Bound to Danger: A Deadly Ops Novel (12 page)

Disguise: to modify one’s appearance in order to conceal the wearer’s identity. Tactic often used by intelligence agencies.

A
s they drove to the funeral, Maria felt ridiculous wearing a wig and oversized sunglasses, but the short bob that angled down around her chin actually looked real. It was a light honey brown, a much paler shade than her own hair. Even though everything looked natural, she felt as if she were wearing a helmet or a heavy hat.

She’d had to put a small mesh net on to secure her thick hair in place; then Cade had helped her with pinning the fake piece on. He’d done it with such efficiency it was a little scary. Obviously this wasn’t his first time with disguises. Which made her feel a little better, but not much.

Self-consciously, she fingered the strands around her face.

“Don’t mess with it. No one will know it’s not yours.” Cade didn’t take his eyes off the street as he spoke, but his voice was soft.

“I know, it’s just weird.” Not that a wig should even be part of her concerns this morning. But it gave her
something to focus on besides the grief that had taken up residence in her chest and was weighing her down with each passing second. Waking up this morning and knowing she had to attend her mother’s funeral—it was like swallowing shards of glass. The constant struggle not to burst into tears and have a meltdown was making her edgy and shaky.

Surprising her, Cade reached out and took her hand in his, linking his long fingers through hers. When he squeezed gently, tears burned her eyes and she was thankful for her sunglasses. She tightened her fingers around his, the tight vise around her chest easing just a fraction. Even so, she turned to look out at the passing landscape. Everything was a blur.

Other than his help with the wig, this was the first physical contact he’d shown her this morning. After what they’d shared last night, it had taken her off guard when he’d been in strict professional mode this morning. She understood that he was trying to maintain a professional distance and was just doing his job, but that knowledge hadn’t lessened the sting any.

She was thankful he didn’t pull away now but kept his fingers linked with hers. “So, how will we even get into the funeral?” She’d called her father early this morning, just as the sun had come up, and he’d told her they’d implemented extra security because of the vulture-like media and potentially violent threats. There hadn’t been any made, but the majority of the families who had lost someone in the blast were being cautious in case the bombers tried to target one of the funerals. Sadly, she knew that wasn’t out of the realm of possibility.

Since she couldn’t attend as herself, she was worried about getting in, and she’d forgotten to ask her dad
about it. So much was weighing on her mind right now, especially as she struggled to remember what had happened the night of the bombing.

“I spoke to the head of your father’s security while you were showering. Mr. Larson has been very helpful.” There seemed to be a bite of sarcasm at the mention of Nash, but she couldn’t be sure as Cade continued. “We’ll be seated near the front and will be surrounded by security, all who are under strict instructions not to call you by name or act as if they know you. You are a distant cousin if anyone asks, but we’ll position you so that your back is to most people. You won’t be recognizable and you won’t be given a chance to speak to anyone.”

She turned back toward Cade, tears completely dried. “And you’re just telling me now?”

He shot her a sideways glance as he removed his hand from hers to take a left turn into another quiet residential neighborhood, bringing them even closer to the funeral proceedings. Without the feel of his hand in hers, everything seemed somehow worse. She felt sick to her stomach. She didn’t want to do this. Didn’t want to acknowledge that her mom was really and truly gone. Panic settled in for a moment, but she pushed it back down. She couldn’t have a freaking breakdown right now.

“Yes,” he murmured.

She gritted her teeth, annoyance filtering through her. It was ridiculous to be annoyed, but she latched onto the feeling, hoping it would overpower or at least temper the pain burning in her chest. That was a stupid hope, but it was there nonetheless. Nothing was going to dilute the agony of attending her mother’s funeral. “You can’t just
leave me in the dark about stuff.” Not when it concerned her life and something as important as this.

