Out of the Dark (13 page)

Every commuter within a fiftee
n-mile radius inched toward big D, and Mac and Emily sat stuck in the middle of a snarled string of cars.

Emily had maintained her calm and silence, while, much
to her delight, Mac squirmed.

“Are you hungry?” h
e asked. “We could grab breakfast and allow the traffic to die down a little,”

“I’m not hungry,” she said, staring out the window.

“How am I going to explain you to Stanley?”

Mac clutched the wheel with both hand
s then cleared his throat. “Tell him I’m your new boyfriend. We met on the plane and hit it off right away.”

Emily took two deep breaths before answering. “I’d cut my throat and bleed to death before I
’d ever say that.”

Mac drew back defensively. “I knew you were a little pissed at me, but...”

“But nothing, I won’t lie for you. You’re on your own. My agreement ends when I get you in the door. After that, I’m home free.”

“Listen, about you going home...” Mac slammed on the brakes as a car cut in front of him. “Idiot.”

“Don’t talk to me, Mac.” Emily gritted out. “I’m going home, and if I have to call Frank, and tell him why, I will.”

“Dammit
. Em, I’m not good at this stuff.” He dragged his finger through his hair, and frowned.

“Tough.” She crossed her arms. “Why don’t I just say you’re a spy and we’re being chased by a bunch of crazy people who want us dead?”

“They wouldn’t believe that.”

“What makes
you think they’d go for you and me meeting on a plane and you following me home?”

“I live here.”

Anger started at the soles of her feet and traveled through her veins with the same speed as a double shot of expensive tequila. “You what?” she screamed.

“Right off
Highway 183 in Bedford. Stanley could be my neighbor.” He made the statement so casually Emily wanted to use his head for a battering ram.

“At a formal hearing last year, you said you lived in Virginia. That’s one more lie I can chalk up, isn’t it?”

“I wasn’t sure I could trust you.

“I’m a lawyer, for heaven sakes.
Your
lawyer! What did you think? I’d stalk you or something?”

He glanced out the driver’s window. Emily reached over and slugged
his arm as hard as she could.

“Ouch.” He rubbed the wounded area. He glared at her. “What was that for?”

“For being a big fat liar. The biggest one I know, and as an attorney, I know plenty.”

Way more than her fair share, and true to form, most were me
n, just like him. And, she’d spent the night with him in a motel! Damn, what she wouldn’t give for a do-over.

“It was only a precaution. Nothing personal.”

“Nothing is personal to you, Mac.” She snatched her purse and put her hand on the door handle. “Stop the car. I want out.”

Mac grabbed her arm
, and a shot of electricity hummed through her body. “Are you crazy?” He edged closer to the car in front of him. “The car is stopped, but in case you haven’t noticed, there are two lanes of traffic between you and the shoulder. Settle down.”

She yanked free. “Don’t you dare tell me what to do. I’ve had all of you I can stand.”

“Why you are so angry?”

“You lied.”
But that was merely the first thing that came to mind. What really bothered her was the idea of being lured into thinking he cared. That they’d made
love
and not just had sex. The idea that she’d responded to his touch in a way she never imagined possible, made it difficult to face him. Just sharing a ride made her yearn for his touch, his kisses...his love.

She felt small, used, and insignificant.
Her skin no longer fit her body. She wasn’t the same person as before. Mac had managed to seduce not only her body, but her mind and more dangerously, her heart.

And now they were going to Stanley’s house. God, could her life get any worse?
  She nibbled on her bottom lip and prayed to be somewhere else.

Mac turned and looked at her. “Do you realize that almost everyone w
ho works in my line of business with a top security clearance lies?” He took a breath. “Em, it’s part of the job. Half the time wives married to agents have no idea what their husbands do. Where they go, or when they’ll be back.” He turned away. “The job is designed that way to protect innocent people, as well as those who put their lives in danger every day. If you were my wife, you’d be in the dark like other wives.”

“You don’t get it do you, Mac?”

He released a tired breath then replied in a warm voice. “Yes, I do get it, Em.” He laid his hand on hers.

At his touch she nearly lost all self-respect. She wanted him to care for her the way she cared for him. But she knew now that could never be.

“I understand. And I’m sorry I can’t be what you want me to be.”

She blinked back tears that threatened to flood the car.

He squeezed her hand. “Last night was the greatest moment of my life, but that’s all I can give.” His deep blue eyes held a glimmer of sadness. “Believe me, I don’t own a heart worth having. Too much sadness. Too much hurt. No room for love.” He exhaled. “Right now, you’re my responsibility and I will protect you with my life. You’re caught up in something that you knew nothing about. I’m just trying to make it all right.”

She pulled away as a
ping of regret washed over her heart, and ducked her head hoping he wouldn’t notice how deeply he’d hurt her.

She scooted over and leaned her head against the window. “You don’t need me for Stanley to develop those pictures. I’ll tell him you’re coming, that’s all he needs. He could care less if I’m there.”

