The helicopter touched down on the rooftop of the US Embassy in Harare where a medical team was waiting to transport Trevor to a local hospital.
“I’m going with him,” Alyssa announced to no one in particular.
The grad student was Josslyn’s responsibility and she should order Alyssa to stay within the safe confines of the embassy until things were sorted out. But having succumbed to Trevor’s charm herself once upon a time, she was fully aware of the potent effect his blue eyes and wicked dimple likely had on the younger woman. After all Alyssa had done to save him, Josslyn didn’t have the heart to tell her to stay put.
“Let me find something to cover up with,” she said instead. “And I’ll come with you.”
“Not so fast.”
Josslyn froze in place, her ponytail swirling behind her as the helicopter lifted off again turning the rooftop into a wind tunnel. Spinning slowly on one heel, she turned to meet the exasperated glare of Christian Sumner, an old family friend of her brother-in-law’s and a colossal pain in Josslyn’s ass.
“Tell me again where they park those things,” she quipped. “It must be one hell of a garage.”
Christian shook his head in disgust. “Is there nothing you take seriously, Josslyn?”
She crossed her arms in front of her. Not so much as a defensive move but more to keep her nemesis from getting an eyeful of the cleavage he once so desperately wished to possess. Of course, he never really wanted Josslyn herself. Just the alliance with her powerful family that a marriage to her would bring.
“And here I thought nothing I could say or do surprised you, Christian. What are you doing here, anyway? I thought you’d gotten married and given up following me around.”
He snorted before closing the distance between them. “In case you forgot, I’m now the Undersecretary of State for Africa. I don’t need an excuse to be here. And I never followed you around.”
It was Josslyn’s turn to snort because both knew he was lying about the last part. “The word under in your title makes you sound so small and powerless.”
Definitely a cheap shot given Christian’s sensitivity about his five-foot-seven height, but the medics were long gone with Trevor and Josslyn needed an exit strategy from the embassy and the clutches of the American government. Christian’s sudden appearance meant Hugh had been correct to worry that her time in Zimbabwe might be cut short. But she wasn’t ready to leave yet. Not until she knew the names of the suppliers.
Only this time Christian was proving himself to be a formidable opponent. He didn’t so much as flinch at her insult. In fact, his shoulders seemed to rise up an inch. Or two. He was on a power high and confident he had the upper hand in their current standoff. The thought put her even more on edge.
“You’re in my house now, Josslyn. And you’ll show both my staff and me some respect. Rescuing you and your merry band of animal rights do-gooders from angry rebel militia wasn’t on anyone’s agenda today. As usual, your little stunt will cost the American taxpayers a small fortune. Let’s hope it doesn’t cost your boyfriend his life.”
Former boyfriend. Not that the change in their relationship status meant she didn’t care about Trevor’s survival. She did. But she also didn’t want to give the man standing in front of her any more ammunition than he already had. She couldn’t deny his accusations either because, well, she had been guilty of abusing her family’s power a time or two. Today wasn’t one of those times, though. In this operation, it was best for everyone involved if no one knew who she was. Explaining it to Christian was pointless, however. He was just another one of her family’s hired watchdogs.
“As usual, it’s been nice catching up with you,” she lied. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to go check on my team now.”
“The only place you’re going is back to Washington. Immediately.”
His pronouncement had Josslyn halting in her steps. “Excuse me?” A trace of unease ran up her spine.
Christian’s expression suddenly turned merciless as if to say “check-mate.” “There’s a C-one thirty taking off in fifty minutes. You’re to be on it if I have to drag you on board in restraints. I’m under orders from the commander in chief. You do remember him, Josslyn, don’t you?”
Damn. After using the nuclear option and calling in the marines, Josslyn knew she eventually had no choice but to go back to the States and play nice. But she’d thought she’d at least have a few days to follow up on leads and locate Ngoni. Clearly, her brother-in-law had other ideas.
Blowing out a frustrated breath, she stared past Christian, allowing the beauty of the African desert to wash over her. They were out there somewhere. Brutal men and women who would kill a baby rhinoceros for its foot, selling it later as a damn pencil holder to some sick individual around the world. She was determined to stop them, one by one if she had to. But apparently not today. Sometimes her goals felt like a mirage she’d never be able to reach. If only she could give in to her impulse to just turn on her heel and march away. She could then live her own life the way she wanted to, righting the wrongs against animals and protesting the injustice in this world.
That was easier said than done, however, when her brother-in-law was the president of the United States.
Chapter Two
“Well, Doc, what’s the verdict?”
Secret Service Agent Adam Lockett tried to sit patiently in the leather exam chair waiting for the neurosurgeon to respond to his question. But his patience was in short supply. It had been nearly four weeks since the accident and, frankly, the sniper was more than ready to get back to his job commanding the Secret Service’s elite Counter Assault Tactical Team. The headaches were gone—mostly. And he could finally tolerate the daylight again. If he was forced to endure another minute of peace and quiet in the darkness, Adam wasn’t sure he wouldn’t go stark raving mad. He’d never been able to sit still. Just ask any one of his teachers. And the darkness, well, he had lots of reasons to want to avoid that.
“Considering the severity of your head injury, you’re progressing quite well, Agent Lockett,” Dr. Mark Kozinn replied.
Adam could barely curb his enthusiasm. “So I can go back on active duty?”
“I don’t see why you can’t return to work.”
“That’s the best news I’ve had in weeks.” Adam jumped from the chair eager to suit up and show the rest of his team he hadn’t lost his aim or his mojo; he still reigned as the number-one sharpshooter in the world.
“Hold on there, Agent Lockett,” White House Secret Service Director Worcester said from behind Adam. “Can you elaborate on what you mean by ‘work,’ Doctor?”
The adrenaline surging through Adam’s chest lurched into his throat, nearly choking him. Leave it to his boss to need a freaking doctor’s note before reissuing Adam’s rifle. As much respect as he had for the director, the man could certainly be a major buzzkill with his strict adherence to the procedure manual.
Adam was, by nature, a man of action. He played within the rules—for the most part—but he didn’t get bogged down by them. In his line of work, decisions were often made in a split second. He and his team did whatever it took to ensure the safety of the president of the United States. Even if it meant taking a bullet meant for him. Or, in Adam’s case, jumping in front of a would-be assassin wielding a lead pipe.