Calculated Reaction, page 3
The women knew their friend and sister well, and when the limo pulled up in front of a small lake cottage, her sister revealed a giant picnic hamper. “How about a cookout, wine, and girl talk on the deck? Oh, and chocolate. Of course, I brought all of your favorites.”
“It’s perfect. Absolutely perfect.” Ree beamed and took in the cute lake cottage they had rented for the day. Alexis allowed herself a satisfied smile. She’d suggested the location for the party, but it didn’t take a genius to know a day at the lake with her girls was Ree’s idea of bachelorette party perfection. And it would be just the break they both needed.
* * *
After returning from a perfect afternoon with her friends and sister, Ree lay snuggled up on the couch next to Parker. Laughing at everything and nothing in the cool fall air had been the perfect way to decompress before the wedding. Everything was ready for the big day, thanks to Parker finishing up the last-minute tasks, so she could take a well-earned break from organizing wedding details. Ree had packed her bag for the honeymoon the weekend prior, and it was already in the trunk of Parker’s car. After everything they had been through together, a calm, quiet week in the Hawaiian sunshine was exactly what the doctor ordered.
A movie played in the background and Parker spun Ree’s engagement ring around with his free hand. He whispered into her ear, “We’re getting married tomorrow.”
Ree groaned and leaned her head back on his chest. The excitement of marrying Parker and travelling to a place that topped her bucket list was overshadowed by the number of half-truths she would have to remember during the event.
Parker leaned around to look at her. “Should I be concerned? I mean, I don’t have a lot of experience with being married, but I think a big groan from the bride when you mention the wedding has to be some kind of red flag.”
“I’m very excited to marry you. It’s just going to be a little complicated to keep who knows what straight.”
Parker rubbed her shoulders and kissed her cheek. “Just another reason I’m grateful you said yes. We’ll get through it.” Ree turned to face him, so he could see her raise an eyebrow. “I didn’t promise it was going to be easy. But going to a wedding is much less dangerous than when you had a spy on your front porch and a sniper on a roof down the street. And no one at the university has any idea it even happened. Well, except Matt. But he’s got our backs.”
Ree rubbed her temples. “I don’t even want to know what the CIA used to clean my front porch to get rid of the evidence. Or how many people it’s taken to make sure no one realizes that I was moonlighting for the CIA and FBI when a spy showed up at my house for a little shootout.” Ree rested her head on Parker’s chest again. “How are we going to get through the next twenty-four hours?”
“For the record, I suggested a destination wedding.”
“I want to get married in front of all of our friends and family, not just the ones who could make the trip to some fabulous location.”
Parker lifted Ree’s chin with a gentle finger and looked her in the eyes. “So let’s do it. I want to say yes to you in front of everyone too. All we have to do is make it through tomorrow, and then we’ll be on our honeymoon. Palm trees, a beach, and ocean waves. No investigations in sight, no running undercover operations.” Ree tapped her finger on her leg. Parker sighed. “That pep talk was supposed to help.”
“It did. So, what about Cam? You mentioned he came by the office today. Was it business?”
Parker said, “Someday, you’ll have to tell me where to find your off button.”
Ree laughed. “As soon as I find it, I’ll let you know where it is. Being on a beach in Maui is probably a good start. So, Cam?”
“Someone at the FBI will handle whatever Cam needs. Alex is way ahead of you – she’s itching to get back in the field, and she made it very clear to Cam this morning that she is first in line if the CIA needs help. She’s still bummed out that we stopped a rocket from getting sabotaged without her. With her in charge, you and I are going to go be regular people for a week. Your biggest worry will be making sure you don’t get sunburned.”
Before Ree could generate a new worst-case scenario, Parker pulled her in for a kiss and she settled back into his arms. Parker was right. Their ducks were all obediently in their rows. She was marrying her best friend tomorrow and it was all going to be okay. Ree pulled a piece of her “break in case of emergency” chocolate out of the coffee table. The wedding may go off without a hitch, but her nerves were going to be fried before this was all over.
