Agent Alpha

By Tamara Clarke

Rhodes is a man used to having his orders obeyed. When the red-headed sniper joins the team of elite special agents, Rhodes has a difficult time dealing with her. She's smart and fast and gets under his skin like no one else.

Maddy is the newest recruit. She works hard and thrives on the high-stress action the team is constantly embroiled in. But there's something about the boss that makes her uneasy. Is it just because he's the man in charge? Or is it something else, something more?

When someone tries to have them killed, twice in a single day, Rhodes and Maddy have to find a way to get along. They have to push aside their feelings of frustration and...desire. Can they do it? When outside forces threaten to expose and eliminate the entire team, will they find a way to deal with their growing attraction? Or will they be driven to distraction, putting all their lives at risk.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tamara Clarke
• Release date: Mar 19, 2011
• ISBN: 9781926830124

Tamara Clarke

Tamara lives in the foothills of Alberta but dreams of traveling as often as she can. Her greatest passions are reading and writing, but she loves many other things, including hockey, chocolate and coffee - in no particular order. Visit Tamara's blog: www.tamaraclarke.wordpress.com. Tamara posts regularly with updates on new releases and other topics of discussion. Also find links to all her ebooks for sale and her free story postings.

Book preview

Agent Alpha

Tamara Clarke

Agent Alpha

Tamara Clarke

Published by Tamara Clarke at Smashwords

Copyright 2010 by Tamara Clarke

No part of this e-book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including emailing, printing, photocopying, or faxing without prior written permission from Tamara Clarke

Cover Artist: Aaron David

For my mom, because she was the one who first told me I was a writer.

Chapter One

This was not happening at all the way he’d expected it to.

OK, fine.

He could work with this. He’d dealt with worse over the years. The men inside were not going to get away with the stolen goods they had and they most certainly were not going to escape the country.

He just needed to wait until his team showed up and then they would deal with it together. So far, the only whisper in his ear belonged to Fly Ratio and at the moment, his choice words for the boss weren’t helpful.

Where the hell are they? he asked himself for the third time since arriving. The only answer was his own mind telling him he should have waited until the team was assembled before heading into town. Again, not helpful.

The tiny electronic piece in his ear crackled and he raised a finger to press on it. Grimm, here, a new voice greeted him.

Jones, a second voice joined him.

You hanging in there, Rhodes? yet another voice greeted him, this one belonging to Ulster Hound. He directed his question at the man in charge.

In his position just outside the warehouse, Rhodes—the man in charge—rolled his eyes and nodded. He didn’t say anything, knowing that wherever they were, they could see him.

His team was good.

When they showed up.

Rhodes shook his head and scowled into the shadows of the alleyway. Thinking that way about his team wouldn’t help the situation. He pushed their tardiness out of his mind, along with the fact that he’d taken off before they could gather themselves.

Maddy’s heading up now, Grimm hissed then.

Jack, here, another voice broke in, louder than the rest.

Rhodes flinched but nodded again. Lifting his face, his eyes trailed up the side of the four-story building directly in front of him. He scanned the fire escape lining the outer wall until he got to the roof line. In the pitch black he couldn’t make out any sign of movement but he could almost feel the sniper’s eyes on him already.

She’ll be there in another couple seconds. He reminded himself to breathe.

Cricket’s got us hooked up together now, Fly said.

There was another crackle and someone murmured something else before the connection fell silent. Drawing in a deep breath, Rhodes ran his finger along the side of his 9mm pistol, pausing on the safety. His breathing slowed and the tension eased from his shoulders.

Barely.

Slowly he crept along the side of the building, the shadows concealing his body from the men inside. He raised himself slightly and tried to peer into the window just above his head. A movement from one side made him drop back down into his stealthy crouch.

Don’t even think about it, Rhodes, the female voice hissed at him through the connection in his ear.

He didn’t look up; he knew she was watching him from the nearby rooftop. When did you get there?

Does it really matter? she said. I’m here now and we need to get this done.

What do you suggest?

She’d been in his ear for mere seconds and she was already causing his heart rate to soar. Maddy Fax they called her, though at the moment all he wanted to call her was an interfering bi—

They’re coming around to the window above you now, she whispered. Don’t move.

Maddy, what are you—

He was shushed sharply in rebuke.

Oh, hell no.

She was the last person in the world who was going to shush him. He opened his mouth to tell her so when suddenly the glass window above him shattered into a million little shards, raining down on him. Men began shouting from inside the building and return fire began.

