“How nice of you to finally listen in, Sebastian.” His head cocked to the side as he planted his massive hands on the folding table. “Is there something of importance you would like to share with the rest of the team?”
“No, sir.”
“
You were tending to personal business then,” he stated with a nod. “Or perhaps my briefing is boring you?”
A humorless smile stretched his face. “It was a bit of both.”
His teammates sniggered behind him. Even Josh lifted a fist and coughed in an attempt to mask his amused snort. Marx didn’t share in the consensus. His ebony gaze narrowed and it wasn’t until Sebastian slid his phone into his pocket that the bull of a man returned his attention to the diagram of papers taped on the wall behind him.
“As I was saying before your leader decided to turn this meeting into his personal social hour, there have been no confirmed sightings of
our target since Operation Smile was put into effect. There’s also been no recovery. No recovery means no body. I should not have to explain what this means, boys, but for those of you who are running slow this morning no body means either his putrid little corpse has gone undiscovered or our target is still out there. I will not get into why this poses an issue for you or your team.”
Pushing thoughts of Taylor aside, Sebastian dragged his hand across his mouth. It posed a very definite issue. A serious one he could have done without. Todd
was trained as a member of their team. He’d endured some of the most ruthless training imaginable. The man was physically and mentally primed to kill without effort or conscience. He’d participated in operations. He knew how to target and strike. If he was out there, he posed a threat. Not just to society, but to the rest of the team as well.
A blackened scowl tightened Sebastian’s face. If Todd was still out there, he was reeling and hungry for vengeance—for blood. His blood. His team’s blood, and possibly Taylor’s as well. Given his training, he would target what meant the most to each of them, exploiting any weakness he could find. He would circle long and hard before closing in for the kill. Rigid tension coiled through his muscles, winding around them until they ached.
He exchanged a brief glance with Josh. The troubled look in his partner’s eyes told him he was thinking the same thing.
“While we have no visual confirmation on our target, there has been a bit of activity starting to crop up here,” Marx said, pointing to an aerial view
of a yellow house and the outlying property. “This is his brother’s home. Steven Laychee is a known member of a special ops group. They disbanded him for questionable activity and refusal to follow orders. Since then he’s been operating under the radar, but his ties to people like him still remain strong.”
Sebastian blew out a deep breath. Things kept going from bad to worse.
The coffee and glazed doughnuts he’d scarfed down earlier pitched in his gut. Keeping his attention on their director, he did his best to ignore Josh’s incredulous look. It was bad enough he could feel the disbelief and anxiety rolling off his partner. He had no desire to see it as well. The fluorescent lights overhead seemed blinding and swelteringly hot all of a sudden. Shifting, he tugged at his banded shirt collar. The cheap metal folding chair creaked beneath him.
“His relationship with our target was allegedly estranged. That certainly appeared to be the case during his brief stint with this team, but since his disappearance, Laychee and his associates have been engaging in suspicious activity. They’re building up their weapons. We’re talking a small arsenal of semiautomatics
, explosives, and assault rifles. The BATF is aware of the situation. Whether this has to do with Target S or not, Laychee is a man we need to keep our eyes on.”
“What is our recommended course of action here, sir?” Dominic asked.
Eyes narrowing, Sebastian ground his teeth and awaited a response.
“
That is a question for your team leader, not me, Special Agent Chase. I merely give you guys the ground work. He lays the foundation.”
“I understand that, sir. I was only asking for your recommendations.”
Marx shifted his attention to Sebastian. Seeing the frustration in their director’s gaze, he issued a curt nod, assuring him he would handle Dominic’s transgressions later. This seemed to please the man. His generous lips twitched at the corners before he lifted a hand to swipe at the damp sheen coating his chocolate skin. It made him feel better to know he wasn’t the only one who’d grown uncomfortably hot.
“Sir?” Dominic asked.
Sebastian balled his fists, pressing them deep into the taut muscles of his thighs. One more comment and their director wouldn’t have to wonder if he was going to pull the man aside. He was growing dangerously close to ripping him out of his chair in front of the entire room and reminding him of his place. He doubted Marx would mind. In fact, something told him the big man would enjoy the show. Slinging his arm over the back of his chair, he leveled Dominic with a murderous glare. The message got through loud and clear. His teammate paled and lowered his eyes. Sebastian snorted. A look was nothing compared to the pain and corrective measures waiting around the bend.
He turned back around at the sound of their director’s voice.
“Those of you on surveillance need to gather all the possible intell you can on this man, his family, and any one he comes into contact with. Be careful when running those operations. This man has strolled on our side of the fence and he knows what to look for. Your team leader will direct you from there. In the meantime, I suggest you all keep your eyes open and your loved ones safe.”
Taylor couldn’t hold back her smile as she led Irene through the house, giving her a guided tour.
The envious expression on her friend’s face said it all and filled her with a deep sense of pride. Not for herself, but for Sebastian and all of his accomplishments. He worked hard and provided well, both of which showed. The coppertop released a whistle as she took in the small wine room and wandered into the kitchen. Running a heavily lacquered nail over the granite counters, she shook her head and lifted her dancing gaze to Taylor’s.
“You have it made. I bet the holidays were really something else here.”
Her smile faltered as memories resurfaced. Brushing them aside, she focused on the wonderful Christmas her and Sebastian had shared, rather than focus on the ugly events of the night before.
“They were,” she said. It was all she could manage.
“Were the meals catered?”
Taylor laughed and leaned a hip against the island, her cheeks coloring slightly. “Not unless you count me and his sister. Trust me, between the food and the presents
alone, Seb spent more than enough.”
“Seb is it?” the waitress asked with a lecherous dance of her eyebrows. “And what did this mysterious Seb get you?”
