CovertDesires by Chandra Ryan Page A

“That’s a kind offer.”
    “One he won’t extend a second time. In order for us to
ensure her safety we’re going to need you to keep her out of our business.”
    As if anyone could keep Rowe out of something if she didn’t
want to be. And he was betting she’d want to be right in the middle of whatever
this turned out to be. “I’ll talk to her. See if we can reach an arrangement.”
    The man quirked an eyebrow but then shrugged. “You were
warned because he respects the work you do.”
    “Then why is he threatening me?”
    “He’s not threatening. He’s warning. And just because he
respects what you do doesn’t mean he agrees with it. The Subservients were
created for a purpose. To not use them for that is almost sacrilege.”
    “You talk about them as if they’re tools. And sacrilege implies their maker is some sort of supreme being.”
    The man stood abruptly. “I’ll be leaving you now. I’m sure
your friends are on their way.” He nodded and one of the thugs put Jack’s
reader next to him on the floor. “I hope I don’t have to arrange another
meeting.”
    Jack hoped he wouldn’t have to as well. If the universe were
on his side, the next time Jack saw the man he’d be wearing handcuffs and in
transport to a maximum-security detention facility. Still, this little meeting
had given him a lot to think about. He couldn’t be terribly upset when he
thought about it that way. Even if he did have to pee. And his arms were
cramping up. And he had no idea how much longer it was going to be before Rowe
got there.
     
    Rowe had no idea what she was walking into when they finally
got to the origin of Jack’s signal. She’d been trained for just about any eventuality.
But the idea of finding his lifeless body wasn’t something one could be
prepared for. Or if it was she hadn’t signed up for the right class.
    “He’s a resourceful man. He’ll be okay.”
    She looked at Barkswell and shook her head. “Are you saying
that for my benefit or for yours?”
    He smiled but the expression seemed hard and cold. “Maybe a
little of both.”
    They should wait for backup. They’d called it in as soon as
they’d located the small house just off the main access road. But she didn’t
think she was going to make it. Her whole body felt antsy. Just sitting in the
car while it came to a complete stop was unbearable. “He could be injured.
Going in now could mean the difference between life or death.”
    “Yeah. Ours.” Barkswell took out his gun and checked the
charge before putting it back in the holster. “We’re doing this by the book.
And the book says to wait for backup.”
    “There’s only one set of vehicle tracks leading into and one
set of tracks leading out of this drive.” She pointed toward the impressions in
the dirt road. “Whoever was here is gone now.”
    “They could’ve left a few guys behind to guard him.”
    “It was a small transport. It didn’t leave much of an
impression in the dirt. It could hold maybe four people. Five if they were
squished. One to drive and Jack, that leaves three people at the most.” She
checked her weapon to make sure it had a charge as well. “We can take three
people.” She had a moment of pride as she realized she’d been right about every
word she’d just spoken. Somewhere in the last two years she’d become good at
this job.
    “And what if it’s a trap? What if there’s a bomb triggered
by the front door?”
    It could happen. She was certain that it had in the past.
From the look on Barkswell’s face it probably happened on an assignment he’d
worked. But that wasn’t the case this time. She could feel it. “It’s not. We’re
supposed to go into that house and get him.”
    “You’re willing to risk it all for him, aren’t you?”
    “I already have.” It might have seemed like a simple reply
but the truth generally was.
    “So he’s really the one. You’ve finally fallen in love,
haven’t you?”
    “Yeah. But don’t tell