Into Danger Part 29

"Hey!" she yelled as she was unceremoniously pulled up on her feet.

The man had no manners! He grabbed her by the hair, and she kicked his shin. "Look, you tongue me again, SEAL boy, and I'll make you into shark bait."

He tongued her anyway.

"Stash," she murmured against his lips. Stepping on tiptoes, she palmed his face, pulling him closer. She couldn't get enough of him. How she had missed him!

His mouth moved over hers possessively and she responded fiercely, forgetting everything for the moment except the fact that he was alive. She had been so afraid for him, had never been so fearful of losing anyone. He was her Steve, all familiar s.e.xy masculine musk and heat and...the boat was still moving! Shaking off her protesting mind, she released his face and tried to talk to him while she pushed at the hard wall of his chest.

Steve reluctantly lifted his head. G.o.d, the woman drove him nuts. He wanted to shake her and make love to her at the same time. What was she thinking, running at Gorman like that? And what did she mean, he had one of her men?

Hawk had been right behind her, so Steve knew she hadn't been in any danger, but d.a.m.n it, hadn't he told him to get her out of the way? So why was she running ahead of him?

He looked over Marlena's head to ask his cousin, who was standing there eyeing them silently. Steve wasn't worried about Gorman. Hawk would take care of him if he so much as opened an eye. He narrowed his eyes as he zeroed in on a smear of red on Hawk's lips. He knew his cousin's bad habits like the back of his hand. "That'd better be a new line of camouflage makeup and not what I think it is," he warned.

Marlena twisted around to see what he meant. She didn't see anything important about Hawk's makeup, so she turned back to Steve. "Let go. We have to stop the boat." She was facing the water and could see exactly where they were heading. "Stash! Stop the boat! Look over there!"

Steve didn't turn around to see the disaster ahead. He had what he wanted-Gorman out and Lena in his arms. "Why did you kiss my woman?" he demanded.

"She kissed me. She preferred me to shark bait."

"You didn't kiss him, did you, Lena?"

Marlena stared up at Steve. Had they both gone crazy? This wasn't the time to play kissing games! "Stop the d.a.m.n boat or we're all going to kiss something goodbye!"

"Okay," Steve said and snapped his fingers. He did that to annoy Marlena; she didn't know he had wired the propellers. A rolling rumble shook the boat under them, rocking it sideways. He opened his arms as Marlena fell against him, then closed them possessively around her as he braced himself against a wall. It felt so good to have her in his arms again. He didn't want to let go. The past forty-some hours were some of the worst of his life.

The way the boat came to a stop in time seemed like magic, but of course it was the timing device that had taken care of everything, and he had the operation clocked to perfection. That was why he had chosen that moment to crash through the window, but Marlena's appearance had distracted him a little bit. Just a little. He placed a kiss on her forehead and met Hawk's mocking eyes. He glared at the smear of red again.

"What did she mean about tonguing her?" he demanded, resuming the conversation before the explosion. It was just as if he were back with his team, using adrenaline and banter after a b.l.o.o.d.y battle. Mundane conversation and sarcastic jokes were the norm to counter the chaos that usually surrounded them.

Hawk shrugged nonchalantly, licking one corner of his mouth. "We sort of tongued each other," he replied. "I was on top and she had her hands in my hair. Accidents happen that way."

Steve growled. Marlena shook her head in disbelief. She tried to get free but his arms were locked tightly around her. "Are you listening to me?" she demanded, about ready to explode herself.

"I stopped the boat like you ordered, didn't I?"

How had he done that? But she wasn't going to let that distract her from her job again. "Take your arms off me right now! I have things to do."

Steve shook his head. "I think the to-do list is finished, babe. You did your thing with the laptop. I did my thing as rat catcher. I rescued you. You're safe and sound. I stopped a runaway boat." His green and black streaked face broke into a macho satisfied grin that made her heart do somersaults. "M for Mission Completed."

"I think we have visitors...Stash." Hawk's voice had a mocking lilt to it. One corner of his mouth curled up in an amused sneer. "She did call me Stash before she tongued me. What the h.e.l.l is a 'Stash,' anyway?"

Steve scowled down at Marlena. "You mistook him for me? He looks nothing like me!"

Actually, he did. Especially since she still couldn't see their faces without the camouflage. It was evident that the two men were related. Not only was their build similar, but she could make out the same strong jaw and dimpled chin.

