Ryleigh explained, "Due to Mrs. Franklin's size and debilitation, we have been able to spin the need for extra muscle; and that is where you come in." She motioned to Jacks.

Dang, extra muscle was an understatement. When it came to Jacks, he seemed to have muscles on top of muscles, and Ryleigh wanted to lick each and every one. Shocked by her own train of thought, she cleared her throat and continued laying out the mission.

"Surveillance has shown that we have one window: Friday afternoon in which the house systems are rebooted and offline for about an hour, give or take ten minutes," Senior disclosed. "That is when you will need to retrieve the hard drive, Jacks. Ryleigh will lightly sedate Mrs. Franklin so she will not notice that you are gone. Once you recover the hard drive, you will need to get back to Mrs. Franklins room undetected. You will then have to wait two hours before you are allowed to leave the premises for the weekend. Frost and Green can download all Wi-Fi accessible data at any time during the week."

Yeah, it all sounded so simple, Ryleigh thought, but she knew how hard this was going to be. They could not let Davis Defense or Pandora know that they were on to them, and this mission was crucial in making that happen.

Senior continued. "Green and Frost will then have to download the information remotely from the device. This way, while Ryleigh and Jacks are engaged, they can start to examine the data and hopefully find something that will help us locate Ca.s.sie. As a back-up, The Holly Groups tech genius, Tory, has created a lead lined concealment device to get the thumb drive out. She has also modified a piece of the physical therapy equipment to accommodate the hard drive; it is also lead lined."

Jacks thought that all sounded simple, and he was happy Senior and Ryleigh included his team members in on the retrieval.

"When we walk through the x-ray machine to leave the home, the drive will survive without any damage," Ryleigh explained. "The trick is not raising any flags while we are there. So, Jackson, do you think you can act like my loving husband for a week? Or is that beyond your abilities? I think the 'husband part' will be much harder than cracking the safe. What are your thoughts on that?" Ryleigh said cattily.

Jacks didn't think he would have any problem playing Ryleigh's husband for the mission. What really scared him was that he thought he wouldn't mind being her husband beyond the mission either.

With a s.e.xy little twinkle in his green eyes, Jacks replied, "Oh baby girl, I don't think playing your loving and extremely affectionate husband will be a problem for me, but from the color of your cheeks right now I believe you may have an issue with the mission as planned."

Ryleigh could feel the heat pooling in her stomach and lower regions. Dang it, why this man? He was a jerk and that was the only kind thing she could think to say about him at the moment.

"Watch it, a.s.shole. That is my daughter you are talking about," Senior all but growled from his clenched teeth. "Remember, at the end of the day you will have to deal with me, and I like to fry the things that p.i.s.s me off."

"s.h.i.t, sorry, Senior. I'm just razzing my new partner," Jacks chuckled.

f.u.c.k, good save. There was no need to have Senior pull the plug before he got to know the women a little better. Maybe this was just l.u.s.t at first sight and after spending a week with her it would solve all his problems, Jacks thought to himself. He just hoped the overly observant man didn't notice the other effects his daughter was having on him; like the rock-hard erection he was currently sporting. At least the conference table hid that little problem. Well not little, he was after all a Shifter and they were known to be larger than the average man, he mused.

"Just keep in mind who you are dealing with, Jacks," Senior replied. "I am putting my most precious possession in your care, and you know how dragons are about their treasures. I can almost feel the fire burning bubbling in my chest waiting to unleash it as we speak."

Jacks gulped. He never wanted to be the recipient of dragon fire, no one did.

Ryleigh was red with embarra.s.sment and yeah, more than a little aroused. She liked sparing with Jacks a little too much, but she needed to get the testosterone level down in the room.

"Dad, that is enough," Ryleigh interrupted. "I am perfectly capable of handling anything that comes my way, and you know it, after all, you trained me yourself," Ryleigh declared.

