The Deception (19 page)

‘Will it need stitches?’ Ryan asked, dragging her from her inner turmoil.

‘Maybe one, if you’re lucky,’ she teased and dropped his shirt, pressing it against his wound to help clot the blood. He didn’t even flinch. After what he’d endured over the years, this was probably like a paper cut.

‘Did you get anything out of him?’ Jaz asked. She didn’t want the ride home to be in silence. Her thoughts were too frightening.

Ryan cleared his throat and nodded. ‘Yeah. He told me about a new shipment coming in.’

Jaz frowned, finding it odd that Tony would give up such big intel.

‘Just like that?’ asked Tay, as he leant forward. He’d been quiet this whole time too. She knew he’d have a million questions about what had happened. Jaz was still trying to piece it all together herself.

‘No. I threatened to kill every last member of his family if he didn’t. Guess he believed me,’ said Ryan, deadpan.

Jaz watched him as he drove. In this moment, he seemed so much older and harder, like a Vietnam vet who’d survived so much. Would she become like this? She wanted to reach over and hold his hand, to remember the fun-loving guy she’d first met at the gym. She knew he was in there. Even though he’d killed Tony, she wasn’t appalled or sickened by Ryan. If anything, she admired him more. His ability to do what was needed by any means and to remain totally in control. He was amazing. The things he did and the life he gave up for his country and its people made him her hero. Ryan glanced across, his eyes swimming with so much she didn’t know what to make of it all. He turned away before she could get a fix on any one emotion. He may be a hardened soldier but for some reason Jaz could always see the turmoil that lay beneath. Maybe that’s because she loved him?

At The Ring, Tay jumped out and ran to catch up with Anna. Jaz dawdled, hoping to spend some time with Ryan. He stood before her in the dark.

‘I know that must have been hard, with Carl … and Tony. But I’m proud of you,’ he said with a thick voice.

Jaz stepped into his arms because it felt right and because she really did need a hug. It had been hard to face Carl but she hoped he made the right choice for Marcus’s sake. And to see another dead body, well, she really needed his arms to help her sleep. Jaz felt emotions welling up in her chest. She took a shaky breath and squished herself closer to Ryan, needing his strength.

He kissed the top of her head. ‘It’s okay, Jasmine. It’ll be okay.’

His murmured words warmed her body and she knew that if Ryan said it would be okay, then it would.

‘Can you tell me the big secret now?’ she asked.

Ryan untangled her and held her at arm’s length. ‘I’ll pick you up after school tomorrow and we’ll talk then. You’ve earned the truth. And we need to talk …’

Jaz reached up and caressed his face, covering the blood mark. ‘I know.’ They stood staring at one another for a long moment. Jaz felt the night’s events fade away as her concern and love for him took over. Her whole body ached to be with him, to have Ryan touch her would erase all the bad, ugly thoughts.

Could this secret be any worse than what she’d just been through?

Ryan reached for her hand and gently pulled it from his face. Then his hand slipped away as he let her go. He drove off into the night, leaving Jaz wondering just how life-changing this secret could possibly be?

Chapter 16

Jaz was walking down the school corridor when Bryce gave her a wink.

‘Oh gross,’ said Anna after he’d ambled past. She pulled a face like she’d just bitten into a rotten apple. ‘Seriously, did he just do that?’

‘Yep, I think we’re supposed to be best buds now.’ Jaz paused by her locker and collected the books she’d need for study and chucked them in her bag. Taylor found them just as she locked it.

‘Hey guys. So? Is everything all set?’ he asked.

‘Sure is,’ said Jaz. ‘Tick is going to meet you there and he’ll take you through a few things he’s learnt.’

‘Awesome.’ Tay grinned. ‘I can’t wait to start.’

‘You do realise he won’t take it easy. Tick will make you work harder than I probably would.’ One of the reasons Jaz asked Tick to train Taylor because she knew he would be tough and she wanted Taylor to be prepared for the worst. ‘But between all of us, we’ll make sure you end up a fighter.’

Anna clapped her hands quickly. ‘Can I come and watch?’

Tay frowned. ‘No.’

‘Oh. Ruin a lady’s fun.’

‘Maybe when I know what I’m doing and Tick’s not laying me out on my arse,’ he added with a chuckle.

‘I can be waiting with the ice?’ Anna offered.

‘Actually, that’s not as silly as it sounds.’ He grimaced as they headed out of school along the corridor. ‘I have a feeling I am going to be battered and bruised.’

They stepped outside into the blinding bright sunshine. It took Jaz a moment to adjust. As soon as she could see, she searched for Ryan.

