The Agent of Whispers: Sleeping with the Enemy, #1

By Jay Hunt

Megachurch pastor Tony Holt has a secret.

 

And Andre Lorde plans to use it against him. Andre's weapon of choice... sleeping with the enemy. Literally. That's why his team named themselves Scarlet. Mango came in a close second.

 

Andre's team is one of many cells that make up the Atlas Society. The good guys. Supposedly. And quite ruthless when it comes to fighting for equality.

Innocents will be hurt. Collateral damage is inevitable. Andre has dreamed up a plan that will bring Pastor Holt to his knees. Literally.

 

Andre likes winning... among other things. But when he meets straight youth pastor Troy Taylor, what should be impossible happens. Andre's falling for one of his targets, putting both of them at risk of losing... everything.

 

Author's Note: The Agent of Whispers features high heat biracial romance laced with intrigue and suspense, age gap sex, adult language, a little kink, and good people doing bad (and sometimes naughty) things.

• Language: English
• Publisher: My Deep Dark Pain is Love
• Release date: Nov 21, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215550953

Book preview

TWO

PASTOR JIMMY HOLT

Troy Taylor is perfect.

Dark waves riding his angular head, offsetting ocean blue eyes. Nose not too large. Lips… as full as he is intelligent.

No doubt about it. Jimmy Holt felt certain that the church’s young girls were going to drool over Troy. Some of the mothers too—when the boy wasn’t watching, of course. Probably catch the eye of some of his male parishioners as well.

Troy Taylor will make the perfect youth pastor.

Background looked good. Late twenties. Good but far from exceptional college. Heterosexual—at least according to the private investigator the church hired.

Jimmy mentally chuckled. Every Crystal Rock job candidate was investigated. Years ago, Jimmy convinced the church’s board to pay for employee background checks. It wasn’t an easy sell, and it took months to persuade the cheapskates to steer some money away from its Republican donations to the church’s job vetting process. It paid off too. Unlike so many other megachurches, Crystal Rock had always remained scandal-free.

Pity about Edwin, though. He was a good youth pastor among other things, but Lisa was always onto his game. Jimmy’s wife was good at sniffing out potential threats, and Edwin certainly was one. A reporter. Looking to uncover dirt on Jimmy and his church.

After that, Jimmy made it a requirement for their private investigators to vet potential church candidates for ties to the press or law enforcement.

Troy Taylor had no such ties, and the boy certainly looked good on paper—and in person. Smart, eager to please… like a gift from heaven. Jimmy frowned. There was no such thing as gifts from heaven. Not for Jimmy anyway… not anymore.

Jimmy looked up from the bland résumé and at the young man seated across his desk. Troy was trying his best to look confident, but he really looked like a kid pulled into the principal’s office.

Yes, Troy Taylor certainly seemed perfect for Jimmy’s purposes—but late.

This is what we can expect from you, Troy? Jimmy gave the boy his signature scowl. Lateness.

Troy blushed, making him look… adorable.

Oh yes. Troy Taylor is perfect in so many ways.

THREE

TROY TAYLOR

Troy knew that he needed to be careful with Pastor Holt.

Sure, the man exuded trustworthiness and warmth—a trait that helped make him such a major player in the evangelical space, but Holt was also a powerful man. Crystal Rock, like so many megachurches, began as a small church, but now it was a shiny monolith of glass and metal, sandwiched between two equally impressive buildings, though not as tall. A tribute to the pastor’s tenacity and charisma.

His office also radiated influence. Rosewood furniture dominated the large office space, framed by table lamps that looked more like vases. Even Pastor Holt’s startling green eyes… everything conveyed power. Subtle… but it was still there.

It was hard to look the pastor in the eye. He’d screwed up. If he didn’t get this job, he was in big trouble.

So, Troy… because we’re a Christian organization, it’s alright for you to waltz in late for a job interview?

No, sir. Troy knew his face was flushing red. I apologize, sir.

The door opened, but with his back to the wall Troy couldn’t see who had just entered. Pastor Holt rose from his chair, so Troy did the same.

