Honor 06 - Honor Under Siege Read online

  HONOR UNDER

  SIEGE

  What Reviewers Say About Radcly f fes Books

  A Matter of Trust is . ..“a sexy, powerful love story fi lled with angst, discovery and passion that captures the uncertainty of fi rst love and its discovery. - Just About Write

  Shield of Justice is a “... well-plottedlovely romance...I couldnt turn the pages fast enough! - Ann Bannon, author of The Beebo Brinker Chronicles

  “ The authors brisk mix of political intrigue, fast-paced action, and frequent interludes of lesbian sex and lovein Honor Reclaimed sure does make for great escapist reading. - Q Syndicate

  Change of Pace ...“is contemporary, yet timeless, not only about sex, but also about love, longing, lust, surprises, chance meetings, planned meetings, fulfi lling wild fantasies, and trust. - Midwest Book Review

  “ Radcly f fe has once again pulled together all the ingredients of a genuine page-turner, this time adding some new spices into the mix. shadowland is sure to please - in part because Radcly f fe never loses sight of the fact that she is telling a love story, and a compelling one at that. - Cameron Abbott, author of To The Edge and An Inexpressible State of Grace

  Lammy winner“ Stolen Moments is a collection of steamy stories about women who just couldnt wait. Its sex when desire overrides reason, and its incredibly hot! - On Our Backs

  “ With ample angst, realistic and exciting medical emergencies, winsome secondary characters, and a sprinkling of humor, Fated Love turns out to be a terrifi c romance. Its one of the best I have read in the last three years. - Midwest Book Review

  “ Innocent Hearts. ..illustrates that our struggles for acceptance of women loving women is as old as time - only the setting changes. The romance is sweet, sensual, and touching. - Just About Write

  Lammy winner...“ Distant Shores, Silent Thunder weaves an intricate tapestry about passion and commitment between lovers. The story explores the fragile nature of trust and the sanctuary provided by loving relationships. - Sapphic Reader

  In When Dreams Tremble the “focus on character development is meticulous and comprehensive, fi lled with angst, regret, and longing, building to the ultimate climax. - Just About Write

  Visit us at www.boldstrokesbooks.com

  HONOR UNDER

  SIEGE

  by

  Radcly f fe

  2007

  HONOR UNDER SIEGE

  2007 By Radclyffe. All Rights Reserved.

  ISBN10: 1-933110-80-5 ISBN13: 978-1-933110-80-6

  This Trade Paperback Is Published By Bold Strokes Books, Inc. New York, USA

  First Edition, June 2007

  THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION. NAMES, CHARACTERS, PLACES, AND INCIDENTS ARE THE PRODUCT OF THE AUTHORS IMAGINATION OR ARE USED FICTITIOUSLY. ANY RESEMBLANCE TO ACTUAL PERSONS, LIVING OR DEAD, BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENTS, EVENTS, OR LOCALES IS ENTIRELY COINCIDENTAL.

  THIS BOOK, OR PARTS THEREOF, MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED IN ANY FORM WITHOUT PERMISSION.

  Credits

  Editors: Jennifer Knight, Ruth Sternglantz and J. B. Greystone

  Production Design: J. B. Greystone

  Cover Graphic: Sheri ( [email protected] )

  By the Author

  Innocent Hearts

  Loves Melody Lost

  Loves Tender Warriors

  Tomorrows Promise

  Passions Bright Fury

  Loves Masquerade

  Romances

  shadowland

  Fated Love

  Turn Back Time

  Promising Hearts

  When Dreams Tremble

  The Provincetown Tales

  Safe Harbor

  Beyond the Breakwater

  Distant Shores, Silent Thunder

  Storms of Change

  Honor Series

  Above All, Honor

  Honor Bound

  Love & Honor

  Honor Guards

  Honor Reclaimed

  Honor Under Siege

  Justice Series

  A Matter of Trust (prequel)

  Shield of Justice

  In Pursuit of Justice

  Justice in the Shadows

  Justice Served

  Erotic Interludes: Change Of Pace

  (A Short Story Collection) Erotic Interludes 2: Stolen Moments

  Stacia Seaman and Radclyffe, eds. Erotic Interludes 3: Lessons in Love

  Stacia Seaman and Radclyffe, eds.

