Duty With Honor Book Five: An Unexpected Pause Read online

  Duty With Honor

  Book Five

  An Unexpected Pause

  By

  Jordan Bollinger

  Other Books by Jordan Bollinger

  Duty With Honor

  Book One: Leap of Faith

  Book Two: Second Chances

  Book Three: Hunted Honeymoon

  Book Four: Finessing the Wolf

  Book Five: An Unexpected Pause

  Sisterly Love: The Saga of Lizzie and Emma Borden

  Desert Breeze Publishing, Inc.

  27305 W. Live Oak Rd #424

  Castaic, CA 91384

  http://www.DesertBreezePublishing.com

  Copyright © 2014 by Jordan Bollinger

  ISBN 10: 1-61252-433-8

  ISBN 13: 978-1-61252-433-7

  Published in the United States of America

  Publish Date: June 21, 2014

  Editor-In-Chief: Gail R. Delaney

  Content Editor: Lyse Demorest

  Marketing Director: Jenifer Ranieri

  Cover Artist: Gwen Phifer

  Cover Art Copyright by Desert Breeze Publishing, Inc © 2014

  All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including photocopying, recording or by any information retrieval and storage system without permission of the publisher.

  Ebooks are not transferrable, either in whole or in part. As the purchaser or otherwise lawful recipient of this ebook, you have the right to enjoy the novel on your own computer or other device. Further distribution, copying, sharing, gifting or uploading is illegal and violates United States Copyright laws.

  Pirating of ebooks is illegal. Criminal Copyright Infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, may be investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is punishable by up to five years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

  Names, characters and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination, or are used in a fictitious situation. Any resemblances to actual events, locations, organizations, incidents or persons – living or dead – are coincidental and beyond the intent of the author.

  Dedication

  To RayJ, with love - for all the time and effort you spent picking nits.

  Chapter One

  Oliver Loft Apartment

  Washington, D.C., United States

  Elizabeth Oliver avoided the noisy freight elevator, choosing to bound up the six flights of stairs to their loft at the top of the building, instead. All the swimming had certainly paid off. Now that she'd gotten her scuba diving certification, she'd have to start jogging with Drew. Although that meant getting up earlier, and Beth had never been much of an early riser -- at least not voluntarily.

  It had been a long, tiring day, and Beth wouldn't say no to a nap before she and Andrew needed to dress for the theatre. Jack had pulled some strings -- but somehow, he always did -- and gotten tickets to a new production of Bolton's "A Man For All Seasons" at the Kennedy Center.

  Over breakfast, Andrew had told her he had a little job to take care of, and hadn't been sure whether he'd use the loft or not. So, Beth was careful to open the door noiselessly and evaluate the situation. There was a small lamp shining from the main room, bathing it in a warm, buttery light, and the sound of low, but heated voices came from there.

  Clearly, Andrew's business wasn't going as smoothly as it might have been. Beth inched to the doorway, remaining hidden in the deep shadows of the unlit, interior kitchen, and listened to the terse conversation...

  "Natalia, why have you suddenly become so disagreeable? We've been having such a pleasant afternoon. What happened?"

  "You made mistake. You never should have asked me about Sergei. No one at the consulate knows about him -- at least by that name. Which is just how I intend to keep it."

  "This isn't particularly comfortable, Natalia. And, there's no reason for such extreme measures. After all, you mentioned Sergei, I didn't."

  Natalia came into Beth's view. She was in the process of tying off a knot, when she paused, before shaking her head vehemently. "No. No, it wasn't me. Now be quiet! You're giving me a headache, and I need to think."

  Her curiosity aroused, Elizabeth crept closer to the archway, and peeped around, to see into the room. It was all she could do to not burst out into laughter. Andrew hung by his ankles from a block and tackle they'd found quaint when they'd rented the apartment, two months before. And, what she found even funnier, was -- even in this precarious position -- he was trying to charm his way out of the situation.