Mac looked at her bewildered. “What’s he going to say when I walk in with your contact lens?”

“Nothing.”

“My ass. He’s going to want to know how I came by it. Where you are. And why you didn’t return home when you were supposed to. How am I going to answer all that, huh?”

“Lie. That’s what you’re good at.”

Mac angrily slapped the steering wheel with the palm of his hand. “Women.”

He looked at her and narrowed his eyes. “You’re coming with me if I have to drag you.”

“Then plan on doing just that.

Thanks to a fender-bender that kept traffic at a crawl, Mac and Emily didn’t arrive at Stanley’s until 10:45.

Stepping out of the vehicle, Emily hugged herself, struggling to protect what little pride she had left. What hadn’t been shattered, tatter
ed or battered by past mistakes now hung in obnoxious shreds that swirled and reminded her what a fool she’d been.

Much to her consternation, Mac came around the vehicle and took her arm. Reluctantly, she’d agreed to act like a couple just to sp
eed the process so she could be rid of him.

When this was over she planned to barricade herself at home with a bottle of wine, her dog
, and a Keith Urban CD. What she wouldn’t give to be leaving for Belize today instead of tomorrow afternoon.

As they walked toward the house, their gazes clashed, and Emily forced a miserable smile. Mac looked part
ly apologetic and vaguely annoyed. No doubt he couldn’t wait to get rid of her, and get back to his fanciful life of love ‘em and leave ‘em rituals.

It t
ook every drop of willpower she possessed to keep from sitting down on the sidewalk and bawling her eyes out. Biting on her lower lip, Emily shook her head. She might be a loser when it came to men, but she wouldn’t give Mac the satisfaction of seeing one single teardrop fall from her eyes again.

Not today, not tomorrow, not ever!

With no way out, she squared her shoulders, straightened her spine, and prepared to be struck by another of life’s lightning bolts.

She hadn’t seen Stanley in months and she never imagined their next meeting would be like this. What would he think? More important, why did she care?

When they reached the door, Mac lifted one shoulder. “What? You going to knock, or walk in?” Mac shoved his hands into his back pockets and looked around slowly. “Let’s get this over with.”

Emily pressed the doorbell and waited. The sound of Dumb and Dumber barking and yapping inside made Emily cringe. Those two miniature dachshunds were the stupidest dogs she’d ever met
, and rightfully named. Of course, it wasn’t their fault. One had only to consider the dogs’ owner.

The tapping sound of dog
toenails on tile floor drifted outside.

Mac raised an eyebrow. “Any chance we’ll be eaten alive once we get inside?”

“No, but you might want to commit suicide before they finish licking you.”

“Emily!” Stanley used his foot as a barrier to keep the dogs from breaking free. “I’m so glad to see you.” His boyish grin scrunched up his face, and made him look t
en years younger than his thirty- eight years. “How was Russia?”

Before she could answer, Stanley’s eyes went from her to Mac, and his enthusiasm melted like a chocolate bar on a summer day. “Who’s this?”

Emily gently shoved Mac into the interior, causing Stanley to have to reach down and grab the dogs by their collars. Stanley looked awkward and uncomfortable staring up at them.

Her sister Victoria came around the corner. “Oh! Do my babies have company?” The minute she spotted Mac her mouth instantly curled into a ‘come get me, I’m all yours’, smile.

That well-practiced look could turn lemons into pancake syrup, and send a diabetic into shock. An absolutely glowing Victoria pressed a hand, the one with a rock the size of Montana on it, to her perfectly styled hair, and tugged at her expensive summer cardigan sweater. “Emily,” she said smoothly, without glancing in her direction. “Who’s your friend?”

Sadly, Emily couldn’t take her eyes off the engagement ring. It was the most beautiful thing she’d ever imagined. She blinked back tears as her heart shattered into a million pieces.

“Oh, you haven’t seen my ring have you?” Victoria held up her hand and admired the jewel. “It’s so expensive I can hardly believe Stanley insisted on getting it. You know, he designed it himself.” Victoria giggled. “Isn’t that sweet?”

“Lovely.”

Victoria looked over Emily’s shoulder and smiled so hard her dimples sunk in two inches. “So, who’s the guy?”   

Emily turned to see Mac smiling as ridiculously as her sister. She inwardly groaned. This was the story of her life. She’d never brought a guy around that her sister didn’t take a liking to.

“John McKinsey. You can call him Mac.”

“My,” Victoria said slowly, offering her hand.
The one with the ring, of course.
“I’m very pleased to meet you.”

Mac ignored Victoria, and waved the contact lenses container in front of Stanley.

Adjusting his glasses, Stanley smiled as he took his newest invention from Mac’s fingers. “Let’s see what we have here.”

Solemnly, Emily followed Stanley to his office off the foyer, leaving Mac and Victoria to entertain each other. Glancing back, she grinned at Mac dancing around while the dogs clawed at his pant legs.