  Erotic Interludes 4: Extreme Passions

  Stacia Seaman and Radclyffe, eds.

  Erotic Interludes 5: Road Games

  Stacia Seaman and Radclyffe, eds.

  Authors Notes

  Above All, Honor was the first book I published that really provoked many messages asking for a sequel. Safe Harbor was the second. Many of you recall me saying I wasnt going to write more of either one. This year I will publish number six in the Honor series and number five in the Provincetown Tales. Obviously, what do I know? Ive discovered that writing multiple works in a universe of characters I and the reader are familiar with forces me to stretch as a writer in ways that stand-alones dont. Each has its unique challenges - neither is easier or harder or more rewarding. Just different. A series demands both continuity and new directions - consistency and change. We want to see more of the characters we love, but we also demand that they grow and evolve in the face of their personal struggles and in relationship to others.

  Thank you to the readers who assured me that they really did want to read more of these characters and the world they inhabit. I have learned a great deal in the telling.

  My thanks also go to my first readers: Diane, Eva, Jane, Paula, and RB for insightful comments and unfailing faith; to the editors who brought their special talents to making this a better book: Jennifer Knight, Ruth Sternglantz, and J.B. Greystone; and to the generous proofreaders at Bold Strokes Books for their painstaking devotion to duty. All the credit goes to these dedicated individuals and the responsibility for any shortcomings to me.

  Sheri, as always, says it all and constantly says it better with every cover.

  To Lee, for never ever saying write it later - Amo te.

  DEDICATION

  For Lee To The Last Word

  Chapter One

  Monday, October 8

  B lair Powell walked along the oceans edge just after dawn, watching the sky segue through a palette of colors she had yet to capture on canvas. Thankfully, she wasnt a landscape artist, because she feared she would be doomed to an eternity of frustration and disappointment. Her life held more than enough challenge as it was, especially now, less than a month after the terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington, DC. Less than a month after four men shed never met had tried to kill her.

  Sliding her hands into the pockets of her dark navy windbreaker, Blair sheltered in the shadow of a tall, windswept dune and let the cold sea breeze and the force of natures power drive the lingering melancholy away. Crisp, salty air filled her chest, and for an instant, she felt only the promise of a new season and the inner contentment of being in love. Despite the horror of the last month, shed just spent one of the best weeks she could remember in seclusion on Whitley Island. At least two Secret Service agents followed her everywhere she went on the remote, sparsely populated island off the coast of Massachusetts, but she was out of the public eye and nearly alone with her lover. She cherished this rare privacy and feared that pleasure was about to change.

  As much as she loved the island, she couldnt just disappear. And after the events of the last few weeks, she discovered to her surprise that she didnt want to. All her life shed sought anonymity. Being her fathers daughter had forced upon her a notoriety she had not chosen, and she had done all she could to es
cape the constraints it imposed. Yet sometime in the last year, that wild, furious need to break away had all but vanished. She wondered how much that sea change was due to the woman who walked toward her in the gathering sunlight.

  Secret Service agent Cameron Roberts, Blairs one time chief of security and now her lover, was a few inches taller, dark-haired, lean and handsome. Her jaw was a little broader, her nose a little stronger, and the hollows below her cheekbones a little deeper than the dictates of classic beauty demanded, but what Blair saw when she looked at her went beyond beauty. She saw strength and passion, and above all, honor.

  “ Youre supposed to be in bed, she chided as Cam approached. Recovering.

  Cam grinned. “Bed was cold.

  “ Its a hell of a lot colder out here. Blair wrapped her arms around Cams neck and kissed her, ruffling the short, almost wavy black hair that ended just above her collar. The almost casual brush of mouth on mouth turned unexpectedly more fervent. She stroked her tongue along the inside of Cams lip, and delved deeper for an instant before leaning back. “Whew. Just got warmer.