Now that it was clear that imminent danger was over, Marlena relaxed. Relief bubbled up from nowhere. She peered up at Steve and c.o.c.ked an eyebrow. "Well, you all look alike with that makeup and getup. But of course I knew it wasn't you when I unzipped..." She cast a suggestive look downward, then peeked up, and almost laughed out loud at the rage in his expression. He was remembering the first time they met and how she had greeted him.

Steve sucked in his breath when she pressed one knowing hand on his stomach. Her blue eyes twinkled suggestively. She didn't try that on Hawk! She had better not! From the floor, Gorman emitted a groan and stirred, interrupting his rampant jealousy. Releasing Marlena, he took a few steps toward the deputy director of Task Force Two, lying at his feet.

"I suppose it's too late to request an interview, Mr. Gorman," he said to him.

Chapter Twenty-four.

T he morning light felt strange, bringing normalcy to the chaotic predawn hours. Marlena watched as two boats reached them. Stash told her one of them was the one his cousin and his men came on, so the other probably was from T.

"He said his name is Steve too," she told Stash, after a belated introduction.

"It's a long story," Steve said, giving his cousin a wry look. "Call him Hawk, Lena."

"Hawk," she murmured, eyeing the other man standing a few feet away. His brooding calmness belied a coiled tension as he quietly gave instructions to his men. He must have heard her, because he turned slightly. In the daylight his eyes were a deep brilliant gold; they stood out against the war paint. Predator eyes. She studied the differences between Stash and his cousin. A slow, knowing smile revealed straight white teeth. She couldn't help but smile back.

"Is there a reason why you're staring at him?" Steve demanded, putting an arm around her shoulders. "It's bad enough that you kissed him in the middle of a dangerous operation."

Marlena shrugged off the possessive gesture. She couldn't understand why he was so mad about that harmless kiss. It was meant for him, after all. "He doesn't look like you after all," she declared. It was just a little lie, but hey, male ego was a fragile thing. "Besides, he doesn't kiss that well."

Hawk laughed out loud for the first time, a warm chuckle that crinkled the corners of his eyes. "I think it was Kisser of the Millennium, wasn't it, that I was compared to?"

"Wait a minute," Steve cut in, eyes narrowing, "let me get this straight. While under siege, you two kissed and had this conversation?"

"It's called mult.i.tasking, Stash," Hawk replied solemnly. "Miss Maxwell was really good at it, too."

Steve took a step toward his cousin. Much as Marlena was fascinated by this new, aggressive side of Steve, she didn't want to have two males fresh from a battle, adrenaline still pumping, pushing each other too far. She understood that part of it was ego, but most of it was the rush of excitement still fresh in their system. Her normally steadfast, logical-thinking Stash was in one-hundred-percent warrior-commando, king-of-the-hill mode at the moment. In fact, all these sea mammals around her probably were on a high. She just had to handle everyone on board very carefully.

To take his attention off the unrepentant Hawk, she jabbed Steve in the ribs, then turned away from the arriving boats and looked around at the carnage in awe. As far as she could tell, there were four other men who had stolen on board with Stash. Five men did all-this. "This" was total damage to everything on deck of a six-figure luxury boat, from starboard to portside. Bullet holes marred the once pristine whitewashed deck and walls. Pilings and railings were ruined. Decor was unrecognizable. Big holes. Broken gla.s.s. Not to mention the injured.

Her gaze rested on Cameron, Stash's friend at TIARA, who was standing guard over the surviving prisoners. Well. Maybe there was more to the man than the mere charmer she had judged him to be. Pierre was talking to him, probably identifying some of the culprits. She frowned at the tarp covering what could only be those who didn't make it through the firefight. That could easily have been her under there, she thought. Her gaze swung up and caught Gorman's. He stood aloofly, a little away from the rest, with that big commando nearby keeping an eye on him. His face didn't look too good after Stash's handiwork, but even from here, she could see the quiet rage in his eyes.

"Did he hurt you?" Steve lightly ma.s.saged her neck.

Although his touch was soft, Marlena felt the taut anger emanating from him. She shook her head. "No."

"But he was going to kill you after this was over," he stated in a low, tense voice.

"It is over," Marlena told him quietly, still aware of the adrenaline rush behind his words, "and I'm fine."

"What if I hadn't made it in time? What if you hadn't been able to send T. the signal?"

She felt a surge of tenderness at the rough emotion in his voice. She wasn't used to anyone taking care of her and couldn't find the right words to explain her feelings. Trying to rea.s.sure him somehow, she leaned back into him and reverted to her usual mockery. "I'm trained for these situations, darling. Really, have some confidence, hmm? Besides, Pierre would have thought of something."

"He was trying to protect you. He must have known something, because Birman said he kept standing between you and him."

