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change her behavior now.
“Fun, Paula mut ered. “More like
hel .
“You never know. Blair laughed as the elevator opened and they al
stepped out. “You might end up enjoying it.
Paula, busy alerting Hara in the vehicle idling at the curb that they were
exiting, didnt bother to object.
“Oh, goody, Blair said as Felicia moved up beside her, “girls
day out.
“We didnt think Greg would mind if I took his shift this afternoon,
Felicia said. “Hi Diane.
“Its good to see you again, Diane said, as she climbed into the rear
of the
Suburban next to Blair. “Hows Mac
doing?
Felicias smile widened. “Hes out of the hospital and doing
very wel .
“I suppose hes chafi ng to get back to
work.
“Hes like the rest of us. If were not working, we tend to get into trouble.
Felicia glanced at Stark. “I know he misses being part of the team.
“The team misses him, Stark
said.
“Hopeful y, hel be back soon, Blair said, wondering if Mac would
resume his duties as second-in-command and communications of i cer.
That would be up to
Paula now. Felicia had taken over Macs responsibilities when he
was shot during the assassination attempt at the Aerie, but her
real expertise was intel igence and data analysis. “Tel him I said hi.
“I wil , Felicia replied. “Where are we
headed?
“Georgetown Park, Paula said with a
grimace.
Felicias eyes widened. “Oh, I should be get ing hazard pay. To be
surrounded by al that trendy glit er and not be able to window shop.
Thats harsh.
Blair laughed. Even though she loved Mac and enjoyed Greg
Wozinskis dry humor and subtle sensitivity, if she had to have close
surveil ance twenty-four hours a day, it was so nice to have female
agents. They understood about shopping.
Nevertheless, three hours later, Blair found that even Paula was as
grumpy as any of the male agents who had ever accompanied
her on a shopping excursion.
“Im just going to try on these dresses. She gave Paula a
winning smile. “I need something for the fundraiser this
weekend.
“It feels like divine punishment that were shopping at a
place cal ed the White House, Paula said with a sigh.
“Maybe its cosmic destiny, Blair said as she carried another
stack of clothing into the dressing room. “If you see Diane, tell
her Im in here. She went to check out the shoes.
“Fine. Great. Paula turned her back to the dressing room door
and folded her arms. It wasnt that she minded shopping so
much, she just didnt like to do it for hours on end. And
when she went shopping, it was always with something specifi c
in minda new pair
of shoes or a suit to replace one that got torn up or soiled
during work. It was never just to check out the latest styles. She
scanned the dress department, automatical y reviewing the faces
to see if any seemed familiar from other stores, other
departments. She didnt recognize anyone and was comfortable
that they were not being fol owed. Felicia, posted in the aisle
between the dresses and accessories, was doing the same thing.
Hara had drawn the short straw and stayed with the vehicle.
Idly, Paula watched a woman pull a white halter dress from a
rack and hold it up in front of her body. The unexpected mental
picture of Renée in that dress stirred a hum of arousal in the
pit of her stomach, and she swiftly looked away. Felicia was
right. Shopping was dangerous duty.
* * * * *
Diane lifted a Louboutin black lace and suede pump with a
peep toe, thinking it would go well with the dress she was
planning to wear to the fundraiser Blair had invited her to.
Ordinarily, she would have looked forward to a gala event, but
it was hard to be excited about a night out now.
“Would you like to try those on? a saleswoman asked with a
polite smile.
“Yes I Diane caught her breath as she glimpsed a fi gure slip
from view on the opposite side of the room. She went on
hurriedly, “Not just yet, thank you.
“Of course. Just let me know.
Diane dropped the shoe back onto the rack and walked quickly
across the
seating area toward the sign marked exit. She pushed through the fi re
door and into the stairwel .
Valerie stood on the
landing.
“Oh my God, Diane breathed. She extended one hand, but didnt touch
her. “I wasnt sureI thought I saw you once earlier, but I told myself it
was just my imagination. She let her fi ngertips drift down Valeries
cheek. “It is you, isnt it?