‘It’s a sin that he should look so damn good,’ said Anna. ‘Oh, and that bike is hot.’

Taylor scoffed and grabbed Anna’s hand, pulling her with him down the steps.

Anna had a point. Ryan was sitting on a big black Harley. Sunnies on, thumbs hooked into the loops on his stone-washed jeans, grey short sleeve V-neck shirt and a pair of black boots. He was looking relaxed and not so military.

Taylor paused at the bottom of the steps, waiting for Jaz to catch up. She was a little distracted, just the thought of being on a Harley with Ryan was making it hard to breathe.

Taylor reached for her arm and gave it a squeeze. ‘Let us know how it goes. If you need us, you’ll know where we’ll be.’

‘Thanks Tay. I’m sure it’s nothing major.’ That’s what she kept telling herself. What could Ryan possibly tell her that would be groundbreaking?

Anna’s face portrayed everything she wanted to say, she was so easy to read. ‘Tell me the moment you get back, okay? Oh, and be careful on that bike, alright!’ Anna smiled. ‘I’m channelling your mum; did I do a good job?’

Jaz laughed and hugged Anna while wondering if her hair was still fine after a day in school. ‘I will. Can you take my bag to The Ring? I don’t think I’ll be needing it.’

Tay took her bag and slung it over his shoulder, along with his own, as they walked to Ryan.

‘Hi Ryan! Bye Ryan,’ said Anna on her way past.

Tay gave him a wave. ‘Nice wheels.’

‘Hi guys, catch ya later,’ said Ryan.

Jaz stopped just beside him, not saying anything but admiring the view. Was she the luckiest girl here or what!

‘Up for a ride?’ he asked. ‘Nice day for it.’

‘That it is,’ she said with a smile. ‘Is it safe?’ She wasn’t worried about the bike, more about how she was going to hold onto him without drooling on his back.

‘I got you through Pakistan safely, didn’t I?’ He lifted his sunnies, amusement sparkled in his deep brown eyes.

‘Now that is debatable.’ Ryan reached for the black helmet strapped to the bike. ‘Thanks.’ She glanced to his strong chest, already imagining the hard muscles she’d have to hang onto. ‘Is your cut okay?’

‘Yeah, it’s fine, get on.’

He could have lost two fingers and said the same thing.

Jaz put on the open-faced helmet before swinging her stocking-covered leg over the bike. The padded leather seat was soft and she couldn’t help slide closer to Ryan, her pleated tartan skirt rode up a fraction.

‘Hang on tight,’ he warned as he put on his own helmet.

Jaz put her hands gently on his waist as he kickstarted the bike. This was not like the Yamaha. The throb under her legs and the deep throaty sound of the motor pulsed through her, bringing a nervous giggle to her lips. Ryan gunned the throttle and they roared from the car park like thunder.

She almost squealed as her hands latched tightly around his chest and she hung on for dear life. The wind caught her hair not held by the helmet, flicking it out like a pirate flag without the skulls.

When they were down the street, he brought it back to cruising speed and Jaz began to laugh. She stuck her hands up towards the sky and felt as free as a bird.

‘Wow, that was amazing,’ she said when he finally stopped. He’d taken her to Kings Park near the CBD. It was a little slice of heaven in the hustle and bustle of city life. Her folks had brought her here a few times when she was younger.

‘I know, right? I should get it out more often.’

‘Come pick me up when you do.’

He chuckled and tucked her hand into his elbow. ‘Come on you, let’s go for a walk. I know a great spot.’

As they strolled along the pathway past the breathtaking view of the city and towards the natural bush, Jaz felt like they were a real couple. They talked about Tay’s training and the beautiful day. She wished it could be like this for longer, where she could at least pretend.

‘Over here.’ Ryan led her to a bench seat that sat alone in a small clearing. It was off the path ten metres so it was private enough from anyone passing.

Jaz sat down. ‘I like this spot.’ The natural bush helped dull the street noise and in front, it thinned out enough that they could see the Swan River, busy with boats.

Ryan sat down and rested his arm behind her along the top of the seat. He smelt so good she had to try hard not to turn and bury her nose into his neck.

Clearing her throat, she asked, ‘So, where do we start?’

‘How did you sleep last night?’

Great, he wanted to start there. Why not go straight to the good stuff. She wanted to know the secret. ‘Yeah, better than I thought. I mean, it wasn’t great but better than last time.’

He nodded understandingly. ‘Yeah. Well, I’m here if you ever need to chat about anything that happened.’

