Why did you give up on the FBI? Rip asked.
You know that part about corruption in the ranks? She snorted. Well, lets just say, I wouldnt be alive if I had relied only on the organization I had sworn into.
Surely not all of the FBI is rotten. Rip studied her.
Tracie glanced his way. No, not all of the agents are. But Hank made me an offer I couldnt refuse. After two of the agents I worked with went bad, I was ready for a fresh start.
Rip turned away and stared out the window. He knew how she felt. As a member of the Navy SEALs, Rip had been trained to rely on his brothers in arms. When one went bad, as one had on the mission in Honduras, it shook his entire foundation of trust. Especially since the bad apple had been the leader of the mission, the now deceased Gunnery Sergeant Frank Petit. Rips friend, James Monahan, a man hed put his complete faith in, had helped to expose Gunny for the traitor he was.
What worried him even more was that they still had no idea who had paid Gunny to leak the information about their mission. He suspected it was someone higher up. Someone in Washington.
For a long moment, he sat in silence, reliving the past few weeks. He was only just recovered from the assassins gunshot wound. If not for his best friend and a former SEAL teammate, he wouldnt have made it. That fact alone gave him hope for humanity. There were good people out there. His glance shifted to Tracie. She might be one of them. Only time would tell.
After what seemed like only a handful of minutes, the jet began its descent into Atlanta.
The planes tires kissed the runway with barely a bounce and, after rolling it into an open hangar, the pilot brought the aircraft to a complete stop.
The flight attendant lowered the stairs and stood to the side.
Rip stepped down first into the dim interior of the hangar and held out his hand to Tracie.
For a moment, she refused his proffered hand, her brow puckering. Then she laid her fingers in his.
The last time he and Tracie touched, hed felt an electric jolt. This time was no different and the fire raced all the way through Rips body. What was it about the woman that had his body on high sexual alert? To get his mind off her, he leaned close and asked, If the DEA agent was terminated for what he knew, how has his boss managed to stay alive?
Tracie nodded. Perhaps he doesnt know anything.
Rip ground to a halt. In that case, were wasting our time.
We wont know that until we meet with him. Without slowing, Tracie strode across the hangar lengthening the distance between them.
A man appeared at a doorway. This way Mr. and Mrs. Gideon. Your car is waiting.
Rather than be left in the hangar, Rip ran to catch up, falling in step beside Tracie.
A sleek black limousine waited at the curb, the chauffeur holding the door. He didnt speak a word as he held the door open while Tracie and Rip slid inside.
Once the door was closed, Tracie turned to Rip. Have you considered the fact that Morris Frankss willingness to talk to us might be an indication he knew more than he let on to others in his own department?
Rips eyes narrowed and he stared out the windshield as if trying to see into the future. Or, he could be looking for more information himself.
I suppose well know soon enough. The hotel isnt far from the airport.
Tracie sat across the limo from Rip, not any single part of her body or limbs so much as touching him. Rip found himself wanting to reach across the short distance and pull her into his arms. The scent of her hair was doing strange things to him. Funny that even with her incredible legs and the classy way the red dress fit her body, the smell of her shampoo was what got to him most. It set every one of his nerves on edge and his groin tightened.
As a SEAL assigned to Special Boat Team 22conducting missions and training their own team for missions as well as other SEAL teamshe hadnt had the time nor the inclination to pursue a lasting romantic relationship. Not that there were many women to go around when he was stuck in the backwater swamps of the Mississippi bayous at Stennis where SBT-22 was headquartered.
If he were to pursue a woman, Tracie wouldnt be the one. She was some kind of special agent for Hank Derringer. She didnt have any more time than he had to get involved. Not that they would even be compatible. She was too
Rip struggled to find the right word.
The tightness of her jaw and the slightly narrowed, beautiful green eyes said it all. Intense.
Hed bet she was just as intense in bed. Again his groin strained against the denim of his jeans. Now was not the time to think about getting naked with a woman. He had a job to do.
As a dead man, he needed to resolve the case so that he could resurface alive before the Navy processed him out of a job.
Were here, Tracie said as the limo slid up beside the curb in front of what appeared to be a three-star hotel only a few blocks from the airport. The driver will remain nearby in case we need him on short notice.
Rip nodded and glanced at the hotel. Once inside, who do we ask for?
We dont. We check in as newlyweds. Tracie glanced his way. Youll need your drivers license and credit card. Our guy is in room 627. Well make our way up to his room after we check in.
Rip pulled out the wallet Hank had provided and familiarized himself with the contents and his new name. Chuck Gideon. Who came up with the name?
Does it matter?
No. Rip got out, rounded the vehicle and beat the chauffeur to opening Tracies door. Mrs. Gideon, shall we get a room? He winked and smiled.
Tracies eyes narrowed slightly and she placed her hand in his, allowing him to pull her to her feet on the pavement.
His fingers tingled where they touched hers, but Rip schooled his expression, determined to give no indication that Tracie had any effect on him.
As soon as she was on her feet, she let go of his hand.
Not to be deterred, and using their married status as an excuse, he rested his hand at the small of her back. A slight tremor shook her body. Inside the lobby of the hotel, Rip adopted his role. Wed like a room for the night.
Just a moment, sir. The hotel managers fingers flew across the keyboard. We have one suite left on the seventh floor.
Perfect, Tracie smiled. Well take it.
Rip grinned at the manager. She cant wait to get me alone. He held up her left hand, displaying the diamond ring and wedding band on her finger. Then he held up his left hand, displaying a matching wedding band. Newlyweds.
The manager smiled and handed them two key cards. Congratulations.
Lets wait to get the luggage until weve seen the room, Tracie said, with a flirty bat of her eyelashes.
Though Rip knew it was all part of the act, it didnt stop his pulse from leaping and his blood from thrumming hot through his veins. They stepped into the elevator. Before the door closed, Rip pulled Tracie into his arms and kissed her soundly.
The elevator doors slid shut and Tracie pushed him away, straightening her dress unnecessarily, her hands shaking. We dont want to look overeager.
Dont you think newlyweds are anxious to get to their hotel room?
Tracie shrugged. I wouldnt know, never having been a newlywed. Her words were tight and it was as if a shutter descended over her green eyes.