"Birman is the sniper?" she asked in surprise. She looked for the bodyguard. When she couldn't find him, there was only one other place. She glanced back down at the tarp. Steve squeezed her shoulder. "How did you find out about him?"

"When we were waiting for your signal, I thought about the two men he'd killed, the first a.s.sa.s.sin and Cunningham. He shot them dead in the most convincing manner. I had Patty do a Triple I check on him, and I found out his past connection with Gorman, so it only makes sense to suspect he must also work for him. That also explained why du Scheum was so careful with his speech the other day before you were abducted."

Marlena smiled to herself. He sounded like Stash again, all a.n.a.lytical, all detail. "What's Triple I?" she queried.

"Interstate Identification Index."

People were boarding the boat, cutting his explanation short. Marlena was surprised to see Rick Harden among them. So far, no T.

Stash muttered under his breath, "What's he doing here?"

Balancing his automatic over one broad shoulder, Hawk looked back at Steve. He didn't seem interested in the newcomers, since he didn't know any of them. Marlena suspected that Hawk McMillan was a loner and not a team player, a characteristic trait she recognized all too well. "Your mess now, Steve," he said. "I'm outta here."

Steve nodded, and said, "Stay in D.C. I have things to tell you. Family stuff."

Hawk nodded back. "I'll make sure they secure the prisoners before I leave. I don't want any introductions."

Just as she had thought, Hawk didn't want to be known. "Don't leave till I see what you look like, Hawk," she baited. "I don't like not knowing what I kissed."

Hawk flashed her that lazy, lopsided, white-toothed smile. His gold-brown eyes were challenging as he told her, "Not shark bait."

He sauntered off to relieve his men. Other operatives were taking over, most of whom seemed to be under Harden. Marlena frowned, not sure why this was so.

"Stash, why is Harden in charge? Only T. gets my signal."

"I don't know," Steve replied. "Come on. We'll find out soon enough."

Harden's expression was inscrutable, as usual. His eyes were gla.s.s-bright as he studied the prisoners, ending with a certain figure. Marlena had a feeling that Steve's chief had waited for this moment for a long, long time, but instead of striding there to take charge of his men, he went to meet them. Another man came with him, very noticeable in his stark white top and trousers. His stride was purposeful; his eyes searched the deck as they approached. He stepped over weaponry and splattered blood without a second glance, as if he was used to the sight of gore. Then his gaze fixed on Stash and her.

Marlena raised an eyebrow at the sight of the newcomer. My goodness. Wasn't this a surprise? There were no smiles or greetings from either side.

A muscle worked in Harden's jaw, but he met Stash's eyes squarely. "I owe you an apology, McMillan. You did good here, despite my trying to detain you at the hospital and not giving you any help."

What? Stash in the hospital? And Harden didn't help him? Marlena wanted to pound the man into pulp. Seeing Stash had made her forget that the last time she'd seen him, he was out like a light, with a head wound. She wanted to demand to know more about his injury, but this was Stash's moment, so she just glared at Rick Harden, which seemed to amuse the other man.

Steve didn't let the awkwardness stay in the air too long, though. "Apology accepted, sir. How did you get to be here?"

"I made a deal, remember? She said if I let you out, I would find a way out from under someone's thumb. I took her up on the deal." He looked over at Gorman. "It paid off."

"So she left you in charge? Where is T.?"

"That's what this gentleman wants to know," Harden answered.

Marlena finally shifted her gaze to the man standing there silently. Interesting. Didn't T. get a transfer because he couldn't stand the sight of her? She had seen his photos in T.'s files a couple of times, but they didn't do him justice. The computer pictures didn't show the hard glitter of the lightest blue eyes she had ever seen. When he looked at her, those eyes were laser-sharp, piercing, and shockingly thorough. She blinked at his scrutiny.

There was something very different about him, and it wasn't just his street clothes. Maybe it was the way he stood so still, how he kept movement to a minimum. He was there, but like a shadow, he seemed to be observing and waiting. The mix of arrogance and confidence was a very lethal combination. One couldn't help but acknowledge his presence.

Marlena also recognized a cover when she saw one. With his sun-streaked blond hair and tanned, lean, athletic build, he looked younger than his purported thirty-eight years, and every inch the image he always projected, a globetrotter in pursuit of extreme sports. But Marlena knew his history. Not as intimately as T., of course, who studied him for two years before they'd clashed. Marlena understood now why her friend was so drawn to this man. He was exactly the kind of man that women sought to tame-enigmatic, secretive, uncompromising. Hard as diamonds.

