Torn (Deep 8, #5)

10. Harlow

TEN

Harlow

The elevator doors open to the suite, revealing a grand marble foyer adorned with a majestic tiger sculpture. The opulent haven offers a breathtaking view of the city, and its rooms exude a meticulously curated earth-tone elegance.

Champagne and a decadent array of tiered petit fours lure us into the living room. After our tour, I pop one in my mouth as its flavor melts on my tongue with seductive allure.

"They spared no expense. From the kitchenette to the jacuzzi in the bathroom, we won’t have to leave," I declare, whipping off the scarf and letting it float to the floor.

Roger stands behind me as heat radiates off him. "Is that what you want? To never leave? I thought this life was the one you left behind." His voice is low and wraps around me, but itches like a wool blanket.

The glass sliders offer a crystal-clear view of the balcony’s edge. I yearn for wings and a desire to fly away, vanishing into the unknown. My arms wrap around me. "This was the life I abandoned for various reasons, but I’ve been undercover for a while. Your father has been on our radar for years, but we could never find anything. Some things popped up now and then but nothing concrete until now." I turn toward him, observing his reaction.

"What are you talking about?" Roger remains unalarmed with his composure in check.

I move past him, collapse into a chair, and take off the torture chambers on my feet. "About four years ago, ASIO noticed suspicious activity with Lucas’s calls and meetings. When agents investigated the evidence vanished or he had an explanation for it. That’s when they assigned me as his personal assistant. I think he was on to me from the beginning but let the charade continue."

The champagne cork twists off with a pop and Roger pours us each a glass. "You’ll be relieved to know, I’ve never found anything incriminating." The bubbles dance on my tongue, calming my nerves.

He sips the Monet. "My father is an extremely intelligent man not to be underestimated. If he knew why you were assigned to him, you didn’t have a chance. What is your assessment of the situation now?" He inquires.

"This entire mission has been one curve ball after another. I wouldn’t have guessed he was gathering evidence against Deep 8. It puts him in an entirely different light. It also explains the odd phone calls and meetings." The alcohol begins to take effect to soothe my nerves.

Roger sits down on the couch. "This has taken me by surprise as well. There’s no indication of how he came across Deep 8. When did he start keeping track of them? There are so many questions only he can answer."

Before we came to the hotel, I chose a Brioni suit for him to wear. The steel blue lightweight linen fits him to a tee. His blue eyes stand out beyond the dark hair lying on his forehead. He pulls off the look without effort. No one would question he came from a mission in Afghanistan. We stare at each other with questions surrounding us as the spark arcs between us with undeniable attraction.

I push myself up on the armrests. "I need to get out of these clothes, take a long, hot bath, and scrub away the dirt. We need to come up with a plan over dinner," I announce.

"Do you need anyone to wash your back because I know a guy?" He gives me a slight smile.

I sigh. "I’m afraid I’m taken," I retort and extend my left hand to him, dripping with a four-carat emerald-cut diamond engagement ring flanked by a wedding band on each side adding another two carats. The heft of it weighs on my finger.

He stands up, his thumb strokes my cheek. I resist the urge to close my eyes and lean into his touch like a cat in heat. "I understand your husband is not a forgiving man. If you need me, for any reason and want to risk it, just whistle and I’ll be there," he whispers in my ear. "These flames aren’t going to extinguish on their own."

"You’re out of your depth," I mutter.

"I’m an excellent swimmer," he responds, brushing past me as his touch lingers.

A shiver courses through me down to my toes. He reignites a fire that had been extinguished long ago. I cut myself off from feeling anything to make things less complicated.

He comes along and makes things complicated to the power of ten. I’ll do everything to fight it because, in the end, the secret from my past will destroy everything.

My chin sits above the bubbles floating on the surface of the water. I close my eyes and imagine what things will be like when this is over. Roger will see me in an unfavorable light. He’ll know I betrayed Lucas for my father. The knock at the door startles me.

"Come in."

"I came to check on you." His head peeks around the door.

"I knew you couldn’t resist me," I tease.

He sheds his jacket and rolls up his sleeves, showing off his corded forearms. Did the bath get hotter or is it the air in the room?

"You’re a stunning woman in every way. You go from cracking a safe in the middle of a war-torn country to looking like a princess ready for her throne. I’m in awe of you. When I saw you in makeup, ready for your role as a wealthy high-flying woman, you took my breath away, but it’s nothing compared to you stripped down to your pink skin covered in your stories."

I will the tears in my eyes not to fall. "Could you scrub my back for me, please?"

He grabs a washcloth as I lean forward, facing away from him. He washes my back with the tenderness you would give to a child. "I’m here for you and I’m not going anywhere anytime soon. I know the makeup and clothes weren’t you. You wouldn’t hide behind those trying to make yourself look like something you aren’t. I see you, Harlow." His voice is gentle.

Tears slide down my face and find bubbles to hide in. "You see too much. I don’t want to be the shining star. I live in the clouds for a reason."

"You will never be able to hide. Your star shines too brightly. Very few people in the world can pull off the look you have, turning heads when you walk into a room. I don’t know what happened in your past and I don’t care. No matter what you do, you will never be able to hide when you are the brightest star in the night sky."

The bathroom door closes with a soft click. Damn him for seeing through me. What gives him the right? I’ve spent years downplaying my looks and staying under the radar. He can’t single-handedly rip away my cover.

The bathrobe wraps me in comfort as I follow the scent of food to the dining room. The table is set for a romantic evening, and I catch my breath.

"I ordered in. I thought we could discuss the next phase of getting the puzzle piece." He switches to work mode, offering a reprieve from my inner turmoil.

I remove the cover to find filet mignon with a baked potato and asparagus covered with hollandaise sauce. "As my husband, you’ve done your research," I playfully remark.

He fidgets with the unfamiliar platinum band on his left ring finger. "As your husband, I plan to know everything about you." His gaze spears me.

He moves around the table and pulls back my chair for me. The atmosphere intensifies. He may be too perfect. Time to turn up the heat on him.

"What is the deal between you and your dad? You don’t seem very close." I prod.

He moves in his seat. His eyes are laden with sadness, making me sorry I asked. "Let’s eat and then we’ll talk."

We share a silent meal, catching each other’s eye now and then. His movements are stiff, and he avoids eye contact. I’ve pulled the pin, and I’ll wait for the explosion. The bigger explosion will come later when he finds out about my past.