Rhodes swore then scooted across the ground and out from under the now wide open window. He rose and, with a well-placed kick, broke down the door. The staccato sound of gunfire greeted his entrance. He dropped behind a nearby stack of steel barrels before jumping to his feet and releasing several rounds of ammo at the nearest thief.

Rhodes took swift stock of the situation and noted one body lying close to the window he’d just been on the opposite side of.

Son of a bitch!

She’d done it. Killed the one bad guy they were all out to get tonight.

It wasn’t an arrest but Rhodes wasn’t going to split hairs.

After a quick reload, he darted across the concrete floor towards the crates piled high against the other wall, pausing only once to shoot another man he recognized running towards the exit at the far end of the warehouse. The large man dropped like a stone and the shouting grew louder as the remaining men realized where the new gunfire was coming from.

Rhodes slammed his back against the crates, blinking as splinters of wood flew around him.

Hold tight, Rhodes! Maddy’s voice crackled in his ear and he bit back a colorful retort. A halt in the gunfire on the other side of the crates had Rhodes wondering if they were reloading or fleeing.

Only one way to find out.

He leaned against the crates and stuck his head partially around the corner only to receive a sharp elbow to the face. Rhodes blocked the follow-up strike and responded with a kick to the knee of his attacker. The man stumbled for a second but reached for a weapon at his hip.

Too late, Rhodes thought and brought his gun up to fire right between the man’s eyes.

As the crook dropped before him, he spotted the three remaining thieves making their way through the crates and barrels filling up the warehouse. They were headed for the exit. Rhodes took off running. He yelled at them to freeze but of course, none listened.

Fine. Have it your way.

Rhodes fired twice, felling the man closest to him. The criminal fell, sputtering blood on the floor. Rhodes didn’t spare him a glance, just leapt over his fallen form pursuing the last two men attempting to escape.

Stop shooting, Rhodes! Maddy cried in his ear piece. He could tell from the vibration in her voice that she was moving, probably running. We need someone alive!

Freeze! he shouted at the remaining two thieves who were nearly at the doorway.

The one in the lead glanced over his shoulder and the panic was written clearly across his pasty face. Rhodes was closing the gap with each second and the pasty-faced man knew it. His only hope was to reach that door first. Suddenly he stopped and tripped the man running alongside him, causing him to fall awkwardly while he made for the exit.

Rhodes didn’t even glance at the fallen man, having heard a bone snap he knew that guy wouldn’t be going anywhere in a hurry. He ran flat out for the exit, cursing as the door swung open and the pasty-faced man darted through. He followed five seconds later only to find his target lying prone on the ground, a few feet from the door.

He told you to freeze, a familiar feminine voice spoke from Rhodes’ right. He looked up to see Maddy holding her sniper rifle.

What did you do? he demanded, sliding his gun back into the holster under his jacket. Cautiously he approached the fallen man and checked for a pulse.

I stopped him from getting away. Maddy kept her rifle trained on the pasty-faced man as Rhodes turned him over. Footsteps echoed down the alleyway as Grimm and Jack approached; Rhodes could hear Emilio and Hound inside the warehouse. Which is more than you can say, she added.

Rhodes fixed her with a glare that would have made any man wet his pants but which seemed to have no effect on her. She met his eyes with her own steady gaze and smiled.

Rhodes confirmed that the man was not dead, just out cold. A rather impressive lump was already forming on his forehead and Rhodes figured it was the result of her stopping him with the butt of her rifle. Rising to his full height, he looked down at Maddy, who stood no higher than his shoulder. She had to tip her head back to look up at his face but there was always something in her eyes that made him feel as though she wasn’t looking up.

Orders? she asked, sensing what his next words would be.

He jerked his head at the man lying on the ground. Have him and the other live one taken in to custody. He turned his attention to the two new arrivals on the scene and ordered them to have the merchandise cleared out. Then he followed them inside the warehouse. Clean this scene up. We don’t want the locals to know that anything happened here.

Too late, Maddy spoke up from behind him. I hear sirens.

Rhodes listened for a second before swearing sharply. All right. Get the stuff and get the hell out of here. Take them, he gestured at the fallen men inside and outside, to the office and we’ll all meet back there for debriefing.

And you, Rhodes? Maddy asked. She was the only one not moving to obey his orders. It was an absolutely infuriating habit of hers. Even more infuriating was the fact that she seemed to have been the only team member to get to the warehouse on time. Everyone else hadn’t come in until after the gun battle was over. Rhodes found it difficult to fault her for that, but he was sure he could think of some way.

