. He’s so damn cocky. I mean, come on … he totally looked up my skirt and then smiled when I slapped him! If that wasn’t enough, he spent the entire time we were with them making every lewd comment he could think of. The sick thing is I firmly believe he thinks he truly is a god. The man believes he was put on this earth as a gift to women and that we should all stand in awe of him. How in the hell can anyone stand being around that?”

  Peren and Melanie laughed softly. Missy’s face reddened as her mouth dropped open. “You think it’s funny the way he runs around all ‘I’m a sexy male with a big gun, hear me roar’?”

  “Growl,” Peren said softly.

  “What?”

  She shook her head and giggled. “Nothing.”

  “Melanie, help me out here.”

  Melanie covered her mouth quickly and jolted out of the booth, heading straight for the restrooms.

  “My turn,” Peren said, rushing off to follow her with a worried look on her face.

  That was the second time she’d done that since they’d been out together. It had been Melanie’s idea to get out for a bit, even with everything they’d just been through. Losing Lance, even though Melanie hardly knew him, had taken its toll on her. She’d spent a night having wild monkey sex with him and the next day he was dead. That wouldn’t go over well with too many people.

  Missy herself was still having issues with the events of the last two weeks. She’d been abducted by a league of hunky secret government agents and held in a secure house until it was safe to leave. Now that wasn’t so new. The hard to handle part was being introduced to the world’s most annoying man, who she couldn’t seem to stop thinking about. He’d plagued her thoughts from the moment she’d laid eyes on him.

  It’s a weird case of Stockholm Syndrome. Snap out of it, moron.

  Climbing out of the booth to go after Melanie, Missy stopped dead in her tracks when the door to the bar opened. A tingling sensation started in her lower extremities and worked its way quickly up her body. It touched her body in places she didn’t even know she had, holding her, keeping her momentarily locked in one spot. Thoughts of Roi came to her again and she could swear that his scent was near.

  A very bad case of Stockholm Syndrome.

  Mr. Gold Chains came running towards her as if being vertical suddenly meant she was available. She tried to head in the other direction to avoid him but he headed her off.

  Raking his eyes over her, he looked as though he was about to do the eyebrow lick thing again. “What’s a pretty little thing doing out alone? You should be on the arm of a man who will worship you.” He put his arm out. “Let me worship you, goddess.”

  Ohmygod, where’s a tape reco
rder when I need one? Peren will never believe this.

  “I’m actually not feeling like much of a goddess at the moment so … umm … I’m going to have to pass.”

  The man took hold of her wrist. His smile made her skin crawl. “Nonsense, you are a Chinese beauty with the body of a Venus.”

  Missy tried to pull her arm back lightly but the man held tight. That alarmed her. If she had issues breaking his grip then something was off with him. “Thank you, but I said no and I’m part Vietnamese not Chinese.”

  Another man, this one taller with a muscular build moved up behind Mr. Gold Chains. He flashed a smile that said he was on her side but her senses told her otherwise. Not one to ignore her gut, Missy took a tiny step back. She wouldn’t run. No. She’d make sure they weren’t here to hurt anyone but she wasn’t about to let them touch her and stay close.

  “Excuse me,” the tall man said, pushing past the shorter one, “I think you’re coming on a bit too strong there, Norris. Give the young lady some breathing room.” He bent down a bit, leaving his sandy blond hair hanging in his eyes. By all outward appearances, the man was more than attractive but there was something about him that set her inner alarms off.

  Mr. Gold Chains backed up a bit but kept his beady eyes on her. It was unnerving to say the least. Men had died for less by her hands.

  Mental note: Punch Mr. Gold Chains if opportunity presents itself.

  “We’d be honored if you’d join us for a bit.”

  Missy’s eyes widened. The idea of having a threesome with them sickened her. There was no way she was into that sort of thing especially not with men who had the tainted smell of evil about them. She didn’t want to resort to violence. At least not in front of a bar full of patrons but she would. If these two were what she suspected they were, then it would be one hell of a battle.

  “I’m actually here with friends.” The song drew to an end and she smiled. “Oh, look it’s over now. What are the odds we’ll ever have a groovin’ song that like again. Thanks for the offer though.”

  Eadan picked that moment to put Get Down Tonight by KC and the Sunshine Band on. Melissa cringed.

  Note to self: Kill Eadan right after you punch Mr. Gold Chains.

  “I’m sure they won’t mind if you spend a little time with….” He stopped talking and looked behind her with a hard stare.

  Two large hands touched her waist. Fire shot through her lower region and heat rushed to her cheeks. She felt no need to push the person away. The urge to rub herself like a cat against the clearly male frame behind her was so great that she leaned back and found herself being cradled by what felt like a warm brick wall. That should have alarmed her. It didn’t.

  A very masculine and very familiar chuckle came from behind her. “What…?”

  Turning around slowly, she found herself staring up with shock etched on her face. Missy considered rubbing her eyes to be sure she wasn’t hallucinating. When a crisp pair of royal blue eyes settled upon her, she knew that the biggest special ops pain in the ass she’d ever met was truly standing before her--Roi Majors.

  Maybe the Stockholm Syndrome is causing hallucinations.

  “Missy, doll baby, didn’t expect to find you here,” Roi said, running a hand through his shoulder length black hair, making her mouth dry as she watched the muscles in his neck work. “Uh, nice music.”

  Crap, he’s really here.

  The black, long-sleeved shirt that Roi wore hugged his upper body just right, showing off his amazing shape. He was a sculptor’s dream, there was no denying that. Roi’s dark jeans cupped his groin in a way that screamed “big package on board.” It took everything in her not to stare down at the bulge between his legs, and oh what a bulge it was. Knowing he’d get a thrill out of her sneaking a peek was the only thing that kept her gaze from shifting to his pelvic region for anymore than a quick glance. It didn’t matter; liquid still pooled in her inner thighs, making her knees weak.

