Protecting the Innocent

“There’s something else I need to tell you,” he said. “In the future, you might not be the best person for me to contact.”

Her pearly teeth flashed in the dark. “Does this mean you’re breaking up with me?”

There had never been anything between them except for CIA business. “I can’t be seen going on dates. My current assignment at Legate is to make Anya happy. You know, to romance her.”

“Oh, ugh!” Right before his eyes, the hard-boiled CIA agent turned into a girly girl. Her voice rose an octave. “That’s so creepy, Roman. How can you lead that poor woman on?”

“As if you’ve never used your physical assets to get what you wanted?”

“This doesn’t sound like you.” She peered through the dim dashboard light into his eyes. “You hate deception.”

He returned her gaze. “Anya won’t be hurt.”

“How can you say that? You’re planning to lead her down the garden path, to promise her a rose garden, to—”

“I won’t lie to her,” Roman said. “Anya will not be hurt. Never again.”

“Oh, my God.” Maureen gasped and leaned back in her seat. “You really care about this woman.”

She had no idea how much he cared.

AT CHARLIE’S BEDSIDE, Anya leaned down to kiss her son’s forehead. He was sound asleep at nine o’clock—a bit early, but this had been a hectic day. “Sleep well, sweetpea.”

If he’d been awake, he might have complained about the nickname. But now her son was quiet, breathing steadily, innocent as a little blond angel. She tucked the covers around his shoulders, closed the door to his bedroom and went downstairs.

This part of the day was Anya’s alone time when she could reflect. For the past month, her private deliberations had focused on one thing: Should she or shouldn’t she sign the contract?

Finally, that decision-making process was over. The ink on the document was dry, and it seemed that she’d done the right thing for Charlie. But why did her heart feel so heavy?

She stood in the center of the living room and slowly turned in a circle. The cottage wasn’t exactly the way she would have decorated, but close. The earth-tone furniture was better quality than her own sofa and chairs in Denver. The bland artwork on the wall didn’t appeal to her, but she loved the wall of bookshelves separating the living room and a modern kitchen with shiny new appliances.

She couldn’t complain about the living accommodations. This cottage—which was equal to the square footage of her rented house in Denver—was cozy and comfortable. And free.

Slowly, she turned again. Her gaze flitted from the plasma-screen television hanging on the wall to the charming stone fireplace to the welcoming fruit basket on the side table. This wasn’t the life she’d imagined for herself. It felt…too organized.

Anya wanted more adventure. An impulsive weekend vacation. A surprise visit from friends. And she doubted that unplanned excitement was included in the Legate program. Spontaneous would only be a word on Charlie’s vocabulary list.

Might as well make the best of it. She padded around the main floor, turning off the lamps, leaving one burning in case Charlie got up during the night and wandered. At the door to the cottage, she doused the porch light and stepped outside into the darkness. The cottage was surrounded by a forest of landscaping, giving the impression of seclusion. She couldn’t see the gray stone mansion from here, but one of the outbuildings was only twenty yards away from her roofed porch that stretched the length of the cottage.

It was a beautiful night. The autumn breeze held a chill that stimulated her senses. She cinched the sash on her flannel robe more tightly and inhaled. The air was moist with a woodsy scent of cedar and pine. If she stood very still, she could hear the faint echo of the bay surf.

At the edge of the trees, she noticed movement from something much larger than a squirrel. “Who’s there?”

A man stepped away from the shadows. “Good evening, ma’am.”

She shouldn’t be surprised. There were several other people who lived on these grounds. “Hello. Have we met?”

“No, ma’am.”

As he came closer, she saw the dark blue uniform worn by Legate’s security corps. His trousers were tucked into his boots, military-style. There was a holster attached to his belt, and he carried something else, held tight to his side.

“My name is Anya,” she said.

“Yes, ma’am. I know.”

“And you are?”

“Harrison,” he said.

Staying on the porch, she edged closer to him. “Are you armed, Harrison?”

In answer, he revealed the object he’d been hiding. An automatic rifle.

She was shocked and more than a little upset. “Why do you have that gun?”

“Intruders.” He took two steps back, fading again into the shadows. “Sorry to disturb you, ma’am.”

Of course, she knew that Legate handled sensitive political and scientific information. Security was necessary, but she hadn’t expected constant patrolling by armed guards.

Why was it necessary to have such intense protection? Harrison the security man looked like he was prepared to take on an army. What kind of place was she living in? The bracing chill turned icy cold, sinking deep through her flesh to her bones.

Back inside, she locked the doors. Sleep was out of the question. Anya whipped through the house, turning on the lights she’d extinguished only moments ago. My God, she’d made a terrible mistake. They couldn’t live here. Not with an armed guard patrolling outside her front door!

When the telephone rang, she nearly jumped out of her skin. She grabbed the receiver. “Hello?”

“It’s Roman. How are you doing?”

“Why is the security man carrying an Uzi?” she demanded.

“It’s not an Uzi,” he said. “His weapon is specially designed—”

“I don’t care,” she said. “How dangerous is this place? What kind of intruders are they expecting?”

“I’m over at the mansion, Anya. If you’d like, I can be at the cottage in three minutes.”

“Hurry.”

She slammed the phone into the cradle and went to the front window to watch for Roman’s approach. He should have warned her. He never should have allowed her to bring Charlie into danger.

In the glow from the porch light, she saw Roman jogging along the path toward the cottage. He’d changed from the suit he was wearing earlier into Levi’s and a black leather jacket that made him look a bit dangerous himself. Dark and mysterious, Roman was a big man, over six feet tall and muscular.

Before he could knock, she opened the front door and placed her forefinger across her lips. “Shh. Charlie’s sleeping.”

“Are you all right?”

“I’m a little freaked,” she said.

When he stepped inside, his male energy filled the house. She could have sworn that the lightbulbs burned a little brighter and that the temperature rose several degrees. He placed his hands on her shoulders and stared down into her eyes. In a husky whisper, he asked, “What happened?”