Spies R Us

By Amber Malloy

Vann is a single dad, but his routine is blown apart when his long-lost wife comes back with one hell of a secret...

The top African American spy, Eden Morgan, is living the good life... Days away from permanently leaving the spy game, Eden's plan of being a stay-at-home mom goes up in smoke. Number one on the Russian hit list, Eden must leave her beautiful family and figure out who's trying to kill her. Unfortunately, her agency burns her status, so what should have been only weeks on the run turns into years. Instead of accepting her fate, Eden claws her way back from the dead to save the next people on the Russian's hit list—thanks to her husband's greedy family—her kids. However, after three years missing, her homecoming isn't well received. She finds that her awesome husband has moved on with a perky schoolteacher, not to mention her twins barely remember her. With a good idea who's behind the plot to kill them, Eden must navigate carpool lanes, bitchy moms and one angry, sexy husband.

Vann Morgan is charmed. One gorgeous wife and twins, and the most difficult thing in his life was reconstruction of his Chicago brownstone. Unfortunately everything changes when his lovely wife disappears but he's the only one who seems to care. After some years, Vann makes a new normal as a single dad, but his routine is blown apart when his long-lost wife comes back. Unable to trust Eden with his heart, he soon uncovers that everything surrounding her disappearance is his fault.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Totally Bound Publishing
• Release date: Feb 2, 2016
• ISBN: 9781784309596

Amber Malloy

Amber Malloy dreamed of being a double agent but couldn't pass the psyche evaluation. Crushed by despair that she couldn't legally shoot things, Amber pursued her second career choice as pastry chef. When she's not writing or whipping up a mean Snickers Cheesecake, she occasionally spies on her sommelier. Amber is convinced he's faking his French accent.

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Spies R Us

ISBN # 978-1-78430-959-6

©Copyright Amber Malloy 2016

Cover Art by Posh Gosh ©Copyright January 2016

Edited by Jamie D. Rose

Totally Bound Publishing

This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Totally Bound Publishing.

Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Totally Bound Publishing. Unauthorized or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.

The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.

Published in 2016 by Totally Bound Publishing, Newland House, The Point, Weaver Road, Lincoln, LN6 3QN

Totally Bound Publishing is a subsidiary of Totally Entwined Group Limited.

Warning:

This book contains sexually explicit content which is only suitable for mature readers. This story has a heat rating of Totally Sizzling and a Sexometer of 1.

SPIES R US

Amber Malloy

Vann is a single dad, but his routine is blown apart when his long-lost wife comes back with one hell of a secret…

The top African American spy, Eden Morgan, is living the good life… Days away from permanently leaving the spy game, Eden’s plan of being a stay-at-home mom goes up in smoke. Number one on the Russian hit list, Eden must leave her beautiful family and figure out who’s trying to kill her. Unfortunately, her agency burns her status, so what should have been only weeks on the run turns into years. Instead of accepting her fate, Eden claws her way back from the dead to save the next people on the Russian’s hit list—thanks to her husband’s greedy family—her kids. However, after three years missing, her homecoming isn’t well received. She finds that her awesome husband has moved on with a perky schoolteacher, not to mention her twins barely remember her. With a good idea who’s behind the plot to kill them, Eden must navigate carpool lanes, bitchy moms and one angry, sexy husband.

Vann Morgan is charmed. One gorgeous wife and twins, and the most difficult thing in his life was reconstruction of his Chicago brownstone. Unfortunately everything changes when his lovely wife disappears but he’s the only one who seems to care. After some years, Vann makes a new normal as a single dad, but his routine is blown apart when his long-lost wife comes back. Unable to trust Eden with his heart, he soon uncovers that everything surrounding her disappearance is his fault.

Trademarks Acknowledgement

The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:

Mini Cooper: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Corporation

Beretta: Fabbrica d’Armi Pietro Beretta

Ralph Lauren Polo: PRL USA Holdings Inc.

Showbiz Pizza: CEC Entertainment Inc.

Dave & Busters: Dave & Buster’s I, L.P.

Starbucks: Starbucks Coffee Company Corporation

PTA: National Congress of Parents and Teachers

Green Giant: General Mills Marketing Inc.

Cessna Citation: Textron Innovations Inc.

Tums: Glaxosmithkline LLC

Cayenne Porsche: Dr ING HCF Porsche AG Corporation

Grenade: The Smeezingtons

Easy Rider: Raybert Productions

Forbes: Forbes LLC

Lego: Lego Juris A/S Corporation

Sons of Anarchy: Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Snuggie: APD

TASER: TASER International Inc.

Harley: H-D USA LLC

iHome: SDI Technologies Inc.

Whatever Lola Wants: Richard Adler and Jerry Ross

Disney: Disney Enterprises Inc.

Marlboro: Phillip Morris Incorporated

UPS: United Parcel Service of America Inc.

Birken: Hermes International

iPad: AVC Group LLC

Dunkin’ Donuts: DD IP Holder L.L.C.

Hogsmeade: Warner Brothers Entertainment Inc.