4
Alexis loosely held a small bouquet of pale pink hydrangeas tied with a wide, plum ribbon. The extra ribbon hung from the front of the bouquet, where it wouldn’t get tangled if she needed to drop the flowers and draw her service weapon from under the knee-length skirt of her plum, strapless bridesmaid dress. The short, sparkly silver heels Ree had selected for all of the bridesmaids were less impractical than many of the other choices the dress shop had offered, and they could also be slipped off quickly. However, everything had gone smoothly thus far. It was looking less and less like she would need to do anything at the wedding except support her friends. Alexis held the pretty bouquet still and faced the bride and groom. Parker was dressed in a black tux and Ree wore a beautiful white gown that was classic without being too fussy. The tiers of lace over satin were fitted on top, and the dress flared as it reached the floor, ending the pattern with a small train that swept out behind her. It was a small miracle Parker had convinced Ree to leave her weapon at home, after everything she’d been through. And it was probably due, in no small part, to the number of agents present during the ceremony, a few working, many others attending as guests.
Parker’s beaming parents sat in the front row, with Parker’s spitfire of a mom gripping a tissue in one hand and her husband’s hand in the other. Cam Mitchell’s girlfriend, Quinn, sat on her other side, while Cam stood up as Parker’s best man and Parker’s sister stood next to Alexis. Quinn was looking past Parker and Ree, lost in her own thoughts. Quinn might also still be in a little bit of pain. According to Parker, Quinn was recovering from an abdominal surgery to fix a torn muscle. While the circumstances were quite a bit different then her own, Alexis knew all too well how difficult it could be to recover from an unexpected injury, even if Quinn’s job in finance was a little tamer than her own.
The preacher told a funny anecdote about Ree and Parker, and the crowd laughed in sync. It gave Alexis a moment to do a more thorough sweep of the room while she laughed along with them. No one was making any threatening movements, and the FBI agent trainees-turned-wedding-ushers had the perimeter secure. With only a few minutes left in the ceremony, Alexis allowed herself a few seconds to refocus on the couple she was both celebrating and protecting today. Ree and Parker exchanged vows, and emotion tickled Alexis’s throat. Her parents had recently divorced, and it was a nice contrast to see her friends take a leap of faith in each other. She still had enough belief in marriage to hope their relationship would be the opposite of that of her parents.
The announcement of “you may now kiss the bride” was followed by loud applause, and Alexis clapped one hand against her bouquet. The crowd gradually filed into the ballroom nearby for the reception a few minutes later. The ballroom would only have one unlocked door for the reception, and the same men and women who had been acting as ushers resumed their positions nearest the ballroom door. Situation clearly under control with the single entrance secure, Alexis finally could let her guard down, insofar as it was possible for her. The DJ already had music blaring loud enough to make talking difficult, and despite the early hour, people were starting to trickle onto the dance floor. When she spotted the photographer, she took a small detour to gather herself before joining the rest of the bridesmaids.
Alexis walked slowly over to the open bar, mainly because her pretty heels kept her from walking like a normal person, and placed her clutch on top of it. Only a few more hours and she’d be wearing comfortable shoes, a sweatshirt, and carrying a human-sized bag. While she had encouraged Parker to take the day off without worrying about being an FBI agent, she had given herself no such license. She would get a beverage so that she didn’t look like she was missing the party, but the drink would go straight to her assigned seat and stay there.
A bartender, who didn’t look much older than twenty-one, was mixing cocktails. After skimming the list of options posted, she asked him for an old-fashioned. He asked for her ID and she grinned, digging in her bag. At twenty-nine, she didn’t get asked that question as often as she used to. She slid it across the bar just as Matt Brown appeared next to her. The hair on the back of her neck stood up, and she made eye contact with the bartender’s assistant, a recent recruit to their team who considered the wedding an easy way to get her feet wet in her new job. And the new recruit read Alexis’s non-verbal perfectly.
