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Porter hadn't been able to speak to her when she walked into the precinct, still pissed off by Elliot's bold words on the phone. She was embarrassed herself; thinking back to all the strange jealous moments the three of them had shared over the years.
"All right, the moment has come…we've been given an address, it's an exclusive hotel… there's no way of knowing how long we'll have to wait before we progress to the next step. But all that matters is that they trust us and introduce us to the girls. We know that as soon as we select a donor she will be killed within 48 hours of having her eggs harvested. If we're made, they will likely kill all the girls and us along with them. We also have every reason to believe that we will be under constant surveillance," Porter said, looking over to Olivia.
Olivia was already unhappy about having to play Porter's wife in public, but if they were going to be watched at all times she would never be able to break character. She wearily returned his gaze, and pursing her lips grabbed the folder with her new identity.
"Is that all…anything else I need to know?" she asked wryly.
Porter told her that there were five agents stationed in the hotel that had been working undercover for the past two months. They would be monitoring Porter and Olivia who couldn't wear wires or carry their phones or weapons. She memorized their faces knowing that in an emergency they would be her only way out.
"Let's just do this, the sooner we get started the sooner we can finish," she said quickly, heading for the locker room.
Olivia and Porter sat in silence as he drove them to the address provided by their "liaison" as she called herself. They were supposed to wait there until contacted about the next step; were it not for Porter and the threat of death, Olivia would have welcomed the free time.
The moment they stepped out of the car, Porter crossed to her and wrapped an arm around her waist. Her eyes widened as he leaned in for a quick kiss before leading them into the lobby, leaving their bags in the car. Olivia gathered herself quickly, smiling as affectionately as she could manage. Apparently, he was going to be taking full advantage of their situation.
They checked in as Michael and Laura Taylor, and Olivia groaned inwardly when then clerk handed them their keys and Porter returned his arm to her waist.
They walked to the elevator somewhat awkwardly, since she was subtly trying to move away from him. The moment the elevator doors closed she turned toward him angrily.
"What the hell Porter? You said our room was probably bugged, not the goddamn sidewalk."
"Olivia, what makes you think we aren't being watched by someone in the lobby, or even outside…we shouldn't even be talking into the elevators." Porter whispered at her harshly.
She followed him quietly down the hall, figuring that he wouldn't touch her but that she'd still look the part of the subservient wife. They walked into the room and took in the lush surroundings. It was definitely more like a suite than the cramped hotel room she'd imagined. The sitting room and bedrooms had private terraces and there was the largest bed she'd ever seen nestled behind a hazy silk canopy.
"This is absolutely beautiful baby, "Porter said taking their bags into the bedroom. She smiled after him, looking around as casually as possibly for a camera.
"I know, I think the experience will be much less stressful for us in here." She said, walking onto the terrace.
There was just enough noise from the city below to potentially drown out a soft conversation. Olivia discretely felt along the railings while pretending to take in the view. She finally sat down on the lounge chairs and dropped an earring on the ground. Pretending to retrieve it, she leaned over and ran her hand along the bottom of the table.
She stiffened when her fingers ran over a small bump, too large to be a part of the table, she carefully felt around it before banging her hand strategically against it. If they were being watched it would seem that she'd just been clumsy and accidentally dislodged it. The little microphone fell to the ground and she crushed it carefully underfoot when she stood up.
Olivia made a show of rubbing her hand when Porter came through the door to see about the noise. He smiled at her when she told him she'd hurt herself and he pulled her into a tight hug.
She immediately pretended to kiss his neck while whispering, "I found a bug under the table, just crushed it, but we need to find the rest."
Porter pulled her closer, "You're absolutely right Mrs. Taylor… but right now, I just want to kiss my wife," he said before dropping mouth to hers.
Olivia gasped as he thrust his tongue into her mouth, both hands now cupping her face. She tried to control her breathing and let him kiss her. When he pulled away she couldn't help the look on her face; she was confused, upset, and worried. They could pretend to be married without him manhandling her constantly; he didn't have to kiss her like that.
She cleared her throat nervously, and went back inside "we need to see if there are any messages for us, they said we'd be contacted about dinner."
Porter frowned after her for a moment before bending down to tie his shoe and discretely gathering the broken pieces of the microphone.
Olivia walked away from him and into the bedroom turning on the TV and raising the volume; she didn't even want to deal with the idea of being watched in there or the bath. She looked up as he walked into the bedroom, a smile on his face.
"Come here," he said, reaching for her. She stood up hesitantly and walked over to him, shuddering slightly when he slid a hand down her hip to her ass, pulling her against him again.
"I'm almost certain there are cameras and microphones throughout the place, we have reason to believe they own the hotel and use this suite exclusively for their donor program", he whispered into her ear while his other hand covered her breast.
"Then what we need is a power outage so that we can send one of our guys in here to sweep," she whispered angrily.
"Ok honey, let me just call downstairs and see if we have any messages and I'll be right back," she said loudly, pulling her wrist from his grasp.
Olivia rushed out of the bedroom and called downstairs, surprised to hear that they indeed had a message for dinner at eight in the hotel's restaurant. It would appear that they wouldn't have any opportunity to sneak outside that evening. These people were smart enough not to trust what they couldn't control. Olivia only hoped Porter's guys would be able to clear the suite of all surveillance equipment, before they had to share a bed.
They sat in the restaurant at eight looking around anxiously. Olivia shifted uncomfortably against Porter, lamenting the strapless dress she was wearing. He leaned closer into her and draped an arm across her bare shoulders. Since they were supposed to be a happily married couple, Olivia fought the instinct to cringe at his touch and forced a smile on her face.
