"Fidelity, Bravery, Integrity." Words he lives by every day. Protect and defend at all costs. He's undercover, armed and dangerous, she's in the wrong place at the wrong time. Will he be able to keep her safe and keep his hands to himself at the same time?
Chapter 1 – Standing In The Shadows
He gripped hard onto the solid metal 9mm gun in his hand; heart rate along with adrenaline increasing by the second. His back pushed against the rough brick wall, his black Armani suit taking the brunt of the force. The polished black dress shoes on his feet now covered in a sheen of dirt and debris. He shoved his gun back in the holster strapped to his side under his dinner jacket. He watched his puffs of breath disappear in clouds into the dark night air. Everything was going smoothly despite the dull ache in the bottom of his shoulder. A previous injury looming over him. He wasn't old, but he certainly didn't move as quick as he once did. Four months into the investigation and still nothing had been recorded or taped. No hard evidence and that's exactly what he needed. This was what his life revolved around. Chasing down bad guys and locking them away. Recently he had done a lot of chasing, not pulling through and his boss wasn't pleased.
He straightened out his jacket and ran a hand through his gelled black hair. Being an FBI officer was his life, everything he stood for. He had moved to Tampa three years ago after working with the English government for seven years. After a messy divorce, the offer of joining the Drug Section sounded like a new start on life. He couldn't pass that up, even if that did mean leaving friends and family. This was what he did best.
He strolled away from the building into the darkness. He wanted to get home, have a beer and watch the game he had recorded earlier in the day. He knew that wasn't going to happen. He spotted the unmarked car down the next street and headed for it.
"What you get?" As soon as he opened the door to the black Hyundai, his partner Cody Runnels sat waiting for any news of expecting evidence so they could close the case.
"Nothing, the guy wouldn't budge."
"I told you it's your accent, man."
"Shut up, Runnels." He raked his hands over his face and sighed. He pulled his shirt free from his trousers and reached to his back. He pulled the small recording device free and threw it onto the dashboard. "Waste of time."
Cody scoffed then muttered under his breath. "I can't wait to see you explain this to Donahue." Stu cringed at the thought. Deputy Chief Richard Donahue was hard, serving with the Navy before working with the FBI for 20 years. He would hand his ass to him when he found out about this.
"Well, I'll be damned." Cody looked to where Stu was staring out of the car window. A woman in her mid twenties hurried along the sidewalk, a wad of cash in her hand. She had just exited the building Stu had come out of 5 minutes ago.
"Did you see her in there?" Cody asked before wiping his mouth with a napkin and discarding his bucket of fried chicken into the back seat.
"I don't think so." There had been too many faces to remember them all, but he was sure he would have remembered her. His gaze travelled up her long legs, a pair of nude coloured pumps on her feet. She crossed the road towards them, shoving the wad of money into her purse. A high waisted pencil skirt reached her knees, a navy blue silk blouse tucked into the skirt.
Stu turned and nodded to Cody as she walked past quickly without sparing them a glance. He climbed out the car and started to follow her. "Excuse me." Her head flew over her shoulder as he approached her, strands of hair stuck to her lips as her eyes widened. She bolted. Her heels clicked against the concrete, her bag falling from her shoulder to the crook of her arm. He was right behind her, his long strides and quick pace were no match for her. Her head shot over her shoulder one last time, a mass of black and white polyester heading straight for her. She swung her elbow back connecting with his stomach. She spun around and pulled her bag from her elbow. She aimed for him, hitting him in his shoulder. He cursed as a dull pain ran through his shoulder down his arm. He caught her wrist before she could run again.
"Let go, let go, let go." She continued to ambush him with her rather heavy purse. He wasn't surprised since she was probably carting around drugs and wads of cash. He breathed a sigh of relief as Cody appeared and took hold of her other arm.
"HELP!" She yelled out, her heart racing a mile a minute. Stu groaned and reached into his back pocket, he opened his badge and flashed it in front of her face.
"Special Agents Bennett and Runnels. We're going to need to bring you in for questioning." She stopped thrashing about as Stu shoved his badge back in his pocket and took hold of her other hand. "I got it from here Runnels."
Her bag dropped to the floor with a thud as he brought her over to the wall next to the sidewalk. "Hands above your head, ma'am." Her nose touched the cold brick wall and she let out a sigh.
"I haven't done anything wrong. Whoever you're looking for it's not me." She felt his big hands on her hips and she sucked in a breath.
"It's best if you keep quiet for now and answer our questions. Do you have any weapons on you?" He glanced at Cody. Latex gloves on his hands going through her bag.
"Yes, I have a semi auto shoved down my blouse." Stu shot a look to Cody who glanced up from her bag and raised an eyebrow.
