Duty and Deception

By Tamara Clarke

In the fourth book of the TAITS series, Cricket finally gets to show her teammates what she can do.
The smart, easy-going computer genius has always loved her place on the team, but lately, she feels like something’s missing. She convinces Rhodes to let her go on an undercover mission to bring in the guy who tried to kill her teammates in Montreal: Ivan Laratta. Cricket trains, studies his weaknesses and she knows she’s ready for anything. Anything but the way he makes her feel when they come face-to-face. Too bad he only knows her as Tabitha Cutter, mercenary-for-hire.
Ivan doesn’t know what to make of the mousy brunette when she shows up wanting to join his crew. All he knows is she’s smart and tough and he can’t stop thinking about her. There’s just something about her attitude and the way she’s always messing with her glasses. Everything about her gets under his skin and he finds himself letting her in, to his tough-as-nails crew and into his heart.
A big job takes them halfway around the world and it doesn’t take long for the dangers to pile up, or for the wicked chemistry between Cricket and Ivan to become more than a hot distraction. Before they know it, they’re running for their lives, pursued by numerous enemies, and Cricket is faced with a devastating choice: complete her mission, and do her duty by arresting Ivan, or turn her back on everything and everyone she cares for to be with the man she’s fallen for.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tamara Clarke
• Release date: Dec 20, 2015
• ISBN: 9780991876457

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

Tamara Clarke

Duty &

Deception

Duty and Deception

Tamara Clarke

Duty and Deception

Tamara Clarke

Published by Tamara Clarke at Smashwords

All rights reserved.

Copyright 2015 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.

ISBN: 978-0-9918764-5-7

Cover Designer: Tamara Clarke

Cover image courtesy of podpad at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Dedication:

For A, my endless source of information on guns,

explosives and all things sexy,

and also for my readers, old and new.

You told me this series was all right so I kept writing.

Thank you.

Chapter One

LATE AUGUST - WEST SUMATRA, INDONESIA

Every breath was a struggle. Cricket wasn’t used to the oppressive humidity. It clung to her skin and clothes, plastering them to her body. The ponytail hanging down her back was damp and heavy, a dead weight. Her lungs burned with each indrawn breath and her body ached from holding the same position for so long. Something buzzed near her head and she risked everything to swat the insect away.

A hand, hot and sweaty as her own, wrapped around her wrist and she froze. Her eyes slanted sideways to the massive man crouched on the soggy ground next to her. His green eyes glittered at her, reflecting some of the dim light falling on them through the thick foliage. His large shape was all but a shadow but she would know him anywhere.

Her heart hammered hard against her ribs and she struggled to keep her breathing steady. She swallowed, trapped by his gaze when he blinked, the dark lashes sweeping low over his eyes. In an instant, she was unaware of their surroundings and the dangerous situation they were in. It wasn’t until felt his warm breath on her cheek that she realized he was speaking to her.

And leaning so close the hair on her face stirred with the passing motion of his lips.

Stay still. It won’t be much longer. It wasn’t even a whisper. Whispers could be heard in the thick air of the night.

She nodded and he released her hand, shifting away in silence. Her throat tight, Cricket looked down at her wrist and could have sworn she saw the imprint from his hand. The heat suffocating her was no longer coming from the jungle.

She felt nothing but the heat emanating from the man beside her.

It was wrong on so many levels. She didn’t even know where to begin to untangle herself from this mess she’d got herself into.

A bright flash through the branches caught her attention and she was mercifully torn from her thoughts. She focused instead on the reason for being in this dank, insect-infested jungle.

She wanted to check the chamber on her 9 mm pistol, a nervous habit that her teammates had always berated her for. In the past several months, she’d managed to overcome the urge. It may be a nervous habit but she wasn’t an idiot. The sound would carry and give away their position.

And would get them all killed.

She didn’t want that, however conflicted she might feel.

The light ahead flashed again, following by the rumble of a noisy diesel engine. It ground to a halt, stirring up a cloud of exhaust and jungle debris.

