Edge of Control: An Edge Security Novel (Edge Security Series Book 1) (10 page)

“Governments,” Dani said. “Are there more than just Canada and the United States represented by E.D.G.E.?”

Knight smiled. “That is above your pay grade. You know more than you should at this point, but we’re forced to trust you with this mission. It’s time for you to tell us what you know.”

And so Dani went through everything she knew about Tassia’s disappearance again.

No one asked questions, though Agent Koven typed on his laptop while she spoke. When she finished, she crossed her arms. “So will you help me find her?”

Knight exchanged a glance with Blackwell, then he looked at Jake, and Dani suppressed a groan. They wanted to keep her out of the loop. “Look,” she said, “I can help.”

“We appreciate your offer, Dani,” Knight said, leaning back in his chair. “But I want to know if you’ve told us everything that might be pertinent to this operation.”

His gaze held her and she wanted to squirm. Should she tell them about her past? Was it really necessary for them to know
everything
?
 

“I think we should use her,” Koven said. “She speaks Russian and she’s got experience. She’s an asset.”

The skin on Dani’s scalp prickled with unease at Koven’s choice of words.

Jake held up his hands. “No. She’s untrained. I’m not having her endanger my team.”

Dani scowled. So much for him being on her side. Did he really think she’d mess everything up? “My friend has been kidnapped. I’m going to do everything in my power to get her back.”

With or without you
, she thought.

“This is an op already in progress,” Jake said. “You’re completely untrained, Danielle. You’d be a hindrance. No offense.”

She arched an eyebrow. “Offense taken,” she said. “You know nothing about me or what I can do.”

Koven held up a finger. “Actually, she
is
trained in this. And I say we need her.”

Dani’s sliver of satisfaction dwindled at the look of intense calculation in Koven’s eyes. He’d obviously read her juvie file, the one that should have been sealed. At least he didn’t know
all
the sordid details—those, only she and Chuck knew.

“I’ve been after the Rusakov family for years,” he said. “They have an international reach and connections to terrorist groups. You could help us take them down.”

Dani stiffened. No one betrayed the Rusakov family and lived.

“You know them,” Jake said. He must have noticed her reaction.

She swallowed. “I ran into them when I was young.”

All of them stared at her as if they knew there was a lot more to the story. But it was a story she wouldn’t share.

“Then you’re lucky to be alive today,” Jake said quietly.

“Why’d they take Tassia?” Dani clenched her fists, praying it wasn’t because of her.

Knight tapped a file in front of him. “The Public Prosecutor was looking into the Volga Group for tax evasion. I think they suspected something more than that, but couldn’t prove anything. Tassia was helping with the case and had access to all the information.”

“Dammit,” Dani said, and straightened. “Her laptop and all the files from her desk are missing.” She swallowed against a dry throat. What else had they discovered? Did they realize who Tassia’s neighbor was?

“They want to know what the Public Prosecutor knows,” Knight said. “And your friend was the easiest way to get that intel.”

“Do you… Do you think she’s still alive?” Dani asked.

Knight didn’t look away, but the lines on his forehead deepened. “We’re working under the assumption that she is.”

Her stomach clenched as she imagined what must be happening to Tassia. “What’s the next step?”

“The Rusakovs are having a party,” Koven said with a smile that Dani didn’t trust. “And Danielle’s invited herself.”

Chuck stood up. “Dani, no. What if they recognize you?”

“I’ve changed an awful lot from the kid I once was,” she said.

He shook his head. “Not enough.”

“She won’t be going in alone,” Jake said.

“I’ll be your date,” Koven said.

Jake’s head snapped toward the other man. “
No
.
I’ll
be her date.”

“You may be a SEAL,” Koven replied in an even tone, “but you don’t know undercover work.”

“I’ve done my share of undercover, and besides, I’m trained to know what to do when the shit hits the fan. I’m the best choice and you know it.”

Koven’s eyes narrowed. “You don’t—”

“Agent Koven,” Knight said quietly. “Lieutenant Harrison will be going in with Ms. Everett. You and Petty Officer Lafayette will be their backup.”

“Yes, sir,” Koven bit out.

