Radclyffe - Honor Under Siege

danger or a potential danger to others. Either way, shes not safe out there

alone.

“Im not going to use Diane to help you. Blair didnt know why she was

surprised that the words came so easily. There had never been any doubt

about what she

would do. Or wouldnt

do.

Blair started to sit up, but Cam held her close. “I never thought that you

would. You know I wouldnt ask you to, right?

Silently,

Blair

nodded.

“But just hear me out,

okay?

“You might not ask me to, but you might want me to. Blair rested her

head on

Cams chest. “I dont want todisappoint

you.

“Disappoint Cam tilted Blairs chin and met her eyes. They were

cloudy and troubled. She hated that her lover had been caught in the

tangled web of divided loyalties. “Baby, its my job. Not yours. Lucinda

was wrong to ask you to get involved.

“What

about

national

security?

“Wel have no national securityor any other kindif we resort to spying

on our friends. Cam shook her head. “I trust youl tel me if Diane gets

into any trouble.

“I wil

.

“And you have to stay out of it. Cam held Blairs jaw more fi rmly,

delving into the blue eyes that glimmered with anticipated resistance.

“Okay?

“Okay. Blair hesitated. “Can you tel me why you think Valerie might

be in danger? Diane real y loves her, Cam.

“Ah, Jesus, Cam breathed. “What a

mess.

“Love tends to get that way, Blair murmured, kissing Cams throat.

“You mess me up.

Stroking the back of Blairs neck, Cam sorted her thoughts. “Until a few

hours before the raid, the only people who knew Mathesons identity

were Valerie, Stark, Savard, and Davis. If Matheson disappeared

from the compoundor never showed up there to begin with because

someone tipped him of there are only a limited number of explanations.

I know it wasnt any of my people and not likely to be anyone on the

assault team. So, either Valerie warned him or someone Valerie told

warned him.

“Valerie must report to someone inside the Company, Cam, Blair

said.

“Of course. Whoever ordered her to infi ltrate our team to

begin with.

Blair closed her eyes. “Then that means theyl know that youre looking

for her. Jesus, this is a nightmare. And youre going to be right in the

middle of it.

“If Valerie wasnt responsible for the leak, once she got wind of

Matheson disappearing, shed know she was the weak link. Shed

have to disappear because shed know whoever tipped Matheson would

be coming after her.

“So youre tel ing me that Valerie isnt safe, and I should help you fi

nd her.

“Thats one way of looking at it, Cam said. “Right now, Im not

sure. And because Im not sure, I dont want you to do anything.

“Except hide out with Tanner and Diane at Whitley

Point.

“That would be my wish. Cam kissed the tip of Blairs chin. “Any

chance?

“I dont know, maybe, Blair said. “Not because I want to hide, but

because I dont want to stay here. And I cant go back to Manhat an,

because I dont have any place to go back to.

“This is sounding good, Cam

said.

“But

“Uh-

oh.

Blair smiled. “Im not going without

you.

Cam frowned. “Im going to be pret y busy, Blair. Ive got to put a team

together, for one thing. Then who knows what Il fi nd once I start

digging into this whole Valerie situation.

“Are you tel ing me youre going to direct the investigation from some of

i ce in DC somewhere? Where anyone could access your fi les or

monitor your activities? Blair made a face. “Even I know thats not

very smart. If you even suspect that theres someone high enough up

to get Mathesons name from Valeries intel igence reports and warn

him, then nothing is secure. She grinned. “Unless youre going to work

out of Lucindas of i ce.

Cam groaned. “You make it sound so appealing. But were talking about

a big operation here, baby.

“You found Matheson working from Whitley Point. That was a big

operation, too.

“Yeah, and someone ferried Valerie of right under our

noses.

“Good point, except Valerie helped them from the inside. Blair saw the

anger and betrayal fl icker across Cams face, knowing nothing she

might say could lessen it. Only the truth could do that. “Youve got to

admit, its going to be more secure there than almost any place around

here.

“Il think about it. At least for a base of operations. Hel , Cam mused,

“we used to do al of our advance surveil ance and intel igence right out

of the Aerie. That was a damn big operation, too.

“Il talk to Tanner tomorrow about speeding up the property purchase. Im

sure she can make it happen. Besides, Blair said softly, “I love it there,

and we need

a place to

live.

Cam brushed her fi ngers through Blairs hair, then drew her

head down and kissed her. She murmured against her lips,

“We do, dont we.

“Is it all right with

you?

“Are you going to be okay having a base of operations where

we live?

Blair laughed shortly. “Cameron, Ive always had some kind

of base where I live. Look at the Aerie. Im used to it.

“If youre sure. Right now, Id feel a hell of a lot better if you

were back there.

“Im going to talk to Lucinda tomorrow about our plans, Blair

said. Cam rolled her over and settled one thigh between

her legs.

“Youre not going to make me go with you, are

you?

“I cant believe youre afraid of Lucinda. Blair curled her leg

around the back of Cams thigh and nestled her center

against Cams crotch. “Itll cost you.

“Anything. Cam slowly rotated her hips between Blairs legs.

“Just name it.

“Lets see how many times you can make me come, Blair

whispered, “while I think about it.

Cam laughed. “Tough duty.

* * * * *

“Hel o? Diane said distractedly, expecting a wrong

number. “Hi. Did I wake you?

Diane sat up abruptly, the sheet fal ing away unheeded. The

sliver of moon and the glow from the surrounding city cast the

room in dim, gray light. She hadnt been sleeping, even though

it was the middle of the night. “No. I was thinking about you.

An indrawn breath and a beat of silence fol owed. Diane

almost said her name, but knew instinctively not to. She

waited, the seconds interminable.

“Are you home?

“Actual y Im Diane thought of all the conversations shed had

over the years with Blair and how theyd always been

careful, even when there was probably no need to be. Now,

with Valerie, there surely was. “Im visiting friends.

“Ah. Anyone I know?

“Yes. Dianes heart pounded and she strained to hear every nuance

in Valeries voice. “Hows your trip going?

“I shouldnt have cal ed, but I missed

you.

Diane caught her breath. “Can I join you? Im in a bit of a

hiatus myself right now.

“Thats not a good

idea.

“Why not? I miss you, too. Terribly.

“Im not very good company right now.

Diane heard the warning beneath the words but refused to

be deterred. “Shouldnt I be the one to decide that?

“Trust me, it might not be all thatpleasant.

“To be with you? Diane said lightly while mental y translating,

Its not safe .

“Yes.

“Then thats al the more reason to let me come and prove you wrong.