Fighting down the urge to cough, Cricket tensed and squinted through the cloud of dust and exhaust. She felt a hand on the skin of her wrist, the only spot aside from her face that wasn’t covered. A squeeze and tap of his fingertips at the underside of her wrist communicated his orders to her. Not looking at him, she turned her hand under his and tapped on his palm in response.

She was hot and uncomfortable, but she was ready.

He let his hand fall from her wrist. She narrowed her eyes on the armored vehicle shuddering through the curtain of branches and leaves. As she watched in silence, the doors on the armored truck popped open and four armed men jumped to the ground. They shouted at each other in a language that Cricket was only somewhat familiar with. The man with her understood what they were speaking. At least, she hoped he did.

So they waited. And watched.

The men circled to the front of the truck and looked around as a few more men exited the truck behind them. They stood so close that Cricket could see the make of their weapons. She swallowed the automatic fear and told herself that she’d dealt with worse in her line of work.

Her eyes flicked from the intimidating bodyguards to the man they were guarding. This man spoke English though all the intel she’d gathered up to this point told her that he was also fluent in the language of the country they were in. He was allegedly fluent in many languages.

I guess that’s why he’s such a successful dealer. Cricket licked her lips, her heart pumping faster.

The man was dressed in thick, dark clothes, which wasn’t surprising, in spite of the jungle heat. The deal he was there to make necessitated the need to cover his extensive body armor.

They’re late, he said in English to the large man at his elbow.

The large man approached and nodded before saying something in what sounded like Spanish.

The first man sighed and rubbed his forehead. I know it’s your native tongue and all but speak English for now, Pete. I don’t have the energy to translate your accent.

The larger man, Pete, scowled and crossed massive arms over his thick chest. I said they probably had some trouble with the road blocks.

They couldn’t have been stopped any longer than we were. The first man lowered his hand and glared at his companion.

Long enough, Valon. Pete shrugged. They don’t have our fire power.

Hence the reason for this meeting. Valon looked around at the armed men flanking them. He shouted something at them in their own language, a local dialect of Indonesian called Batak. The armed men spread out and Cricket cursed in silence.

This would have worked so much easier if they’d stayed grouped together.

That infuriating hand reached out and she flinched when he touched her this time. He held his hand out and when she glanced his way, he frowned at her. The hand fell away from her arm and he held a finger to his lips. She scowled at him and looked away, refocusing her attention on the men beyond the cover of trees.

If he’d just stop touching her, she might be able to do her job.

A familiar rumble filled the jungle air and everyone froze.

Here they are. Valon pivoted in place to face the small Jeep as it rocked through the jungle and jolted to a stop behind the larger armored truck.

Good evening, gentlemen. Valon stepped around the truck to greet the two newcomers as they climbed out of the Jeep.

I thought we were meeting alone, Valon. The man to speak was tall, lean and for the most part, unimpressive. However, even without his distinctive Australian accent, his face, with the roguish eye patch, was well known in some circles.

Relax, Daniel. Valon came to a stop a few steps away from the man who’d spoken. They’re here to keep watch.

For what? The second man from the Jeep replied. Signs of betrayal?

Valon shook his head and waved a dismissive hand. Then he gestured at the back of the armored truck and his three men stepped close, big and imposing Pete along with them.

From her position in the bushes, Cricket couldn’t see what was going on behind the truck, but she had an idea anyway.

Valon was a notorious weapons smuggler and Daniel was a liaison of sorts for the latest group of militants who had every intention of carrying out a coup in this part of Sumatra.

While the men were discussing the items at the back of the armored truck, the armed ‘bodyguards’ stood by, glancing into the trees every few seconds.

Cricket’s eyes caught the tiniest flash in the jungle beyond the vehicles and men. She felt her entire body tense, if that was even possible at this point.

The signal from her associates flashed again and she felt the man beside her shift to the balls of his feet. Now was a good time to take up a new position, with everyone in the clearing ahead preoccupied with the deal. Cricket mimicked her partner’s movements and bent one knee in the soft ground, grimacing when she felt something squash beneath her.

I hope it wasn’t poisonous. She ignored the disgusting sensation.

In another few minutes, the deal would be wrapping up and they’d be springing into action.