The little dachshunds had him trapped between them, the wall, and Victoria. He didn’t know it, but he wasn’t going anywhere.

“Nice doggies. Good doggies. Now go away,” Mac said, as he tried to follow.

“Have you heard back from Sony yet?” Emily asked Stanley.

“No, and the government hasn’t notified me either. It’s just a matter of time. You know how it goes. I’ll sell the patents.”

“I’m sure you’re right.”

Stanley was a handsome guy in a Clark Kent kind of way. Most people referred to him as a geek, with his thick glasses, carefully combed hair, and casual dress code. But it never offended Stanley because he
was
a geek. What most people didn’t know was that he held the honor of being the best in the State of Texas. He’d made a fortune with computer programs and games he’d developed and marketed over the years.

Emily looked back to find Mac and Victoria standing close to each other at the end of the hall. No doubt, Victoria
would do what she did best, wrap unsuspecting men around her little finger. One would think by now she’d have run out of fingers, because God knew she’d never run out of men.

From outside Emily heard the dogs barking and scratching at the back door. Evidently, Victoria had banned them to the yard so she could concentrate on her latest victim.

A glance at her sister’s sparkling engagement ring sent another wave of sadness coursing through her body.

An arrow of betrayal right to the heart!

Shaking her head, Emily silently vowed to ignore them and reminded herself that Mac didn’t mean crap to her either. All she wanted was to be left alone.

Stanley took the chair behind his massive clutter of computers, disc drives, CD burners and a staggering amount of papers with high tech designs scribbled on them. She sat next to him and watched the screen as he inserted the disc into a tiny piece of equipment that reminded Emily of a dental floss container.

She looked up when Mac came in the room, only to notice Victoria hot on his trail. When he moved to stand next to Emily, her sister’s breasts rubbed against Mac’s arm. He tensed then shifted his questioning eyes to Emily.

You’re on your own, buddy
.

“What is that, Stanley?” Victoria asked
. “Are those pictures you took in Russia, Emily?”

“Yes, they are.”

Victoria laughed and clapped her hands, trying a little too hard to convince anyone in the room that she really cared.

“Oh
, I’m dying to see them.” Victoria turned to Mac and asked, “So, how did you and my sister meet?”

Mac backed up and cleared his throat. “On the plane.”

“How romantic!” Victoria licked her lips. “So are you two...” her sister leaned closer and smiled. “So, are you dating or what?”

Emily gritted her teeth and growled before muttering, “I can’t stand the man, he’s all yours.”

Then Emily turned back to the screen as Stanley tried to pull up the images. She wasn’t concerned about Stanley taking her remark the wrong way, because when he sat in front of a computer screen, he was completely oblivious to everything around him.

Victoria huffed loudly then said, “That’s
a cruel thing to say. You’re still jealous, aren’t you?”

Emily shot her sister a cocky smile over her shoulder. “I’m not jealous, Victoria. There isn’t a single thing you have I want.”

Emily turned back as the pictures came into view. “You’re a genius.”

Stanley glowed. “It works...it really works.” His finger danced across the keyboard sharpening the photo
images. Scenes of the Kremlin, Red Square and several local businesses filled the frames. The pictures were sharper than any she’d seen before.

“Those are great,” Emily said, truly
impressed. “I have to be honest, the lens was so small I didn’t think it would work. And with it being in my eye and all, it just seemed impossible.”

“I had my doubts too, but as you can see, these are great shots. And the clarity is far better than anything else that size.”

Mac leaned across her to get a better look at the screen. There were twelve different frames on the screen, each one taken at a different location. “Is that all the pictures?”

Emily looked up at him and smiled, quiet satisfied with her part in this project. “There are over a hundred pictures on that little chip.”

Mac straightened, rubbed the back of his neck, and blinked his tired eyes. “Do you think we could flip through them real quick so I can take a look?”

“Sure,” Stanley said. “Each click of the mouse will bring up twenty different photos.”

Stanley demonstrated and several pictures ran across the screen.

“I’m afraid most of them are boring because I ran out of things of interest. So I just started clicking.”

“You did a great job, Emily.” Stanley said as he continued. Stanley’s brows came together. “What happened to your eye,?” he asked Emily. “Did you have an accident?””

She gently touched the area. “No, I walked into a wall.”

“Stop!” Mac shouted then smiled uneasily. “I mean, can you go back to the last two frames?”

“Sure.”

“There.” Mac pointed to several pictures Emily had taken the last night she was in Moscow. Wanting to complete the roll, she’d randomly shot everything and everyone in sight.

“Those on the second line, can you blow them up?”

“No problem.”

The screen pulled up a picture of three men talking. One smoked a cigarette, while the other two looked
directly at the camera lens — or rather the young woman wearing it.

Emily sucked in a deep breath and said, “That’s the man who tried to kill us.