  Natalia, however, was not succumbing to his usually successful allure. Instead, she was snatching up her clothes and pulling them on as fast as she could manage. She was bent over, groping beneath the sofa for an elusive shoe, when Beth crept up behind her, knocked her out cold, and quickly trussed her up with duct tape, before turning her attention to Drew.

  As soon as she looked up to him, he flashed a smile. "Very nicely done, Sweetheart." He was naked, with his wrists bound behind him with duct tape -- which explained how she'd found the roll conveniently located on the coffee table a moment earlier.

  Squirming beneath (or rather, above) Beth's gaze, he told her, "I know this appears strange. But, I assure you, it isn't what it looks like..."

  "It looks," she answered back, smiling, "as if you and your little playmate, here, were having a bit of an afternoon romp, when she got suspicious over something you said, so she tied you up, and probably would have killed you, if I hadn't come in."

  "All right," he conceded. "It's exactly as it looks. But, I can explain. Now, if you'll just let me down, I'll give you a proper hello kiss. And, we can change for the theatre, and talk about Natalia over drinks."

  Beth shook her head, saying, "I don’t know, Andrew. This is a very unique situation. One, I think, most women would be envious of me. It's quite an opportunity -- one certainly too good to pass by."

  "Elizabeth, don't be cruel. I know you're just teasing, but please let me down. The blood is rushing to my head, and it's beginning to pound. Please, Sweetheart, let me down."

  "In a minute. First, I want you to answer a few questions. Let's start with, why are you naked?"

  "Ah...well...yes...we...ah...took a bath and--"

  "Where?"

  "I don't understand..."

  "Which bathroom?"

  "The business one, of course. You know I always follow the rules."

  "As a matter of fact," she said, smiling at him, "you very rarely follow rules. But, as long as she wasn't in our tub, using our bubbles, I suppose--"

  "Ah...well...I did use our bubbles," he admitted, gulping. "But, it turned out we were out of bubbles in the other bathroom, and Natalia always did enjoy a relaxing bubble bath -- it always got her talking."

  Beth walked around him, trying to figure out how to get him down from his predicament. He must have tried to keep facing her, but all he succeeded in doing, was set himself spinning. "But I promise, the first thing we'll do tomorrow is go out and find special new bubbles for us. All right? Now, please get me down, Beth."

  "I just don't know..." Frowning, she added, "What about this... I go upstairs, shower and dress, and go meet Jack alone?

  "If Natalia manages to free herself, she'll kill you and escape -- and Jack will deal with your body later.

  "Or, maybe you'll manage to get loose, and kill her and dispose of her body yourself. If you're fast enough, you might even meet us for a late supper.

  "I suppose there's always the possibility you'll both manage to get free and kill each other. But, that would leave an awf
ul lot of work for Jack.

  "Or..." she said, grinning, "Neither of you manage to get free, so we'll find you both waiting for us when we get back. I think this is my favorite.

  "Just think of the fun Jack will have with this. You know how Jack loves a good story. And, no matter how good the story starts out, he somehow always manages to embellish it.

  "Can you imagine what he could make of this?"

  Andrew groaned, "Don't say that -- even in jest. Please. He'd spread the story around. I'd have to retire. We'd be forced to retreat to some dismal Scottish moor and live in exile."

  "I don't see why I would have to live in exile."

  "Bethy..." he crooned. "Please let me down."

  He really was very flushed, and she was only teasing. She was trying to work out how to let him down safely, when he called out in a petulant voice, "Lauren Elizabeth Oliver! Let me down, this instant!"

  "What?"

  "If you don't let me down right now... I'll..." After a moment of silent thought, in a low menacing voice, he added, "Or I'll tell Jack about Copenhagen."

  "You wouldn't dare!"

  "I would."

  "I simply cannot believe you'd even threaten me with that. It's the kind of despicable thing Tom would do." His grimace told how she'd wounded him.

