Suddenly a Spy, page 1
Suddenly a Spy
by: Heather Huffman
Smashwords Edition
Copyright © 2010 Heather Bodendieck
Cover Image Copyright © 2010 Emily Stoltz
All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.
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* * * * *
To Christine Tatum Brake: Your strength and beauty amaze me. Your kindness humbles me. You bless all you meet, and I am forever grateful to call you friend.
Words seem so feeble, yet they’re all I have to give, so these words are yours. Thank you for who you are, and may God’s blessings shine down on you and your family.
* * * * *
Suddenly a Spy
by
Heather Huffman
Chapter One
If life had taught Veronica Talbot one thing, it was that the perfect moments are the ones to be the most wary of. So when all was exactly as Veronica wanted it, from her Vera Wang wedding dress to the sprays of gerbera daisies that would adorn the tables at the reception, she should have known trouble loomed on her horizon. With one hand resting lightly on her father’s arm and her eyes fixed on the man at the other end of the aisle, she remained oblivious of what was to come.
Her hands were in his now. They were smiling at each other. She tried to read his gray-green eyes. Was there something else there besides devotion? Just a shadow maybe… he winked at her playfully and she flushed. The vows were a blur. Suddenly they were being introduced to the crowd. She was Mrs. Richard Sinclair.
Together, the newlyweds greeted the droves of friends and family that had shown up to wish them well. It was all such a blur—the endless stream of well-wishers, the photographs, the bridesmaids forever fussing over her blond curls and the lay of her gown.
“Come on,” her perfect groom stood and held his hand out to her. “Dance with me, Mrs. Sinclair.”
“Aren’t they supposed to tell us when to dance?” Veronica hesitated.
“I don’t know who ‘they’ are, but it is our wedding,” Rick countered, still waiting for her to take his hand.
“You have a point,” she conceded, sliding her hand in his.
He motioned to the orchestra conductor, who gave a barely perceptible nod.
Veronica was only vaguely aware of the first dance being announced or the eyes on her. Rick was pulling her into his embrace. They twirled around the dance floor in a waltz.
“I know that look,” he dipped his head to whisper against her cheek.
Veronica merely raised an eyebrow in response.
“Don’t make this reception feel any longer than it does already, Ronnie,” his words didn’t stop him from pulling her even closer or from grazing her lips with a feathery kiss.
Being in Rick’s arms always left her stomach feeling like warm butter. Veronica was glad there was a short break before she was expected to dance with her father. She would have liked the distraction of her brother’s gentle teasing to take her mind off Rick and the way his breath tantalized her skin when he was so near, but Jeff was nowhere to be found.
If Veronica had to guess, he was surrounded by bridesmaids somewhere. Who could blame them? Her brother was good looking, charming, and an FBI agent. He was the kind of man who made women daydream about being the one to tame him.
Jeff’s antics with women might be eye-roll inducing to someone like Veronica, but she adored him anyway. Since childhood, he’d been her tormenter and her protector. She didn’t think that would ever change.
Of course, vying for the role of Veronica’s protector was her father. When Jeff had joined the FBI, he was merely following in their father’s footsteps. As a little girl, Veronica had been ridiculously proud of her Daddy and his decorated career. As a teen, she bemoaned being the daughter of a man so well known for his expertise with a gun.
Maybe that’s why she’d fallen so hard for Rick. He treated her like a grown woman fully capable of taking care of herself.
“Are you sure he’s good enough for you, Ronnie?” Sean Talbot asked the moment the father/daughter dance began. “You can always get this annulled.”
“Daddy,” Veronica rolled her eyes. “Stop it. You know I’m crazy about him.”
Sean tried not to frown too deeply but couldn’t keep the worry from his bright blue eyes. “I don’t think he’s good enough for you.”
“Is anyone?” she teased.
“Not really,” his face softened as he looked at his little girl. “I’m so proud of you, Ronnie. Just remember, if it doesn’t work out with this joker and you need a change of scenery, I can always get you transferred to one of the field offices.”
“Daddy, stop talking about my marriage breaking up. At least wait until after the wedding. And I’m a writer, not a field agent.”
“I just want you to know the offer is out there.”
“Duly noted,” Veronica sighed. “Now stop harassing me and go dance with Mom.”
Veronica looked for her brother again, but he was surrounded by a group of women. No surprise there. She gave up hope of seeing Jeff anytime soon, and Rick was quick to reclaim his bride for another dance.
Veronica loosened up a little in his arms. The night was nearing an end; she and Rick could begin their happily ever after soon. It would all start to seem more real once this night was over.
They performed the rituals of the wedding ceremony. The cake was cut—they both adhered to the previously agreed-upon pact to not smash it into the other’s face. Although Rick cheated and dabbed just a little frosting on her nose.