Her abdomen tightened when she saw the pointed arch of her family’s Catholic church visible above the trees and houses. The Gothic cathedral was nestled in one of South Miami’s residential neighborhoods. The church shared the expansive grounds with an elementary school and a huge social hall, but there wouldn’t be any socializing afterward. Her father would be having only close friends and relatives back to his house after the ceremony, but that was it. Unfortunately she couldn’t even attend that. Or maybe fortunately. She didn’t feel like making small talk with anyone right now. Not even people she cared about. But she wanted to be there for her dad. Every time they’d spoken on the phone, she’d heard the ragged pain in his voice.

“Listen, the NSA is letting you attend—”

“
Letting
me?” she shouted as a burst of anger and pain popped inside her. “My father’s having to deal with all this without me! He’s lost his son and now his wife and I’m not even there for him. Do you think that’s easy for him
or
me?” She barreled on, not wanting to stop, needing to hold on to her annoyance. “It’s not and if you think you’re ‘letting’ me do anything, you’re out of your damn mind.”

Cade’s fingers tightened on the wheel and she had a brief flash from last night as she remembered how he’d stroked her to orgasm with his hands and mouth. She shook her head, shoving the untimely memory away.

“Damn it, Maria. You know what I mean. I’m not used to checking in with anyone. I’m making decisions about your safety and yeah, I’m not going to remember to tell you everything. It doesn’t mean I’m intentionally
leaving you in the dark. I just want to get you there, then get you the hell out unharmed. Nothing is going to happen to you on my fucking watch.” Now he was practically shouting, the slight tremble in his voice at the last couple of words slamming through her like a shock wave.

He was worried about her. Which she knew on an intellectual level. But maybe he was worried for more than just professional reasons. Any lingering frustration seeped out of her in a rush. “Sorry,” she murmured.

He sighed, the frustration visibly draining out of him. “You don’t have anything to be sorry for. I just . . . I’m worried about you being exposed,” he muttered as he slowed and pulled down another quiet street. This one was lined with cars along the curbs. Which wasn’t normal. The church had a parking lot. A big one. Clearly it had overflowed if people were taking to parking in front of homes.

Cade parked behind a four-door Volvo and gave himself plenty of space so they couldn’t be blocked in. Though she knew he’d just ram into a vehicle if they needed to make a fast getaway. She waited as he pulled out his phone and texted someone. Once he received a buzzing response, he nodded at her. “All right, instead of going in through the narthex, Nash is meeting us at the southwest entrance. We’ll escort you through a side entryway that’s been blocked off.”

Maria wasn’t even sure where the southwest entrance was, but clearly Cade did. He’d probably memorized the entire layout and architecture of the church and its grounds. “Okay.” Grabbing her small purse, she slid out of the vehicle. As her kitten heels touched the sidewalk, a tremble went through her. The pressure on her chest was damn near suffocating. Soon she’d be in a church
filled with mourners and would have to listen to people tell stories about her mom and how wonderful she’d been. Which she had been. But the thought of sitting there, of acknowledging that her mom was truly gone . . . Crap, how was she going to do this without breaking down?

Before she’d taken a step, Cade wrapped his big arm around her and pulled her tight. He kissed the top of her wig-covered head. “Cry all you want. I’ve got you and I’m not letting go.”

“Thank you,” she murmured, needing to hear those words more than she’d realized. Inside she was already shaking apart and even Cade couldn’t hold her together. Part of her hated how nice he was being, because he would be an easy target to lash out at. Especially right now when her pain was raking against her insides like razor wire. She wanted to hate him for how he’d cut contact between them eight years ago. It would be a hell of a lot easier if he were an asshole in the present day, if he’d never apologized. But after he’d been honest about why he’d cut and run, how could she hate someone for mourning in his own way? What he’d done was wrong, but it had been a long time ago and clearly he’d changed. Hell, he’d originally requested this assignment to question her. Then when it had turned into more, he began protecting her.

He pulled her close to his chest and just stood there for a long moment as he rubbed a hand up and down the length of her back.

She drew on that strength and finally pulled back. Even if she wanted to, she couldn’t stand out there all day. In silence, they walked along the sidewalk with her arm wrapped around his waist and his around her
shoulders. She was thankful he wasn’t keeping his distance anymore. She soaked up the feel of his big body pressing against hers. Without trying, he was such a comfort. Cade was tense and she knew he was on alert, looking for any potential threats. For that she was grateful because she could barely see past the tears blurring her vision. She didn’t want to do this. How was she going to get through this?