This here is Assistant Pastor Beard.

Troy started to turn in order to shake the assistant pastor’s hand, but found his shoulders roughly straightened forward. Experienced hands slid up Troy’s thighs and waist and into his armpits, causing Troy to hold his arms up high.

Troy couldn’t believe it. He had just been frisked like a criminal. Just as concerning, Pastor Holt’s green eyes were suddenly hard and calculating. Pastor, I know I’m late but—

Assistant Pastor Beard squeezed Troy’s chest from behind, distracting him. His rough hands slid dangerously close to Troy’s crotch as they made their way down his legs.

I just know I’m blushing. Crap.

Finally finished, the assistant pastor slapped Troy on the butt and positioned himself to the right of Pastor Holt’s desk while Holt fixed his winning Hollywood smile on Troy.

Why?

Don’t be upset, Troy. Pastor Holt gave his assistant’s suited shoulder a squeeze. Just part of the interview.

Troy was angry. Angry and humiliated despite Pastor Holt’s return to charm and warmth. The pastor was a good six feet three inches. His followers literally looked up to him. The man wielded a lot of power—and not only in the church. Conservative politicians respected him too.

And you, Troy Taylor, are late for an interview with him. Good going. Plus, you just been frisked by a pro. You deserve it… but that doesn’t answer the why I got searched.

You’d be surprised how many reporters come here. The assistant pastor offered Troy a smile. He was in his fifties like his boss but not as tall or as good-looking. They pretend to want to work for Crystal Rock Ministries.

But I have a recommend—

Which could have easily been traded for… There was a glint in Pastor Holt’s green eyes. For whatever.

Troy’s mouth went dry. He wished he could get some of that water from the pastor’s desk, but he had already broken enough job interview rules for one day. Pastor Holt moved from his desk to confront him. Troy did his best not to tense up, but it was hard.

Pastor Holt, I’m really sorry that I’m late but—

The pastor slapped a friendly hand on Troy’s back. You passed, son. Flying colors.

Background check is fine too. The assistant pastor offered another thin smile. But we are curious. Los Angeles is a long drive from Connecticut.

I’m starting to think that Assistant Pastor Beard doesn’t like me much. Correction… I don’t think he likes anyone much.

But this was Troy’s chance to redeem himself. Well… Reverend Kragen, my pastor, wanted me to learn as much as possible from—well, one of the country’s leading conservative evangelists.

Are you a Republican?

The assistant pastor was obviously very intelligent—and Pastor Holt’s bulldog, keeping Holt blameless.

Thank you, Stephen. Pastor Holt placed a friendly hand on Beard’s back and escorted him to the door. I’ll take it from here.

Once the assistant pastor closed the door behind himself, Pastor Jimmy Holt was beaming all smiles at Troy. A strong hand slid innocently across Troy’s waist as the pastor made his way back to his desk. The one with the nice pitcher of water on it.

Pastor Holt noticed Troy’s eyes sneaking glances at the water on his desk. The pastor’s winning smile turned into a leer. Thirsty, Troy?

Troy breathed slowly to stop himself from tensing up.

Make him like you, Troy. Do whatever it takes. Just make the man like you, so you can get the job.

Whatever it takes.

FOUR

PASTOR JIMMY HOLT

For a second there… I thought Troy was going to hit me—and Stephen.

Good. Some spunk in the boy after all. But you really need this job, don’t you Troy?

Jimmy Holt knew that he did. The private investigator was kind enough to provide explicit details of Troy’s three bank accounts—all of them under one thousand dollars combined. Poor boy was running on fumes.

Jimmy gestured for Troy to sit back down. The boy instantly complied.

Good. I need a man who can take direction.

Jimmy seated himself on the edge of his desk as he launched into his routine Let me tell you about us, Troy.

His crotch was only inches away from Troy’s straight boy face, but the boy didn’t move back.

He knows he can’t afford to blow things again.

Jimmy smiled at his own pun as he continued. "Crystal Rock promotes the worship and obedience to God through His Holy scriptures. We empower, lead,