The single women gathered to catch the bouquet, which Veronica gave a good toss, hoping it would sail right over the heads of the overly-eager ones at the front of the pack. She tried to tell who caught it from everyone’s reaction.
Confusion covered her pretty face when she turned to find someone she didn’t know holding her bridal bouquet. The crowd had parted for her and the entire room openly stared at the woman with the brightly colored daisies in her grasp. How could they not? She was stunning, in a hardened kind of way.
The brunette moved towards the young couple, her movements reminiscent of a cougar stalking its prey. Veronica cast an anxious glance at Rick, wondering if he shared her confusion. The instant her eyes met his, she knew.
He knew this woman. He knew this woman and something about her presence here was unnerving him. It didn’t take Veronica too many guesses to figure out what that might be. Anger bubbled through her.
“Richard,” the woman practically purred. “I like the new last name. It suits you.”
“Adrianna,” he nodded curtly but said no more.
“As much as I’d love to meet your friend, we should probably toss the garter,” Veronica gave Rick a look that spoke volumes. “Because everyone is going to keep staring at us until we do.”
“Right. You’re right,” he turned back to Adrianna. “Whatever you need will have to wait a few minutes.”
Somehow they both managed to plaster smiles on their faces as they went through the expected motions. No one was the wiser that Veronica was very vividly imagining kicking her groom in the face with her four-inch heels. He played to the crowd, hamming up the entire thing. If there was something on his mind other than his wedding night, he kept it well hidden. Attention finally turned from them, and when it did, Adrianna materialized.
“Richard, my darling man, you shouldn’t have disappeared like that,” there was sultry reproach in her voice.
“I’ll handle this,” Rick tried to dismiss Veronica.
“Like hell you will,” she stubbornly refused to listen. “I’d like to hear what’s going on.”
“Didn’t you tell her about your past life?” Adrianna’s deep brown eyes widened with feigned shock. “You really shouldn’t keep secrets like that.”
“What do you want?” The growl in Rick’s voice startled Veronica.
“Marko isn’t happy with you.”
“No surprise there.”
“He isn’t happy, and he wants to have a word with you.”
“Someone should explain the rules to him. He doesn’t get to make demands.”
“Oh, didn’t you hear? He’s out.”
“Of course,” Rick’s expression seemed to falter briefly. “I hadn’t heard, but I did expect it sooner or later.”
“It doesn’t have to be messy,” Adrianna leaned into Veronica’s groom. “We had fun together. Come b ack. I’ll make sure Marko accepts you back into the fold.”
“Adrianna…,” Rick leaned away even as her hand came to rest on his chest.
Veronica narrowed her eyes and took a step towards the intruder. “I’m not above a cat-fight on my wedding day. You might want to step away from my husband.”
“Back off, little girl,” venom dripped from Adrianna’s voice. “You’re in over your head here.”
“I’ll take my chances.”
“Veronica, your father is watching,” Rick warned her under his breath.
“I’m not sure I care right now,” she stepped back despite her words. “I want this… thing… out of here.”
“Do you usually let her order you around?” Adrianna’s laugh was harsh. “You’ve certainly changed. And in such a short time, too.”
“Just go,” he closed his eyes, willing the unwanted guest gone.
“Fine, but consider yourself fairly warned. And my offer won’t stand for long.”
“And you consider yourself fairly warned,” Veronica leveled her gaze on Adrianna. “You stepped into the wrong woman’s life. I will make your existence a living hell from this moment forward.”
“Careful, princess. You just might bite off more than you can chew.”
“I think I’ll manage,” Veronica retorted coolly.
“Adrianna—go,” Rick reiterated.
“Consider me gone,” she held her hands up in surrender, giving Rick one last meaningful look. “Think about my offer.”
“Not likely,” Rick promised.
Veronica watched her new nemesis leave, wanting to punch the cow squarely in her pouty mouth. Everything about the woman reminded Ronnie of a black widow. Even her walk was seductive. Adrianna, was it? Tomorrow she’d see what else she could find out about the woman who’d openly propositioned her husband on their wedding day. In the meantime, the husband in question had some serious explaining to do.
“Ronnie…?”
Veronica turned to look at Rick without a word, one neat eyebrow arched high and her face carved in stone.
“Right,” his shoulders dropped in dejection. “Right.”
“Is everything okay over here?” Sean’s eyes traveled from his daughter to his son-in-law.
“Just fine Daddy,” Veronica smiled a little too brightly. The last thing she needed was for her father to call in a few favors to have her groom declared an enemy of the state. “But I think Rick and I are ready to go. I’ll give you a call tomorrow.”