And he had treated T. like c.r.a.p. Her gaze hardened.

"h.e.l.lo, Alex," she greeted, ignoring protocol.

"He was in charge of Operation Outfox, and since your a.s.signment followed his, he wanted an update on Maximilian Shoggi," Harden continued. He shrugged. "Since I'm not familiar with your operation, Miss Maxwell, I couldn't give him any information. My part here deals with the prisoners, that's it. I will handle taking in Gorman and the crimes that are connected with his outfit, but the other things, I hope you will get the admiral and T. to straighten out for me."

"No problem," Marlena told him, her gaze not leaving Alex. "We're on international waters. I don't know exactly how to get you what T. promised you, though. We only have Gorman here, but no proof of how much damage he did to TIARA."

"T. wired Cam. He then was told by T. to attach a bug on McMillan," Harden said, and he gave a wry grin when Stash stabbed his shoulder briefly, feeling around. "We recorded everything, from Gorman's order to Birman and Birman's talk with McMillan. That was very revealing, especially about his half brother. It should be enough to get a warrant to look into his home and computers. And I hope Mr. du Scheum will cooperate."

Marlena smiled as she watched Stash frown at Cam. T. always was one step ahead. "Well, then. All things wrapped up."

"Except for T." Alex finally spoke up. His voice was softly commanding. "Where is she?"

Stash didn't seem to like the touch of menace in Alex Diamond's tone because he stepped out slightly in front of Marlena. She wanted to nudge him out of the way; she knew this man posed no danger to her. He was, after all, part of the group T. worked with. But Stash was still playing commando. Better let him get it out of his system. She sighed inwardly.

"She's not here," she said, shrugging. "T. is underground, so I don't know where she is, exactly. You're her chief of operations, so I would think you would know. Can't you ask Jed?"

He didn't take her bait. "Tell me where to find her. You're GEM. I want the information about her ID du jour before we get off this boat."

"Or what?" Steve interrupted, looking annoyed. "My men and I outlined this part of the operation, and you just barge in demanding things. Our main goal was to extract Marlena and has nothing to do with your operation."

"Steve, I told him you were the last to talk to her," Harden said, "and Alex is part of her team, since she sent these men."

Steve shrugged. Alex Diamond remained calm, but there was raw tension in his deceptive stillness. "You're the liaison, right? Shouldn't you be doing your job, telling me what I want to know?" He turned to Marlena. "You studied NOPAIN under her. Tell me where she is."

Marlena raised a brow. She wondered how T. dealt with all that a.s.sured arrogance. Folding her arms, she drawled, "I'll think about it. Of course, that doesn't mean you'll find her."

To her surprise, the man smiled. She had meant to bait him, to see whether she could get under his skin. Instead his eyes gleamed with humor, and the tough angles on his face softened. She breathed in. Now she understood exactly why T. was so besotted.

"You can't play her mind games with me, M." The lazy drawl of his voice returned her mockery. He c.o.c.ked his head, studying her, his blue eyes lighting up with a mesmerizing intensity. Then he added, softly, "Please find a way to tell me." Turning to Stash, he said, "Your commander and I will handle things from here, McMillan. We'll talk later. And oh, by agreeing to be liaison, you'll find that we'll be working together a lot."

Steve scowled at the departing figures. "You get the feeling he's done more than talk a lot with T.? He speaks in circles, just like her. And he acts like he owns her."

"Hmm," Marlena agreed, but right now she wasn't particularly interested in Alex and T. She grabbed Stash by the arm, pulling on his swim gear impatiently. "I want this thing off, and I want that stuff off your face. I want to see where you've been hurt."

"Here?" Steve countered, raising his brows.

Marlena started to head below deck. "Are you coming or not?"

"Definitely coming."

Steve looked around him. He was getting mighty sick of these luxury surroundings. What he really wanted was to take his woman back to his own place, where he could pound into her in his own bed. Yeah, that was what he wanted. He could take only so much soft carpet and bedroom sets too expensive to rip apart.

Granted, a big bed to roll around in was nice, but his smaller bed would keep Marlena where she belonged, in his arms, under him, on top-he didn't care, as long as she had no s.p.a.ce to scoot away. He wanted home cooking. He looked at Marlena and couldn't help grinning. Well, okay. Maybe not. But he was very sure of one thing. He wanted a place they could call their own, where they could escape the games they had to play outside.

All this grandeur-the parties, clothes, people, suites-they reminded him of how close he had been to losing her. But he was also reminded of how comfortable Marlena was around these trappings. Could he convince Marlena to be with him? He honestly didn't know.