Page 76 of Between Love and Honor

“Nice of you to join us Agent Keller,” the secretary said. “I believe Alexi Ronoff is a person of interest with the Department of Treasury.”

“A person of great interest,” Griff replied.

“Good. Then I’m handing his arrest off to your team.

Once he’s returned Agent Segar’s AI, I want that yacht of his commandeered and him locked up for the attempted murder of Agent Darby, espionage, and whatever else you’ve got on him. That ought to hold him for starters.”

She punched a message into her Blackberry. “I’ve coordinated with the coast guard. They will await your orders, Agent Keller.”

Griff nodded before giving Quinn’s shoulder a gentle squeeze.

“It’s all going to work out,” he told her.

She smiled up at him before turning to Ben. “I know.”

He and Griff exchanged fist pumps and then his friend headed out to prepare for his role in the op.

“Ben will need cover when he exits the gondola,” Quinn said.

All eyes turned to look at her.

She shrugged. “I said Alexi doesn’t like to get his hands dirty. That doesn’t mean he won’t have one of his men try something once he’s left.”

The secretary nodded. “That’s where we come in, Agent Darby.”

Ben shot from his chair. “Like hell!”

“Stand down, Agent Segar,” the secretary commanded.

“She’s a highly trained asset with the element of surprise in her favor. Ronoff won’t be looking for her. Neither will his men. But she’ll be able to identify them.”

He didn’t like it. Not one bit. Quinn, on the other hand, was smiling like a woman who’d just been given free rein in a shoe store.

“I agree,” she said. “Adam won’t be able to cover you with his sniper’s rifle because of the crowd and the distance. But I know these men. I can handle them discreetly before they try to lay a finger on you.”

He tried another tact. “Madame Secretary, I don’t think it’s appropriate for you to be involved in this.”

She rose from her chair. “Why not? The president ordered me to handle this tonight. And I am. Unless you don’t think we women are capable of taking down the black hats.”

Adam made a choking sound behind him. Quinn arched a curious eyebrow. Damn it. How had this become the battle of the sexes? Quinn had already demonstrated how capable she was with a gun, but this was about keeping her safe. His boss, on the other hand, he was happy to throw to the wolves.

“Besides.” The secretary’s voice had a hard edge to it.

“Agent Darby and I each have a score to settle with this traitor. And I, for one, would prefer to do it face-to-face.”

She turned to Adam. “Agent Lockett, have the CAT team secure the marina as best you can. We’ll reconvene here at nineteen hundred hours. We can coordinate our efforts with Treasury before heading over to the marina. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going home to change into something a bit more touristy.”

“I’ll go and get my team ready,” Adam said before leaving them alone in the Situation Room.

“I don’t like you involved in this,” he said.

“I know.” She stood and laced her fingers through his. “And you have no idea how wonderful it makes me feel to have someone worrying about me. About what happens to me.”

He tugged her body against his. “I’m never going to stop.”

She stretched up on her toes and brushed a kiss over his lips. “I promise to make it easier on you.”

“No more stunts like today?”

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