Hogwarts: Warner Brothers Entertainment Inc.

Tori Burch: River Light V L.P.

Candy Crush: King.com Ltd.

Juicy Pop: Topps

Capri Sun: Deutsche Sisi-Werke Betriebs GMBH L.L.C.

Dateline NBC: NBC Universal Media L.L.C.

Thomas: Reverend Wilbert Awdry

Animal Kingdom: Turner Broadcasting System Inc.

Jeep: FCA US LLC

Mustang: Ford Motor Company Inc.

Secret Squirrel: Hanna-Barbera Inc.

Garrett’s Chicago Mix: Garrett Popcorn Shops

Razzie: The Golden Raspberry Razzie Awards LLC

Game of Thrones: Home Box Office Inc.

Mad Max: Kennedy Miller Productions

Mary Poppins: Disney Enterprises Inc.

True Blood: Home Box Office Inc.

Gymboree: Gym-Mark Inc.

Red Bull: Red Bull GMBH Corporation

Gucci: Gucci America Inc.

Great Gatsby: F. Scott Fitzgerald

Wicked: Gregory Maguire

Frapuccino: Starbucks Coffee Company Corporation

Patrick Bateman: American Psycho

Superdawgs: Superdawg

Thor: Marvel Comics Group

Scion: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha AKA Toyota Motor Corporation

Miller: Millercoors L.L.C.

BMW: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft Corporation

Cinnabon: Cinnabon Inc.

Alice in Wonderland: Lewis Carroll

Prada: Prada S.A. Corporation

This is Your Life: TIYL Productions

Eagle Scout: Boy Scouts of America Corporation

Caesars Palace: Caesars World Inc.

Sherlock Holmes: Conan Doyle Estate Limited

Ray-Bans: Luxottica Group

iPhone: Cisco Technology Inc.

Mandy: Barry Manilow

Playboy: Playboy Enterprises International Inc.

Valentino: Valentino S.P.A.

Velcro: Velcro Industries B.V.

Prologue

Blood slipped down her arm. Against her better judgment, Eden Morgan started the vehicle and steered it home, halfway blind from the bright haze of the street lamps that dipped in and out of the car. An eighteen-wheeler horn blared at her as she gunned the engine and ran a red light with the stolen Mini Cooper.

Preoccupied by the itchy wave of heat that was working its way up her spine, she yanked the wheel to the right. The Mini jumped the curb in front of her Chicago city brownstone and came to a hard stop in the front yard.

Poison from the Russian’s dart began to work its way through her veins. Antsy with panic by the time she finally got the car door open, Eden fell out of the tiny car.

Eden!

Disorientated, she worried she had lost her gun in the scuffle. She snatched at the red sequined gown to rip it off.

Damn it. Stop moving.

Her nanny’s voice broke through the high-pitched buzz in her ears. Of course she could have been delirious, but the sharp pain told her otherwise. Marta Garcia shoved the hypodermic needle farther into her chest.

Several agonizing moments passed before the blurry circles left her eyes. After a good thirty seconds, she could finally make out Marta’s chubby face. Instead of conceding to defeat, Eden tried to focus on the quarter moon. It loomed behind the Cuban woman who had trained her.

Did you get it?

Not yet, she tried to mutter around the swollen feel of her tongue. If Marta wanted to point fingers for the failed mission, she should start with herself. After all, she was Eden’s mentor.

That settles it then. You will just have to tell Vann.

The pain in her body began to subside, but not the ache in her heart. For the past two years she had managed to keep her spy affiliations a secret from her husband. Unfortunately, due to foreseen and unforeseen events, Eden would have to tell him that she was a paid assassin for the U.S. government and risk her happy home.

* * * *

She sank into her soft cocoon with a sigh. Warm bliss…

Hey, sunshine!

Eden reached for her semi-automatic Berretta but came up with nothing. Instead of finding her gun, she opened her eyes to the mid-morning sun. In no way did the good weather outshine her husband’s bright face.

Vann Morgan cradled their twins in his arm while feeding the greedy cherubs. That must have been one helluva of a party. I think you knocked over the end table and broke my favorite vase, he told her.

Poisoned by a foreign operative’s dart, she’d barely made it out of the embassy by the skin of her teeth. Apparently the Russians wanted to have a little chat, which meant that pesky killing stuff would have to come a little later.

I tripped over the table and caught that vase, she said with a groggy smile. But you, on the other hand, must have knocked it over when you got the boys’ bottles this morning. Nice try, Vann.

Achy and stiff, Eden pushed herself onto her elbows as she managed to keep the sheet firmly over her breasts. Vann seemed to be on a mission to get her pregnant again and Eden didn’t want to encourage him.

You caught me. I got an owie in the process as punishment. He pointed at his knee and turned his lip down into a childish pout. A shoo-in for a Ralph Lauren Polo advertisement, Vann’s Ivy League blond good looks contrasted perfectly with the chubby caramel angels he cradled in his arms.

Eden took in the picture of her husband and two sons with a chuckle.

