Bait and Switch Read online

  Jack didn’t. But Martin wasn’t really offering him an option. Reluctantly he straightened up, unhappy when Leo loosened his hold and let him go.

  “See you tomorrow,” he said.

  As Martin turned to grab his car keys, Leo leaned in and kissed Jack firmly on the mouth. Even though Martin hadn’t seen them, Jack still felt a blush crawl up his cheeks and realized he might be fine with Martin seeing a little closeness, but he wasn’t quite ready to be this full-on.

  Leo smiled, as though reading his reticence. “See you. Say hello to Sean when you report in.”

  Jack nodded, the mention of Sean’s name bringing reality crashing back. While on assignment, their time wasn’t their own and never would be. He picked up his backpack and swung it onto his shoulder.

  “Wait a minute!”

  Jack froze at the sudden command in Leo’s voice.

  “Since when did you start collecting pins?”

  Jack frowned at Leo in confusion. As Martin stepped closer, Leo stood and reached to tug Jack’s backpack off. He carefully lifted the flap to one of the outside pockets, whose zip was undone even though Jack had never opened the compartment. Attached to the inside of the flap was a tiny round button, its purpose immediately apparent to the three agents in the room.

  “I guess we should be glad it’s just a tracking device and not a transmitter,” Martin breathed.

  “Shit!” Jack’s blood turned to ice at the thought of their earlier conversation and how much could have been given away.

  “At least we now know Ryan Anderson is worried about you, Jack,” Leo put in. “He might not know everything, but it’s a safe bet he doesn’t think you’re a regular high school kid.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  SURPRISINGLY, SEAN didn’t tear a strip off him for not noticing the tracking device sooner.

  “You’re sure it could only have been planted today?” he asked.

  “Absolutely. The pocket was definitely zipped when I left for school this morning.”

  “I guess it’s as good a way as any of confirming our suspicions about Ryan Anderson. And you said Leo’s backpack was tagged too?”

  “Yes, sir.” It was the only reason he wasn’t completely furious with himself for missing the bug. It explained Anderson’s sudden friendliness toward Leo and himself. He had probably clipped the trackers to both their backpacks while feigning interest in them. Jack silently cursed himself for failing to recognize the obvious. The Center had taught him to question inconsistent behavior in his targets, and he’d clearly screwed up. He didn’t know why Sean was letting him off so lightly.

  “So now Anderson knows you followed him home and then went straight to Leo’s. If he wasn’t suspicious before, he most certainly will be now.”

  “I’m sorry,” Jack said. It was becoming a depressingly regular refrain.

  “Martin is one of our most seasoned operatives, and he missed it,” Sean said. “I expect all of us learned something today.”

  Jack waited, but Sean didn’t add anything more—no threats, no warnings, no reprimands. Jack found it weirdly unsettling.

  “What do you want me to do now?” Jack asked.

  “I’ve spoken to Martin. He doesn’t think much has changed, and I agree with him. We already suspected Anderson knew about you and Leo, so your movements won’t come as any surprise to him.”

  “I guess you want us to destroy the trackers—”

  “Negative,” Sean cut in. “We might be able to use this to our advantage. If we’re smart, we can fool Anderson into thinking he knows where you and Leo are located. That could give you the opportunity to be places he doesn’t expect you.”

  “You think he might reveal his hand if he thinks we’re accounted for?”

  “It’s a possibility. I want you and Leo to keep the trackers in play. Let’s see if we can’t manipulate this situation to our advantage.”

  ANDERSON LOOKED completely innocent the next day, but his gaze kept darting between Jack and Leo and he seemed determined to keep them in his sights. It felt strange to walk around knowing there was a tracking device in his backpack, but Jack could see the logic in Sean’s thought process. Still, at lunchtime, when Anderson slid into an empty seat next to Jack while he was waiting for Leo and Freya, Jack had to work to keep the recent revelations from showing on his face.

  “Don’t you have choir today with Freya?” Anderson said.

  Jack forced himself to remain relaxed, even though Anderson knew a disturbing amount about his new timetable.

