The Deception (11 page)

Oh no. This was going to be one long dinner.

She gave him an exaggerated smile, borderline frosty. She’d been hoping to portray no interest in Ryan and act as if she was as cool as a cucumber. No doubt she’d failed miserably.

Over dinner, Jaz tried hard to forget Ryan and focus on Marcus. She’d found out that Carl was in fact away for the week on business, apparently something to do with importing some more art. Jaz was sceptical but noted down the date and time he was due back home, which was just in time for the sea container sale down at the port.

‘Has your dad found someone to replace Tommy?’ said Jaz, choking out his name. She reached for her wine, pretending some pasta was stuck in her throat. Her body shivered as if Tommy himself was jumping on her grave, screaming out ‘bitch’.

‘Are you okay?’ Marcus passed her his napkin.

Jaz nodded. ‘Yep, good,’ she managed before one last cough.

Marcus reached for his glass of red wine. ‘Dad has a new guy called Ethan. A mate of Richo’s, apparently.’

Any mate of Richo’s spelled bad news in Jaz’s book. She pumped Marcus for any other details he knew about Richo and Ethan, filing it away for later. You never know when it could be relevant information.

In her position at the table she could see Ryan in her peripheral vision, whether she wanted to or not. And like a bug to a bright light she couldn’t help but watch him, her reasoning was she’d probably never see him in a suit again. It totally changed him, making him look like some rich playboy. By now he’d discarded his jacket onto the back of his chair, his white shirt was open at the neck, a few buttons down. Even from here, she could see the tan V of his chest and craved to be closer. Visions of their night in Pakistan flooded her mind. Ryan shirtless pressed up against her, his strong hands on her breasts, so tenderly, causing such heat. It was everything she’d needed to forget the horrors of that night. Did he ever think of that night? Did he regret it? A hot wave flushed her cheeks, made even worse when Ryan’s dark eyes began watched her intently. Could he tell what she was thinking?

‘Excuse me,’ said Jaz, getting up quickly and awkwardly. ‘I’ll be back.’ She needed air and cold water for her burning cheeks.

Marcus nodded. ‘Want me to order dessert? Tiramisu?’

‘Yes, please,’ Jaz mumbled out before retreating to the safety of the toilets, which were at the back behind a false wall.

Out of the public eye, Jaz sagged forward against the wall, resting her head on her arm as she tried to calm her wired body. Breathing in and out and trying not to picture Ryan without that shirt on.

‘Jaz?’

She didn’t know what startled her more, the husky sound of Ryan’s voice or his warm hand that came to rest low on her bare back.

‘Are you okay?’

Not with your hand on me, she thought. If she turned around to face him, it would sever the connection. She couldn’t. His hand felt damn good that low on her skin. When was the last time he’d touched her like that? So personal and intimate. God she wanted him.

‘I’m fine,’ she said, deciding not to move.

Ryan slid his hand around to her waist, gently turning her towards him. It did nothing to slow her heartbeat. Her eyes were nearly level with his open shirt, the one that had caused her little melt down in the first place. Looking up wasn’t any easier as his steely eyes were watching her curiously.

‘I’m on a job, Jaz. Her father is Jameson Figlomeni,’ he whispered.

The relief burst from her like a million released butterflies, flapping their colourful wings to freedom. The lady wasn’t his real girlfriend. Thank God.

Jaz let the words properly penetrate. Jameson Figlomeni. It was the name she’d pulled from Carl’s briefcase. Her eyes widened with understanding and Ryan nodded.

Ryan glanced behind him quickly, and then tightened his grip on her waist. ‘I’d better get back. You look amazing in that dress, by the way,’ his sexy voice rumbled. ‘It’s making work both painful and pleasurable.’ Then he let her go, walking back out to the restaurant area.

Jaz closed her mouth eventually, and blindly stepped back to her table as if she had stars in her eyes and springs strapped to her feet.

If Marcus noticed anything strange with Jaz he didn’t mention it. The rest of their meal was easier to handle now that most of her questions had been answered. Jaz found Ryan watching her and something silent and private passed between them. It was weird because she knew that after his dinner he could be getting all hot and naked with Jameson’s daughter. Just the thought made her stomach roll and feel like the tiramisu was a bad choice.