I’ll stay here and meet with the detectives, smooth things over, he replied. Not that it’s any of your concern, Maddy. Just do as I say and get them back to the office.

With a nod, she turned on her heel and helped Grimm drag the man with the broken leg out through the back entrance.

Rhodes turned to the rest of his crew and helped load the goods into the two trucks now idling in the big garage doorways. Fly? he said, pressing at his ear piece as the last of the crates were loaded into the trucks.

Yes, boss? came the reply over the rumble of the trucks driving away from the warehouse.

You and Cricket meet us back at the office after you get this stuff to the compound. Set up for two interrogations.

Yes, sir, Fly replied. And when can we expect you?

Start the debrief without me and I’ll fill in the holes when I get back.

All right.

The earpiece fell blissfully silent for the first time all night and Rhodes wandered out in front of the loading docks, watching the tail lights disappear around the corner. He stopped in an open doorway and watched the glowing flashing lights of the local police as they approached.

This should not have gone down this way tonight.

He was well aware that he’d left for the warehouse ahead of most of his team, which left him with no back-up as he’d watched Javier and his crew milling around; easy targets. He had no one around except for Fly in his ear as he’d moved closer and listened to Javier take a mysterious phone call a short while later. From that moment, he knew they had mere minutes before losing the crooks and the goods altogether.

After that, Rhodes was at least thankful the team had taken their places quickly once they’d arrived. And Maddy. At least she’d managed to take out the big bad guy.

Shaking his head, Rhodes turned to look over his shoulder at the fallen crime boss. He walked a few steps closer and examined the shot that had killed him. It was a single bullet wound in the middle of the man’s forehead.

She’s good.

After only six months in the training program, Maddy had become the leading sniper and one of the nastiest fighters on the team. Rhodes had spent enough time with her to know that she had the attitude to match.

He sighed and breathed one last command into the ear piece, knowing only one other team member would still be connected.

Blue and red flashing lights flooded the warehouse’s interior and Rhodes turned around, his hands raised, ready to greet the police.

Chapter Two

He should be back by now, Cricket muttered as she tapped away at the keyboard before her.

Relax, Cricket, Hound replied from his seat at the desk nearby. Rhodes knows how to take care of himself.

She said nothing in response, just pushed at the glasses sliding down her nose and continued with her task. She sat back a minute later, announcing that the meetings were ready.

Has Doc seen to that guy’s leg? Grimm asked, moving around the office to stand next to Hound. He towered over the shorter man and practically buried Hound in his shadow. Hound didn’t mind; he was hardly short in any case.

It’s been set but without painkillers, Cricket replied, a smile quirking the corners of her mouth.

Cricket, are you amused by this man’s pain? Hound asked, his eyebrows rising.

She shrugged and turned back to her computer.

Another man entered the room and announced that Rhodes was approaching. With Tait, Emilio Jones added, drawing a groan from everyone in the room.

Rhodes is not going to be happy about that, Hound stated. He drew his gun from behind his back and clicked the safety on and off. It was a nervous habit of his.

Stop that! Cricket cried. She jumped out of her seat and hid behind Emilio. You know I hate it when you play like that with your gun.

I’m not playing with it, Hound protested but at a glance from Grimm, the younger man tucked the gun safely away behind his back again. He stretched in his seat, putting his hands behind his head. So how do you think Tait found out about this?

I called him, a new voice spoke up from the doorway.

All eyes turned to see the pint-sized sniper standing there.

We’re ready to go in the conference room, she said. Rhodes told us to start without him. She disappeared and the four left behind exchanged glances before following her down the hall.

Fly Ratio and Jack were already seated around the large mahogany table, notes spread out before them. They stopped discussing their part in the mission when the rest of the team entered the room. Jack—a woman, despite her alias—directed a question at Maddy.

Are you sure it was a good idea to call Tait?

Maddy shrugged and sat down at the far end of the oval shaped table. Rhodes needed someone to pick him up from the station.

What? You think he got arrested? Hound asked, moving around the table to sit across from her.

Again, she merely shrugged.

Hound shook his head, refusing to believe his boss, the Colossus of Rhodes, would allow himself to be dragged off in handcuffs.

Lieutenant Murphy has been out to get him for months, Grimm spoke up. It was probably a good idea to get Tait to pick him up. The detective wouldn’t have accepted any of our stories.

He’s right, Fly agreed. Now who would like to begin?

