A Pair of Jacks (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) Read Free

frantically dug a cell phone out of his pocket while glancing upward to make sure no one was riding on the top of the elevator car.
    Marie knew the elevators had been designed with Plexiglas ceilings and strategically positioned lights that would show a silhouette of anything attached to the car, human or otherwise. Bombs were considered one of the most dangerous threats to government offices dealing with national or global security. Therefore, a great deal of effort had been put forth in designing the building in a way to make hiding explosives difficult, in not impossible. Obviously, satisfied they were alone, Jack punched a speed dial number and waited.
    Marie looked down at the droplets of red splattered across her ivory suit. She wanted to cry. She began to tremble, and tears welled in her eyes as she stared at Xavier’s blood. He had a wife and kids. He had been a good man, and she would miss him.
    Jack watched her as he waited for an answer to his call. She thought she saw a quicksilver flash of compassion in his eyes. His mouth formed a word, and he started to reach out to her. Then his call was answered, redirecting his attention back to the phone. Marie wondered what he wanted to say before the male voice on the other end distracted him.
    “Reno, I’ve got a situation. I need you to pick me up at the rest stop on Interstate 66. I’ve got luggage.”
    He listened for a second then flipped the phone shut, shoving it into his pocket before he edged into the corner of the elevator, pushing Marie behind him. “You okay?”
    She nodded, realized he couldn’t see her, and choked out a whisper. “I’m okay.”
    “Good.” He slipped another gun out of his jacket handing it to her butt end first. “Don’t use this until you have to. Trust me to take care of you, but if I go down, use it.”
    Marie took the gun out of his hand, flipping off the safety as the elevator doors opened into a long, narrow corridor. The shrieking alarm masked all sound that might give warning of someone nearby. Jack inched his head out the door checking for hostiles.
    It took Marie a second to realize they weren’t in the parking garage. Jack had stopped them one floor up on the maintenance and housekeeping level. He stepped out into the hallway, glancing back over his shoulder to make sure she was following.
    Marie held the gun ready, keeping an eye on their backs as she followed closely behind Jack, mimicking his every move. Her head throbbed from the deafening alarm system as they made their way down the hall, checking doors for one that had been left unlocked. At last, halfway down the corridor, a large supply closet finally opened and they stepped inside.
    Jack locked the door behind them. He immediately began searching the shelves and cabinets in a frenzy. “What are you looking for?” Marie asked. She glanced around, thinking he was searching for chemicals or something that could be used as a diversion. There wasn’t anything in the room but linens and surplus uniforms for the maintenance staff. Short of starting a fire, Marie couldn’t see any way to cause a diversion with what was available to them.
    “Here.” He shoved a bundle of clothes at her. “Put these on and take your hair down.”
    She frowned, thinking of all the pins holding the chignon in place. “It’s not that easy to get loose.”
    “Then put a hat on,” he snapped, impatiently dumping the clothes in her arms and turning away from her.
    Jack set his gun on a nearby shelf, beginning to strip down as she peeled off her ruined clothes. The navy blue uniform he’d handed her was approximately the right size, and the color designated her as one of the senior level housekeeping staff. Marie slipped the shapeless dress over her head in time to see him shrug out of his shoulder holster, placing it beside the gun on the shelf. Like a quick striptease, he loosened his tie, unbuttoned his shirt, and dropped his pants, stepping out of them without