"Spread your legs, Ma'am." He ran his hands across her arms and shoulders. She made a breathy little sound and he stopped for a second. She turned her head to the side and her hair brushed across his hands. He carried on down her back and across her stomach. He brought his hands down to her hips again then crouched down. He skimmed down the sides of her thighs to the bottom of her skirt. He glanced down to her calves and ankles, nothing but smooth tanned skin staring back at him. No weapons, nothing sharp. All smooth. He didn't have to run his hands across her bare skin to know that but he did. She tensed as he lightly touched down to her ankles.
He stood back up and ran a hand over his face. He needed to get laid. That was it. He needed to go out with the guys, have a few beers and - "Bennett."
"What?" He turned to Cody to see him holding up the wad of cash they had seen her stuff into her bag earlier. He smirked and pulled the woman's arms down. He gripped onto her elbow, she wouldn't need handcuffs. He figured she wouldn't be trying to run away any time soon. "We need to ask you some questions at the office." He turned her around and was met by the most startling emerald green eyes.
"Don't you have better things to do? Like catching robbers or something?" She looked up at him, a darker shade of green orbs staring back at her. He walked her down the sidewalk; they needed to get out of there. He had already caused a scene. Maybe he should had left her, found out where she lived and done his research. But she had evidence, hell she was a potential perp.
"Mind your head." She let out a frustrated puff of air as he held the back door open. "And the chicken."
She liked to talk. Liked to ask a lot of questions. But now she was sat with three guys staring at her and she wouldn't utter a word. She placed her hands on the desk and played with the thin silver band on her middle finger. "Jennifer-" Stu started but was quickly interrupted.
"It's Jen, and how do you know my name?"
"Your licence is in your purse." Her mouth formed a small 'O' shape in response.
"Look I know I have a few speeding tickets that I need to pay off, but is this really necessary."
"This has nothing to do with unpaid tickets." He knew she had three speeding tickets, run two red lights and was involved in a minor car accident last fall. He also knew she graduated from Tampa state with a Bachelor of Arts in Advertising and Public relations. Whilst running a background check he had found some other interesting things out about her.
"What were you doing at Frankie's Bar?" He asked her for the second time. The pulse in the centre of his forehead was increasingly becoming annoying and the dull ache in his shoulder wasn't letting up. He needed aspirin.
"What were youdoing there Agent-" She paused for a moment and played with her ring again. "Bennett is it?"
"I'm not the one being questioned Miss. What's your connection with Dean Matrianou?"
"I don't know who you're talking about." She was lying again as she mindlessly played with her ring. He could pick up a tell from a mile away. He glanced to his left at Cody and patted him on the shoulder. They walked over to the door of the room.
"I can't stay any longer, I have to get back to Kim." Stu nodded at Cody. His wife Kim was 6 months pregnant with their first child.
"Me and DiBiase have this. See you in the morning." Stu turned back to Jen and watched as she crossed one leg over the other. There were those legs again. He swore she was doing it on purpose.
"Why did you have the cash?"
"I need that cash back you know, my boss won't be happy when he finds out about this."
"You work for Paul's Party Planning?" She nodded and uncrossed her legs. "Keep talking." He pressed his hands flat on the table and leant over. He had taken his jacket off, shirt sleeves rolled up to his elbows. Special agent Ted DiBiase stood leant against the wall next to the door.
"We organised the party you were at. We were paid the deposit beforehand, I went to go collect the rest."
"How long have you worked for Paul Reese?"
"Not long. 6 months." She ran her tongue over her bottom lip. "Is this going to take long?"
"Have somewhere to be? Someone to meet up with?"
"I want to be home in a bubble bath." He locked his jaw. That was the last image he needed right now. She ran her finger across her ring again, she didn't want to be in a bubble bath. She wanted to be stuffing her face with fried chicken and watching re runs of Law and Order.
The door to the small room clicked open and Stu turned around. "Can I speak to you?" He nodded and followed the petite woman out of the room.
"What did you find?"
"No trace of any drugs in the handbag or on the money." Stu rand his hand across his stubble. That wasn't good news. He glanced down at Evie and nodded. She was part of the forensics team and did a damn good job. "But the notes are counterfeit."
He smirked. Maybe be wouldn't get his ass kicked by Donahue after all. "Thanks Evie." He turned to go back into the room but her next words stopped him.
"Just doing my job. Got your butt kicked by a girl huh?" He shook his head. He should never trust Cody and his big mouth.
A/N – So this was planned to be a one shot which I started a few months ago, but I really wanted to write this whilst it popped into my head a few days ago. Feedback is greatly appreciated :) Lou x