Jaz shrugged and shook her head. ‘Not really. I kinda get it. Well actually, not the cemetery part. Is that normal?’ she quizzed him.

‘Sadly, yes. Best place to leave them. We prefer to use a fresh grave but if there are none, the crypts work well.’

‘Great,’ she said sarcastically. ‘I had a dream last night where I opened one and there were like rotting bodies piled up to the top.’ Jaz shuddered and Ryan moved his hand from the bench seat to rest against her shoulder.

To his credit he didn’t laugh. ‘You wouldn’t be the first, Jaz.’ He took a deep breath. ‘I didn’t think last night would go down like that, I hadn’t planned it but getting Tony was … I guess … something I’ve been dreaming about for a while now.’ His voice dropped to nearly a whisper. ‘Even though he’s dead, it still doesn’t ease the sadness and anger. Revenge or paybacks never really make you feel any better. If anything, it just means one less dirt bag is out in the world.’

Jaz felt his turmoil and understood how mixed he was feeling, but was also honoured that he was comfortable enough to share it with her.

‘And we’ve got another shipment we can go after, if Tony was telling the truth. One for you and me to tackle in a few weeks, up north by the beach. How’s that sound?’

‘Really? A beach?’

‘Yep. It will be a big drive up to Geraldton and we’d have to look like camping backpackers or something but it should be an easy one. You keen?’

Jaz grinned. She didn’t care what they did. All she heard was ‘long trip’, which meant them in a car together, and camping near a beach, which meant sharing a tent. Well, hopefully.

Yes please. She was completely excited by the prospect. ‘I’m in.’

They fell silent. Kids nearby were squealing as they ran around playing, causing birds to fly from tree to tree.

Ryan was staring at the river but he wasn’t seeing it. A muscle in his jaw was pulsing. Jaz waited patiently.

‘I suppose I’d better let the cat out of the bag, hey.’ He turned to her, smiled weakly before turning back to the view. ‘I’m not sure how to tell you this. Pax doesn’t want anyone to know. I found out by accident and pressured him for the truth. I’ve known a while, Jaz, and I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you sooner. Please don’t kill the messenger.’

‘Ha, after last night I doubt I even could.’ Her teasing didn’t help ease his discomfort. If anything, she felt like she was making it worse. He was really struggling with this. She was curious as to why. ‘Just start at the beginning, Ryan.’ She lifted her legs up beneath her and turned to face him on the seat. ‘I’m listening.’

‘It was not long after we’d met when I worked it out. I know James quite well and often spend time catching up. He oversees our unit in Perth and, like you, I did all my paperwork through him when I joined.

‘One time I saw a photo of his sister, a small one on his desk, and he told me how she died young, that she too was an agent, following in his family’s footsteps after they started up the Agency.’

‘Yep.’ Jaz was wondering where he was going with James. Not the direction she thought he’d take. What did it have to do with her?

‘Anyway, I was chatting with you at the gym and you showed me that photo of you and your mum, you remember?’

‘Yeah, the one Pax has in his office of me when I was just walking. And?’

‘And she looked familiar.’

‘Who, my mum?’

Ryan nodded, his dark eyes latching onto her. ‘She had different hair but the face was exactly the same as James’s sister.’

Jaz frowned. ‘What do you mean?’ She was struggling to understand where he was going with this.

‘It was too close a match, Jaz, and then with her connection to Pax, I just had a hunch the two were the same woman. So I asked Pax straight out—’

Her hand flew up into his face like a large red stop sign. ‘Wait, what?’ She tilted her head to the side and scrunched her face up. ‘You think my mum is James’s sister?’

‘No, Jaz. Your mum
is
James’s sister. When I confronted Pax, he came clean. Your mum, Tasha, is really Natasha Montenegro.’

‘You’re shitting me?’ Jaz stood up and paced around with her hands on her hips. Every now and then she’d stop, look at Ryan, who’d nod, which would set her off pacing again. ‘No. No fricken way.’ Jaz tried to picture it, her mum as a Montenegro. How was that even possible? Her mum was, well, her mum! ‘Are you sure?’ Jaz trusted Ryan, but this? This was loony bin stuff.

Ryan reached out and grabbed her hand, pulling her back to the bench seat. ‘Listen. This is what Pax told me. Nineteen years ago, your mum was working as an operative when she fell pregnant. She didn’t want to bring you up in her world and risk someone taking you away or her dying. So she went to Pax and asked him to help hide her. She disappeared off the earth, Pax gave her a new identity and he brought her home to Western Australia so there was less chance of anyone recognising her.’