Dani could tell that Agent Koven thought of the Rusakov family as his case and he didn’t want to give up the lead. She didn’t trust Koven to have her back, but she wasn’t sure if Jake was a better choice. She wasn’t sure he trusted her fully. Would he let her do what needed to be done? Or would he just try to protect her?

She pressed her lips together and stood up to leave the room. It really didn’t matter who her partner was. She’d end up looking after herself like she always did.

Jake sat behind the wheel of a borrowed black Ferarri parked in the Golden Mile district, an exclusive neighborhood of Montreal.

The target’s house was on Redpath Crescent, right below the park the other operators referred to as the Mountain. He spoke aloud. “Zero, this is Alpha. Radio check, over.”

“Reading you five by five, Alpha.” Rhys’s voice spoke through the tiny receiver inserted into his left ear. The equally tiny but powerful microphone lay under a small layer of fake skin by his collarbone, under his new dress shirt. He pulled at the collar.

“So how come you get to do all the fun things while I have to sit in a van with a spook?” Rhys asked, his drawl more pronounced. He must be ribbing Koven about something. And sure enough, Koven grumbled in the background.

Jake scanned the high-end street. Few pedestrians, and light traffic. The party was two blocks down. The dark van where Rhys and Koven sat was another block behind him. “I wouldn’t call dressing in a monkey suit fun.”

“You haven’t seen your partner yet,” Rhys said. “I’ll trade you.”

Jake’s jaw clenched. “I was assigned to this op.”

“Buddy, you volunteered. Not that I blame you.”

“She needed decent backup,” he said.

Rhys laughed. “You should see the spook’s face right now. By the way, she’s coming up on your six.”

Jake looked in the rearview mirror and saw a silhouetted figure walking toward the car. He sucked in a breath.

Her dress was black, long, and had a high slit that showed a shapely leg with every other step. She had a white wrap around her shoulders, so he couldn’t see the top of her dress.

She stopped at the car and he saw her tighten her grip on her wrap before she pulled open the Ferarri’s door. She slid in, exposing one leg all the way to the thigh.

His mouth went dry at the sight and he forced his gaze away. Her hair was piled on top of her head in an elegant way, and held in place with some sticks. It looked as if all you had to do was pull them out and all that dark silkiness would tumble down her back. His fingers itched to do just that.

He needed to get a grip.

“You look…nice,” he said.

Her gaze went to his, and her tongue darted out to touch her upper lip. A lick of flame curled through him. She stilled, watching him like prey scenting danger, before looking away. He made her nervous.

“Thank you,” she said, responding to his compliment.

He nodded, suddenly aware that everything they said was being picked up by his mic. He pushed his emotions away. Game time. “You ready for this?” he asked.

She nodded and rolled her shoulders under her wrap.

“Then let’s do it.” He put the car in gear and pulled out onto the street.

“Zero, on way to location now.”

“Roger that, Alpha.”

“Do they hear me too? Should I do a radio check?” Dani asked. She gripped a small black purse in her hands.

“Zero, does Bravo have comms?” The houses around them grew bigger and farther apart. Within moments the target was in sight.

“Affirmative, Alpha.”

“Can you hear me, Rhys?” Dani asked.
 

“No names,” Jake told her, pulling into the circular drive of an upscale stone mansion complete with classic pillars. Luxury cars parked on the driveway ahead of him. He could see valets helping passengers out and slipping into the drivers’ seats.

“Five by five, chère,” Rhys said.

“Keep it professional, Lucky,” Jake said, and then ground his teeth when he heard his buddy snort.

“Relax, College. I’ve got your six.”

“And mine?” Dani asked.

“We all do,” Jake said before Rhys could answer. “We’re at location. Alpha out.” Jake pulled up in front of the wide steps leading to double doors. A valet in a dark short coat came to his door.

Jake turned to Dani. Her wide eyes stared into his. Damn, he hated bringing her into this. He squeezed her hand. “Stick close to me and you’ll be fine.”

She took a deep breath and took her hand back. “I don’t need your protection, Jake.” She opened her door and let the valet take her hand before he could respond.

Jake stepped out and came around to Dani. She looked elegant and perfectly composed. He still didn’t want her out of his sight.

