Passionate Immunity (7 page)

“Lucas has seen my flat more often than he needs to. Nor do I relish the thought of sharing my first experience at your place with him, brief though it will have to be. We can meet him at an all-night shop I know of nearby. We can all grab a quick bite to eat and then stake the clinic out in comfort and not have to listen to the growls of our stomachs.”

Kimber closed the distance between them and pressed a warm, searching kiss to Tristan’s lips. He wrapped well-muscled arms tightly around her waist, drawing her near to him. She reached up to thread her fingers through his soft, dark hair and their kiss deepened hungrily.

They both made appreciative sounds, exploring one another at leisure, when the door opened and the sound of heavy footfalls entered the room. Kimber stepped back, her lips and body burning where she could still sense the weight of Tristan’s touch. She took a deep breath of air and smiled at him.

“Like I said,” Tristan said, lust thick in his tone. “We might have to be quick in my flat—or yours—but no way am I sharing that with Lucas.”

She chuckled as they finished packing the duffel, eager as he was to get moving.

Chapter Four

Night had covered the city, wrapping it within its dark embrace. They had a clear view of the clinic and adjacent medical facility from the black pool car. Kimber, Tristan and Lucas had witnessed a mass exodus of receptionists and laboratory staff about quarter past seven in the evening. Three doctors had dashed out of the building less than five minutes past the hour.

The city streetlights burned in the inky-black evening and Kimber had to keep on reminding herself not to jiggle with barely repressed eagerness. After the second time she’d asked whether they could go in, the indulgent looks both Tristan and Lucas had cast her way had made her feel like a child eager to go on the first fair ride.

At least I hadn’t asked if we’re there yet
, she consoled herself.

“Can I at least have a brief walk around the building?” she said, pleased to hear only faint impatience and not a hint of whine in her tone.

Tristan chuckled and shook his head without a word.

“Actually I almost suggested I do that,” Lucas replied with a quick glance to his partner.

Kimber opened her mouth, about to insist she go with him, but quickly snapped it shut again.

Tristan and Lucas were the professionals here. Not her. When they entered the laboratory or were discussing scientific papers and hypotheses her knowledge became greater than theirs. In this instance, she needed to follow their lead, even if she did chafe to enjoy her grand adventure.

She remained silent while Tristan cast a curious glance towards Lucas. Her lover didn’t speak a word, evidently happy for Lucas to explain his reasoning. Kimber watched as Lucas appeared to collect his thoughts together before putting forth his argument.

“For starters, since you and Kimberly are the ones who will be breaking in, I think it would look terribly suspicious if you’re caught on CCTV casing the joint,” he replied earnestly. “Not to mention the fact if there is surveillance of any kind, having a clear picture of your face will lead the cops right to the Agency’s doorstep. Worse, if they have Kimber’s description or identification as a civilian you’ll be in a hell of a lot more trouble than either of us.”

Kimber wrinkled her nose in distaste at this thought.

“This way, I can wander around looking innocent, get an idea of what you’ll both be up against and see if the coast is clear for tonight’s shenanigans to begin. It will also give me a chance to see if I can use this,” Lucas finished as he pulled what looked like a security key pass from the inner pocket of his jacket. The small card looked unprepossessing and Kimber pondered if—much like the pen and other gadgets Tristan had explained to her earlier—it was actually something more than a regular pass.

“I brought lock picks,” Tristan replied with an uneasy glance to the building before returning his attention to the small card. “This is supposed to be a small, privately run clinic.”

“Even without drugs on the premises places like these go overboard on their security nowadays,” Lucas insisted. “Hell, my local veterinary clinic has its own external security guards on patrol through the weekends. It was the only thing they could do to slow down the rates of break-ins.”

Lucas threw a happy grin over his shoulder to her and explained, “Lock picks might be old-fashioned but are perfect for once you get inside and disarm the security system. But I’m willing to bet you’ll need this baby to get in the front door. I’ll walk around, find out which company the clinic uses for their electronic system and it will only take a quick call to our IT people to be able to programme you both an access key.”