Her shoes clicked along the sidewalk until they reached an iron gate that led to a private garden she’d been in before. Cade put his body in front of hers, but before he’d even reached over it to unhook the latch, Nash appeared from seemingly out of nowhere. The foliage in the garden was thick, creating a quiet tropical oasis, making it easy for anyone to hide. Something she wouldn’t even have thought of a few days ago.

“Hey, Nash,” she said quietly as they stepped into the garden.

She heard Cade snap the latch back into place behind them as Nash pulled her into a hug. “I’m sorry you’re dealing with so much shit on top of . . .” He trailed off as he stepped back. He looked severe in his black suit, crisp white shirt, and black tie. She could see his small earpiece when he turned to look at Cade. “Everything’s set up. You two will go in through the west entrance, down the aisle until you reach the third row back. I’ve already got two men in place. They’ll sit on either side of you. When the service is over, you’ll leave the way you came. Everyone else will be going out through the main entrance, so this should work.” He glanced around as he spoke, taking on the same tense stance as Cade. “I don’t like her being out here like this. Let’s go.”

Cade just grunted in agreement and slid his arm protectively around her shoulders again. It might have been her imagination, but there was something almost possessive about the way he held her tight. And it didn’t escape Nash’s ever-watchful gaze either.

But he didn’t comment. Instead he spoke quietly into his earpiece as they headed down a winding stone path that led right through the middle of the garden. Once they were across, the garden opened up onto the west side of the church where a private parking lot was situated. The main one where all the mourners would be parking was on the opposite side. She’d never been in this area before, but she recognized her father’s Mercedes. The silver SUV shone under the bright sun.

“Your dad wanted to see you before the service.” Nash’s voice had a rough edge to it today and she knew this had to be hard for him too.

Cade had started to say something when the driver’s-side door opened and her father stepped out. Maria immediately left the two men and hurried to her father. The tears that had been building finally broke free, but she didn’t care as her dad pulled her into a tight hug. She knew how much he was suffering and she was glad to finally be able to hug him, to mourn with him.

•   •   •

“How private is this parking lot?” Cade scanned the limited number of vehicles in the small lot.

“It’s been secured. No one other than family is getting in this way,” Nash said.

Cade hated having Maria out in the open, especially in a place where there were so many trees and other places to hide. If someone wanted, they could have set
up early in one of the cathedral towers with a sniper rifle. He expected that Nash’s team would already have secured it, but he didn’t know all the details of what they’d done. At that thought, Cade automatically glanced up.

“The towers have been swept and secured,” Nash said tightly, obviously understanding. “We were here early this morning and the church has been very cooperative. They love the Cervantes family and are doing everything possible to make sure today is as smooth as possible.” A short pause. “The wig is good. I recognized her because I know her so well, but most people won’t be able to tell. Especially not with those glasses.”

Cade nodded, his gaze straying to where Maria stood with her father. It looked as if they were both crying, and he tried not to let the sight of her in pain affect him so much. It was a fruitless effort.

He’d rather get punched in the nuts than see her grieving. This morning he’d ordered himself to keep things professional. The hurt in her eyes had been palpable and he’d wanted to kick his own ass for putting it there. For adding to what she was already dealing with. But he’d needed to set up some damn boundaries. For both their sakes. Someone wanted to hurt her, and they needed to know why.

“She remember anything else?” Nash asked quietly, though Cade knew he had an earpiece in.

He shook his head, still not completely comfortable opening up to the man even if he was with her family’s security. The guy’s record was clean and he seemed to truly care about her, but Cade didn’t care. To him, everyone but the men and women he worked with were the enemy right now. And while the rest of the security team had passed standard vetting from the NSA—otherwise
Maria wouldn’t be here—he definitely couldn’t risk someone random overhearing. “How many people are here?”