Agent M4: Riordan (5 page)

“That file is confidential.”

“So is mine.” Wincing to herself, she waited for Mitchell to blow.

It never came.

“Look Mitchell, you came to me because you knew I could keep things under wraps. But I can’t help you
or
Riordan unless I have all information at my disposal.”

“What are you hoping to find?”

“Answers. He needs them to move on. He deserves them, Mitchell.”

She thought she heard him curse low but she couldn’t be sure.

“You said you wanted him ready for the field. As a professional, I’m telling you what he needs. Isn’t that why you hired me?”

He made a loud sigh into the phone. “I’ll give you access to our servers tonight. Passwords change each time you sign on and you’re only receiving one.”

Grinning into the phone, she did a fist pump. “Thank you.”

“You have to access it at the D.I.R.E. San Diego office. It’s the only place I can be certain we won’t be hacked.”

Her feet dropped to the floor. “You want me to go to Riordan’s office tonight?”

“If you want that file - yes. But, be forewarned: he’s seeing it for the first time tonight, too. He may not like what he finds.”

Riordan whipped off his motorcycle helmet and shook out his damp hair. He’d needed that ride along Silver Strand Boulevard to settle his mind. The wind in his face and mist in the air reminded him that he lived a free man. That the beatings in his nightmares were in the past, the dark isolation, a bad memory.

After talking to Cass and Dar earlier, Riordan had been restless. Neither one could come up with another reason why their father would’ve sent him to Mongolia. Yet, Riordan’s gut told him Natalie was onto something.

Hopefully, his file would have some answers.

Tonight.

Riordan unzipped his jacket and shrugged out of it. What the hell did Mitchell have to prepare before Riordan could see his file? Most likely, he’d had some doctoring to do, a few omissions, deletions... additions.

Hell.

Riordan could see why Natalie thought him unrealistic. He’d never have control over everything. However, one would think he’d have control over his own files.

Then again, he’d spent the day doing intel on someone that had stolen his identity. As soon as Mitchell gave him clearance, he’d pay the bastard a little visit.

Knowing he’d go freaking crazy waiting for that file, Riordan had decided to find a distraction. However, the only distraction that had come to mind was his smokin’ hot doctor. Despite Mitchell’s warnings, he couldn’t get her out of his head.

If he were honest with himself, he’d admit that his visit with her had been productive and… a relief. Dumping his sins in her lap hadn’t scared her away. As a matter of fact, she’d taken them all in stride.

The delicate beauty had grit. The combination made for treacherous territory.

But damn, he loved a bit of danger.

Doing his best to follow orders, he’d ignored his gut and decided on a different distraction – a new motorcycle. Yes, he got screwed on the price, but he really didn’t give a crap at the moment.

He was free and he had his hands back.

Now, he just had to make sure he kept them to himself and off of Natalie Meeks.

“Nice...”

Walking out into the D.I.R.E. Coronado parking lot, Jaydan circled Riordan’s new bike, running his hand along the handlebars and seat like a new horse. He hooked his thumbs in his front jeans pockets and looked over the black
Ducati 848EVO
.

“What’s it got?”

Riordan couldn’t contain his smile. “Thirteen point two to one compression ratio, straight cut gears for the primary drive, and only three hundred and seventy-two pounds on one hundred and forty horsepower.”

Jaydan gave a low whistle. “Damn, that thing’s almost as hot as the woman inside…
Almost
.”

He whipped around. “What woman?”

“Your doctor.” Jaydan gave him a knowing grin. “Mitchell gave her access to the D.I.R.E. network.”

Cursing a blue streak, Riordan stormed into the building. Damn Mitchell Jacobs. The sonovabitch had given her access to his file. He just knew it.

Stomping through the lobby and down the hall to the communications center, Riordan stopped short just inside the small, NASA-style control room. Natalie Meeks sat in a leather chair, her legs stretched out on one of the desks. A tablet lay in her lap, a carton of ice cream and plastic spoon in her hand. A bottle of water sat on the floor beside her chair.

Her high-class etiquette teacher would not be happy with her posture.