“Do,” Sean’s frown deepened.
“Sir,” Rick nodded slightly. Sean gave him a pointed look that was somewhat reminiscent of the one Veronica had given him.
Rick caught up easily with his wife and the two made the rounds, telling loved ones goodnight before making a break for the limo under the hail of bubbles.
Chapter Two
Veronica Sinclair stared at her reflection in the window as the black night slipped by. Wide blue eyes stared mournfully back at her, their earlier sparkle gone. Rick stayed in his corner, respecting her need for space and silence. A thousand thoughts at one raced through her head, resulting in nothing coherent. Truth was—she didn’t know what to think.
He didn’t have control over the actions of an old girlfriend. But something about the woman set off warning bells in Veronica’s head. She had a nagging suspicion this woman was just the tip of the iceberg when it came to things Rick had neglected to mention. That was a road Veronica wasn’t ready to travel again.
Almost mechanically, she followed him up to their room. Something about the honeymoon suite had lost its appeal. She walked straight to the champagne chilling on a table set for two. Wasting no time on ceremony, she popped it open and poured herself a glass, tossing it back so quickly a little hiccup escaped. Rick eyed her warily as she poured herself another glass and turned to face him.
“Choose your next words very carefully,” she warned.
“Baby…,” he paused briefly, obviously running his options through his mind. “I haven’t seen her in a long time. I have no idea why she chose today of all days to show up.”
“Who was she?”
“I can’t tell you,” his eyes came to rest on hers. He seemed to be asking her for something, but it was something Veronica wasn’t sure she could give.
“No.”
“No?”
“No. That answer doesn’t work for me. Try again.”
“But I can’t.”
“Can’t, or won’t?”
“I can’t,” he reiterated. “I know how you feel about honesty, and I promise I’ve never lied, but there are pieces of my past I just can’t share with you.”
“No!” Rage swirled through her like a gale force wind. “You do not get to tell me on our wedding day that you haven’t given me the whole truth. I think I could take just about anything but that.”
“Ronnie, I’m not Seth,” he took a step towards her, stopping short when she looked ready to back away—or throw something at him.
“I thought I could believe that,” she blinked back the tears that threatened. “Who was she?”
“I can’t tell you,” a deep sigh escaped his lips. “I’m so sorry.”
“Was she a lover?”
“Yes.”
“Oh,” Veronica licked her lips. Honesty was good. She supposed. “Did you love her?”
“No,” there was something close to derision in his voice.
“Who’s Marko?”
“Can’t tell you.”
“Are you in danger?”
“Most likely,” he admitted.
“Am I?”
“Not if I can help it,” he promised.
“And you’re not about to tell me what’s going on?” she tried one more time.
“Nope,” he gave her a crooked grin. She polished off her second glass of champagne and poured another.
“What am I going to do with you?” She shook her head.
“I have a few ideas.”
“Not likely.”
“Do I get some of the champagne?”
“No.”
“You’re a cold, hard woman—you know that?”
“You lied to me,” she reminded him.
“Only by omission and only because I had to,” he countered, edging a little closer to her.
“But it’s still a lie. You know how I feel about that… how many years I lost to him… stupid, pathological liar.”
“I’m not Seth,” he moved another step closer.
“I don’t think I could survive it if you were,” Veronica’s breath deepened and she closed her eyes for a moment. “He very nearly broke me.”
“But he didn’t break you, and I’m not him,” Rick moved in quickly then, catching her in his arms before she could dart away. “And I’m so sorry she spoiled your day, and I love you.”
“You’d better,” her eyes flashed as his mouth took hers hungrily. Veronica was a little surprised by her body’s instant reaction to him. Maybe it was the champagne, but Lord help her, she wanted to sink her fingers greedily into his hair as her body melted against his. She wanted to lose herself in this kiss before he scooped her into his arms and laid her on their bed, his lips tracing fiery trails across her body. She could do what she had to in the morning. It would probably mean the end of their tender young marriage, but at least they’d have tonight.
Warning bells went off in her head, breaking through the haze of alcohol and lust. She was dangerously close to seeing her plans to make him sleep on the couch skitter right out of her mind.
Maybe he wasn’t the man who’d once hurt her, but he had kept something from her – something big – and refused to let her in even now. Veronica had been the trusting wife once and had ended up a laughingstock for her trouble.
That thought shattered the last vestiges of longing. He wasn’t going to win this easily. She would not be steered by libido. She pulled back with a seductive smile, her finger skimming his jaw line.
“Oh I do love you darlin’,” his voice took on a guttural quality she’d never heard before.
“Do ya’ now?” she mimicked his accent, bringing her heel down on his foot with all the force she could muster.
