made her laugh. “Yep. He was only ever a job to me.”
Just as quickly, his expression shifted and he swore violently. “Your parents had no right to force you into espionage like you were a family of damn grifters.”
“They didn’t force me,” she argued. “And grifter is a bit of an extreme comparison. But this is my family business. I was born into it. I could have opted out but that would have meant being left behind in Wales with some great-aunt I’d never met. My parents are the only family I have. I didn’t want to be separated from them.”
His eyes softened and he gently tugged her closer so he could brush a kiss across her forehead. She reveled in his embrace, the isolation she’d cloaked herself in for so long beginning to seep away.
“You’re not going to get separated from them now. I promise. The list is safe.”
“But that doesn’t mean there won’t be another list. Alexi won’t stop looking for it. He has something to prove to his father.” She snuggled in closer trying to soak up some of his confidence. “Alexi’s father never gives him a chance. Even when he was in prison, he held the reins to the business tightly. Alexi believes if he can terminate those agents who set his father up, it will prove he is ready to take over the syndicate.”
“The Secretary of Homeland doesn’t believe a list even exists. She is adamant that the roster of operatives died with the Phoenix.”
“No offense to your friend the secretary, but I can’t afford to buy into her theory. Not with my mother at risk. Besides, Alexi believes the Phoenix is still alive and willing to betray the US.”
His hold on her stiffened. “Does he have proof?”
“If he does, he didn’t share that information. He was given proof the list was genuine, though.”
“What kind of proof?”
“I’m not sure exactly. But I do know he was communicating on the dark web with my nemesis of the past three years, the Mariner.”
A sharp breath sawed through his lungs. “Your nemesis?”
“Yes. The arsehole fancies himself an internet broker for secrets and violent crimes. He’ll do anything for the right price. I’ve had to intercept or retrieve many of the items he’s sold. Fortunately, we are always able to take down the buyers. But the Mariner is very slippery. No one has been able to track him down. Yet. But I will get my hands on him. Just you wait.” She grinned at him. “And when I do, he’ll be one sorry twit.”
Ben jumped off the futon and began pacing the small room, his ire building with every stride. “You were the agent sent in to intercede?”
Taken aback by his tone, she stiffened her spine. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
His eyes were wild with a mixture of anger and incredulity when he turned to face her. “For crying out loud, Quinn, those people are the worst form of scum.” He squeezed his head with his fingers. “They are terrorists who wouldn’t think twice in abusing and torturing you or killing you.”
“I am more than capable of taking care of myself. Or do you need another demonstration similar to today’s?”
He swore violently before gripping her shoulders and pulling her up to face him. “Damn it, Quinn. Just the thought of you getting within an inch of any of those bastards makes me homicidal. They have no morals. I don’t even want to think about how they would have dealt with you if you got caught.”
“Well, then, isn’t it a good thing I don’t get caught?”
Ben snorted. “You came damn close in Tunisia six months ago!”
The breath stilled in her lungs. “How do you know that?”
His fingers relaxed on her arms before he rested his forehead against hers. She could feel his fierce pulse still hammering his temple.
“You said you couldn’t wait to get your hands on the Mariner. Well, sweetheart, you’ve not only had your hands all over him, but your mouth, too.” His tone indicated he was just as shocked by the turn of events as she was.
“I don’t understand,” she managed to stammer.
Except she did. This place. His skills. The close contact with the Secretary of Homeland. She had sensed he was more than he appeared to be and she’d been right. The Mariner was a provocateur. And a very good one. She’d never once picked up a clue he was one of the good guys.
“We’ve been working together,” she whispered in amazement. “All this time and