Tight jeans molded to her long legs, leather ankle boots on her feet. She wore some kind of lacy, pale pink blouse, her auburn hair tied in a braid over one shoulder. The scent of ocean breeze filled the room, her casual, relaxed presence throwing his body into complete chaos.

How the hell he’d managed a hard-on when he wanted to punch something went beyond his comprehension.

Damn Mitchell.

“What are you doing here, Meeks? I thought house calls went by the wayside decades ago.” He tossed his jacket and helmet on the desk beside her.

She jumped, her feet dropping to the floor with a loud thud.

“Riordan.” She whipped around to face him. “I didn’t hear you come in. I’m working.”

“On what?” Walking over to her, he knew what he’d find.

Swallowing hard, she stared at him with round, guilty eyes before she lifted her chin and gave him a determined gaze. “I’m reading your file.”

With one hand on the desk and the other on the back of her chair, he leaned over her shoulder. She caught her breath. His cheek sat just inches from hers, her sweet, womanly scent turning him
the hell on.

Dammit, she’d read a quarter of the way through already.

“You two just think you can do whatever you want with my information. I wanted to review that file before anyone else saw it. Mitchell knew that.”

She set down the ice cream carton on the desk. “I wasn’t privy to that conversation but I do know I requested access and he granted it – for tonight only.”

He splayed his hand over the screen. “What if I don’t want you to read it?”

Her laser-sharp gaze seared him. “You don’t have a choice.”

Wrong.

Snatching the tablet from her lap, he held it at his side, fury bubbling inside him to Curie point. “I told you, I’ll never be in a position without choices again. No one, I mean
no one
, will control me, or my life. Do you hear me, Meeks?” Breathing hard, he glared at her.

Rising from the chair, she clutched his free hand. Instant calm infused him, warmth spreading up his arm and into his chest. The contours of her hand seemed magnified in his new grip, her soft, velvet-like flesh enhanced a hundred-fold.

“Whoa, wait a minute…” Her wide, hazel eyes searched his. “If you’re that opposed to me reading that file, I won’t do it. But, you and I both want the same thing: for you to be the best damned agent the D.I.R.E. Agency has ever seen. Studying history and arming you with everything we can, will make you stronger.”

She reached up and tucked a damp strand of hair behind his ear, surprising him. “I know you prefer to work independently. I get it. But, I want to help, if you’ll let me.”

Natalie Meeks wanted him to be the best damned agent D.I.R.E. had ever seen? Something in that declaration filled him with pride, uplifting him.

Now, he wanted to do it for her, not for himself or as some payment to Mitchell for his hands. He wanted to show her he could be the best. That her investment had paid off.

His mind told him to back away slowly. The only person he could depend on in this world was himself. Yet, her mesmerizing hazel eyes drew him in like a magnet, pulling him into her confidence. Could he risk it?

She blew out a breath and dropped his hand. “Dammit, Riordan. I’m trying to help you here. I’m not the enemy.”

Thank God she
wasn’t
his enemy. Outside of her professional wardrobe, Natalie Meeks was downright dangerous. Dressed in jeans that outlined her perfect curves and a lace top that showed a hint of cleavage, Natalie Meeks could defeat him in any battle by simply showing up.

Falling in love with someone like her would be all-consuming. She’d control him through no force of her own, only his damned need for her. He couldn’t allow his attraction to get out of hand.

But, he did want to be the best damned agent D.I.R.E. had ever seen.

A sudden grin split his face. “Did you just…
curse
?”

Her parted lips blossomed into a smile that made his heart pound. “There’s more where that came from. Trust me.”

Sobering, he held up the tablet. “Meeks, there are things in this file that-”

She stopped his speech with a squeeze of his hand. “After all we’ve discussed so far, do you really believe I’d think less of you?”

Yes.

He made no reply but simply savored her hand in his.

How long had it been since he’d held a woman’s hand, or held a woman in his arms? If Natalie’s hand felt this freaking soft, what did her body, her breasts feel like?

“Riordan, I-“

“Saint.”

Natalie dropped his hand when Jaydan entered the room. Dammit.

“Saint,” she said, with a twist of her mouth.