This was getting out of hand. Using her Dad's pride was wrong, but she also knew he had done his best to prepare her by sending her to endless self-defense cla.s.ses and weapons training. The man was thorough, and she loved him for it. She wanted to laugh. When most girls were playing with Barbie's, she was playing with AK47's. Yeah, he wasn't a typical Dad, but she loved him just the same.

"Now, gentlemen, we would like Alpha taking the lead on the Franklin case, as stated before," Senior announced. "Charlie and Echo teams will act as a backup as long as Liam and Milo don't have any problems with working in that fashion. Zulu team has its hand full with the serials. Bravo is going boot on the ground in Texas."

All of the men appeared to be on the same page. Seems like this d.i.c.k-measuring match was finally simmering down. Finally, Ryleigh thought.

"Zoey emailed me earlier, and she believes she is on Ca.s.sie's trail," Ryleigh revealed to the group. "It has led her to a facility located in El Paso, Texas."

Kayden jumped out of his seat visibly agitated. Ryleigh knew he wanted to go to his sister as soon as possible, but he needed to hear the rest too.

"She does not feel that this is an existing Pandora facility due to the lack movement, but is continuing to do recon," Ryleigh disclosed to the men. "There has been practically no movement from within the gates, but the street kids in the area stay away from the facility at all costs. From what she has been able to find out, the street kids are also sticking together. Something happened to spook them."

f.u.c.k, Jacks knew what that meant. Street people knew what was going on in their towns. They needed to so that they remained as safe as possible and if they were wary of the place, then they needed to check it out because something was definitely going on there.

"Carter and Delta team will be working on their current caseload," Senior continued.

"Guys, I would like to put you in touch with our operative, Victoria Gramm, to help organize and prioritize your case load." Ryleigh said. "At this time, we couldn't see any connection to Franklin, Pandora, or Davis Defense in your cases, Carter, but we aren't ready to rule anything out."

Kayden interrupted, "Will Zoey be meeting with my team or is she too deep under to make contact?"

Ryleigh could sense his already extreme concern for Zoey. Who could blame the man?

"She stated that she would meet with you when the time is right, which she indicated would be soon," Ryleigh said trying to a.s.sure Kayden. "As mentioned before, I am her primary contact, and I will be unreachable for the next week or so. I have advised her of the need to collaborate with your team, and she has agreed. Expect a call in the next 24 hours on a meet and greet time. Also, if you have any guys on your team that could pa.s.s as a teenager, I suggest you get them up to date as well. Zoey is going to need backup."

"Okay, gentlemen, if that is all, we have our marching orders," Senior announced. "If any of you have a problem with the missions as a.s.signed or the merger, please see me in my office. Our primary mission has been to protect and save as many women and children as possible. Now our task is going to include taking down the f.u.c.kers that think it is okay to mess with Shifters."

"These f.u.c.kers are exploiting, harming, and killing our people for their personal gain," Senior said irately. "We have a report of how several wealthy people have ordered up Shifter babies for their own personal enjoyment. We cannot let this happen any longer. We must put a stop to this while remaining focused on helping as many people as we can."

The men let out a Hoo-Rah showing their support of Seniors statement. None of them wanted the outside world to know of their existence they would make these people pay.

"Getting Franklin's data is essential to taking these f.u.c.kers down," Senior continued. "He was known for being OCD about details. We are hoping that we will be able to determine not only test facilities and the location of the children he created, but also identify members of The Pandora group. Meeting adjourned," Senior concluded.

Senior walked out of the conference room with the rest of the guys, leaving Ryleigh and Jacks alone for the first time. Ryleigh wasn't really sure how she felt about it. The man had the ability to infuriate her and arouse her at the same time, and she didn't know if she liked it Jacks was excited about working with Ryleigh even though he didn't or couldn't show it visibly; that just would not be cool. Plus, he kind of wanted to make up for being an a.s.shole in the meeting. He waited for the room to clear before he made his move. She went to exit the room, but Jacks placed his hand on her shoulder.

Chapter 18.

"Well, baby girl, are you ready to meet my team and talk strategy?" Jacks asked.