At least, that was the plan. And they all knew plans were worth nothing when the moment came.

Daniel’s voice floated through the thick jungle air. ...Not what was discussed. Kiet isn’t going to appreciate this so late in the game.

Yes, well Kiet wasn’t enough of a man to meet me himself, was he? Valon replied. To the uninitiated, he might sound relaxed but Cricket knew different. Perhaps he should think twice before sending a proxy next time.

Daniel glared at Valon. For a long moment, no one moved as the two men faced off. Then Valon gestured and a loud bang sounded as Pete slammed the back of the truck closed.

I really don’t like it when people try to fuck me around. Valon’s tone remained casual but with a hard edge to it. He crossed his arms over his chest. Are you?

From her position, Cricket could see Daniel clenching his jaw. His hands were coiled into fists and he seemed to be on the verge of losing control of his temper. In another second, he was about to be shot, whether or not the deal went ahead as planned.

When Daniel said nothing, Valon rubbed his head. I want an answer now.

I think there are too many men here. Daniel unclenched his hand, gesturing to the people hidden around the clearing.

Cricket lifted her arms as the man next to her did the same, as they both rose to their feet. The sound of their movement through the thick underbrush made a small swishing sound. The same sound echoed all around the small clearing and Valon and his men froze.

Valon turned a murderous glare on Daniel.

Now we can continue. Daniel returned Valon’s glare with a level look. As previously arranged, we’ll take the two crates for three.

Valon sneered and shook his head. I said they were now four hundred.

And I say we’ll give you three. As Kiet agreed to.

No one said anything for a few seconds. Sighing, Daniel took a step back and waved one hand.

Cricket heard a slow exhalation and the man beside her squeezed a round off. A man dropped in the clearing, his hands still wrapped around his automatic weapon, the gesture unmistakable.

In an instant, the other armed men closed in tighter around Valon. Cricket had to smile. They should have been covering him a hell of a lot better than they had been up until now. Her partner could have shot Valon instead, no question.

What the fuck are you trying to pull? Valon demanded.

Daniel shrugged. Kiet wanted to ensure a fair deal. This is his insurance.

A beat of silence passed.

You cocksucker. Valon snapped his fingers.

On the far side of the clearing, there was a loud rustling in the trees and then another gun went off. Following that sharp report, there was another gunshot and the trees started to shake. Cricket felt all her hair stand on end and tried to whip around. All her instincts fired up all when a hand clamped down over her mouth. A heavy arm went around her middle and two more hands twisted the gun from her.

Shit!

She struggled against her captor, her eyes flashing to her companion. He was held by two men and struggling against them. Hard. As she watched, he jerked a hand free and drove his fist into the side of one of the men holding him. The man dropped his hands and fell away to one side with a shout. The other man holding him brought his elbow down on his shoulder with a curse.

Then the men holding Cricket twisted her arms and she yelped before she could silence herself. She tore her eyes from her partner’s struggle. She bent her knees, letting her body go lax for a second. Then she pushed up and back with all her strength. Her captors were caught off guard and she sprang loose.

She stayed low, turned and swept her left leg around in a wide arc. She caught them in the knees, knocking them over. As they rolled to get to their feet, she kneed one in the face as hard as she could and twisted to drive her fist down on the other’s face. His head snapped to one side and he hollered in rage, moving to rise as the man beside him rolled over with a groan.

Cricket leapt out of the reach of the man she’d punched, turning instead to stomp once more on the fallen man for good measure. He wasn’t going to get up any time soon. As she fell back from the kick, the man she’d punched grabbed her from behind. He wrapped his arms around her torso and pinned her arms at her sides.

Bitch, he growled in her ear.

She grunted as she lifted her feet and tried to swing herself free of his grasp.

He walked back a step, dragging her and jerking her around. All of a sudden he groaned and his arms dropped. Eyes wide, Cricket crumpled under his weight as he fell forward, slumping over her body.

A gun cocked near her head and someone swore. She tried to turn under the body of her captor and shoved with one hand at the man’s shoulder as she braced herself against the ground. He weighed a ton.