I will, a familiar voice spoke up from the doorway. All eyes turned to see Rhodes standing there. He walked into the room and sat down to the right of the head of the table. Under normal circumstances, he sat at the head but tonight, someone else held the position of honor.

Tait walked in the door behind Rhodes and smiled grimly in greeting to the team. He was not an exceptionally tall man, nor was he built exactly like any of the other team members gathered. He was slim, but not skinny, lean where the others carried more pronounced musculature. Something about him commanded the attention of a room and no one doubted for a second that he could perform the same duties as the rest of them. His eyes were dark and they flashed at unexpected moments, glittering dangerously; something that left no doubt of who was in charge.

Officially he worked for the government as a low-level secretary, lending support to the cabinet members from his relatively obscure location in the foothills of Alberta. Those seated at the table knew him differently. To an outsider, he was merely a supervisor of the technical support staff who went by the moniker TAITS—Tactical Assistance and Internet Technical Support. Those inside the support group knew the truth: they were a well-trained machine, used in operations the government would claim to have no knowledge of, let alone any involvement.

What the team members never could figure out was who within the government oversaw their operations. They’d once discussed the possibility that CSIS must be involved but too many missions had occurred without CSIS presence.

Tonight one of those operations had occurred and the outcome—Tait’s presence in the conference room—was not what any of them had wanted.

I understand that the merchandise was moved to a secure location, Tait began.

Yes, sir, Fly spoke up, barely glancing from his laptop screen. Everything has been stored at the compound.

Good. As for the rest of what happened tonight, I’m sure I don’t need to hear every detail. Tait stood in front of the chair, leaning his hands on the dark table before him. I expect a full report at nine a.m.

Yes, sir, the eight team members replied in unison.

Rhodes, Tait said, turning his unwavering gaze on the big man to his right. You owe me bail money. Without another word, he strode from the room, leaving the rest of them to sort out ‘every detail’ of the night.

No one spoke for a full minute after Tait’s departure. They all exchanged uneasy glances with each other, not looking at Rhodes who sat in stony silence at the front of the room. He finally raised his eyes and looked them all over.

Any injuries to report? he asked, his eyes flicking from face to face.

They all shook their heads.

The prisoners?

Doc set the one’s leg, Cricket answered for all of them. The other is still unconscious but Doc expects him to come around any time now.

Fly, how is the report coming along?

Nearly done, boss. I’ll have a copy ready in about ten minutes.

Good. Put it on my desk.

Silence descended once more on the conference room.

The seven team members sitting around the table shifted uncomfortably in the silence, waiting for Rhodes to speak again. Finally one of them couldn’t take it anymore.

It was Maddy who called Tait, Jack blurted.

Jack! Cricket hissed, glaring at the other woman.

Well, she did and Rhodes deserves to know why his ass is in a sling tonight, Jack replied.

It’s hardly in a sling, Jack, Rhodes commented, looking at her. His gaze didn’t falter and she had to look away after a moment. He let his eyes travel over everyone’s faces again, studying each of them in turn. Maybe it was to see who else questioned his words but Rhodes would admit, if only to himself, that he liked to make sure they all looked unhurt.

To his immediate right was Fly Ratio, a computer genius and whiz with cars. He had come to TAITS as a skinny techno geek with bad fashion sense. He still had bad fashion sense, as was evident tonight with his black flood pants and button-up shirt with a coffee stain down the front. His hair was a floppy mess of dark curls and below the unruly mass, his eyes glowed bright blue as he typed away on his laptop. He may be dressed like a nerd but his knowledge of computers and government systems was second only to Cricket. He’d graduated from the intense training program as an accomplished marksman and approached every situation with a cool head that Rhodes could appreciate.

Beside Fly was Jack, outspoken Jack. Though her hair was blonde and long, and her eyes a strange amber color, she didn’t inspire lust in a lot of men. She was tall, just shy of six feet, and she often used her height to her advantage. She may not have the same obvious curves as an average woman but she was beautiful in her own way. Coming out of the training program, she’d excelled at hand-to-hand combat and could kill a person several different ways without breaking a sweat; another talent Rhodes appreciated.

Next to Jack at the far end of the table was Ulster Hound, or Hound to the team. The name said it all. Following nights like tonight Hound could usually be found in a bar or club, picking up any number of pretty, simple women. Women were drawn to his crooked smile and laughing blue eyes. His physique might have something to do with the attraction as well; he was slightly taller than average at just under six feet and he had a body honed by long hours in the gym and in the field. Though a dog at heart, there