“F—” Rock let go of Lani, jumped to his feet, and resisted the urge to punch something as he ran his fingers through his hair. “But how? That’s my illusion. Very few people other than me even know about it. After Sol stole that first illusion from me, I’ve kept Outlandish Marauders closely guarded.” He stared Emmett down.
“How do you know about it? How do you know it’s mine, not Sol’s?” A sick feeling burned in his stomach. He turned to Lani. An involuntary look of guilt crossed her face so quickly a layperson would have missed it.
“One of our agents got the intelligence from a RIOT informant,” Emmett said, lying like the pro he was.
But it was too late. Rock knew the truth. Lani hadn’t just been sent to save Hoover Dam two years ago. She’d also been sent to spy on him. Rock didn’t know what was real with her or not now.
“RIOT has been spying on you for years, Rock.” Emmett’s voice was smooth and calming, almost hypnotic.
Rock knew the technique and put up his guard. “My studio and house have been broken into and subtly tampered with over the years. I thought that was just Sol.
“RIOT is very good, and scary, if they managed to get past my security for Outlandish Marauders.” And so was Lani.
Rock’s emotions were tightly wound as he turned and looked at her. His gut clenched. She was trying to mask her expression, but excitement shone through subtly. The thought of a mission of magic excited her. And him.
At least they had something in common. Despite everything, he still wanted her, more than ever, damn his weak soul.
Through the shock of the past few hours, a thrill and an adrenaline rush built. Best Sol. Perform Outlandish Marauders, a trick he’d been dreaming of doing since he was young. With the CIA’s help, could it really be done? Show the world that an alien attack could be faked. And find out exactly who the woman he married really was and what she really felt for him.
For two years, he’d wanted to know the truth. Here was his opportunity.
Lani gazed back at him with heat in her eyes. Unfortunately, given what he’d learned about her in the past hour, everything she did, and had done, was suspect. Even, maybe especially, marrying him.
On the other hand, she was a professional liar. Liars and deceivers turned him on, especially beautiful ones.
“Outlandish Marauders is an illusion, a television special that, if I’m ever able to perform it, is supposed to be the pinnacle of my career. I make an alien attack appear out of nowhere before a live audience. No computer-aided graphics like in the movies. Then I make them disappear just as quickly.
“You’re telling me Sol and RIOT have co-opted it and are going to use it to create terror?” Rock was so angry at the thought, his stomach burned.
“Yes,” Nelson said.
“What do you want me to do? Perform it before they can use it against us? Does the technology I need even exist?” Rock took a deep breath as he thought through the logistics.
“It does. Trust me,” Nelson said.
Rock rattled off his thoughts. “Ginning up the publicity for an illusion like that, booking the venue, selling the tickets, getting the equipment, and shit, just practicing, will all take time. The NUFO convention is in what, a few weeks?
“If we’re going to beat Sol to the punch…” Rock shook his head. “You’re asking the impossible.”
Nelson finished his drink. “You misunderstand, Rock. We’re not booking any venue. You’re not performing this on stage or on television. You’re orchestrating it, setting it up to look like a real invasion at the gates of Area 51. And doing the reveal at the last minute to stop the crowd from storming the perimeters.”
“I don’t understand,” Rock said. “Isn’t that risky and unethical? Why panic people? Why take the chance of someone getting hurt or killed or the plan backfiring?”
Nelson’s look was penetrating. “Because we have reason to believe some high-profile RIOT agents will be involved. Terrorists high up on our pack of RIOT playing cards, our list of most wanted. We want this chance to draw them out, apprehend them, and cripple their organization.
“We’ll create some intelligence deception of our own and let it slip that NUFO, with its list of heavy-hitting, wealthy backers, has hired you to perform a surprise secret show for them during their annual picnic at the black mailbox near Area 51. We’ll trot out a few details of Outlandish Marauders. And then we’ll see who bites.” Nelson grinned.