Last week on the job, then you are officially a stay-at-home mom. How does it feel?

Can’t wait, she lied without a second thought. Death didn’t become her, and since there was no other way out of spy club, Eden was stuck.

Not to ruin the sweet bliss of your hangover or anything, but the boys have a doctor’s appointment in an hour…and I’ve got that meeting.

Crap! she muttered and glanced at the clock on the nightstand. The whole marriage, baby, spy thing was a bitch to juggle. The effects of her serum wouldn’t wear off for at least another twenty minutes.

You seem kinda of…you know, out of it. Think you can handle the munchkins? Vann leaned over and placed Miles in the twin bassinet. The chubby baby made a grab for his dad’s tie before he put his brother, Louis, next to him.

In the two years of their marriage, he’d donned that particular item once—the day of their wedding. Important meeting? she asked.

My ticket out of freelancing for J8, hopefully, he muttered. What happened here? He nodded at her arm.

He always tried to change the subject when it came to his work. Vann didn’t care for his freelance job. However, unbeknownst to her husband, the top secret work he was contracted to do was for her agency. In other words, the devil definitely had a hoof up his butt.

Coatrack, she lied about the pinprick of blood still visible from the dart. By the end of the day, she would be well over her regular tally of fibs.

As Vann flopped on the bed next to her, the sheet slipped past her areola. She tried to snatch the thin layer of fabric back, but he was quicker.

That, plus the gash you put on your leg last week? He began to peck the top of her breast with his lips. You’re becoming a regular klutz, sunshine, and that’s not like you. Vann peeled the sheet from her body and worked his way down to her stomach.

Donovann. Too horny from the serum to make him stop, she merely sighed.

Let’s have an Irish twin for the twins. Cupping the underside of her breast, he flicked her nipple with his tongue. Irish twin twins.

Already wet, she lay back against her pillow with a moan. The urge to release all of her pent-up stress changed into a need. What about the babies?

I’m trying to make some more, if you would just cooperate. With only a thin layer of cotton between them, he rubbed his crotch between her legs. Eden could feel the hard pulse of his cock through his pants.

No. She arched her back into him. What about the kids we already have? Eden turned her face toward the bassinets, where the twins babbled their baby talk. Happy and full, they were ready for their nap.

Crib…Marta. He spewed a bunch of nonsensical words as he worked his way up to her neck. I have a little time. Two boys and a girl… What could be more perfect? he said.

If Vann made it to the crook of her neck, she would be powerless to stop him. She had already begun to move her hips along with his.

Oh no—nuh-uh! Marta hollered at them from the bedroom door. I will get the hose, Donovann Morgan. Their fake nanny entered the room at a quick clip for a woman her size, and swatted at his backside with a dish towel. I will hose you and trust me, that shit hurts.

The house is under construction and full of wood. He dropped his head onto her shoulder. How the hell is she so damn quiet? The strong feel of his rock-hard cock disappeared.

Meet me for lunch? he suggested, while wrapping a lock of her dark hair around his finger.

I’ll call. She kissed him goodbye. With a little tug, Vann released her hair, which had been straightened within an inch of its life.

Marta. He bounced off the bed.

Dirty bird, she returned in her no-nonsense tone.

Vann tickled the twins’ tiny baby feet on his way out of the door.

Dammit, Eden! Marta growled. No more babies. At least the woman had the decency to wait for the front door to slam shut.

Serum… Drugged… You know the deal. Eden waved away the complaints from the fake nanny. No one would guess round and motherly Marta had taken down two drug cartels with a complex system of bombs.

Those stupid cocktails. The Cuban’s face softened. I used to get so damn horny off that stuff. You would be shocked to your toes if you knew what I did. Marta crossed the room and scooped the boys out of the bassinet.

I’m shocked to my toes, Eden said, and I’m just imagining.

The women laughed together for a moment before the humor slipped from Marta’s face.

Damn it, Eden, if you want to make it out, you’ll need to tell Vann everything. Then maybe you’ll have a chance with these beautiful babies. Isn’t that right? She cooed and smooched the twins’ chubby cheeks.

Determined to get something useful done, Eden whipped the sheet back and walked across the room. Within seconds she missed the warm comfort of her bed.

You weren’t even supposed to date, the nanny reminded her while Miles giggled merrily. Marta continued to blow raspberries on his little hand. Then what do you go and do? You marry him and have the kids, for goodness’ sake.

Eden ripped through the dresser as Marta continued to complain about stuff she already knew.

Let’s not forget you love him.

I didn’t, but you certainly did. Now we all must pay, she cooed at the babies, rocking them. "That’s right. Mommy stepped into some serious caca, little ones."

The old spy is right, I shouldn’t have fallen in love with Donovann Morgan.

Chapter One

Three years later

Spring was directly around the corner, which would conclude the twins’ first year of preschool.

Vann idled at the kids’ school in the carpool lane at the kid’s school. He waited for the kids with Dylan Hansen, his best friend, in the passenger seat. Dylan had been a one-time silent partner