  “ Lets see if we can get it up to August. Cam slid one arm around Blairs waist and underneath her jacket. She stroked Blairs back and nuzzled her neck. “Although, we probably shouldnt tamper with Greg and Haras body temperatures quite so much.

  Blair jerked and pushed away. “God, I cant believe I forgot about them. I never forget about them. She peered over her shoulder toward the dunes where two of her first team security agents stood with their hands at their sides, facing out toward the ocean as if she and Cam were not there. Of course, they had seen everything while continuously scanning the length of beach, the water, and the air.

  “ Id say that little lapse is a very good sign. Cam brushed a strand of damp blond hair away from Blairs cheek and resisted the urge to kiss her again. Blairs deep blue eyes were shadow free, a rare occurrence, and even though shed been up before dawn, shed slept through the night. That, too, was unusual since the armed assault on Blair in her penthouse apartment. Cam loved to see Blair so relaxed and secure that she forgot she was being watched. She wished she could keep that from ever changing.

  “ When your eyes go from gray to black like that, Blair murmured, “I know youre thinking serious thoughts.

  Cam shook her head. “No. She tugged Blair against her side and

  started to walk, keeping her arm around Blairs waist. “Just thinking I love you.

  “ That sounds serious. Blair slipped her hand into the back pocket of Cams jeans and squeezed her ass. “In fact, we should probably do something about it ASAP.

  “ Okay.

  Blair laughed. “Youre too easy.

  “ I thought you liked me that way.

  Blair caught Cams hands and turned to walk backwards, swinging their joined arms lazily between them. The wind whipped her hair around her face, and her cheeks burned with the cold. She felt wonderful. “I like you every way you come, Commander. Hard and fast, slow and easy. Any way at all.

  “ Jesus, Blair. Have a heart. Cam tilted her head in the direction of the agents who followed along the invisible perimeter of their protection zone. “They cant hear us, but theyll have a hard time pretending not to notice if I throw you down on the beach.

  “ I thought you had better control than that, Blair teased.

  “ So did I, Cam muttered darkly. Everything shed thought shed known about herself had abruptly changed slightly less than a year before when shed been assigned to protect the first daughter of the United States. Cam had fallen in love with her the first instant shed seen her, her blond hair damp from the shower, her sapphire eyes sparking with anger, her sensual body blatantly seductive. Blair hadnt wanted protection, and shed done everything she possibly could to avoid the constraints of twenty-four hour a day observation. Shed been wild and willful, a beautiful feral creature who defied taming. Cam had fought her desire, but ultimately, she had surrendered to her heart. “You changed all that.

  “ Funny, Blair said, returning to Cams side and snuggling against her again. “I was just thinking the same thing about you.

  “ I love you.

  “ I love you. Blair kissed the edge of Cams jaw. “Your throat sounds better. Does it still hurt?

  “ No, Cam said quickly. Her voice still became hoarse when she talked for more than a few minutes, and swallowing was an exercise in masochism. But she didnt want to remind Blair of the injuries shed sustained during an armed confrontation that shed promised she wouldnt take part in.

  Abruptly, Blair stopped walking and stepped slightly away. “Why do we constantly have to cover old ground? You know I can always tell when youre trying to protect me from something.

  Cam winced. “Sorry. Youre right. I need more practice at disclosure.

  “ Apparently. Blair sighed. “I suppose we both do. Its just that the very things I love about you make me crazy, too.

  “ Ditto. Cam laughed and then started to cough. It hurt, and she couldnt hide it. The finger marks on her throat had faded, but the bruising inside persisted. “Damn. The cold air is getting to me.

  “ I told you not to come out here, Blair snapped. “Damn it, Cameron. She hated it when Cam hurt. She hated feeling helpless under any circumstances, but it was worse when it was Cam and she couldnt do anything. She picked up her pace. “Lets get you inside. Ill make some tea or something.

  “ Tea? Cam rasped, trying desperately not to laugh again.

  Blairs glower could not hide her smile. “Well, something.