In the next second, a gun went off. There was more swearing and then the body was shoved off of her. Cricket shifted and pushed as well, getting herself free in another few seconds.

A hand appeared in front of her face and she reached for it, allowing her companion to help her to her feet. His eyes narrowed on her and his hand tensed around hers. He dropped her hand and lifted his fingers to her face. She flinched away but he brushed at her cheek and she felt mud and jungle debris fall from her face.

She took a step back. The heat was still oppressive and the touch of his hand on any part of her didn’t help.

She knew she wouldn’t have a hope in hell of finding her weapon in the darkness and dropped to a crouch beside the man who’d accosted her. With a tug, she removed the pistol from his holster and checked the clip. Her companion moved away to look through the foliage to the deal that was still going on beyond their small space. Cricket tucked the pistol at the small of her back and reached around the fallen man for the strap of the automatic across his back. It gave as she wrenched on it and pulled the strap free.

Quick and silent, she made her way back to her partner’s side. She swore under her breath and almost jumped out of her skin when she felt his heated touch on her bared wrist again.

He was going to have to stop doing that to her.

Still, she focused and nodded after he finished communicating with her. She watched out of the corner of her eye as he crept away through the jungle.

Facing forward, she looked through to where Valon was yelling at Daniel, who was held captive by two of Valon’s armed men. On the ground near their feet was one of Daniel’s men with and the other two of Valon’s bodyguards who’d been shot and killed.

You really thought you could stop me? Valon asked.

Daniel spat in Valon’s face. That earned him a swift punch to the gut.

Another volley of gunfire sounded around the clearing and the men froze, their eyes searching the surrounding jungle.

Valon spoke in that unfamiliar language to one of the men holding Daniel. The man on Daniel’s left dropped Daniel’s arm to lift the gun strapped to his torso.

As he took a step away, a shot fired and he dropped to his knees with a cry. Another shot went off and he jerked to the side, falling in a heap as Valon shouted something at the other man holding Daniel.

Steeling herself, Cricket moved through the trees, holding her gun up and fixing Valon in her sights. He didn’t notice her at first. The jungle on his far side shook and rustled, drawing his attention. Valon reached under his jacket and pulled his pistol out. He took aim into the trees and fired.

The man still holding Daniel shouted at him and Valon whirled on him with a fierce glare.

I don’t care what you think! I’m still in charge! In his rage, he shouted in English, not bothering to speak the local language.

As Cricket drew even with the truck, she spotted a movement to her right. If she survived, she was never going to forgive herself for such a stupid mistake.

Pete stepped close and pressed a gun to her temple with one hand. He reached his other hand out, gesturing for her to give up the one she held.

Cursing a blue streak in her head, Cricket handed it over and put her hands in the air. She’d forgotten all about Valon’s second-in-command. It was an inexcusable rookie error and if Rhodes or Grimm were there with her now, they’d be reading her the riot act. As long as her mistake didn’t get them all killed first.

She looked around and saw Daniel watching her. She narrowed her eyes in a signal she hoped he understood. They both needed to keep their mouths shut for now.

Valon noticed her then. Who the fuck are you?

Pete led her closer to where he stood with Daniel and the armed bodyguard. Cricket said nothing.

Valon sneered and shook his head. You’re lucky you’re not good looking, sweetheart. Otherwise there’s enough tension flying around this place to make you wish you were dead.

Cricket was unable to stop her snort of derision.

Valon’s eyes narrowed and he walked towards her. Then again, this situation has gone from bad to worse so maybe I could use a little relief.

She held herself still as he leaned down – she was shorter than every man she came across in this line of work – and scanned her body from head to toe.

He lifted his hand to her chest but the trees around them parted and Cricket’s associates walked out of the jungle to surround them. They had their weapons raised and fixed on Valon and his two men. They approached and Valon’s hand dropped but no one fired.

They couldn’t just kill Valon and expect there to be no repercussions. Even in this world, there were rules and consequences for actions. For now, the new arrivals kept him and his two men in sight as they approached.