Taylor eased the teardrop pendant from beneath the neckline of her shirt. Her fingers stroked the warm smooth metal with reverent affection. Irene sucked in a sharp gasp and surged forward, her hands already reaching up to garner a closer look.
“Oh, Tay
, that is gorgeous!” she exclaimed, lifting it in her fingers.
“I know.
Plus he gave me the boots I was wearing earlier, some naughty lingerie, and my car. He claims the lingerie was more for his enjoyment than mine,” she confessed with a giggle, “but Sebastian spoils me. He really does. In fact, we just got back from a three day mountain retreat at the most incredible hotel I’ve ever seen.”
“You’re
so lucky. All I got from my last boyfriend was a DVD and a funky tee shirt.” The redhead laughed, her eyes still skimming her surroundings. “Damn, honey. I had no idea the FBI paid so well. Does he have any single friends? You seriously need to hook a girl up!”
“I don’t
go around asking him if his friends are available. Jesus, Irene!” Laughing, Taylor wadded up a dishtowel and threw it at her.
Turning for the fridge, she pulled the stainless steel door open and kept it propped with her hip while she rummaged through the bin. She grabbed the selection of cold cuts and cheeses and placed them on the counter before
seizing a crisp head of lettuce. Irene wandered through the sprawling open area taking in the décor while Taylor rinsed the head and chopped off a few fresh slices.
“He has impeccable taste,” Irene mused, trailing a finger over the back of the leather couch and the cashmere throw draped across it.
“Between you and this house, I’d say the man’s done quite well for himself. He must be something else. After all, he did whisk away our star employee. I believe this was also the same girl who claimed there wasn’t a man in a hundred miles radius worth dating.”
Taylor couldn’t help but laugh.
“I might have been a little hasty with that assessment.”
Walking to the pantry, she pulled out a loaf of multigrain bread and stopped at the cupboards to grab two plates. She set her bundle down and focused on making their sandwiches. Her mouth watered in anticipation
of smoked turkey and Swiss. Taylor’s brow furrowed as her stomach rolled again. As hungry as she was, just the thought of eating was making her queasy again. She frowned, wondering if she’d picked up some kind of bug at the hotel. Covering her mouth, she slapped on the top layers of bread. Refusing to meet her friend’s inquisitive stare, she pushed one of the plates across the island and gathered everything back up to put it in the fridge. Grabbing two cans of sweet tea out of the door, she wandered over to the table in the morning room where Irene had moved their plates.
“
Are you sure you’re okay, sugar? You’re looking awful pale again.”
Taylor nodded, picking at the corner of her bread. “I’ll be fine. I probably shouldn’t have skipped breakfast this morning. I just didn’t feel like eating without Sebastian.”
“Oh my god, girl!” Irene exclaimed, chucking a piece of crust at her. “You have got it bad!”
Her cheeks warmed with the
accusation. Smiling, she lowered her head. “I know. I can’t help it. I love him. I really do.”
“It shows,”
Irene said, flashing a saucy wink. “Hell, your face lights up like a damn Christmas tree every time you say his name.”
“Huh.” She tamped down a giggle. “If it lights up now, I can only imagine what my face must look like when I’m
screaming his name in the throes of passion.”
“It is quite a sight.”
Taylor startled at the all too familiar voice. Her face burned with embarrassment as her and Irene both whirled in their seats to find Sebastian standing behind them. She swallowed, pressing her lips together as his gaze locked with hers before shifting to her friend. His expression held no clue as to where his thoughts or moods lie. Only a hint of curiosity rode his stoic features. Her stomach cramped as she wondered how long he’d been standing there. Long enough. That much was obvious.
“Oh, Taylor. He’s a hottie. Look at that uniform,” Irene declared
in a stage whisper as she surged to her feet. She strolled around the table and grinned.
“Hi. You must be the Sebastian I’ve
heard so much about. I’m Irene. Taylor and I worked together at the diner.”
His gaze flickered to her
outstretched hand. Giving the redhead a slight nod, he accepted her shake. “Hello, Irene. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“
Likewise, honey. Taylor speaks so highly of you. I almost feel like I am getting to meet the king or something.”
Sebastian’s soft chuckle flooded through the room as he lifted a brow. “Does she now?”
“Oh yes. She’s smitten, and now I see why. She’s very lucky. I was just admiring your beautiful home. I love the way you’ve decorated.”
He gave a strained smile
. “Thank you.”
Sebastian
sidestepped her and crossed the room, stooping to pick the piece of crust up off the floor. Leaning over Taylor, he kissed the top of her head and winked before straightening. “I missed you, darling. I don’t mean to be rude, but I need a shower. You ladies behave and enjoy your lunch,” he said, giving Irene a curt nod of departure on his way past.
“Would you like me to make you a sandwich or something for when you come down?” Taylor asked.
He paused at the bottom of the steps and gave a slow shake of his head. “No, baby. I ate before I came home and I have some work to do. Thank you though.”
Irene gaped after him before turning her incredulous stare on Taylor. Her ivory cheeks flushed
, making the freckles beneath her makeup stand out in bright contrast. “Okay. All I am going to say is it’s no wonder you quit! Holy shit! And those manners! Look at you all shacked up with Mr. Charming.”
Giggling, Taylor lowered her head and tucked her hair behind her ears. “Stop it. He’ll hear you.”
“I don’t care,” Irene said with a laugh. Her pointy elbow jostled Taylor in play on her way back to her seat. “I don’t know who is hiding who now. Are you sure he doesn’t have any single friends?”
“I told you before, I’m not asking that.”
The waitress shrugged and took a leisurely drink of her tea. “Suit yourself, sugar, but if you don’t I will,” she teased, giving a lecherous wiggle of her brows.