After their meal, Marcus held her against his body as they walked along the riverbank under the stars. The hum from the city combined with the lapping of the water. It was during this walk that Jaz realised she might need to go all the way on her future missions, like Ryan probably was with Miss Red Dress. That the job called for whatever means necessary. With that being the case, Jaz wanted her first time to be with someone who mattered, someone who was real and knew her, not a mission like Marcus. If she had her first time with someone special then she knew she could handle what was to follow. And she knew just who she wanted it to be. The only problem was getting him to understand and agree to it.

Chapter 10

Jaz walked into The Ring after having walked from school. With each day her leg was feeling much stronger, probably due to her fitness. Today she wanted to change from her uniform and do her yoga; well, at least see if she could do it without too much pressure on her leg.

The gym was empty, no one working out or doing a lesson with Bags. But she could hear hushed angry voices. Slowing down her pace, she trod lightly towards the wall, hoping she wouldn’t be seen as she closed the gap to the office door.

‘She needs to know, Pax.’ Ryan’s voice. ‘I don’t like keeping this from her.’

Oh, what had she stumbled upon? Were they talking about her or his sister, or maybe the woman in the red dress?

‘I said no.’ Pax’s voice was unusually forceful. She’d never heard him speak like that.

‘Hey Jaz,’ said Anna, who strolled in the front door. Jaz waved her arms about, trying to get Anna to shush. ‘What?’ she said.

But it was too late, the voices had gone quiet and her spying time was up. ‘Nothing, don’t worry,’ she said walking towards Anna. ‘Tay not staying?’ she asked as she heard the Mustang drive off.

‘No, he’s shooting some hoops with some mates. Nice enough to drop me off first. We didn’t find you though. Did you skip last period?’ Anna gave her pointed stare.

‘Maybe just a little,’ admitted Jaz. ‘We were only spending time to finish our essays and I’d already done mine.’

‘Say what?’ Anna pulled a face as she tugged her hair free from her ponytail.

‘Haha,’ said Jaz sarcastically. She shrugged. ‘Figured I better get my homework done straightaway because I never know when I might be needed, you know? Called for a night stake-out or something,’ she added at a whisper. Ryan had warned her that she might be doing just that with Cody at some stage, so she was trying to stay prepared.

Anna put her arm around Jaz’s shoulders and together they walked to the office. ‘Some days you really surprise me, Jaz. I’m so proud.’

‘Proud of what?’ asked Pax as they entered the small office.

Ryan was leaning against the wall with all Pax’s fake certificates; totally engrossed in the dirt under his fingernails. He was in running shoes, shorts and a white singlet, which looked damp from sweat. His arms shining like the gloss on a magazine. Jaz squeezed her eyes shut, trying to push the image from her mind.

In the office, the air was still thick with tension. Jaz would kill to find out what they had been talking about.

‘So what’s up with you two?’ she said, opening her eyes and throwing the question out there, but not sure if she’d get the truth.

‘Just bookwork as usual,’ said Pax. ‘Ready to do some more learning, Anna?’

Nicely avoided, thought Jaz.

‘Of course, I’ll make us a hot chocolate first.’ Anna followed him into his house, leaving Ryan and Jaz alone.

‘So what was that about before? You and Pax sounded rather serious. Was it to do with me?’ Jaz put her schoolbag down and sat on the corner of Pax’s desk, pinning Ryan against the wall with her probing stare.

His fingers were still holding most of his attention. ‘It was nothing. Just work. Speaking of which, I’d better go,’ he said glancing at his watch.

He still hadn’t made eye contact with her. Did he struggle lying to her? As he pushed off the wall, Jaz knew she wouldn’t get anything from him until he was ready. She wished she hadn’t scared him off. Hopping off the desk, she reached for his arm.

‘Hey, how’s it going with Jameson,’ she said softly. ‘Finding anything?’

He paused. ‘Maybe. She doesn’t live with her dad so it’s a bit harder. Not all of us can get important intel within a week or so,’ he said. The corner of his lips tugged up slightly but the true smile came from his eyes.

Her body tingled with his praise. ‘If there is anything I can do, let me know.’ Finally she let go of his arm. It would be ridiculous to cling to him for much longer.

‘Two things,’ he said. ‘Ditch school on Wednesday, dress comfortably and meet me here at nine.’ He started to head out of the office.

‘What about the other thing?’ said Jaz as she leant out of the doorway.

Ryan was almost to the front door when he replied. ‘Don’t ever wear that dress again unless I’m around.’

