Page 2 of Covert Temptation

This wasn’t just a trial. It was a powder keg.

Court was now in session.

Dante sat straighter, his body armor shifting beneath his charcoal gray suit jacket, his weapon solid against his spine. He turned his attention to the courtroom, transmitting real-time data through his glasses and comms.

The proceedings started out dry as hell with procedural motions and a recap of charges. When the prosecutor began to outline the witness list, Dante’s attention sharpened like a honed blade.

They listed Dr. Alan Shaw, linguist, cultural intelligence expert, Secretary-General of the UN…and the man Dante was here to keep alive.

The minute Shaw stepped into that box on the witness stand, he’d have a target on his back.

In a nonchalant move, Dante swept his gaze across the room, transmitting all the visuals. This wasn’t the usual mission. No breaching of doors or storming compounds. But it was still a battlefield.

If the crime syndicate retaliated, he and the rest of Shaw’s security would be the only wall between Shaw and an assassination.

The hours dragged on. Arguments were presented. Evidence revealed. Witnesses called to the stand.

When court wrapped up for day one, Dante pushed to his feet and glanced at the other guards to see them sweeping the area for dangers just the same as him.

“The media’s crawling all around the front of the building,” came Con’s voice in his ear.

Dante bit off a groan. Damn. Just what they didn’t need.

“Copy that,” he said under his breath. He hung back, letting the courtroom nearly empty before he collected Shaw and led him out the door. The two other guards on the security detail,placed there by Homeland Security, traded looks with Dante. He gave them a small nod, and they took the lead.

Their plan to exit with Shaw through the rear of the building was a good one, especially now that the press had showed up.

As Dante cleared the courtroom doors, he sensed his fellow SEAL, Hudson Steele, standing just on the edge of the crowd, planted there in plain clothes.

He didn’t turn to look at him, just continued through the labyrinth of corridors that would eventually lead to the street.

Then it would be three steps to the armored vehicle waiting to whisk Shaw to safety.

Dante fixed his gaze on the back of the guard at the front, trying to ignore the irritation scraping through him. As usual, he wasn’t in the lead. He didn’t take point on this op—or any other op.

He was a team player, the guy who had everybody’s six, and he kept reminding himself that was just as important, even if it annoyed him.

They reached a heavy metal door with a security glass panel. As soon as the car came into sight, the guard in front pushed the door open.

Sandwiched between his bodyguards, Shaw took one step over the threshold.

Dante shifted his hand toward his weapon.

Then Shaw took a second step into the open air.

A cool breeze wafted exhaust fumes into their faces as they left the safety of the building. Shaw lengthened his stride to reach the open back door of the car.

Suddenly, a loudcrackechoed off the New York City skyscrapers.

The softthwapof the bullet as it struck human flesh.

The shot was just delayed enough to indicate that it came from long range.

Dante didn’t have time to move, let alone throw himself in front of Shaw. The bullet hit before the sound ever reached them.

But Dante saw which direction the bullet had come from.

A frenzy of shouts came from the other two guards as Shaw dropped. Bodies dove for cover. Screams erupted.

---