Covert Makeover. Mallory Kane
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“I mean, is Sonya safe? Did the note say anything about her?” She sat back and forced herself to calm down. Sean Majors had no idea she was a former CIA agent. Her job, and her biggest challenge, was to stay in character. As far as Sean Majors was concerned, she was an employee of Weddings Your Way. Nothing more.
Sean didn’t speak.
“Mr. Majors, I assure you that I am authorized to act in full capacity in Ms. Brennan’s absence. If you like, I could give her your cell phone number so you can verify it with her.”
His face smoothed out a bit as he shook his head. “There was no specific mention of Sonya. But they gave instructions about the money, and said they’d be in touch very soon.”
“May I see the note?” She looked at his pocket.
As he pulled out the plastic bag and laid it in front of her, she was momentarily distracted by his hands. They were large and tanned, with long, well-shaped fingers. Good hands. Competent hands.
She forced her attention on to the note, reading it quickly. “Two hours!”
“Right. Not much time. We’re going to have to be ready to move.”
She held the note up to the light, drawing a curious glance from him. “No watermark,” she commented, then gave a small false shrug. “I’m a graphic designer. Mr. Majors, may we keep this?”
“What reason could you possibly have to want the note?”
“Ms. Brennan will want to see it,” Sophie said quickly. “She feels responsible for Sonya Botero’s kidnapping. Maybe a copy?”
Majors sent her a suspicious glance. “How can I be assured it won’t end up in the hands of the police?”
“As I said, I can have Ms. Brennan speak to you personally.”
He shook his head. “One copy, without removing it from the plastic bag.”
“Of course. I’ll do it myself if you’d like to observe.”
He stood, adjusting his cuffs, and picked up the note. He was not going to let it out of his sight for an instant.
Sophie stood as well. “Follow me.” She walked quickly up the stairs, her high heels clicking on the marble. Majors walked slightly behind her and she imagined his gaze burning into her back, her behind, her legs. It was an uncomfortable feeling. Disturbing. And yet slightly arousing. Suppressing the urge to slow down and force him into step beside her, she sped up, reaching the second floor and heading straight for the copy machine.
As he watched her like a hawk, she made one photocopy. He reached around her and cleared the machine, then inspected the copy.
“Your confidence in us is underwhelming.”
He didn’t look up. “This is my boss’s only daughter. My loyalty is to him.”
“True. I apologize.”
He didn’t acknowledge her words, just handed her the photocopy and retrieved the original note, tucking it back in his inside jacket pocket. Then he stepped aside to let her precede him down the stairs.
Sophie faced him at the bottom. “Where do you think they’ll want to meet for the drop?”
“Who knows. They don’t seem to be concerned about being seen in daylight, but they’ll want an open space.”
“Do it here.”
Sean lifted his chin slightly, staring at her as if she’d just confessed.
She’d come on too strong. But she was getting the definite impression he wanted to handle this alone. And she couldn’t let that happen. Sonya Botero had been kidnapped right under the nose of Rachel Brennan’s Miami Confidential team. Rachel was absolutely determined to get Sonya back, and Sophie and the rest of the team felt the same way. It had happened on their watch. It was their responsibility.
“It’s the perfect place,” she said quickly. “Sonya was kidnapped here. That means the kidnappers know the area intimately. We can arrange the drop in the circular drive out front. Cancel all appointments for the time frame to ensure that no one is around. It’s relatively isolated, yet out in the open. It would make sense.”
Sean cocked one brow. “You seem to have all the bases covered. Have you been thinking about this a lot?”
His remark gave her pause. Actually, the thought of using Weddings Your Way for the ransom drop had just occurred to her. “I watch a lot of TV. But it does make sense, doesn’t it?”
“Assuming the kidnappers are generous enough to let us make that decision, which I doubt will happen. Isn’t this Montoya’s territory?”
“Yes, but he and Ms. Brennan are out all morning. That means it could be hours before you could talk with them about arrangements. That’s time wasted.”
“Who do you suggest to make the drop?”
Sophie took a deep breath. “Me. I work here. I’m sure the kidnappers know all the employees of Weddings Your Way. They would have cased us pretty thoroughly before they planned the kidnapping.”
“Cased you?”
“Sorry.” Sophie smoothed her skirt and looked down. “Like I said, I guess I watch too many cop shows.”
“You think?”
She frowned at his sarcastic remark and the storm clouds still darkening his eyes. She challenged him. “You think I can’t handle it.”
“I’m sure you can. All you’d have to do is walk a few steps and set down a suitcase. My question is why do you want to?”
His voice was harsh, suspicious. He obviously suspected that she had an ulterior motive. Surely he didn’t think she was in on the kidnapping?
She couldn’t tell him the truth. That as a Miami Confidential agent, she had an obligation to make sure no one else was hurt. If anything happened during the drop, her CIA training ensured that she’d be prepared. She knew how to take care of herself.
Sean crossed his arms, waiting for her answer.
Smiling slyly, she leaned forward again, making sure her shirt gaped artfully. She was rewarded when his gaze flickered downward.
“I love the danger. It’s a turn-on.”
Chapter Two
It’s a turn-on.
For an instant, her words hung between them. Neither of them moved.
Then Sean Majors’s eyes darkened and his knuckles whitened against the dark gray of his jacket.
Sophie took a deep breath, willing her face not to express the embarrassment she felt. Her ploy hadn’t worked. She never should have tried flirting. Lord knew, she was no good at it.
He uncrossed his arms and shrugged his shoulders, adjusting his jacket as he took a step backward. The set of his strong straight mouth telegraphed his disapproval of her and her suggestion.
She hated this posturing. Hated the idea that she had to resort to such tactics to keep Weddings Your Way’s true identity a secret. But she’d started it and now she had to finish. She had to ensure that Confidential was involved in the ransom drop.
“You must feel the same way.” She stepped forward, letting her gaze drift down to his chest, where a shoulder holster strap showed beneath his jacket. She ran the tip of one fingernail along the edge of the strap, then she met his gaze again and smiled.
“Why else would you be in a job where you carry a gun?”
Sean’s mouth compressed into a thin line and his eyes turned black. “My job is to protect. It doesn’t turn me on.”
His tone chilled her. Still, at least she’d accomplished her purpose. He thought she was a bimbo who had no better sense than