Even with her eyes averted, Cricket knew he was staring at her. She could feel his gaze sweeping her body as if they were alone together. Once again, the air closed in around her and she swallowed, working her throat against the thickness.

After a long moment, she dared to meet his eyes and he nodded once. She lowered her arms and drew the pistol from behind her back in a quick move. As she side-stepped away from Pete, she levelled the barrel of her gun at Valon.

Valon turned his head to look around him. Cricket saw his mind working and fought down a smile as he realized he was well and truly fucked. His gun hand lowered and Daniel jerked out of the bodyguard’s grasp. He took the pistol from Valon’s hand as Cricket twisted to relieve Pete of his weapon.

And here I thought at least you’d honor the terms of our meeting. Valon sounded calm but Cricket could see the tension in him.

Daniel sneered as he dismantled Valon’s pistol in front of him. He finished by flinging the parts in opposite directions into the jungle surrounding them. He faced Valon with a hard look.

What? Valon demanded when no one spoke or moved.

Are we going to finish this?

Valon’s eyes widened before a slow smile spread across his face. You still want the guns?

Daniel shrugged. We didn’t drive out in the middle of the night through this godforsaken jungle just to have a little fun.

With a short laugh, Valon shook his head. He straightened and walked back over to the armored truck. Reaching up, he released the catch and the back end popped open. Daniel followed and they leaned inside, discussing the goods. All the while, Cricket and her associates kept their guns aimed at Valon, Pete and the remaining bodyguard.

At length, Valon and Daniel backed away and shook hands. Daniel gestured for two of his men to start moving the crates to his Jeep. After that was done, they all stood and watched as Valon and his remaining men drove away. When the last sound of the great rumbling armored truck died away, the team let out a collective sigh of relief.

Daniel turned to the man who’d organized the meeting. Well done.

The man nodded and stalked away, heading for the line of trees. Daniel watched him go before turning to look over his fallen companion.

Cricket approached and knelt beside Daniel. Who shot him?

I’m not really sure. Daniel closed the man’s eyes. They’d been partners for over a year, a long time in their line of work. Probably Pete.

Cricket nodded and looked around. The bodies of Valon’s bodyguards lay nearby. Some of their crew started to drag more bodies out of the surrounding jungle. Some were Valon’s men and a couple were Daniel’s. Clenching her jaw, she rose and walked over to where a man named Ryan stopped dragging a fallen man by his feet.

Dead? She knew even as she looked at Dean that he was.

Ryan nodded without speaking. Cricket looked into his face and saw how drawn and strained his expression was.

It’s all right now. She knew that this had been his first real job. Up until now, Ryan had been more of an errand boy for the others. Dean had been his friend, or at least as much of a friend as one could get in this line of work.

Ryan! A deep voice called out and footsteps approached from behind. Ah, shit. Dean. That’s a damn shame.

Cricket knew he meant it. As the ring leader for this job, she knew he felt responsible. It wasn’t something he let the others see but Cricket was different and she’d been looking at him a lot ever since she’d left home.

You need help moving him? he asked Ryan as the distinctive sound of another approaching vehicle came through the trees.

Ryan shook his head and bent over to take hold of Dean’s ankles again. He hauled the body across the clearing as a big, all-terrain truck rolled into view.

Left alone with her superior, Cricket found herself at a loss.

Are you all right? His tone was low.

She didn’t say anything for a moment. Her gaze wandered around the clearing. She saw the men carrying the other three bodies of their crew and glanced at the bodies of Valon’s men where they’d been left. She looked at the track marks left by Valon’s armored truck and at the dark jungle that rustled in a fresh breeze.

She looked everywhere but at the man standing next to her.

Until he took a step closer, blocking her view of everything else.

She looked up and couldn’t stop the shiver that coursed through her body at the look in his shadowed eyes.

Are you all right, Tabitha?

That name, the alias she’d adopted, was enough to draw her out of her foolish silence.

I can do this. She’d told herself the same thing dozens of times since meeting him face-to-face. I can pretend for a little while longer.

I’m fine. She managed to keep her voice steady.

Without another word or glance, she brushed past him, determined to escape him. She walked back to