“Can I get you anything?” Her ally directed the question at Matt, who was distracted long enough for Alexis to get her ID back. She placed her palm over the top of it and put it back into her clutch. The last name on her driver’s license didn’t match the one Matt knew her by. Her drink was delivered in a short glass with a spherical ice cube. Matt ordered the same and it was slid across the bar in short order. He lifted his glass in a toast. She clicked her glass against his and acted like she was taking a sip, letting the liquid return to the glass. She was used to seeing him in a polo and khakis and wasn’t entirely prepared for Matt Brown in a suit. The formal wear complimented his darker features. She considered taking a large sip of the drink she hadn’t planned to indulge in. Instead, Alexis bobbed her head at Matt and quickly retreated back to her spot at the head table.
Alexis placed her drink next to the small, beige paper name card with her first name on it. Quinn was resting in the chair next to Alexis’s assigned seat, and Cam stood behind her, checking a message on his phone. He looked up and began scanning the room as if he was on patrol. Alexis’s spine tingled and she took a step closer. “What is it?”
Cam redirected his attention to Alexis. “I just got some new information.”
“Anything I can do to help?”
“Actually, yes. But not here.” Quinn turned slightly but said nothing. Yeah, it was probably better not to talk CIA business in front of her.
Alexis searched his eyes and asked her question low enough that Quinn wouldn’t hear it over the music. “This related to the problem we talked about yesterday?”
“Yeah. We’re ready to act.” Cam looked at her arm, where the scar from her bullet wound was clearly visible, thanks to the strapless dress. “It could be dicey.”
She flattened her palm against her upper arm to cover the scar. “I’m in.”
Cam looked around. “Okay. You’ll need to be at O’Hare Monday morning. I’ll email you a boarding pass.”
“Nice. That all the information I get?”
“In public at my brother’s wedding? Yes. Now, go enjoy the party. This’ll hold.”
“You got it. Thanks, Cam.” Alexis managed not to do a fist pump and instead gave him a professional nod. No small feat when her heart was racing and the familiar rush of adrenaline had already reached her fingertips. Finally, she’d find out everything, instead of just working around the redacted edges of the CIA-provided reports. She picked up the full water glass next to her drink and took a sip. The dance floor was now filled with all of the other bridesmaids singing and dancing to the music. She joined them and managed to forget about the photographer and genuinely enjoy herself. Soon, an announcement was made, and the floor cleared for the traditional bouquet toss. Alexis gamely joined the crowd but stayed well out of range of the main thoroughfare. However, her friend had killer aim and Ree sent the flowers flying straight at her. Alexis could either catch the bouquet or get beaned in the head with it. She caught the flowers and shook her head at Ree, who merely grinned. The garter toss was next, and Parker leaned down to whisper something in Ree’s ear. She shook her head frantically. Alexis held the bouquet over her face to stifle her laugh. Ree was hiding something in her skirt. If her buddy Mike was standing closer, Alexis would bet him five dollars that Ree had a weapon under her skirt. Alexis gave Ree a knowing look from across the dance floor. Ree shrugged, but her face was still flushed red. Alexis laughed and brought the bouquet back to her seat. It was a lot easier to enjoy herself now that she was back in the game.
Alexis rejoined the rest of the bridesmaids and passed another twenty minutes belting out familiar songs with them. When a slow song began to play, she made her way back to her seat. On her way off the dance floor with adrenaline flowing and a big grin on her face, she spotted Matt, who began to walk towards her. There was no way to miss the look in his eye. Suddenly, Ree’s theory that Matt was attracted to her didn’t seem quite so farfetched. A quick scan of her surroundings told her it would be impossible to avoid crossing paths or to act as if she didn’t see him. Oh, what the hell. She was surrounded by FBI agents. She might as well have a dance with an attractive, off-limits man.
Once he was close, Matt held out his arm. “Care to dance?”