"You know, Laura….I don't ever think I've seen you more beautiful," Porter said, placing a wet kiss on her cheek, and then against her lips.
He'd been relentless since the moment their assignment started, taking advantage of their communications black out and touching her everywhere that wasn't covered by clothes.
The only thing that gave her comfort was saving these girls' lives. If she had to endure a bit of pawing, then she would.
Porter seemed to enjoy playing house with her, and maybe if he'd been honest with her all along they would have had a chance. Now, she was with Elliot and she didn't want to even think about another man.
For once she was glad that Elliot no longer worked with her, if ever found out what Porter was doing he would probably kill him, international traffickers be damned.
Porter leaned in to whisper something but was interrupted when a tall, thin, and severe looking woman in a black suit sat down across from them.
" Mr. and Mrs. Taylor, it's a pleasure….I am Mrs. Johnson" she said, extending her arm across the table and shaking their hands.
"We're so happy to have you staying with us while we go through this very important process, we hope you didn't mind leaving behind your cell phones and laptops, but secrecy is of the utmost importance."
Olivia smiled politely, remembering how their bags had mysteriously appeared in their suite. She was letting them know that they had been checked. "Thank you so much for the lovely accommodations, we were a bit nervous at first but it'll give us some well-needed time off…."she said.
"How long do you think we'll be waiting, I'm just a bit worried about Laura and I missing too much work?" Porter interrupted.
"I was just coming to that," she said slightly narrowing her eyes at Porter.
"I've received word that your potential donors have recently arrived in the city; as soon as they pass their final health screening you can meet them and decide who you'd like to help you start your family."
Olivia and Porter exchanged a glance, if they could get at least one of the girls to identify the men that kidnapped and transported them, they could make their case against them.
They ate dinner, only occasionally engaging in conversation. Both were wary about "Mrs. Johnson" who had not given a first name and was asking them rather personal questions about Olivia's fertility history.
The department provided them with a fabricated medical history and documentation of infertility. Olivia hadn't been prepared for the odd sadness that filled her when she thought about the striking familiarity between her alter ego and herself.
Olivia answered the questions as casually as she could, "Yes, we've been trying for years…I've always wanted to carry a child and have that experience…so we thought that a donor was a novel means to that end."
Porter wrapped an arm around her and kissed her cheek again, in mock comfort, "that's why we're so dedicated to this process….so tell us, where exactly are the young ladies from? We were told they were foreign students."
" You'll know all of that in the days to come, right now just make yourselves comfortable… also it might be best if you didn't leave the hotel unless absolutely necessary….we never know when we might need to reach you." she said dismissively, checking her watch.
" Now, if you'll excuse me, I have an appointment that I am a bit late for, please stay and finish your meal," she said, rising from her seat.
Olivia and Porter glanced after her slightly confused. There was definitely something strange about the whole operation. From what she'd read in the case files, this had been going on in five different countries over the last ten years. The bodies found in the city were just a small portion of what they assumed was a very profitable industry; for 75,000.00 they would empty the ovaries of the girl of your choice. In order to stop it from happening yet again, they would need to do more than just wait to be contacted.
Olivia and Porter finished dinner and decided to stroll around the hotel; if they could find their agents then they could get word to them to cut the power and come sweep their room.
Porter inevitably grabbed her hand as they walked, searching the grounds of the hotel for their contacts.
Porter stopped short when he spied an one of his agents coming out of the kitchen; he walked over to him and asked directions to the main lobby. Then he slid a tip into his hand, inside of which was a message.
They returned to the room and Olivia excused herself to change out of her dress and heels. Porter had insisted that she dress up for the evening to stay in character, but she wasn't entirely sure she could believe anything he was telling her anymore. She walked out of the bathroom in her most unflattering gray sweats, to find him sitting on the edge of the bed.
" I can't wait to break in this bed," he said jokingly, reaching out for her.
Olivia didn't move at first, but then forced herself to take his hand and sit beside him on the bed.
He didn't hesitate before he started kissing her again; she panicked for a moment, wondering how far he would take this little show, but smiled against his mouth when she had a revelation.
Olivia moaned in frustration and pushed him off of her slightly, ignoring the angry look on his face.
"Not now baby, I'm kind of tired….we have the rest of our stay," she said, adopting the tone of the disillusioned wife. Married couples didn't behave like newlyweds, if anyone was watching them; it would just look like she wasn't in the mood.
Porter smiled knowingly at her and leaned in for another kiss, this time sliding hand up her inner thigh. Olivia struggled not to punch him, but it was becoming impossible to just let him assault her.
Just then the lights began to flicker before going out completely. Olivia's heart soared, and within moments there was a knock at their door. Porter's other agent was there explaining that there had been a power shortage. They let him in and he quickly swept the room, finding multiple microphones in every room, and a camera in every room but the bath.
Olivia was pleased that she hadn't slugged Porter, years of surveillance and work would have been wasted.
Olivia was relieved when he placed cell phones and guns into their hands, and informed them that they were certain at least three girls were being kept in the hotel. He also handed them two wires to wear whenever they left the room. He recorded them pretending to sleep and walking back and forth in the suite a few times.
When the agent left, Olivia and Porter waited for the lights came back on. No one would bother them about the missing surveillance equipment due to his agent's efforts, their tapes would loop endlessly.
They left the sitting room completely bugged; in case they might be tested but the rest of the suite was safe. Porter didn't touch her again, knowing that she would be able to slap him or whatever other defensive mechanism she would use. She shrugged unapologetically at him and headed for the bedroom.
"You take the couch," she said before closing the door on him.
Next: Porter and Olivia face some obstacles, and Elliot finds out what Porter has been up to.
Note: Thanks for the reviews, sorry for the delay….was traveling, am back…will update sooner.