Ryleigh wanted to groan. She liked Jacks calling her baby girl; like she was his. She really needed to get her emotions under control or this man would walk right over her, and she hadn't let that happen since she was a little girl.

"We are going to have to fly out soon if we are going to have any time to come up with a workable plan of action," he said. "You are also going to have to show me some physical therapy moves if we are going to make this look good, and I will show you some wifely duty moves, so we are more believable in our roles," Jacks said with that same little s.e.xy smirk.

Just to be facetious, Ryleigh replied, "No problem, Teddy Bear, we can take my plane anytime you like."

Jacks wasn't expecting such a playful response.

"With your team being in Michigan and Franklin's residence being in Tennessee, I propose a meet in between, maybe Kentucky or Indiana," Ryleigh suggested. "Do you think your team can mobilize and secure a facility within the next couple of hours? We have a lot of ground to cover and not a lot of time to do it in."

Jacks continued with the endearments, "Oh, Sweet cheeks, I don't think my team will have any problem with that at all. We will meet all of your expectations and then some."

Exasperated Ryleigh asked, "Jackson, do you think you could get rid of the silly nicknames? I am your partner, not your plaything."

The a.s.shole had the nerve to laugh, "Just getting into character, Baby. You know what they say; practice makes perfect and all that. You might want to come up with a s.e.xy little nickname for me as well since we will be playing the part of a happily married couple. I figure by the way your face turned the shade of a stop sign a couple of times during the meeting it won't be that hard."

Jacks nudged Ryleigh with his elbow and gave her a little wink.

"Come on, Baby, give it your best shot," he said playfully.

This back and forth was fun, and for some reason she really enjoyed sparring with him. Maybe it was the weird draw she felt toward the guy, but Ryleigh couldn't let Jacks get the better of her.

"Oh Jackson, I could, but I don't think it would do our cover any good to call you an a.s.shole or a conceded b.a.s.t.a.r.d," Ryleigh responded. "But I will work on it. How about Paddington? I could start as soon as we meet up with your team. What do you think about that sweet little nickname?" Ryleigh thought that she had him, but the jerk just couldn't let her win.

"Oh, come on, Sugar," Jacks shot back. "As you reminded me earlier, you're not stupid. Surely you can be more creative than that. We aren't going to convince anyone we are a couple if you don't start talking all sweet like and showing me some affection."

Dang-it, she wondered if she would ever have a normal reaction to this man. She could feel the heat on her face and neck and knew she was glowing again, and that would just not work for her. She just wished she wasn't. She also didn't want to admit she liked the idea of showing him some affection, preferably in the bedroom or, dang it, the conference table might just do too.

Holding his arms open he said, "Come on, give your s.e.xy man a hug and make me believe it, or are you just not cut out for the job? You know Shifters can smell emotions and right now you are just a little bit p.i.s.sed, but I detect something else too." Without hesitation, he inquired, "do I turn you on Ryleigh?"

It sounded more like a declaration rather than a question. The nerve of this guy, thought Ryleigh. He must really think highly of himself to just a.s.sume that she would be attracted to him. Even though she was so attracted to him, he didn't need to point it out. That was just rude.

"Remember, this is all for the mission and if you can't even give me a little hug then how are you going to make the targets believe we are together?" Jackson accused. "I just don't think that you have what it takes to go undercover for this mission."

Yep, the man was a total jerk, and at least now Ryleigh could say that the embarra.s.sment from early wasn't the only thing coloring her cheeks. He seemed to know just what b.u.t.tons to push to p.i.s.s her off.

He continued. "Maybe you should a.s.sign another operative, or I can get in touch with one the women we frequently hire to play the wife or girlfriend on missions. Most of them are pretty good at their jobs. Getting fully into the role they are playing, if you know what I mean. He said wiggling his eyebrows. The PT stuff can't be that hard to learn" he said, with a wistful smile on his face.