  He smiled credibly. “Yep. You interested in joining?”

  “Where will Leo be?” Anderson said.

  Jack was startled by his directness. He couldn’t tell the truth—that Leo would be wherever Anderson was. He shrugged.

  “No idea. Why the sudden interest?”

  Anderson’s expression quickly turned blank. “Just wondered if he wanted to get in a little extra track time.”

  “Can’t hurt to ask,” Jack reasoned. It would certainly make things easier for Leo to keep an eye on Anderson if they were hanging out together.

  “Whose idea was it to join the choir?” Anderson asked.

  This time Jack couldn’t completely control his surprise. For a minute it sounded as though Anderson was referring to Jack and Leo’s planning process. He shook himself when he realized Anderson had to mean something else.

  “Freya can be pretty persuasive,” he replied.

  “What else are you two doing together?”

  Even if Jack hadn’t been tasked with protecting Freya, this conversation would have disturbed him. He frowned at Anderson, not having to feign hostility. “What kind of fucked-up question is that?” he demanded.

  Anderson threw up a hand. “Hey, man. I didn’t mean anything by it. It’s just you’re barely in the door and you two are on the yearbook committee and now choir together. And you just transferred into her geography class.”

  “How is that any of your goddamned business?” Jack said hotly. He couldn’t figure out why Anderson was being so pushy. He’d clearly missed his agency’s lessons on the subtle approach.

  Anderson stood up abruptly. “Enjoy choir.”

  He hurried to join the lunch line just as Freya and Leo sat down at Jack’s table.

  “We had a blast in art class today,” Freya said.

  Jack only half listened to the rest of her excited babble. Leo arched a questioning eyebrow, and Jack jerked his chin slightly in Anderson’s direction. A moment later Leo glanced at Anderson and then stood up. Freya stopped midsentence and looked at him curiously.

  “Sorry, gang. Forgot something in my locker. Don’t have too much fun at choir without me.”

  “Bite me, Leo,” Freya said, but she was laughing as she spoke.

  Leo hurried out of the lunchroom, and there was no surprise when Anderson slipped out of the food line and followed him. A moment later Jack’s phone pinged with a coded message from Leo that told him to keep eyes on Freya no matter what.

  “Have you ever belonged to a choir before, Jack?” Freya asked, and Jack had to force himself to focus fully on her.

  “Nope. I sound pretty good in the shower, though.”

  She grinned and then looked down at her hands as her expression softened. “I took your advice,” she said quietly. “I called my mom last night.”

  “How did that go?” Jack asked.

  She shrugged. “I think she was pleased to hear from me. It was good to hear her voice.”

  “Did you two mend some fences?”

  “I think we’ll get there,” Freya said. She looked back up into Jack’s eyes. “Thanks.”

  “For what?” Jack said.

  “For showing me what I was missing. For encouraging me to take the first step. I didn’t realize how much I missed her, you know? Does that sound nuts?”

  “Of course not,” Jack said. He had no memories of either of his real parents, but he still felt compelled to find out all he could about them. He wasn’t sure i
t made a lot of sense, but he felt as though there was a gaping hole inside. He didn’t believe he would ever know himself until he knew them.

  “Anyway, I’m going down to Atlanta to see her in a couple of weeks.”

  “That’s fantastic, Freya,” Jack said, meaning it with all his heart. He reached out and squeezed her arm, and she gave a small, startled smile and covered his hand with her own.

  “I guess Mozart’s Requiem won’t sing itself,” Jack said. He gently disengaged and withdrew his hand.

  “You already know what the choir is singing?” Freya said, looking pleased.

  “I checked online,” Jack replied. “If it had been Broadway show tunes, you’d be on your own.”

  “This is going to be so much fun,” she said. “You know we have rehearsal twice a week at lunch? And when we get closer to the actual performance, we usually add a weekend rehearsal too.”

  “Performance?”

  “It’s a fund-raiser for the school. I hope you don’t get stage fright. We’ll be performing in the main theater. We only have a month to get this thing whipped into shape. Speaking of which….” She glanced at her phone and then shot to her feet. “Come on, Jack. The rest of the choir is excited to meet you.”