  She’d only just met Roi, under some rather straining circumstances, but she knew enough to know that he was a womanizing jerk. Forcing a smile onto her face, she tried to pass him.

  Better to get away now before I make a fool of myself and leap into his arms.

  Roi caught her elbow and for a moment, she couldn’t breathe. Only he had this effect on her. For some unknown reason, his very touch made her heart flutter and her stomach tie in a knot. Continually reminding herself that he was a self-proclaimed playboy who prided himself on how many women he’d slept with was the only thing that kept her grounded. Staring at all six foot four inches of his frame and wanting to do nothing more than explore every last inch of it, begged to differ with her assumption she was grounded.

  You will not be another notch on his bedpost, Melissa Carter. Oh, but what a bedpost it must be.

  He was so much taller than she was that he had to bend down just to look her dead in the eye. “Going somewhere?”

  “Yes, away from you,” she answered coldly doing her best not to stare at his blue eyes.

  He chuckled deeply and the sound shook her to the core. “I’m hungry and you’re here. What do you say we have a bite to eat, together?”

  “How very redundant.”

  “Come on, Missy doll, I know you’re hungry.”

  Missy groaned. “Suddenly,” she quirked an eyebrow, “I’ve lost my appetite.”

  Norris touched her shoulder and she cringed. “If this cat is bothering you, we can get rid of him for you.”

  This cat? News flash--the seventies are over. Though I can totally picture Roi dressed as a pimp.

  Faced with the option of being pressed into dancing with two men who screamed ‘up to no good’ or being with Roi, she went with the lesser of two evils. Staring at Roi with pleading eyes, Missy did her best not to drool. He’d no doubt make some sort of smart-assed comment. Hell, he’d probably write the occasion down to use against her at their next unplanned meeting.

  Roi’s brows drew together and she instantly wanted to smooth away the crinkle on his forehead. “Am I interrupting something?” The tone of his voice was not friendly.

  Smiling, Missy slid her arms around Roi’s rock solid waist and hugged him tight. He stiffened beneath her touch. “You’re hard to stay mad at, sweetie.”

  “Huh?”

  Moving her hands down, she dug them into his low back. The tips of her fingers brushed past what could only be a pistol. That didn’t surprise her in the least. Roi was a special operative. It made perfect sense that he’d be armed all the time. She was. “Honey, if I ever find another woman’s phone number in your pants pocket again I won’t be so forgiving. You’ll lose vital body parts. I bet you can’t guess where I’ll start first.”

  A slow, sexy smile spread over Roi’s face. Leaning down, he pulled her close and pressed his lips against hers. She gasped. Roi used that moment to thrust his tongue in. The sweet taste of his mouth caused her to give in and return his kiss. Her entire body tingled as she stood on her tiptoes to reach him better.

  Heat blazed between them and for a moment Missy thought she might actually pass out from the combination of the rising temperature and his silky tongue caressing hers. Her breasts swelled and her nipples hardened as Roi slid his hands under her tank top, scorching her skin on the way.

  Growling slightly, Roi moved his head back and forth leaving Missy no choice but to follow his lead. Not that she had any other intentions. Her resolve was all but gone as she slid her hands slowly up his smooth chest. She wanted to feel Roi’s bare skin. She wanted to feel the weight of his body pressed to hers. She wanted to get the hell away from him before she begged him to fuck her.

  Pulling back from Roi, she smiled as he let out a tiny whimper. Missy gave him a slight smile and winked, thinking that would teach him for pulling a stunt like that. She couldn’t have been more wrong.

  “So I take it that everything is still on, baby?”

  Missy cast him a questioning look.

  Roi pulled her to him tight and gr
ound his hips against her as he rocked their bodies slightly. “Mmm, you had me scared for a minute there that you were going to tell me no on spending the weekend tucked away at my cabin, naked with the phone shut off so we aren’t interrupted while we fuck the night--”

  Grabbing hold of his belt loop, Missy narrowed her eyes. “Sweetheart, I don’t think we’re up for that right now. I’m still a bit pissed about the number situation and wondering how many other numbers you have hidden around the house. I’m afraid you’ll be sleeping alone tonight.”

  “Baby, I don’t plan to sleep at all tonight.” He bent down fast and pressed his mouth to her ear. The moment he began to whisper, she shuddered. “I think we both know that we’ll be fucking until the wee hours of the morning.”

  Not one to back down, Missy nipped at his rugged jaw line as he kept his mouth pressed to her. He jerked slightly as his breathing increased. “Did you get your pills refilled? I’d hate to have another repeat of the promise of pleasure only to find that you aren’t quite ‘up’ to the task. I don’t mind masturbating but doing it when you’re there and unable to perform is so disappointing.”

  “Care to see how up for the task I am? I’m sure you’ll find it more than acceptable. In fact, you can tell me all about it tomorrow night when you’re still laying in my arms because you’re recovering from an entire night of having all of me in little ol’ you.”

  “Funny, I was under the impression that you would be lying there trying to recover from having little ol’ me wear you out. I’m not sure you’ll be able to tell me about it though. I have a funny feeling you’ll be nursing a rather raw cock and sprained tongue but thanks for the mental image.” With that she turned around to find that the two men were no longer there.

  “Mmm, sprained tongue, huh?” Roi asked, touching her shoulders lightly.

  Scanning the room, Missy found Mr. Gold Chains and his bosom buddy sitting at a booth in the back corner doing their best to appear as though they weren’t still watching her.

  Roi moved in around her and hugged her tight to him. The feel of his erection against her back made her eyes widen. His guess on the morning after was probably way more accurate than hers. “Where are you sitting?”