The b.a.s.t.a.r.d was standing here with her and thinking of another woman. Suddenly it became apparent that she was experiencing the rage of the green-eyed monster, otherwise known as jealousy, for the first time in her life. This new feeling made her feel uncomfortable and vulnerable, and she did not like it at all. No man had ever had this effect on her.

What the h.e.l.l, Ryleigh thought to herself. I don't get jealous, and I don't even know this man; who he has been with or if he is even available. Why the heck was she getting all clingy and jealous? Shoot, he could have a girlfriend, a wife, or even more than one. It wasn't unheard of in the Shifter community; her Dad had told her that much. What the h.e.l.l was she thinking? She was not going to break up someone's relationship just for a mission. Ryleigh contemplated.

Why did she even need to consider his relationship status? It was merely an essential performance for the mission as opposed to a real relationship; not that she would know how one of those worked. But h.e.l.l, she felt compelled to put this gorgeous a.s.shole in his place and fast. Ryleigh quickly composed herself and got into character. Time to use some of the lessons that Mia had taught her.

Walking up to him slowly with just the right amount of sway in her hips, she seductively played with the top b.u.t.ton of her blouse trying to look as innocent as possible. When she got within a few inches, she popped the b.u.t.ton open and started playing with the second b.u.t.ton. Watching his reaction, she noticed his breathing had escalated, and his pupils had become larger with the green around them glowing brightly. He tried to keep his cool, but he was not as unaffected as he wanted her to believe.

At least she had his attention and he wasn't laughing now, Ryleigh thought to herself and chuckled. Closing the s.p.a.ce between the two of them, she ran her hand up his chest until it went over his shoulder and then glided to the back of his head. Pulling him closer she lightly licked then kissed his neck. Under her hand, she could feel the shiver that ran up his spine. Ryleigh then gently sucked his earlobe into her mouth.

After releasing it, she whispered softly in his ear, "Sorry, baby. Being so distracted by your raw magnetism, I forgot my place."

She could feel his generous c.o.c.k harden where it was pushed against her stomach. Lordy, the man had to be huge because his manliness covered all of her stomach. How was he keeping it contained in his pants, she wondered? But she had a job to do, and that was putting this jerk in his place.

She cooed, "How was that, a.s.shole. Still, think that we aren't going to fool anyone?"

Ryleigh quickly stepped away, trying very hard to hide the fact that that little scene affected her just as strongly as it had affected him. She had to maintain the upper hand in this situation. The jerk couldn't win.

"I don't know. I think we may be okay, but you're going to have to up your game if you want someone to believe that you are anything but a scared little girl playing a game," Jacks replied, attempting to save a little face. "Your cheeks give you away every time. If you ever want to learn what a woman should know at your age just let me know, and I can put you in touch with one of the girls we use for our operations."

Ryleigh wanted to scream. Jacks was such an a.s.s. She could think of a hundred ways to kill him but didn't think any of them would be painful enough for the conceded jerk.

"Oh, just in case you got the wrong idea, partner, my c.o.c.k gets hard when the wind blows just the right way. Your little act wasn't anything special," he snapped back.

What the f.u.c.k am I doing? Jacks thought to himself. This woman just got him hard in zero point two seconds, and he told her the f.u.c.king wind could make him hard. Not only that, but he said she needs more lessons. f.u.c.k, if she were any hotter than I would have come in my pants when she took my ear in her mouth, Jacks thought. Why can't I seem to say the right thing around her?

She just appears to have a knack for pushing all my b.u.t.tons and challenging me, Jacks considered. G.o.d, I wonder who she learned that little move from or whom she has been doing that too; it was f.u.c.king perfect. Holy, Mother, he could not think of this woman with another man; his bear was already surfacing. If the bear had his choice, Ryleigh Quinn would be mated and claimed already. s.h.i.t. This was quite the dilemma.

a.s.shole! Ryleigh screamed in her head. She couldn't let him know that he was getting to her. Two can play that way; she was playing his game and was going to win it. Declan "Senior" Quinn had not raised her to be second best.