  She gave him just enough of a push to start him spinning, before heading upstairs to their bedroom. Halfway up, Andrew bleated, "I'm sorry. I should never have said that. You told me that in confidence. And, you know I would never actually violate that trust."

  Elizabeth returned to him, and asked, "Well, suppose I was willing to let you down... How would I do that without dropping you on your head -- hard though it may be?"

  Nodding to an end of rope looped around a large iron hook, he told her, "Just pull that. It should release the knot."

  Beth took a jack knife from her boot and cut the tape binding his hands. "Andrew, how did you manage to get into this predicament?"

  "Please, just get me down."

  "I'm waiting for your explanation."

  "Really, Beth. It's rather embarrassing."

  "Well, all right. But, only because we need to get dressed. As it is, we're going to have to have Jack pick us up -- and bring a friend for your friend." Elizabeth looked at the knot and Andrew dangling four feet off the ground. "I don't know, Drew. Maybe I should just call him to come over right away. I'm afraid I'll drop you."

  "No, Beth. I'll be fine. Please..."

  "I don't see how Natalia hauled you up so high. She didn't look that strong." Relenting, she loosened the knot, and tried to lower him gently. But, she didn't have quite enough upper body strength. "Andrew... I can't... You're going to fall."

  Drew heeded her warning, and tucked his head in and rolled before he hit the floor. As he double-checked Natalia, Beth ran upstairs, stripping off clothes, as she went.

  Andrew followed behind her, gathering her discarded clothes and stuffed them into a laundry bag, as Beth rushed into the bathroom. She came out five minutes later, toweling her hair, to find Drew just shutting his cell phone. He dropped the phone onto the bed, and slipped his crisp, white evening shirt on, over his black slacks and socks.

  Elizabeth stepped over and kissed him, before helping him with his studs.

  "Jack will be right over. And, yes, he's bringing someone along to deal with Natalia." He slipped a cufflink on and continued, "I just don't understand why she suddenly became so recalcitrant. I would have preferred to keep her at the consulate. Sir Anthony is not going to be happy."

  "Did you at least get the information you were looking for? I mean, she did almost kill you. And, I'm too young to become a widow."

  Beth selected a bra and wriggled into it, chose a garter belt and fastened it, then took stockings and panties over to the bed when Drew asked, "You aren't really upset about the bubbles, are you?"

  "No, not about the bubbles..."

  He swooped over and kissed her. "I meant what I said -- we'll find some wonderful new bubbles for us when we get ordinary bubbles for the business bath."

  After fastening her stockings, Beth stepped into her panties, walked to the closet, and answered, "I know you did." But she hadn't even sounded convincing to herself.

  "What are you wearing tonight?"

  "I'd planned on your favorite, but now I'm not sure."

  "Yes, wear the claret-colored dress. I do love you in that color."

  "Just that color?" Elizabeth asked, eyeing him.

  "You know I love you... It doesn't matter to me what you're wearing." Then smiling, added, "Or not wearing..."

  Andrew pulled the dress from its hanger, and held it out for her. Then, as he zipped her up, said, "I still want to take it to Ms. Sweet; and I need to find a piece of jewelry to complement it."

  When Drew saw Beth's frown, he added, "Christmas. I know -- I'm not allowed to buy you presents until then." But, under his breath, he muttered, "Although, I don't understand why."

  "Because it's what we agreed to. You are a darling, but you spent much too much money on my trousseau and the honeymoon. You're on probation until Christmas."

  Andrew turned and listened for a moment, then slipped into his shoes, grabbed his gun and holster, and dinner jacket. "Hurry," he called over his shoulder, "I hear the elevator. It will be Jack."

  *****

  If the men thought Beth was overly quiet, neither of them said so. True, they did spend the drive to the Kennedy Center talking about the information Andrew had managed to extract from Natalia -- before she became surly and aggressive.

