The Final Truth
Chapter One
Jack couldn't help but stare as Irina deftly slipped the shirt off her shoulders and then slowly lowered her bra strap. Was it a game? Another seductive ploy to her endgame? His eyes met hers momentarily as he brought the scalpel to her shoulder blade and began to cut. "Of course, Kendall would have me court martialed for this."
Irina didn't move or flinch as she felt the cool metal cut through her skin. "Kendall is not as smart as you are." She wouldn't allow it to show but her heart was heavy with what tomorrow would bring. Another betrayal.
"Got it." Jack turned and placed the transmitter on the table. When he looked back, she was staring at him. He'd seen that look a million times before and knew what it meant. Jack's lips were pursed, waiting for her to speak, unsure of what he was doing. He noticed a faint trail of blood showing through the bandage on her shoulder. "You okay?" What the hell are you doing? He immediately cursed himself for the reflex reaction.
She glanced over her shoulder and a smile danced along her lips. "This is nothing." Irina's eyes narrowed, trying to read him. The air was heaving with twenty years of unspoken words. "We need to be up early."
"Yes." Her eyes are searching his. Questioning and probing but he won't give. Jack knows the mask is in place and he gives away nothing. They don't betray the desire that is steadily mounting.
"We should… get to bed." It came out as more of a question. Testing. Challenging. Irina's eyes fell to his mouth. His lips looked inviting, warm, and she was all but desperate to feel them against her own.
Jack's eyes swept over her face. It was another game and she had underestimated him again. He had spent years analyzing every second of their lives together. They would both play this game. "Yeah, we should." Jack's words were calculated and precise and he slowly leaned in. He watched with satisfaction as Irina's eyes closed and she leaned in but it was him who closed the gap quickly. Jack would never admit it but he needed her.
His plan was to keep his emotions at bay. Years of turmoil and hate had begun to seethe to the surface but when their lips met, it was electric. Jack could feel himself lowering her onto the bed, his hand tangled in her hair, slowly losing control. She was Laura, the loving wife, and she was also Irina. The single woman who embodied every failure as a father, husband, and agent.
Irina gasped as his tongue entered her mouth and his weight settled on top of her. She quickly yanked the shirt from his slacks and her hands found their way to his chest and her fingers ran through the hair she found there. Irina gasped as Jack began to trail kisses down her neck and couldn't stop the smile from forming as he hit the familiar ticklish spot.
He found the spot behind her ear and took advantage of the distraction. Jack quickly grabbed his Glock from the nightstand; the sound of the hammer cocking back quickly stopped her from writhing beneath him. "You're not the only one who can use sex as a distraction, Irina," he stated coldly. Jack hated that his arousal betrayed him but quickly ignored it.
Irina slowly moved her hands above her head, jaw clench as the cold metal poked into her temple. "What the hell are you doing, Jack? Are you going to shoot me?" Her voice held a taunting lilt she knew would infuriate him.
"It would probably be the best decision I've made in years," he deadpanned. "What is your plan for tomorrow?"
She rolled her eyes in annoyance and lazily clasped her hands together. "We've gone over the plan a million times-"
Jack's fingers quickly closed around her throat and he shoved the gun under her jaw. "Do not lie to me again." His voice cracked. "You lied to me for ten years. You betrayed me, you betrayed our daughter,and I will not allow you to do it again. Tell me the truth. Now."
Irina clenched her jaw. "Truth takes time, Jack."
"Don't feed me that bullshit!" His hand squeezed tighter and he could feel her begin to struggle for breath and it was satisfying. "Either tell me what your plan with Sloane is or I put a bullet through your fucking skull and tell Kendall you tried to escape."
When his grip finally loosened, Irina began coughing and struggled for oxygen. Gasping for air, her eyes were defiant as he waited for an answer. She was caught with no way out and she should've known better. He knew her; he could read every body movements in more way than one. "Fine. What do you want to know?"
He lowered the gun slightly when his breath caught in his chest. "Are you leaving?" Jack's heart fell as he watched the walls crumple in front of him. She was laid out before him, underneath him, and all the defenses were down. "Are you leaving me again?" Irina was a slippery slope and he was falling again.
Eyes growing sad, Irina slowly met his gaze. "Yes."