  Jack let himself be towed along behind her, feeling a horrible sense of déjà vu. He had been in this position more than once, though some of his targets had gotten to him more than others. He didn’t know whether the recent revelation about his own parents was to blame, or whether old memories were being triggered—but he was beginning to deeply dislike this assignment and where it was taking them all.

  AT THE end of the day he walked out of school to find Leo waiting for him.

  “Martin says we should both go to your place tonight,” he murmured. “He and Evan are going to shadow Freya and Anderson. He wants us to play it low-key.”

  He had just finished speaking when Anderson hurried out. His step faltered slightly when he saw Leo and Jack, but he bent his head and hurried past them without a second look.

  “Where’s Freya?” Jack murmured.

  “Still inside. She has a meeting with the careers counselor. Martin is going to follow her when she leaves school. Evan’s on Anderson.”

  “It almost sounds like a night off,” Jack breathed.

  “Let’s make the most of it.”

  Jack followed Leo to the parking lot and slid into the Camaro’s passenger seat. As Leo maneuvered them onto the busy street, Jack tried not to let the image of Freya’s joyful face get to him. She had been so sweet at choir practice, introducing Jack to everybody, staying close beside him, encouraging him when he messed up. She seemed to get such a kick out of everything she did.

  “You’re quiet,” Leo observed.

  Jack turned his head. “Does this job ever get you down?”

  The only indication that the words had achieved any effect was the way Leo’s hands tightened on the steering wheel.

  “I’m not totally heartless, Jack,” he said quietly.

  “I didn’t mean that,” Jack said quickly. “You’re just… I don’t know. You seem more together about all of this. More in control of your emotions, I guess.”

  Leo didn’t answer. He pulled into the guest parking lot outside Jack’s building and climbed out of the car. Jack had to hurry to keep up with his long, purposeful strides as he walked into the building. His expression was hard to read, and Jack wasn’t sure whether it was because his face was half-hidden in the shadows of the dimly lit lobby or because he was deliberately masking his feelings.

  Leo led the way to the elevator, keeping his face carefully averted. It wasn’t difficult to interpret the stiffness in his posture or the tight lines that bracketed his mouth. When they reached Jack’s apartment and the door was firmly closed, Leo finally broke his silence.

  “Spit it out, Jack. You obviously think I’m keeping something from you—”

  “What’s going to happen to Freya once her father is picked up?” Jack asked.

  “I can’t answer that.”

  Jack held his gaze. “Can’t or won’t?”

  Leo threw up his hands. “We’ve been here before. I’ve told you all I know—”

  “You don’t think it’s fucked up? We’re expected to play nice with a sweet kid just so she doesn’t get in the way while her family is being destroyed.”

  “I don’t like it any more than you do,” Leo protested. “I like Freya. I like her a lot. But I trust Martin. I believe him when he says we’re on the right side.”

  “I wish I had your faith,” Jack said, shaking his head.

  Leo stepped closer until Jack had to look up to maintain eye contact. “I’m sorry you’ve had such a hard life,” he said gently. “You have no reason to believe what we do is for the greater good. I get that.”

  “How can I?” Jack whispered. “The Center knows exactly who I am. But they’ve kept it from me all these years. Now I have to help them destroy somebody else’s life. You can’t expect me take that on lightly.”

  Leo cupped a hand around the back of Jack’s neck. “Can you trust me? Even if you don’t trust the Center?”

  “I do trust you, Leo,” Jack murmured. “We’re partners, remember?”

  “You have no idea how amazing that sounds.” Leo leaned in and kissed Jack softly. Jack was just giving himself over to Leo’s full attention when his phone vibrated against his hip.

  “Shit. Hold that thought,” he panted. He pulled his phone out of his pocket and quickly read the text message.

  “Evan says he’ll be at least an hour.”

  A slow smile spread across Leo’s face. “You want to take this somewhere more comfortable?”