  From what they said, it sounded to Beth that Sergei -- whoever he was -- was in the US, under an assumed name. A name Drew hadn't gotten from Natalia. And that was bad.

  Elizabeth was sure it meant that Andrew would be spending the next day or two at Langley, interrogating Natalia. They knew Sergei had originally come from a small town in the Ukraine. They also knew that since the fall of the Soviet Union, he had been working for the highest bidder. Again, not good.

  Her father often grumbled about how "work" had been much easier during the Cold War. Lines were clearer and cleaner. People worked for their countries, their homes, and their families. Now, so many were mercenaries -- willing to do anything to anyone for anyone else, as long as they were willing to pay for it.

  The honor of the job had become tarnished. On more than one occasion her father insisted it was up to the newly-formed extended family of Emery-Oliver to polish up the profession. While he said it with a smile, she was sure he wasn't joking.

  Elizabeth used the drive time to think. She understood all that their jobs entailed. Finding Andrew naked wasn't why Beth felt so anxious. That was the trouble -- she just couldn't seem to put her finger on what was causing the anxiety.

  They were seated in the already dimmed theater when Elizabeth's silk wrap floated off her lap, to the floor. Andrew swooped down and retrieved it, but instead of simply handing the shawl to her, he tucked it carefully around her, making sure her shoulders were protected from a vent above them. The tenderness of this action touched Elizabeth's heart. He was always thoughtful.

  She loved him so. And, she knew he loved her.

  That's when she discovered the name of her previously unknown fear. She was sure she would love him for the rest of her life. But... What if...

  It just wasn't fair! It wasn't fair how men could have gray hair and women couldn't. It wasn't fair how men grew more mellow and mature, but women grew old.

  All she could think of was Natalia's naked body -- still young -- so lithe and light. How was it possible for Beth to feel so happy, so healthy one minute...and the next, so sad and so very old?

  She tried telling herself that Natalia wouldn't always have her youth and beauty. But, it did no good. Beth found the idea that Natalia would wake one day and discover she too was growing older cold comfort. Yes, very cold comfort, indeed.

  An odd feeling grew in her. It had started, during intermission, when Andrew had leaned in, kissed her ch
eek and whispered, "I love you." Then he'd enclosed her hand in his. It made her feel so loved -- so cherished. And...there was something else...she wanted him.

  No, she wanted him to want her.

  It was as if she needed to reclaim him, somehow. Erase any images of Natalia from his mind. Well, perhaps, it was more to erase those images from her mind.

  She was still lost in thought when the intermission ended, because Drew squeezed her hand and pulled it into his lap. It was then she lost all sense of propriety or control -- because she pressed her hand down and stroked his growing hardness with her little finger.

  She felt him look at her a time or two, but she kept her eyes on the stage and just continued stroking him, softly. And, after several minutes, he seemed to relax and accept her unusually overt, but pleasurable, action.

  What Beth found so interesting was how it made her feel. It empowered her. The problem was it made her want even more power and control. Power and control she intended to take.

  Later, at the restaurant, the three of them were seated in a banquette, with Elizabeth sitting in between the two men. However, she managed to inch closer to Andrew while they all perused the menus. And after Drew ordered, Beth took his hand, held it on the table, and stroked the back of his hand with the same little finger, in the same slow, languid movement she'd used in the theatre.

  Andrew kept giving Beth questioning looks, but she feigned rapt attention to Jack's latest story. However, after another round of drinks, Drew started stroking her thigh beneath the table. This added to her exhilaration, as well as fueling her own desire.

  Elizabeth excused herself while they waited for dessert and coffee. Drew had slipped from the banquette to let her leave, and when she returned, he again stood up, to allow her to slide in. As she approached, he'd held out a hand for her.

  After giving him one of her most lovely smiles, she accepted his hand as she slid back into the bench. But she pressed the wisp of silk and lace panties she'd worn into his hand, as she did so.