My Bad Boy's Secret: A Bad Boy Billionaire Romance (136 page)

“Oh.” Was all Miranda could think to say in response. They half-ran, half-walked down the rest of the tunnel in silence. Miranda listened as the sounds of anarchy and turmoil faded away and the only sounds that remained were the echoing of their pounding footsteps and the constant scurry of rats through the tunnel.

“Here we are. I shall go up first, stay on guard.” Alexander said, coming to a stop below a manhole cover directly above them. He climbed the seven-rung ladder toward the cover and slung his rifle over his shoulder as he worked at getting the cover open. Miranda clutched Greg tighter as she watched the mysterious blonde lift the cover and peer out at the empty street. He waited for several moments, studying everything above the tunnel with precision. Just as she was starting to feel her anxiety build, He pushed the manhole cover completely off and climbed out. Greg helped her onto the ladder and supported her as she climbed out after the agent. Alexander reached down and clasped her hand as she reached the surface, pulling her out. She smiled gratefully at him and he wasted no time leading her to a black car parked along the vacant street. Greg climbed swiftly out of the tunnel after them and replaced the manhole cover before jogging over to them. Alexander unlocked the car and helped Miranda into the back seat. Greg climbed into the front seat beside Alexander who started the car and pulled away from the curb.

“We need to take her back to the embassy.” Greg said, his tone authoritative and leaving no room for argument. There was a loud blast several block behind them and Alexander glanced in the rearview mirror as the other two twirled around to look out the back window. Flames illuminated the buildings and there was distant shouting and the sound of sirens.

“No, we can’t go that way. I have a safe house outside the city. We will take her there until it is safe to return her to your embassy.” Alexander said, pressing harder on the gas and accelerating the car to get them out of the growing destruction faster. Miranda watched people run out of buildings and she had no desire to argue with the man driving. She didn’t want to go anywhere near that madness.

“Where is this safe house exactly, I will need to let my team know.” Greg said, not pleased that he was taking orders from the other man but knowing that his pride was no reason to gamble with Miranda’s safety. Alexander shook his head and took a tight turn that slammed Miranda against the door.

“I’m sorry, I cannot disclose that information. This is an active safe house and, I’m sure you have experience with them, their location is secure from all communication devices.” Alexander said. Greg clenched his teeth and cursed silently to himself. He couldn’t fault the man for taking the same precautions that he and his team did when it came to safe houses, but he didn’t like his team not knowing where they were.

“Very well. I will radio them and let them know the Ambassador is safe to avoid any extreme measures that might be taken if I don’t communicate at least that much.” Greg said. Alexander gave him a nod and took another sharp turn.

“Do it quickly, we are about to exit the city and you will no longer have reception.” He advised. Greg tried not to glare at the man and pulled his radio forward so he could talk into it.

“Team Leader to Alpha.” He said.

“Alpha reads.” A soft response came in over the receiver. Greg closed his eyes and breathed a sigh of relief. At least his team was alright, he had been concerned when the radio signal was lost in the tunnel but tried not to show it.

“I have the Ambassador. We are with SAS and headed to a safe house. Will contact when we are returning to the embassy.” Greg relayed. Miranda watched the darkened streets become sparser as they approached the edge of the city and the signs of the riots were far behind them.

“Copy. We will hold at the embassy and await contact.” Alpha replied over the radio, his voice faint.

“Losing radio connection, will contact when back in range.” Greg said quickly as the car passed out of the city limits. The other end of the radio turned to static and he waited for a few minutes for any possible reply before turning it off.
Hopefully they got that last message,
he thought to himself and leaned back against the seat. He glanced over his shoulder at Miranda and offered her a reassuring smile.

“Don’t worry, Ambassador. You’re safe now.” He told her. Miranda returned his smile with an uncertain one of her own and remained silent, staring out the window. Alexander took several turns and was on-and-off paved and dirt roads. After an hour of driving, Miranda couldn’t tell what direction they headed in she was so turned around. She glanced at the blonde man and then back out the window; that was probably his intent to keep the location of the safe house a secret.