Valerie caught Dianes hand and kissed her palm.
“Yes.
“How did you know where I
was?
“I cal ed the gal ery and asked for you. They know me as an art
dealer, remember? Valerie kept hold of Dianes hand, stroking the top
with her thumb. “They told me you were in DC, and it wasnt hard for
me to fi gure out where.
“But how did you know I would be
here ?
Valerie smiled softly. “The Suburban is hard to miss. Ive just been
waiting until you werent with Blair.
Diane touched the loose curls at the base of Valeries neck. “Youve
cut your hair. She fi ngered the soft blond strands. “Its nice. She
was used to seeing Valerie in stylish slacks, silk blouses, and designer
jackets. Today she wore a navy T-shirt, low-cut Levis, and scuf ed
brown boots. Her worn brown leather jacket was over-sized, hiding
her ful breasts and slender torso. She looked younger. And she
looked very tired. “Are you al right?
“Yes. Valerie drew a shaky breath. “God, I want to kiss
you.
Diane smiled. “Thats good, because I feel the same way. Do you think
we could get out of the stairwel ?
Valerie shook her head. “I shouldnt even be here, but I just hadI just
wanted to
see
you.
“Youre in trouble, arent
you?
“Im not sure. Valerie leaned forward and brushed her lips over Dianes.
“Im so sorry.
“For what? Diane gently caressed Valeries face again, then drew closer
and kissed her softly. Shed left her coat in the car, and the heat of
Valeries body penetrated her silk blouse and slacks as if they werent
even there. Dianes nipples tightened instantly and she moaned softly.
“Oh, Ive missed you. Where are you staying? Can I come to you?
Valerie shook her head. “No. You cant right
now.
Diane slid her hand inside Valeries jacket and clasped her waist. “Then
come to me. We need to talk. I need to understand whats happening.
She kissed her again, harder. “I need you. Please.
Valerie skimmed her fi ngers into Dianes hair, her body trembling. “You
cant. It might be dangerous, and I wont have you hurt.
“Being away from you hurts me, Diane whispered. “Not knowing
whats happening to you is driving me mad. Please. Give me a
number to cal , somewhere to meet you.
“Im using disposable phones. Il cal you. Valerie curled her hand behind
Dianes neck and pul ed her close. Her tongue slid possessively into
Dianes open mouth. She groaned, the sound mingling with Dianes
echoing moan. When she pul ed away, her ice blue eyes sparkled
with tears. “I love you. No mat er what happens, I want you to know
that.
Diane pressed her fi ngertips to Valeries mouth. “There wont be any
goodbyes. Whatever has happened, Cam can help you. You know how
to reach her. Cal her.
Valerie shook her head. “Not yet. Not until I know
more.
“You can trust her, Diane said insistently. “I know you can. Yo u know
you can.
“Cam cant control everything, Diane, Valerie said wearily. “There are
powerful people involved. Dangerous people.
“And thats al the more reason for you to have help. You cant do this
alone. Diane kept both arms around Valeries waist, afraid that she
would bolt and disappear. “I dont want you to be alone.
“Ive always been alone, Valerie whispered, “until
you.
“And Im not going to let you go, Diane said urgently. “Il only be here
a few more days. Let me come to you.
“Are you going back to
Manhat an?
“I dont know. Im probably going Out of years of habit, Diane
hesitated mentioning anything about Blair.
Valerie stif ened. “Never mind. You dont have to
tel me. Diane shook her head. “Its not what you
think.
“You dont have any reason to trust me. Valerie gently disengaged
Dianes hold on her and backed away. “I should apologize for ever
involving you.
“Dont you say that, Diane shot back. “This isnt just about you, and what
you need and what youre afraid of. Im in this too, because I chose to be.
She closed the distance that Valerie had created. “I chose to be with
you.
“How can you choose when you dont even know whats
going on?
Dianes heart clenched at the uncertainty in Valeries voice and the
tormented look in her eyes. She sensed Valerie struggling not to pul
away and risked sliding her hand inside her jacket again. When she
rested her fi ngertips against Valeries side, Valerie trembled.
