The Espionage Effect(46)
None of my intentions or white lies mattered as I played my role in the great masquerade. Only my dark truths that I honored in recognition and faithful duty were of any significance, even if I couldn’t quite define a purpose for them.
“I agree, Father.” Miguel and Anna stepped into view from our right, his arm wrapped possessively around her waist. “Their beauty has no measure or equal. We are indeed blessed tonight.”
Anna stared up into Miguel’s eyes, joy radiating on her face.
Oh, yeah. Anna’s in definite danger.
In spite of my misgivings, I still had no warning for her. Hadn’t yet quantified the threat, identified their intentions. But I planned to gather as much information as I could tonight. With or without one handsome spy guy’s help.
Before I registered the movement, Escobar, the father, spun around and sidled up next to my open side, leaning down as his gaze swept across the room. “I know the secrets of everyone here.”
Oh, do you? That Alec is a spy? As nonchalant as possible, after mimicking Escobar’s sweeping gaze, my attention landed on Alec. His focus remained on the crowd, expression inscrutable.
And what about enigmatic me?
I turned toward Escobar, challenge rising hot and fast inside me as I narrowed my eyes. “Tell me a secret.”
He held my gaze, staring down at me with intense calculation. Did he know things about me, or was he trying to read me? Unfazed, used to being analyzed and categorized, I held my ground. My vault was locked up tight.
Escobar’s attention shifted to Alec for a brief moment, almost a beat too long, then rotated back out to the crowd.
Did he know things about us? About me…about Alec? Alec had been shot at, after all. And obviously they were friends, a pertinent fact Alec had decided to omit. Had Escobar realized who Alec was? Was Alec something other than he’d professed himself to be…to me?
Keeping his tone just above a whisper, Escobar nodded at a gentleman who was flirting with a woman in a glittering sapphire dress. “Our playboy prime minister? Despite public affection toward grown women, he has a predilection for playing with boys.”
A creepy shiver chilled my blood at the thought. Escobar spoke of it as if divulging the weather forecast.
“And our prime minister of Greece?” He nodded toward a handsome man who leaned forward amid a crowd of five other men, as if telling a lurid story. “He’s got a secret economic weapon certain to reverse the tides of power in the European Union.”
Okay, there was an interesting revelation. “That’s two secrets.”
He pegged me with an unforgiving look. “I’m feeling generous tonight.”
All of a sudden, a guard rushed up to us. Escobar immediately turned away and walked with his security man, speaking in hushed tones.
Then Anna tugged Miguel toward her, losing her balance until the good doctor wrapped his arms around her. They broke out into soft laughter.
Alec wasted no time once those around us grew distracted. He pressed close, placed a firm hand at the small of my back, then guided us toward the sparkling waterfall. He slid his hand into mine, then he tugged me against him. “What are you doing here?”
I glanced up with an innocent smile. “I was invited.”
“You are devious.” His words drawled out slow.
My lips twisted into a smirk. “Guilty as charged.”
“You’re also exquisite.”
His lips crushed onto mine before I had a chance to reply, before I could take in a shocked breath. He’d promised distance. This was not.
Completely unprepared, heat sizzled through me, charging every nerve ending, until it settled into a low ache between my thighs. I moaned softly as his lips parted. His tongue darted in, sliding alongside mine. Sparking warmth continued to engulf me in a rippling cascade as he pulled me closer. My nipples drew tight, rasping against the silky fabric of my gown, whipping a sharper ache deep inside me.
Overcome by the intensity, I gasped.
“You want to be a part of tonight that badly?” he murmured against my lips.
He kissed me again, rendering me unable to reply. He tugged gently at my upper lip, then my lower, until he fused his entire mouth to mine, claiming it with fierce possession. The tiniest whimper escaped my throat, and I finally nodded, not wanting to break the spellbinding contact.
Then all at once, it was over. Cold air rushed over my lips. He stared down at me, gaze fiercer than ever. “Good. Then I won’t have to worry. You” —his eyes narrowed, as if daring me— “will stay by my side at all times.”
As if there was any place I’d rather be. “Yes, sir.”
His chest heaved behind a perfectly tailored tuxedo as he sucked in an enormous breath. He pulled away, releasing his hold on me, but a slight tremor shook his hand until he fisted it, like he held back a ton of pent-up energy that he struggled to contain.
Good. Sexual frustration. Only fair both of us suffered.
Escobar’s booming voice echoed over a sound system. “Thank you all for coming here tonight. This is a momentous occasion. A gathering of like-minded people to do our part to take care of the earth’s resources.”
Uh-huh. Generosity? That’s what he’s still selling?
“As the world’s largest dams flow with water; the most renowned scientists tap into solar, wind, and geothermal energy; and celestial explorers discover new fuels for us to harvest, we witness the dawning of a new age.”