“Are you doing okay, Ambassador?” Greg asked, breaking the silence that had fallen over all of them. Miranda turned away from the window and smiled tiredly at him. They had been driving long enough that the night sky was starting to brighten with early morning approaching.

“Just tired and a little motion sick.” She said, rubbing her dark brown eyes. Greg nodded and handed her a bottle of water.

“Here, this should help with that Ambassador.” He said. Miranda took the bottle thankfully and gulped down about half of it.

“Thank you. You don’t have to call me ‘Ambassador’, you know.” She told him teasingly, handing him back the bottle. Greg smiled at her and took a sip of the water still remaining.

“What would you prefer I call you then?” He asked genuinely. He offered the bottle to Alexander who accepted it and took a small sip of the water before handing it back.

“Miranda is just fine. What may I call both of you? I never did catch either of your first names.” She said a little embarrassed. They had only just saved her life and she didn’t even know how to address them.

“Greg, you may call me Greg.” He answered, giving her a wide, charming smile. Miranda felt her heart melt a little at the sight and cleared her throat to try and regain her senses.

“And what about you, sir?” She asked, turning her attention to the blonde man driving them. He remained silent as he took a final turn and the safe house came into view. They were in such a remote part of Russia that Miranda knew there was no chance she’d find her way back to Moscow on her own. He pulled the car to a stop in front of the small, gray house and turned off the engine.

“The name is Alexander. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance Miss Miranda.” He said, climbing out and opening her door. Miranda smiled at him and took his offered hand to help her out of the car. She held it a moment longer and gave it a gentle squeeze.

“It’s a pleasure meeting you, Alexander. Thank you for all you did back there, I really appreciate you coming along when you did.” She said. Alexander’s cold blue eyes warmed a little but it didn’t extend to his lips which remained pressed in a firm line. He gave her a nod and dropped her hand, heading toward the safe house door. Greg stepped up beside her and took her arm, guiding her over the frozen ground. Miranda was glad that it was still summer and hadn’t reached the frigid temperatures of winter just yet. They were far enough north that even with it being early September, there was frost on the ground in the early mornings and she could see her breath puff in the air. She shivered and huddled closer to Greg for warmth as they followed Alexander inside the small farm house. Once inside, Miranda noted that Alexander had already started a fire and the main room was gradually reaching a bearable temperature.

“Thank you, Alexander. I’m afraid I didn’t grab my coat in all the commotion.” She said, taking a seat on one of the chairs across from the blaze. Alexander lifted his head and, again, only gave her a single nod in acknowledgement. Greg kept his rifle at his side as he wandered through the house—checking all the rooms to ensure that they were clear and safe from any potential dangers.

“It’s clear. No one knows of this place except for myself.” Alexander confirmed as Greg wandered through the rooms. Greg didn’t respond, not wanting to take any chances by simply taking his word for it. After he finished thoroughly checking the two bedrooms and the kitchen, he returned beside Miranda and nodded at Alexander.

“It’s clear.” He confirmed. Alexander’s lips twitched in the smallest of amused smiles and he crossed his arms over his lean chest as he reclined against the wall beside the fireplace. Miranda took a deep breath and felt her muscles finally begin to relax. Hearing both men confirm that they were safe and very,
very
far away from the destruction of the city, she felt at ease for the first time in almost fourteen hours. Her eyes began to droop and she slumped back in the chair. She glanced at each man and raised a curious eyebrow at each of them. Neither one seemed weathered or exhausted in anyway and after the night they just experienced she couldn’t help but to wonder what kind of supermen she was dealing with. Miranda yawned and put her hand to her mouth in an attempt to stifle it.

“I’m so sorry. It’s been a long night.” She said with a tired smile, glancing out the front window to the steadily lightening sky.