Jaz was alone doing a blowfish impersonation, her mouth moving but no words coming out. She couldn’t find one coherent thought or any witty reply. Ryan had totally sideswiped her again. She leant against the doorframe, staring at the door he’d left through. Why couldn’t they be together? Stupid Agency and its stupid rules.

***

Getting out of school on Wednesday was easy when you had a friend like Anna who could set you up with a sick note. Her ability to copy people’s signatures was a God-given talent and Jaz was thankful her friend was happy to be a deviant.

‘Right. Are you set?’ Anna held the school note in her hand and was dressed for school as she checked out Jaz’s outfit. Taylor had just driven Simon to school so Simon didn’t know she was skipping and Jaz would drop Anna off on her way to The Ring to meet Ryan.

‘I think so,’ said Jaz. She wore her black boots, boyfriend-fit jeans and a black polo shirt. Underneath she’d wrapped a large bandage around her chest, to protect herself in a fight and to help hide her sex. If they didn’t know she was a girl then she would be harder to find. ‘I might wear a jumper too.’ She put on a grey zip-through hoodie. Her fingers fumbled with the zipper. Jaz laughed nervously.

‘I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this nervous,’ said Anna.

‘Yeah, it’s a bit different knowing you’re going into a mission.’ Jaz got it zipped up and tied her hair back into a long plait and tucked it under her jumper.

‘Well, I will be waiting for you to get back and I want all the details. Okay?’ Anna gripped her shoulders. ‘Stay safe, my friend.’ After a quick hug they locked up the house and headed to school.

Anna didn’t wave goodbye, just watched as Jaz pulled out from the school with a worried look on her face. This was the downside to Anna knowing the truth. She would worry. But not once would Anna’s support waver for Jaz and what she wanted to do. That in itself was priceless and why Anna was such a great friend.

Jaz parked around the back of the gym. She didn’t see Ryan’s car. When she went inside he was there talking with Pax. Again she was picking up a bad vibe between them. She hoped it wasn’t serious because she loved them both and didn’t want anything to disrupt their relationship.

‘Jaz is here,’ said Ryan, cutting off Pax’s last words as she drew closer.

Pax turned and gave her a smile. Then he pulled her into a hug. There was no mixed pastry and coffee smell, which was sad as that’s how she’d known Pax for so long, but at least she knew he was sticking to his diet. ‘You be careful out there. Clear head at all times, okay?’ After she nodded he said, ‘I love you.’ Then he walked off into the back of the gym.

‘I didn’t see your car, did you walk?’ Jaz asked Ryan. She was trying not to drink in the vision of him in his fitted grey t-shirt and khaki cargo pants. He was every bit a sexy mercenary.

Ryan shut the office door. ‘I have a different one. Not traceable to us.’ Ryan stepped closer, then held out a knife in a leather pouch. ‘Strap this to your leg for emergencies.’

Once Jaz had finished attaching the knife to her right leg, Ryan took her out to the black duel-back with tinted windows. Cody had arrived and was leaning against it.

‘Ready to go?’ he asked. Cody was also wearing loose fitting jeans, boots and a black long-sleeved t-shirt. His hair was brushed flat and looked shiny and greasy. He no longer looked like Cody the surfie, more like Cody the loan shark.

‘Yep. Get in.’

Jaz rode in the back, aware that this was Cody’s mission and he needed to be up front. Once they were on the freeway Cody began outlining where they were going and what they would probably entail. ‘There are three guys and they come every lunchtime on Wednesday to check the crop. We will detain them and burn the crop,’ said Cody clearly. He went on to tell Ryan where to drive.

They turned off the freeway over half an hour later and began to weave their way towards a more rural area.

Cody directed Ryan to a gravel road that headed into a reserve area with native bush. ‘If we park back there on the other road, we can see them head down this road. It’s the only way in and out.’

Ryan did as Cody said. Parking the ute and opening the bonnet so it looked like they had engine problems. Then they sat inside, looking out the back window for their targets.

Jaz was so focused on watching the gravel road that she nearly jumped through the roof when the sound of a gun clip getting ejected broke the silence. She snapped her head around to find Cody checking the full clip. Of course she knew there would be guns. Except she didn’t have one.

Ryan must have read her face for he reached over to the glove box and pulled out a Starfire 9 mm. ‘Do you want to take this?’ he asked, leaving that option purely up to her.