Chapter One #2
“Why don’t we tell them? You know Leo and his team won’t jeopardize a woman and her child,” he reasoned.
Rebecca sighed as she rose from the bed.
Her naked and toned body caught his attention as she walked across the room.
Her confident stride and tousled blonde hair made her appear as a Greek Goddess.
She glanced back at him and said, “You know it’s not as simple as telling them.
Avie still has feelings for Shadow, and I’m positive he still cares for her.
When I arrived, he stuck to me like glue, hanging on every word.
We can’t risk taking her to Serenity if the chatter continues about Rahimi’s return.
I know Leo’s security team of retired SEALs can protect her.
I’m more concerned about putting others in harm’s way.
Rahimi won’t care who he hurts as long as he gets his ex-wife back. ”
He rose, kissing her shoulder. “Let’s eat and tell me what you discovered. I’m positive we have a mole in my office,” he said, moving off the bed and walking naked into the bathroom.
Rebecca slipped into his dress shirt and waited for him to return to the kitchen. They worked side by side, preparing their meal and sat on the couch to eat it.
“What makes you think there’s any truth about Rahimi returning?” he asked, biting into his sandwich.
Rebecca frowned. “Something’s off. I change my computer password every three days.
When I tried to log in two days ago, it rejected it.
I finally got in, and a search for Avie Rahimi’s location showed up in my history.
Knowing I planned to fly out tomorrow to visit her, I didn’t access her file.
It’s not even listed. Someone’s searching for her in the system and I don’t know if it’s a hacker or one of my own. ”
“Listen to your gut, Rebecca. If you believe her compromised, get her moved,” he advised as he placed his plate on the coffee table.
“I’m the only one who knows. I didn’t even share it with my director,” she told him thoughtfully.
“It’s not the only thing,” she admitted.
“Someone’s entered my apartment. They moved little things and searched my drawers.
I’m acting as if I haven’t noticed anything amiss.
To get here tonight, I went to the grocery store, slipped out through the employee entrance, and changed clothes. ”
“Why didn’t you tell me this earlier?” he exclaimed angrily.
Sighing, she placed her half-eaten plate of baked ziti on the table. “I can’t risk contacting you on my phone. They know most of my connections. What about your mole?”
“If my guess proves correct, someone’s watching both of us. I have two burner phones in my go bag. Please take one of them and keep it with you at all times. In the morning, we’ll program our numbers into them and Leo’s. If you feel like you’re in trouble, call the team or me,” he ordered.
“I will. The same applies to you,” she said, crossing her arms and trembling slightly.
Julio tugged her across his lap and pressed her against his chest. His arms encircled her as he kissed her forehead. “Don’t take any unnecessary chances,” he stressed.
“I won’t. I promise,” she said, sealing her vow with a kiss. “My gut’s got a bad feeling I can’t shake. I’m worried about Avie.”
“Let’s get out our notes and compare them. Maybe we can stop Rahimi before he enters the States,” he suggested.
Rebecca rose, brought her briefcase over, and pulled out her computer. Julio pulled up his notes on his, and they spent the two hours making a timeline.
“Damn,” Julio swore. “He’s at least two days away from entering the States. I’ll see if I can track him down using a few of my European contacts. Text me only on the burner phones.”
“I’ll see what I can find out on my end.
I expect you to contact me, too,” she said, putting the computer in her bag.
“The next few days, I’m planning on making myself visible at the New York office.
Agent Johnson, one of the new guys, has given me some valuable information and I need to put some distance between the two of us to kill any suspicions we’re working together.
Director Jackson has questioned my trips here.
Luckily, I’ve used my connections here for our investigation and it’s kept him mollified for now. ”
Julio put his things away, went to the bedroom and brought back the two burner phones.
Together, they took them from their packages and programmed the numbers into them.
Knowing they probably wouldn’t get a chance to see each other anytime soon, he watched as she slipped the phone in her briefcase and then took her hand, leading her back to bed.
Early the next morning, Rebecca leaned over him, kissing him softly. He stretched lazily and sat up, surprised to see her dressed.
“They called me in,” she explained as she sat on the bed’s edge. “I have to fly home.”
His hand slid to the side of her neck as his thumb caressed her cheek. She leaned into his touch and closed her eyes. “I have to go,” she whispered.
“Be careful,” he warned. “I love you, Becca.”
“Love you, more,” she whispered, kissing him.
Julio watched her walk out the door, admiring her confident stride.
Swinging the covers back, he got up and dressed.
Something gnawed at his gut, making him go over their conversation in his mind.
Maybe Becca’s uneasiness caused him to react.
At the first sign of danger, he’d pull her out, regardless of whether they lost their jobs.
Rebecca Rhodes was the first woman he ever loved, and he knew she’d be the last.