“As for impossible, all of our resources are at your disposal. As you probably suspect, we’ve been making preparations of our own since we first discovered RIOT’s plans. But we’ve lacked the master illusionist’s touch and knowledge. Lani can fill you in on where we stand.”
Rock stared at Lani again. “Good. Damn. My act is in hiatus. Reappearing her would be the perfect way to reintroduce her to the world. The perfect act of showmanship—”
Nelson cleared his throat. “About that. We have another plan for Lani.
“Your shared history and competition with Sol presents us with an opportunity to place Lani exactly where we need her to keep an eye on Sol so she can tip us off to any details of RIOT’s plans—”
“No!” The word exploded out of Rock’s mouth involuntarily as he realized exactly what Nelson had in mind. “I will not put Lani in danger, or let Sol have my prestige to reappear her and humiliate me again.”
He shook his head, sat, and grabbed Lani’s hand as if he wouldn’t let them whisk her away again. What the hell? They weren’t giving him time with her? How was he supposed to discover the truth about her and how she felt for him now?
“I’m sorry,” Nelson said. “It’s part of the deal. Getting revenge on you will distract Sol while we make preparations for our strike. And Lani will be in an ideal position to gather intelligence to see whether RIOT’s biting. Who they’re planning to send, how they’ll be disguised, that kind of thing.
“Even in the midst of the chaos, it will take a specially trained, skilled agent to get all the way into the secure area. Catching him will be a big prize worthy of the risk.”
“It’s too dangerous for Lani.” Rock was vehement.
Nelson arched a brow and shook his head. “For one of my agents? You underestimate our abilities, especially Lani’s.”
“She may be a damn fine agent,” Rock said with his heart hammering in his throat. “But Sol is ruthless. He takes too many risks. He doesn’t pay attention to safety. And these RIOT people you describe…”
Nelson cocked his head. “We’ll take that under consideration. But it doesn’t change the facts—we need Lani in Blackledge’s inner circle.”
“And you think you can just insert her there?” Rock was dumbfounded. Was Nelson some kind of idiot?
“Sol’s been advertising for new assistants. Don’t you think he’d jump at the chance to bring your wife back to the stage? To steal your prestige. Maybe even collect that reward?”
Rock swallowed hard and looked at Lani, who gazed back at him coolly. “I thought—”
He cut himself off before he said too much and revealed his vulnerability.
Rock cleared his throat as he composed his thoughts. “I thought Lani and I were going to get a chance to reconnect and work together again.” That sounded neutral enough.
“Yes, of course. While you engage in a public battle with Sol. It’ll be delicious fodder for the gossip rags. And, as I said, distract everyone from what’s really going on.” Nelson pushed his glass back and stood, taking the cue that he was intruding too long on Rock’s hospitality.
“Lani will spend the night here, just in case there’s trouble. But she can’t be seen leaving in the morning. Blackledge must think he’s found her himself.
“Lani will fill you in on the mission details and the other agents who will be involved. You’re going to love Tate. Everyone does. I should be going.” He looked Rock in the eye and smiled.
Rock made a move to stand.
Nelson held up a hand. “Don’t bother. I’l
l show myself out.”
Rock watched Nelson walk to the door, where he paused. “We’ll be in touch. Expect your handler to be contacting you in the morning.”
“I don’t need a handler. I have Lani.”
“All new spies get handlers, Powers. Impartial handlers who plan the mission without letting bias and emotions come into play.
“Your handler won’t give a damn whether you come out alive or dead. He’ll only care whether you accomplish what we ask. Lani, here”—Nelson nodded toward her—”is not what I’d call impartial. She’s too concerned with the state of your precious hide.”
Rock’s heart leaped with hope, but the rational part of him wondered whether Nelson was just leading him on to get his full cooperation.
“This isn’t fun and games, Powers. Remember that.” Nelson let himself out.
Lani stood and walked to the window, watching him drive off.