He patted at his inner jacket pocket. It revealed to Kimber the outline of a small box, a little bigger than a pack of cigarettes. “How do you know your IT department will be able to guess exactly which system is used?” she asked.

Her curiosity had started to fight with a strange case of nerves. Much of the surreal nature of this day had bled into the realisation that this really wasn’t a game, that she was about to break any number of laws and possibly get herself into some very hot water.

Excitement at the thrill of her first adventure warred with her usually cautious nature.

“Okay, big shot,” Tristan replied with a grin. The two men bumped fists before Lucas left the car.

Kimber laced her fingers together and took a deep breath.

“You don’t have to do this,” Tristan spoke softly in the darkness. She heard him turn around and face her. The dim lamplight glowed orange, casting his face half in shadow, half in light. Black suited him. A knitted black sweater with dark jeans complemented his lean frame, tanned skin and dark hair.

Kimber looked down to her own grey denims and black long-sleeved shirt. It was the closest she’d found in her closet to what her idea of thief clothes would look like. Gathering her courage, she reminded herself this was almost precisely what she had daydreamed and fantasised about for years.

She would never forgive herself if she chickened out at the first hint of nerves.

“Definitely not,” she replied more firmly than she had intended. Softening her tone she continued, “I’m not sure it’s something I can explain fully to you. Your life is full of danger and excitement and the very sure knowledge you’re making a difference protecting lives and saving our country and world practically on a daily basis.” She struggled to put words to her feelings.

“When I was in school, studying diseases and vaccines, I was like dozens of other students. I wanted to save the world, cure cancer, heal the sick and make everything right. Towards the end of that time it slowly but inevitably dawned on me there are only so many positions like that. Most people are perfectly ordinary and while they might be good people, working in good jobs, it’s only the rare case who gets to achieve what I dreamed of. So in the large part I settled for normal and stable, put my dreams out of my working life and went about my regular days.”

Kimber met Tristan’s gaze, staring at him and willing him to understand.

“Despite all that, I couldn’t leave my dreams behind, I craved an adventure, and in my heart I still want to save people, it’s been my secret practically forever. Preston coming to me, even being able to help in part on this mission, it’s what I’ve always wanted and all day it has felt very surreal to me. It’s like I’m an actor playing a part. Reality and ramifications didn’t seem to apply to me, or at least, they hadn’t sunk in until about five minutes ago.”

She grinned, wanting to lighten the heaviness of her confession. Tristan continued to stare at her, his dark gaze penetrating to her very core. He nodded.

“I won’t let anything happen to you.”

Kimber couldn’t help but smile at the serious tone in his voice, as if his words were an oath, sworn in blood and meant down to his soul. She hadn’t ever felt so cherished and protected in her many, many years. She tilted her head, much of her good humour returning at his promise.

“I know,” she replied. “I’m not scared exactly. It’s more as if the reality is starting to bleed through and merging with the fantasy. It’s a bit nerve-racking, but I’m still loving every moment I have with this.”

“Are you certain you don’t want to back out?” Tristan pressed. “I can scan all the documents and send them to you here in the car. You don’t need to be in danger, to put your life in jeopardy, to be helpful. I understand how much this means to you. Any fool would have worked it out by now and I think your excitement has breathed fresh life into both my and Lucas’ desire to do this job.”

Kimber scooted forward on the rear car seat, reached out and took Tristan’s hand with hers. He squeezed her fingers gently and she felt a rush of warmth and love pour through her. She knew he wasn’t trying to force her out of this mission, but merely trying to protect her. The gesture meant a lot and solidified the growing knowledge that that he was a good man, a warrior and protector at heart. She knew her safety was in capable hands with him.

“Nothing could persuade me to back out now,” she said far more bravely than her stomach felt. “With Lucas playing guard dog and you by my side what could possibly go wrong?”

“Words to never say before you go into the pit.” Tristan chuckled.

Her heart raced as he lifted her knuckles to his lips and pressed a hot kiss to her skin. Moving herself against the back of the front seat, she reached out her other hand and stroked the back of her fingers along the soft skin of his jaw. Faint stubble rasped. She shivered with delight at the sensation.

