The president’s tone softened. “Well, if Ronoff’s intent is to assassinate everyone on that list then I agree Agent Darby should remain in hiding. Not to mention everyone else named.”
“The CIA director has already put the protection procedures into motion,” the secretary replied. “But until we find out who is leaking the intelligence and what their role is, even in protective custody, the whereabouts of those on the list could still be jeopardized.”
Quinn trembled slightly. Secretary Lyle comforted her by stroking her palm down Quinn’s back. Ben was astounded to see his boss acting so tenderly toward another human being. In all the years he’d worked for the woman, she’d been tough as nails, never showing any empathy to anyone. He was secretly delighted she’d decided to loosen up and show some compassion toward the woman he loved.
The woman he loved.
The realization wasn’t exactly a surprise but it did hit him square in the chest. Hard. He sucked in a breath to keep from laughing in astonishment. This must be what Griff and Adam felt like when they suddenly realized they wanted to surrender complete control of their heart to the whims of a woman.
The Quinn of his past had changed into something different. But, then again, so had he. She was his future. He needed her to know that. They’d lost too much time together already. The way forward was to find whoever was behind this mess and make her safe. The irony that they’d been unknowingly working as a team for so long already wasn’t lost on him. They’d tackle this next part as a team, as well. One that was united.
“Now what, Madame Secretary?” the president demanded interrupting Ben’s thoughts. “I gather from your message earlier you have a plan to unmask this traitor.”
“Actually, Agent Segar has already set the wheels in motion.” The secretary nodded at Ben.
“I did some phishing on the dark web last,” he began.
The president groaned. “Not the dark web again.”
“Agent Segar is one of the top provocateurs within the counter-intelligence community.” The secretary jumped in to defend him. “He’s used the dark web to unmask a multitude of terrorists and others intending to do harm to the United States. I have every confidence his efforts will pay off here, as well.”
“Sometimes it’s as simple as turning one player against the other,” Ben added.
“And, in this case, it’s better to go through outside channels so we don’t alert our traitor that we are on to them,” the secretary continued.
The president nodded. “Makes sense. Agent Segar you have the floor.”
But just as he opened his mouth to detail his strategy, the president’s chief of staff held up his hand. One of his underlings had just entered the room and was whispering something to him.
“Sir, we have a message from the Situation Room,” he said.
The president moved toward the staircase.
“No, Mr. President.” The chief of staff sounded flabbergasted. “The message is for Agent Segar.”
All eyes turned to Ben. Secretary Lyle rose from the sofa.
“That was fast.”
“Do you mind telling me what is going on here, Sabrina?” the president demanded.
“Part one of Agent Segar’s plan.” She motioned for the president to lead the way. “He believes he can flush out the traitor and get his AI back by making a deal with Ronoff.”
“We don’t make deals, Sabrina,” the president said as they made their way over to the West Wing. “You know that.”
“Of course I do,” she said with a sly grin. “But Alexi Ronoff doesn’t.”
Ben snagged Quinn’s hand. Threading his fingers through hers, he gave them a gentle squeeze. He hated how her eyes were shuttered when she lifted her gaze. She had her game face on. And, judging by the looks of it, she still believed she was playing solo.
“We’re in this together, remember?” he murmured against her ear.
She didn’t respond, but at least she kept her hand firmly in his. He’d take that as a win. No doubt she was peeved he hadn’t confided in her about his plan. Despite how well they worked together between the sheets, it was going to take some time for her to fully accept being part of a team. She wore her bravado like a suit of armor and he wasn’t going to pierce that armor in one day. It would take time. Not too much, he hoped, because he was ready to move on from teammates to being a couple. Losing her a second time was not an option.
The Secret Service agents on both the president’s and secretary’s details fanned off once they reached the Situation Room. Caracas arched an eyebrow when Ben followed Secretary Lyle inside, but for once, the idiot kept his snide remarks to himself. He had no doubt there would be chatter among the agents later as many of them wondered about his role. But it didn’t matter. After tonight, the Mariner would no longer exist.
“Wow. Is that the guy who tried to murder you? I expected him to be a bit more sinister looking.” Josslyn took a step closer to the screen. “He’s more GQ than Terminator.”
Josslyn’s words drew Ben’s attention to the giant screen on the wall where Alexi Ronoff’s ugly mug was staring back at him.
Quinn inhaled a sharp breath and jumped behind him.
“Relax,” he reassured her quietly. “It’s just a video. He won’t know you’re alive.”
“I’m sorry, Doctor Benoit,” the secretary was saying. “As this is a sensitive matter dealing with national security, I’m going to have to ask you leave us.”
Josslyn shot a questioning look at her brother-in-law. The president nodded and pointed toward the door.
She huffed dramatically before wrapping her arms around Quinn. “You’re safe now. We’re all friends here. Trust Ben and his team. They won’t let anyone harm you or your parents.” She gave Quinn’s arm a squeeze. “I’ll be upstairs if you need me.”
He wasn’t sure if Quinn was more stunned by seeing Ronoff’s face three feet high on the wall or Josslyn’s gesture of friendship and support. From what he’d surmised, Quinn hadn’t had a lot of that in her life. He leaned over and brushed a kiss on his friend’s cheek before she could make her way past him.
“Thank you,” he murmured.
“Yeah, well, you better watch your back with that guy. I’m calling Adam before you run off and do something stupid,” Josslyn warned before flouncing out of the room.
No doubt she would, but this was Ben’s score to settle. He didn’t need his buddies riding shotgun. With any luck, the whole thing would be resolved tonight.
The secretary pressed a button on the wall. “Roll the video.”
Quinn sidled up next to him, their bodies not exactly touching. He intertwined his fingers with hers once again. The video began to play. Alexi Ronoff’s tone was smug as he tossed the micro card presumably containing VOYEUR into the air and caught it again.
“Hello there, Special Agent Ben Segar. Or should I call you by your code name, Mariner?”
Ben blew out a breath. He underestimated how shedding his alter ego would affect him. And that made him despise the Russian on the screen even more than he already did.
“I enjoyed my little visit to your boat the other evening. What a fine vessel she is. Trading information on the dark web does have its perks, does it not? Especially for one trying to make a living on a measly government salary.”