Honor Under Siege Read online

  Honor Under Siege

  Radclyffe

  HONOR UNDER

  SIEGE

  What Reviewers Say About Radcly f fes Books

  A Matter of Trust is . . “a sexy, powerful love story fi l ed with angst,

  discovery and passion that captures the uncertainty of fi rst love and its

  discovery. - Just About Write

  Shield of Justice is a “. . wel -plot edlovely 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 l ing wild fantasies, and trust. - Midwest Book Review

  “Radcly f fe has once again pul ed together al 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 tel ing a love story, and a compel ing one at

  that. - Cameron Abbot , author of To The Edge and An Inexpressible

  State of Grace

  Lammy winner“ Stolen Moments is a col ection 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. . il ustrates that our struggles for acceptance of

  women loving women is as old as time - only the set ing 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 l ed with angst, regret, and longing,

  building to the ultimate climax. - Just About Write

  Visit us at

  w

  ww . b o ld

  st ro k e sb oo k s. c o m

  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 ( g r a p h i c a r t i s t 2 020 @ h o t m

  a il . c o m )

  By the Author

  Innocent Hearts

  Loves Melody Lost

  Loves Tender Warriors

  Tomorrows Promise

  Passions Bright Fury

  Loves Masquerade

  R

  o mance s

  shadowland

  Fated Love Turn

  Back Time

  Promising Hearts

  When Dreams Tremble

  T

  h e P

  ro v in cet o w n T

  a le s

  Safe Harbor

  Beyond the Breakwater

  Distant Shores, Silent Thunder

  Storms of Change H

  o n o r

  S e ri e s

  Above Al , Honor

  Honor Bound

  Love & Honor

  Honor Guards

  Honor Reclaimed

  Honor Under Siege

  J u st ic e Se

  ri e s

  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 Col ection) 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 real y

  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 chal enges - 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 Powel walked along the oceans edge just after dawn, watching

 
; the sky segue through a palet e of colors she had yet to capture on

  canvas. Thankful y, 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 chal enge as it was, especial y 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 kil her.

  Sliding her hands into the pockets of her dark navy windbreaker, Blair

  sheltered in the shadow of a tal , windswept dune and let the cold

  sea breeze and the force of natures power drive the lingering

  melancholy away. Crisp, salty air fil ed 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 fol owed her everywhere she went on

  the remote, sparsely populated island of the coast of Massachuset s,

  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. Al her life shed sought anonymity. Being her

  fathers daughter had forced upon her a notoriety she had not chosen,

  and she had done al she could to escape the constraints it imposed.

  Yet sometime in the last year, that wild, furious need to break away

  had al 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 tal er, dark-haired, lean

  and handsome. Her jaw was a lit le broader, her nose a lit le stronger,

  and the hol ows below her cheekbones a lit le 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 al ,

  honor.

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

  Recovering.

  Cam grinned. “Bed was

  cold.

  “Its a hel of a lot colder out here. Blair wrapped her arms around Cams

  neck and kissed her, ruf ling the short, almost wavy black hair that

  ended just above her col ar. 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 lit le 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 al .

  “Jesus, Blair. Have a heart. Cam tilted her head in the direction of the

  agents who fol owed along the invisible perimeter of their protection

  zone. “They cant hear us, but theyl have a hard time pretending not to

  notice if I throw you down on the beach.

  “I thought you had bet er control than that, Blair

  teased.

  “So did I, Cam mut ered 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 fal en 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 wil ful, a beautiful feral

  creature who defied taming. Cam had fought her desire, but ultimately,

  she had surrendered to her heart. “You changed al 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 stil hurt?

  “No, Cam said quickly. Her voice stil became hoarse when she talked

  for more than a few minutes, and swal owing 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 tel

  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.

  “Dit o. 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 get ing 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. Il make some tea or

  something.

  “Tea? Cam rasped, trying desperately not to laugh

  again. Blairs glower could not hide her smile. “Wel

  , 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 stif ened 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 af ection probably wasnt wise; she was not supposed to

  form personal at achments 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. Technical y, 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 cal ing 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. Especial y

  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 al right? Blair asked as they reached the rear deck of the

  house.

  “I have no reason to think otherwise, Stark said in her of icial voice.

  “Lucinda Washburn put the cal through. She said there was no urgency,

  but the president would like to speak to you at your earliest