  They climbed through the dunes toward the multi-level glass and wood house where theyd been staying for the past few weeks, the two Secret Service agents keeping pace behind them. Blair stiffened at the sight of a woman hurrying down to meet them.

  “ Hi, Paula, she greeted her new chief of security. Paula Stark was an athletic, dark haired, dark-eyed woman close to her own age. She had proven herself capable of protecting Blair in dire circumstances more than once, and Blair trusted her. More than that, she cared for her. That kind of affection probably wasnt wise; she was not supposed to form personal attachments to her security agents. But Blair never did anything simply because it was prudent. She spent more time with the four members of her first team than she did with anyone else in her life, and she couldnt help but care about them. Just the same, she preferred not to see Paula right now. It could only mean one thing. Her brief respite had come to an end. “Whats up?

  “ Your father wants to talk to you. Paula nodded to Cam. “Commander.

  “ Chief, Cam said. Technically, she wasnt the commander anymore, since shed been replaced as Blairs chief of security by

  Stark, but she couldnt seem to get any of the agents to stop calling her that. She wanted to ask if there was a problem, but she was trying to be respectful of Starks new position. Security chiefs were circumspect by nature and rarely shared any more information than necessary with anyone, including the protectees and their families. Especially with the protectees and their families. Part of a security agents job was to make the lives of those they guarded seem as normal as possible under the most abnormal of circumstances.

  “ Is my father all right? Blair asked as they reached the rear deck of the house.

  “ I have no reason to think otherwise, Stark said in her official voice. “Lucinda Washburn put the call through. She said there was no urgency, but the president would like to speak to you at your earliest convenience.

  Blair rolled her eyes. At your earliest convenience was Lucinda-speak for call immediately. Lucinda Washburn was President Andrew Powells chief of staff, as well as his lifelong friend and adviser. No one was closer to him, not even Blair. Lucinda had helped him win the governorship of Massachusetts, the vice presidency, and finally the presidency. She was an astute politician and managed far more than the day-to-day workings of the White House staff. If someone wanted the ear of the president, they needed to court Lucinda Washburn first.

  “ Lucinda wants something. Blair glanced at Cam, who smiled rue
fully. Lucinda did not make social calls. She also was not the presidents secretary, which meant that she probably had an agenda of her own. “Give me a few minutes to have a cup of coffee, Paula, and then Ill call her back.

  “ Ill be in the command center. Paula kept her voice neutral and her face expressionless. The makeshift command center was actually part of the first floor of the smaller guest house that sat partway between the main house and the beach. Her scaled-down security team stayed there when they were off shift. Right now there were only three other agents with herGreg Wozinski, Patrice Hara, and Felicia Davis. There was also one other inhabitant, her FBI agent lover Renée Savard, who was recuperating from a bullet wound. She and Cam had sustained their injuries during the same action. “Please call me when youre ready, and Ill scramble a line for you.

  Blair halted with her hand on the handle of the back door and regarded Paula quizzically. “Is something wrong?

  “ No maam.

  “ Am I supposed to guess why you suddenly sound like an android?

  Paula smiled. “Sorry. I was asleep when the call came in and I havent had time to recharge my batteries. Im running on auxiliary backup packs.

  “ Ha ha. Come inside and have some coffee, then.

  Paula checked in with a quick glance at Cam, who signaled for her to follow them into the house.

  “ Im going to grab a quick shower, Cam said, heading in the direction of the staircase leading to the second floor. “Be right down.

  Blair led Paula through to the kitchen, while Patrice Hara took up a position just inside the rear door and Greg Wozinski walked through to the front of the house. “Hows Renée doing? she asked casually as she began to assemble the morning coffee.

  “ Restless. Paula settled into a chair at the rectangular oak table in the center of the room.

  “ Tell me about it. Blair turned on the automatic coffee pot, put a kettle of water on for tea, and sat down next to her. “Renée is just like Camneither of them is happy unless theyre working. She touched Paulas wrist lightly. “You should understand that. Youre all the same, really.