“Well, in his mind, anyway.” Jaydan grinned, hands on his hips.

Riordan glared at his soon-to-be-dead co-worker.

Natalie’s voice held a teasing lilt. “Mitchell called you that. I can’t decide if it’s utterly ridiculous or…” Her smile vanished as she searched his gaze. “…appropriately fitting.”

Okay, that was it. He had to have her. Screw control.

Clasping her hand in his, he turned to Rose without looking at her. “Oh, you’re leaving, Rose?”

Jaydan gave him a lopsided smirk. “Yeah. Actually, I’m flying up to Sacramento on an op.” Glancing at Natalie, he said, “It was nice meeting you, Natalie. I hope to see you soon.”

Riordan scowled at Rose again. Damned jackass didn’t know when to let up.

Humor lit her voice. “Likewise, Jaydan.”

“See ya, Saint.” He walked out without a backward glance.

Riordan stared at the place where Jaydan disappeared, unsure of how to approach what had just happened. He’d taken Natalie Meeks’ hand in his and… she’d left it there.

When she stepped away, he let her go. To entertain thoughts of he and Natalie Meeks declared him completely delusional. A senator’s daughter and a drug-addict’s grandson? A criminal and a psychologist?

Comical.

“So, what’s it going to be,
Saint
?” She faced him, arms crossed under her breasts. Her now abundant cleavage peeked through the lacy fabric, stirring his blood.

“If you’re worried about confidentiality, what we do together stays between us.” Her dark, heated gaze settled on his mouth. “Okay?”

Damn, if she gave off signals like that to all of her patients, it’s no wonder she had a successful practice.

He really didn’t give a shit about anyone else’s opinion. The only people that mattered in his life already knew his history.

And now, Natalie Meeks. Her opinion, her thoughts, had come to matter. Why, he didn’t want to think about. Once she read his file, she’d know the kind of man he was and want to separate herself as soon as possible.

That would be a good thing.

This attraction he felt for her had exploded into a driving need since he’d held her hand. He wanted more.

More could never happen.

God, he was screwed up. Maybe Mitchell knew what he was talking about, after all.

She grabbed her purse from the back of the chair. “I need to go. I don’t want to get mixed up in the Padres game traffic.”

“Stay.”

He did
not
just say that…

Her wide smile made his heart pound. “Are you sure?”

No
. He nodded.

Dropping her purse on the floor, Natalie took the tablet from his grasp. She set it on the desk and dragged over a chair.

“Come on, Saint. I was just getting to the part where you confessed your addiction to
Justice League
cartoons.” She patted the chair.

Riordan had a feeling that things would change once he sat down. He’d crossed into forbidden territory, into the land of misguided trust.

Tread lightly, stay alert.

Survival had to be paramount.

“I have a thing for
Wonder Woman
.” Dropping into the chair beside her, his arm brushed hers. Every nerve-ending along his side spiked. This would not end well.

Sitting side by side, feet on the desk, she offered him some rocky road ice cream. He declined, opting for her water bottle on the floor. Taking a drink, he set the file to audio, before leaning back to listen.

Having his involvement in money laundering, selling government secrets and stealing corporate information voiced aloud brought shame to a profession he’d never disparaged before. Every once in a while, he’d glance at Natalie to see if she gaped at him with shock in her eyes.

She listened intently, swallowing a spoon of ice cream every so often.

His last case came up. He’d been called in to do intel on-

“Clint Robinson?” Clicking pause, she looked over at him with raised brows. “You were hired to shadow D.I.R.E’s lead scientist?”

She sat so close, he could feel her breath on his face. He’d kiss her like a crazed lunatic if he didn’t get out of there now.

Jumping up, he walked over to the mini-fridge and grabbed a beer. Water wouldn’t cut it tonight.

“At the time, D.I.R.E. was in the planning stages. Jim Monroe and Mitchell Jacobs courted Robinson like a debutant. I was told Naylor’s client wanted files on whatever project Robinson had going on at the time.”

Natalie twisted around to look at him. “Does Mitchell know that?”

He lifted an eyebrow and stared at her.

She sighed aloud. “Of course he does.”