Rock came up behind her. “You stole more than our certificate of marriage when you ran off. You stole the plans to Outlandish Marauders.”
She turned to face him. The corners of her mouth turned up slightly at the edges in a faint smile. “I don’t suppose there’s any point in denying it now.”
She seemed almost too cavalier with her admission. Rock recognized a skilled diversion when he saw one and he was being intentionally diverted now. What else was she hiding?
“I should be pissed. I am pissed. Betrayal is such an ugly thing.”
“I wouldn’t call it betrayal. I like to think of it as commitment to cause and country, which includes you.”
“Do you?”
“It was all for the greater good.”
He ran his hand lightly along her arm and caught her hand in his. “So it was all just an act?” He made his voice low and sultry, laced with the hypnotic tone that won audiences over and created the perfect diversions for his illusions and magic.
This was a diversion and an illusion, too. A test to find out whether their chemistry and her desire for him were real. He was certain she hadn’t faked that. There was one way to find out for sure.
He could see desire welling up and sparkling in her eyes now. The pattern of her breathing had changed, too. He took a step into her, standing so close his chest brushed hers, sending waves of need through him. “Do you want to talk about Outlandish Marauders?”
“There’s time for that later.” She looked into his eyes.
Though he should have been furious and hurt, standing so near her, he wanted her. He loved her. He couldn’t help it. He wanted to plunge into her and make her cry out in ecstasy. If she didn’t love him, he at least had to know she was attracted to him. Then maybe there was hope. This new, treacherous, dangerous, deceitful Lani grew more enticing and intriguing by the minute.
One way or another he was going to break this Lani and find out for sure whether she ever had, or ever could, love him.
Lani’s pupils dilated.
He pulled her into him, tugging her against his chest until she braced against him with her hands. He leaned down, lifted her hair, and kissed her neck, sucking as he went, hard, as if branding her with his desire and hurt.
He sucked and kissed his way over her collarbone to the tops of her bustier-clad breasts, breathing hard, barely controlling himself from taking her right there in the living room.
He reached to swoop her into his arms, envisioning carrying her up the swirling staircase to his room for a repeat performance of the fireworks they’d created there before.
She wrenched free with startling strength and speed and took a step back from him. “Not tonight, Rock.” Her voice shook.
He’d rattled her. Good. It was a start.
“Our marriage was a scam, really.” She didn’t back down from him. He admired her courage. “Our relationship is purely business now. Our mission is everything.”
Her emotional emphasis on the last word threw him. It was almost as if she was sending him a coded message. He stared at her, hoping she felt his gaze burning into her. “A scam? I have a certificate of marriage in my pocket that I got from Emmett that says otherwise. I’m entitled to my marital rights.”
She laughed softly and stroked his cheek. “Marital rights? What century have we just stepped back into, Lord Powers?”
He gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Come on, Lani. I don’t remember signing any divorce papers. Can’t we mix business with pleasure? You did before.”
She eyed him warily and sighed. “About our marriage. Don’t get any ideas about it being a permanent thing. We’re magicians in our own right. We can expunge any records we choose, make anything disappear as efficiently as you do, including marriage records.”
His hopes soared. “But you haven’t yet?”
She could have at any time during the last two years, but she hadn’t.
“Because of the publicity and because of the mission, no. But when it’s over…” She held his gaze.
“Come on, Lani. When it’s over, you may as well try to divorce me and collect a big share of my millions as payoff for putting up with all of this bullshit. As the gossip blogs have reported for two years, there is no prenup.”
“Try to divorce you?” She arched a brow. “Are you challenging me? Is that a dare?”
He leaned in close to her. “What do you think?”
“I think if you want a public spectacle, I can give you one. Tell me this, Rock—what did you drug me with the night we got married?”
“What?” He was stunned. He hadn’t seen that right hook coming.
Her eyes narrowed and flashed with anger. She pointed at him. “If I hadn’t been under the influence of whatever you doped me with, I would never have lost my professional control and defied orders.”