“Oh, dont, Diane breathed. “Dont hurt so much, my darling.
Help me understand. Tel me, so that when I say I love you, you can
trust me.
“I cant seem to think straight when youre near me, Valerie murmured
before kissing her again. When the door behind them opened, she spun
Diane to the wal , shielding Dianes body with her own, and pushed her
hand into her jacket pocket. “Keep your head down.
Diane held her breath, her heart jumping in her chest. Valeries face had
gone completely stil , her blue eyes intently focused, and her body
coiled as if it were poised to explode. Footsteps passed behind them and
started down the stairs, clat ering loudly in the enclosed space. Dianes
breath whooshed out. “God.
“Do you understand now. Valerie backed away until their bodies didnt
touch. “Thats what youre asking me to bring into your life. I cant.
Dianes gaze dropped to the bulge in Valeries jacket pocket, which she
now realized was a gun. Having been around Blair since they were
teenagers, shed seen men and women with guns before. But shed
never sensed the lethal menace of one as acutely as she did now. “Are
you saying that someone wants to kil you?
“I dont know. Valerie moved to the stairs leading down. “And until I
do, you cant be anywhere near me.
Diane fol owed her and grasped her jacket tightly. “Im not going to let
you walk away from me so easily again, Valerie.
“Il come back, Valerie said, her voice choked. “I have to. I cant get you
out of
my
head.
Diane kissed her, hard and long. Then, though it wrenched her heart so
badly she felt like she was bleeding inside, she let go of Valeries jacket.
“Come soon.
“Il
try.
I
promise.
Then Valerie turned and hurtled down the stairs until all
that remained was the distant echo of her footsteps.
* * * * *
“Hey! Blair said. “You missed the fashion show.
“Sorry, Diane said breathlessly. “I got lost in the
shoes.
“So what do you think. Blair held up a strapless black silk
chiffon dress.
“Nice, Diane said, running her fi ngers over the sheer fabric.
Blair frowned and cast a glance in Paulas direction.
Paula appeared not to be watching them, although Blair knew
she was. She lowered her voice. “Youre shaking. Whats wrong?
“Nothing.
“Of course, Blair said, loud enough for Paula to hear, “now I
have an excuse to buy more shoes. She moved closer to
Diane. “Bul shit. What happened?
“I just saw Valerie.
Blair slipped one arm around Dianes waist and draped the
dress
over her free arm as she guided Diane through the dress
department and out of hearing range of her security team.
“Here? When?
“Yes. Just a few minutes ago.
“You talked to her?
“Briefl y. Shes scared, Blair. Dianes voice broke. “She scared,
and shes alone.
“What did she
say?
Diane shook her head. “Not much. It was only a couple of
minutes. She laughed unsteadily. “And I was kissing her about
half the time.
Blair rol ed her eyes. “Why am I not surprised. Jesus, Diane.
You have to be careful. When Diane started to pull away,
Blair tightened her grip. “Im sorry, I know you love her. And
I love you. And if shes in trouble, you could get hurt. Blair
felt Diane shiver. “What? What happened?
“Nothing, Diane said quickly. “Real y. Its
just
“What?
“Someone came into the stairwell while we were together,
and Valerie acted as if she expected someone to try to hurt
her. She was armed and
“Thats it, Blair snapped. “You have to talk to
Cam.
“I dont have to do anything until Im certain Valerie will
be
protected.
“You dont trust Cam?
“Shh, Diane warned, aware that Paula and Felicia had closed the
distance behind them. “I dont know who to trust, al right? I trust you .
Just let me have a few days. Please.
Blair bit back another angry retort, thinking that she would probably
behave the same way in Dianes position. Stil , she wasnt certain she
trusted Valerie, not just with her best friends heart, but possibly with her
life.
Chapter Nine
I ts Cameron Roberts, Cam said in response to the question cal ed
through the door. The thunk of the lock disengaging was fol owed by the
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