“Oh yes, my apologies Miss Miranda. You must be terribly exhausted. Let me direct you to one of the bedrooms where you may lie down to rest.” Alexander said, pushing himself off the wall to help her out of the chair. Yawning again, Miranda thanked him and followed him down the short hall to one of the small bedrooms. She looked around at the plain, white walls and the single window covered by bars and a blackout curtain. It was a tiny room, with only enough space for a single bed and a nightstand with several drawers but Miranda didn’t care. It had a bed with a pillow and that was all she required.

“Thank you, Alexander. You don’t happen to have a change of clothes hidden somewhere so I can get out of this dirty suit, do you?” She asked hopefully. Alexander raked his eyes up her long legs, the curve of her hips, her ample bosom and to her heart-shaped face. He gulped and gave her a modest smile, his blood burning from the sight of her beauty.

“I shall check.” He managed to get out before turning abruptly and exiting her room. Miranda stared quizzically after the man as he disappeared around a corner. Greg approached her room and leaned against the door frame, looking at everything except for her.

“Do you need anything else?” He asked, his warm brown eyes finally meeting hers. Miranda shook her head and grinned when Alexander returned with a small stack of clothes.

“I hope these will suffice, Miss.” He said, handing them to her. She looked at the charcoal gray sweatpants and long-sleeved t-shirt and nodded.

“These are perfect, thank you.” She said, beaming at him. Greg looked over at Alexander and noticed a subtle coloring on his pale cheeks. His chest tightened automatically and he felt a surge of possessiveness course through him. They all looked at each other awkwardly for a moment, no one wanting to say anything nor wanting to leave. Eventually, the moment stretched on past awkward and into uncomfortable so Greg cleared his throat and stood up from where he was leaning.

“Alright, you sleep well Miranda and we will wake you in a couple hours to eat.” He told her, giving her a smile. She nodded and turned away from them, setting her borrowed clothes on the bed so that she could change. She waited until she heard the door close behind her and two sets of boots wander off. She let out a sigh and rubbed her eyes. She was too tired to be dealing with two noble and attractive men right now. When they just stood there in the door all she wanted to do was run up and kiss them.
Both
of them. Hard. She closed her eyes and began to unbutton her jacket and slid her skirt down her legs. She kicked off her heels and pulled the sweats and t-shirt on. She could worry about all that when she regained consciousness. For now, she was going to allow herself to enjoy dreams about a tall man with auburn hair, and a mysterious blonde.

***

Greg sat down in one of the chairs across form the fire with a heavy sigh. He began to remove his weaponry and set them to the side. Alexander watched him quietly form the chair beside him. Greg looked up and regarded the SAS agent, dropping his knife to the floor with a clatter.

“She’s beautiful, isn’t she?” Greg said, breaking the silence. Alexander looked shocked for a moment before the cold mask took over his features again.

“Yes, she is. Do you admire her often?” He asked. Greg smirked and relaxed into the chair, finally allowing his body to feel the fatigue from the night.

“Every chance I get, don’t you?” He said. Alexander gave a shrug and began to remove his own weapons that were hidden in his dress clothes. Greg watched as he pulled out a hand gun from a holster behind his back and several knives from his belt and boots. Greg was surprised how much he was able to hide in the dress clothes attire, he himself having opted for his standard, active SEALs gear instead.

“She’s a remarkable woman. Highly intelligent and handles stressful situations admirably. It’s no wonder she was elected to represent your country.” Alexander said, changing the direction of the conversation and avoiding the question. Greg’s smirk widened and he nodded.

“Yes, she is indeed.” He said. The conversation fell after that and neither man spoke for a while. They both stared ahead at the fire and took unspoken turns closing their eyes and catching a little rest. Greg knew that Alexander was infatuated with Miranda—and he couldn’t blame him, because Greg certainly was enamored with her, too. He knew it was wrong: she was his assignment, his mission he was sworn to protect. Attempting to act upon any of his romantic desires would only be taking advantage of her and their situation. He couldn’t allow that, no matter how badly he wanted her.