"That is okay, Jackson. No need for further training by your groupies. Oh wait, you said trained professionals." She rolled her eyes. "Exactly what are they trained for? Since there are no female members of NAC, I can only have a.s.sumed they are 'paid professionals.' Could you name that profession? Escort, Prost.i.tute or maybe Stripper; are those the ladies you would like me to train with? You know, it might be interesting, I could even teach them a few things."

d.a.m.n, why was she baiting this man? Ryleigh thought to herself. This week couldn't move fast enough for her. The sooner that she could get away from this s.e.xy yet infuriating man, the better. Shoot, if he knew her real secret he would probably sc.r.a.p the mission quicker than bad beer turns to pee.

"Oh, honey, they are definitely professional, as well as paid very well. They earn it in ways that your big brain couldn't even fathom. But I think you're right. We can play an old married couple. You know, the ones that barely talk or touch," Jacks snapped. "That should be convincing enough for the old biddy and her crew."

Ryleigh wasn't going to let Jacks' last statement stand. She needed him to acknowledge that she wasn't the only one having issues with the sparks that seemed to be flying between them, so she decided to hit him where it hurt; his pride.

"If that is what you want Jackson. I am here to serve, but I am a little confused about something." Ryleigh inquired. "I have never had to pay for a man's services. What is that like when you have to hire a woman? I would think it would be, I don't know, a little distant, cold even. Do you like distance, Jackson?"

s.h.i.t, Jackson decided to not answer that last question and divert Ryleigh's attention. No way was he going to tell her up. Until she walked into the conference room, distance was all he ever wanted from the women he entertained in the bedroom. He f.u.c.ked them and was out of there as fast as he could get dressed.

"Listen, if we are going to mobilize the team and fly out of here we better get going," Jacks suggested. "Do you need to contact your pilot so he can file a flight plan? Getting a departure appointment out of JFK might be a problem. The sooner we get him on it, the better."

"It won't be a problem," Ryleigh responded. "The flight plan has already been filed. I put in a tentative destination of Clarksville, TN. We are ready to go in a half hour. Better get your boys moving, Jackson, time is wasting."

Chapter 19.

The ride to the airport was quiet except for the phone conversations Jacks had with his team. At least she could breathe, Ryleigh thought. The Alpha bear wasn't putting off any of those vibes, and she felt more like herself for the first time since the meeting ended at NAC headquarters. This man was exhausting. She let out a deep breath.

"What was that for?" Jacks asked.

"What do you mean?" Ryleigh responded.

"You sighed and your shoulders relaxed. Why so comfortable all of a sudden?" Jacks interrogated her further.

"You're just imaging things. I am fine. The same way as I have been since we left headquarters," Ryleigh a.s.sured him.

"No, you're not. What changed?" he demanded.

Jacks was getting persistent, staring at her, waiting for her to respond. The man wasn't going to let this drop, and Ryleigh knew it, but there was no way she would give him the satisfaction of knowing just how he affected her. So, she decided on doing the mature thing and said, "Nothing."

"Come on, you know you want to tell me what changed," Jacks said, trying to elicit some sort of response from her.

"Nothing. Jackson, leave it alone," Ryleigh demanded. He was starting to annoy her with this nonstop pestering. It's was like it was his goal to aggravate her. What kind of reaction was he looking for?

"No, tell me. I want to know what changed," he demanded again.

"Fine!" Ryleigh finally broke down. "If you must know, you stopped putting out your alpha vibes, and I can feel finally breathe. The dominance you exude is stifling at times. I'm not sure if I should expose my neck or go to my knees. Are you happy now?"

Jacks was happy that Ryleigh responded to him in any way, but wasn't going to let her in on that, so he said, "Either will do, but if you want to know my preference going to your knees is always going to be my first choice," with an irritating, smug smile. "However, I could also see the benefits of exposing your neck as well. So, it could be a toss-up. But if you do either of those things you need to know you will indeed be playing with fire. I like my women submissive and at my mercy."

"What, are you a Dom or something?" Ryleigh asked mockingly.