“Great minds think alike.” She lifted her right arm to place it on Matt’s shoulder and took an extra second to adjust it to a more comfortable position. When Matt lifted an eyebrow, she shrugged. “Rotator cuff tear. Women’s softball league.” Moments later, he was easily leading her across the dance floor, much more comfortable than she usually was while dancing in public. “How’d you get this good?” Alexis smiled despite the circumstances. Ree was going to be insufferable if she spotted them dancing together.
He looked a little taken aback. “Half of my family is from Puerto Rico. I grew up dancing with them.”
“Ah. This explains why you don’t dance like an awkward high schooler.”
Matt chuckled. “That’s quite the compliment.”
Matt leaned in and the reality of the consequences of a little light flirting quickly set in. Alexis felt heat rush to her face. She tried to maintain her composure enough to step back, but she froze for a moment. Before she could think of an excuse to get out, Matt whispered in her ear, “I know you’re lying about who you are. I don’t know what your game is or why you’ve been playing it for the past year. But I’d like to know the truth.” Alexis went stone still for a moment, then reverted to her training. She was armed and perfectly safe, if a little out of her comfort zone. She pushed back her flight response. Not many people got the jump on her and she needed to know just how much Matt knew. She let a strategic silence fill the space between them until Matt spoke again. “I know you aren’t a twenty-two-year-old college student and that your name isn’t Alexis Jenson. Just checking your ID told me that much.”
Alexis let out a breath. He’d only managed to spot her ID. It could be so much worse. Matt was former Navy and must consider himself the unofficial head of security on campus. That was a very solvable problem. Alexis scanned the room until she found Cam, who was watching them with unconcealed curiosity. She shook her head to wave him off. Military background or not, she could handle a question about her driver’s license from Dr. Amateur Detective without pulling Cam away from his brother’s wedding. “It’s complicated. And I can explain. But not here.”
Matt paused to consider, then nodded his head slowly. “Okay.” Like when she interrogated suspects, her quiet confidence and reasonable tone made the subject believe they were in charge the whole time. They finished the dance by unspoken agreement. After the song was over, they exchanged a look. Later, when the crowd began to disperse, she waited until Matt wasn’t talking to anyone, then approached him.
“We can go to a coffee house. There’s one just around the corner. I’m not out to corner you or make you uncomfortable,” Matt said, without preamble.
Alexis pulled up information on local coffee houses on her phone. “They close early on the weekends and it’s a little chilly to be outside tonight.” Alexis considered her options. She eyed Matt critically. Even if the fit professor was lifting weights after he taught his courses, she had practice on her side and a gun under her dress. She could handle herself without dragging any of her coworkers into it. “What about your place? Is it close?”
Matt put his hands in his pockets. “Yeah. We can go there if you feel comfortable.”
“Your house will be fine. Just give me a minute to change.” Alexis ran out to her car to retrieve her duffle bag with a change of clothes. Just because she was sure she could stay one step ahead of Matt didn’t mean she was willing to do it in heels and a fancy dress. Or without some kind of safety backup. On the way back into the building, she put on her watch, then engaged the distress beacon function. Three taps in the right pattern would be all it took to get help in minutes. Alexis returned to the same room where she’d helped Ree into her wedding gown, duffle bag in hand. She slipped into jeans and threaded a well-worn long sleeve t-shirt over her updo. Filled with bobby pins and hardened with professional-grade hairspray, the style didn’t move an inch. It took only a moment to move her Glock to her ankle holster before dropping the denim fabric over the top. All of her jeans had room for her service weapon at the ankle, just in case.
“Hey, friend. Didn’t expect to see you back in here.” Ree stood in the doorway, cheeks rosy, joy warring with suspicion in her eyes.
“Aren’t you supposed to be on your honeymoon?”
“Almost. Forgot my phone.” Ree looked under one of the tables and retrieved it victoriously, holding the device in the air. “What are you up to?” She gave Alexis a hug, then tapped the phone into her palm, waiting for an answer.
“Matt and I are just going to go get a coffee.”