“This isn’t a pit,” she teased, laughter clear in her tone. “This is a grand adventure. We’re going to find the bad guy, save the world and bring peace and harmony to—”

“Oh hell,” Tristan groaned, reluctant laughter chuckling from his chest. “Saints save me from those rose-tinted glasses you continue to wear.”

Laughing, Kimber lifted herself to close the distance between her and Tristan and planted a hot, fast kiss to his lips. She sat back down and ran her fingers through her hair to collect the stray curls back into a ponytail.

“You don’t fool me anymore, Walters,” she insisted, half serious, half teasing. “You love it. I’m not taken in by that jaded-old-man routine you try to bamboozle Lucas and the others with. At heart you want to save the world too. I can tell.”

Tristan snorted but didn’t refute her comment. He stared at her a moment in silence before shrugging and turning to glance out the windshield. Kimber caught a tiny twitch of a smile at the corner of his mouth before he hid the reaction from her.

“Don’t go spreading that around, love. You’re going to ruin my reputation you know.”

“I don’t think anyone important is going to worry about it,” she said. “Lucas certainly seems to think you’re an excellent role model.”

Before Tristan could reply they both caught sight of the young man returning. Edgy excitement pooled in her stomach once again when she realised this was probably it. She was finally going to dash from the blocks and begin the experience of a lifetime.

Silence filled the car as Lucas opened the door and climbed into the passenger seat. The door slammed shut behind him and he turned to watch them both.

“Done and dusted,” he spoke cheerily, handing over the security pass. “IT didn’t even need to search the system, they use the same company HQ does. I barely had to use my special skills to copy the card.”

“So this will get us inside?” Tristan checked and pocketed the card.

“Yeah, mate. If you circle around back you both should miss the security cameras. I noticed a side entrance which seems to be for deliveries, there’s a biohazard sign on the door. It’s just off a tiny alley, so I presume it’s where the lab pick-ups come and go.”

“I usually broadcast on the open channel.” Tristan fiddled with his communication piece in his ear.

Kimber watched, entranced.

“That sounds fine, and it will be perfect if we need to call in more support.”

Tristan glared at Lucas.

“What happened to Mr Optimistic? It will be easy, a quick in and out.” Tristan mocked Lucas’ earlier words.

Lucas laughed, unconcerned.

“Just covering our arses, mate.”

Kimber’s stomach clenched for a second time as Tristan lifted his sweater to settle the large handgun at the base of his spine. Appearing content with the weapon’s position he pulled the clothing back down to cover it and picked up the duffel with all their gear in it. Almost as an afterthought he pulled the security card from his pocket and handed it back to Kimber.

“Here, love, you keep this.”

She took it then glanced to his duffel and his concealed gun.

“Shouldn’t I hold the bag? Won’t you need your hands free?”

“I can juggle this,” Tristan asserted.

“At the first hint of trouble you use that card to run straight back out here,” Lucas cautioned her. Tristan’s actions suddenly came into much clearer focus. She held the card stiffly back out to Tristan.

“I’m not going to leave you in there,” she insisted. He put a palm out to push the card and her hand away from him.

“Just hold onto it,” he cajoled her. “If something goes wrong I’ll need to cover our flank. I can’t do that and swipe the card simultaneously. You’ll need to do that.”

The spike of her anger cooled at his logical explanation.

“Oh,” she said, deflated. “Well, okay then.”

“Last chance to back out.” Tristan turned and rested his hand on the handle, pausing just before he opened the car door.

“Nope, you’re stuck with me.” She smirked.

“We’ll be back,” Tristan said over his shoulder to Lucas.

“I’ll be here, keep me apprised over the comms.”

Kimber climbed out of the car with a final backward glance to Lucas through the window. She came shoulder to shoulder with Tristan while they walked down the street. Silently, they passed the building and crossed the road three doors down from their target.

“Stick with me,” Tristan said in a quiet, commanding voice. “Just follow my lead.”