He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “You’re serious? You think I drugged you? That’s low.” He leaned into her, grabbed her accusing finger and kissed it lightly, boyishly. “You married me of your own free volition, Mata Hari.
“We may have had a few drinks, but it was your love and desire for me that shot your professional control, as you call it, to hell, Agent Silkwater Powers.” He used what he supposed was her real name on purpose to rattle her.
She stared back at him with that damned veiled expression again. “You read my signature on the license Emmett showed you. Very good. That was an unintentional slip.” She wrenched her hand free from his. “And don’t call me by your last name again.”
“If you want to keep your maiden name I can live with that.” He took a strand of her silky hair between his fingers and thumb and let it slide through. “Some might say signing with your real name was a subconscious effort to make the marriage legit.”
“Some would be wrong. I made a mistake and violated Agency policy. Spouses and families, long-term partners, love interests—they’re all weak links, a way to get at agents. Liabilities. And ex-spouses, well, they’re simply security leaks waiting to happen.”
“I’m the exception. I’m a master at keeping secrets.” He grabbed her arm. “Consider this. Magician or not, hypnotic powers or not, I can’t force you to act against your will. Never could. Even if I had drugged you, I couldn’t get you to recite the vows.
“I didn’t brainwash or coerce you into marrying me. There was a part of you that wanted to, whether you’ll admit it, even to yourself, or not.”
She shook her arm free from his grasp and took a step back from him. When she spoke, she stared past him, not at him, looking over his shoulder out the window.
“Spies lie,” she said simply. “Innocent people sometimes get hurt by friendly fire. Sad to say it’s an occupational hazard of keeping the free world free.”
Her voice became soft, sounding more like the Lani he knew. “I never wanted to hurt you. I never meant to hurt you. We had fun together. Let’s leave it at that. I haven’t returned to make things worse for you—”
“Then why did you come back?” Call it vanity or denial or instinct, but he didn’t believe sh
e’d never loved him. He didn’t believe her now. He knew his business well enough to recognize real magic when he saw or felt it. What he and Lani had had was magic pure and simple. The electricity rippling between them now, heated, frustrated, and denied, was simply more evidence of it.
“To save the world, Rock, just as the chief said.”
“And I’m collateral damage.” He stepped away and turned his back to her, setting his jaw as disturbing images from the night she’d disappeared came flooding back to him. “Do you know what that night was like for me?”
“I can imagine—”
“You can’t.” He took a deep breath, trying to wash the visions away. “No one can.” He swung back around.
She started. Good, he’d caught her off guard.
“Do you know how worried I was when Clara showed up in the prestige? I nearly botched the act. Something in her eyes told me she was worried about you, too.” He shook his head. “Clara wasn’t reassuring, Lani. You scared her. I had to finish the show worried sick about you. I was crazy trying to figure it out, thinking maybe a sudden case of food poisoning, or hell, nauseous headache. I don’t know.
“I didn’t in my wildest worries think for a minute you’d disappeared on a dangerous mission for the CIA.” He ran his hands through his hair.
Her laughter stopped him short. “Listen to yourself, Rock. You’re implying I’m all about my career, but you had to finish the show.
“It didn’t occur to you, I suppose, to take a quick break to check on me? Your beloved new bride who for all you knew might have been mortally ill.” She shook her head, looking almost as bitter as amused.
Her expression caught him up short. Maybe there was hope.
“Good luck for me, I suppose.” She leaned forward and whispered. “Or was it? Maybe I knew you well enough to know you’d finish the show, even if you were the one dying. And I was in no danger of being caught as I escaped and ran for my life. You wouldn’t leave that stage until the last encore was over. Not even if the world was ending.”
“Damn it, Lani!” He clenched his fists again to keep from grabbing her. He wanted to pull her to him, make her see reason. Hold her to his heart. Make her his again.