  Jack didn’t answer. He just tugged at Leo’s hand and pulled him into his bedroom, kicking the door shut behind him. He turned and pulled Leo closer, pressing their mouths together for a long, slow kiss. Leo’s body melted against his, the heat from it seeping through his shirt and stoking the fire that was already coursing through Jack’s veins.

  Jack couldn’t bring himself to break the kiss as they stumbled toward the bed, but he was conscious enough to lower them gently down onto it, aware Leo’s movements were unnaturally stiff, as though he still felt some residual pain. When he eventually pulled back, Leo groaned and reached for him, but Jack just smiled down at Leo’s flushed face.

  Leo tensed, almost imperceptibly, when Jack’s fingers closed around the top button of his shirt. Jack paused, waiting for Leo to grant permission, only continuing when Leo gave a tiny nod. He quickly flipped open all the buttons and eased the shirt over Leo’s shoulders, helping him to wriggle out of it before dropping it onto the floor.

  His hands traced a path over Leo’s chest, his fingers lightly ghosting over hard nipples, making Leo tremble and gasp. Jack loved the small distracted sounds Leo made and the way his body reacted to even the gentlest touch. It was the only time Leo completely let his guard down, and the level of trust it took was startling.

  As Jack’s hand skimmed the bulge in Leo’s jeans, he watched Leo’s face avidly. His eyes were closed now, and his head arched into the pillow, the muscles in his neck cording with tension. Jack felt a shiver of desire shoot straight to his own groin when Leo’s tongue darted out to lick his lips. He pushed hard against Leo’s straining erection, and Leo’s eyes flew open as his head came off the pillow momentarily before falling back, a muffled groan driven from him.

  Although he was fascinated by Leo’s every response, Jack knew he couldn’t draw this out much longer. He wanted to feel the heat and solid strength, to watch Leo pulse and twitch helplessly against him. His own hardness was throbbing insistently, and he needed Leo’s strong fingers to close around him. He yanked the zipper on Leo’s jeans and tugged them down, enthralled by his look of wide-eyed wonder. Leo helped him struggle out of his clothes and throw them aside until suddenly they were sliding against each other, nothing between them, warm skin and hard muscle the only thing registering outside burning need.

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nbsp; It was quicker than Jack planned, but holding back was inconceivable with Leo’s lithe body moving rhythmically against him, his hands and mouth driving desire. As Jack crested the tidal wave of the sensations coursing through him, he pulled Leo even closer. With the tiny part of his brain that wasn’t swamped by the incredible rush of release, he focused on Leo’s face—taut, transported, suffused with pleasure.

  As Leo collapsed beside him, Jack drifted on the aftershocks, relishing the sparks that radiated through him. Leo murmured something against his ear, but Jack couldn’t decipher the words. He wasn’t even sure Leo had said anything intelligible. The languor of release made his limbs feel heavy, so he gave up struggling against it and closed his eyes.

  He was sure only moments had passed when he opened his eyes again. He turned his head when he heard the soft, even breathing that told him Leo was asleep, lying on his stomach, his head cradled on his folded arms. Jack eased onto his side carefully and studied Leo’s smooth back. He was familiar with the faded welts he saw there, evidence of Martin’s recent censure, and he sucked in a breath, his chest tight with resentment.

  “I can hear you thinking, you know. You have to let it go.”

  Leo’s voice was muffled but firm. He turned over, and with longing temporarily banished, all Jack could see were the various marks that marred Leo’s body. He had his own share. They had once compared scars, carefully skirting the details of each story, though revealing enough to raise the hairs on the back of Jack’s neck. He reached out, almost unconsciously, and traced the longest, most jagged scar. A knife wound, similar to one of his own.

  “I know what you’re going to say,” Leo sighed.

  “I love you.”

  Leo’s face went blank, and then his eyes widened. “I take it back,” he breathed. “I didn’t know.”

  Jack’s smile was genuine, though tinged with sadness. “Don’t worry. I don’t expect you to say it back—”

  He gasped when Leo shot upright and grabbed his arm. “How can you be such an amazing operative and not see what’s right under your nose? I’m head over heels, batshit crazy, fucking nuts about you, you idiot.”