They walked up the steps, approaching an older gentleman in a tux waiting at the doors. “Name?” he asked in a heavy Russian accent.

“D. Everett and guest,” Jake said. The man checked his list and then waved them inside.

The foyer had a winding staircase on one side and a massive crystal chandelier that threw sparkles of light on the marble floor.

Double doors opened into an actual ballroom where men in tuxes and women in jewels sipped champagne under the glittering light of more chandeliers. Classical music overlaid the chatter of the guests, while waiters carrying platters of hors d’oeuvres and trays of drinks roamed the floor.

He was so out of his element. Give him an assault rifle and some tangos to take care of any day. Maybe Koven should have been the one in the monkey suit after all.

A servant offered to take Dani’s wrap. She dropped it off her shoulders and into the woman’s waiting hands.

Jake’s gut clenched and he forgot the party. Her black dress had a deep V in both front and back, revealing the creamy, smooth skin between her silk-covered breasts. He stepped toward her, wanting to trace the edge of the V that passed over the swell of her breast. She stepped back, her eyes wide.

He needed to get control and fast. He forced a smile and held out his arm. She curled her fingers around it, but managed to keep as much space between their bodies as possible.

Using her arm, he pulled her closer and leaned in, breathing in the scent of vanilla, citrus, and woman, before whispering in her ear so softly the sensitive microphone wouldn’t pick it up. “I’m your date and lover for the evening. You must look like a woman who enjoys my touch.”

A blush rose in her cheeks and she looked away. This wouldn’t do. He captured her chin in his hand and forced her gaze back to his. Her breathing hitched as he stroked one finger along her jaw. Her eyes stared into his as his finger moved down her neck. He wasn’t sure what possessed him. He knew what he was doing wasn’t professional, but he had to touch her, to see if her skin was as silky as her dress.

It was. His finger traced along her collarbone before starting to follow the plunging V of her dress. She shivered, her eyes darkening.

He wanted more. He leaned in, his finger still trailing down her hot skin.

“Alpha, Bravo, are you in position?”

Jake stiffened and grabbed her hand on his arm before she could jerk away. He leaned closer to her and smiled as if they shared a secret. “In position, Zero, wait out.”

Dani’s lips parted as she took a deep breath, drawing Jake’s eyes down to the black fabric that covered her breasts. He wanted to shove the material aside and lay her bare. He swallowed. Now was not the time.

Soon
, Jake promised himself. She was trouble, but he might need a bit of trouble in his life to spice up his trip to Canada.

He slid his arm around her waist and nodded toward the ballroom. “Shall we?”

What the hell just happened?

Dani surfaced from the swirling desire and looked around. No one seemed to be aware of them. Couples dressed in gowns, jewels, and tuxedos loitered around the foyer or entered the ballroom. Jake stood composed and patient, as if he hadn’t just created a whirlwind of sensation inside her, ensnaring her in a vortex of heat without her consent.

Why had he touched her like that? Just to make it seem as though they were a couple in lust? She grit her teeth, wishing she hadn’t fallen for it.

His gray eyes met hers. “Let’s rock and roll.”

He was right. It was time to work. She took in a deep, calming breath and released it. Jake’s gaze darted down to her chest for an instant before meeting hers again. Heat flickered in his eyes before he banked it.

So he hadn’t been just acting a part. Something about knowing he’d been as affected as she had made her bold. Two could play at this game.

She smiled, leaned close, and placed a hand on his chest, before putting her lips close to his neck. He froze, but otherwise didn’t react. “I’m ready when you are.” Her breath whispered along his skin. His arm tightened around her waist briefly before she pulled back.

His eyes narrowed. She arched a brow at him. It was time he learned she could hold her own. He nodded and slid his hand down until it rested against the bare skin of her lower back.

She worked to keep her smile composed and her mind focused as they entered the room, knowing that would be much easier if she didn’t have a large muscled man trailing his fingers almost absentmindedly up and down the skin of her lower back. She used the excuse of grabbing a champagne flute from a passing waiter to step away from him.

Dani scanned the crowd while she calmed her heart. It was quite the party. At least a hundred people mingled in the room. She heard snatches of conversation in Russian, English, and French. There were almost enough people present that she felt hidden from the Rusakovs, though far from safe.