Agent I1: Tristan [01] The D.I.R.E. Agency Read Free Page A

nodded, while she fought a losing battle with her eyes to ignore the six-pack abs suddenly sitting in her line of vision.
    Fingering the one-carat marquee diamond on her ring finger, she said, “Yes, I’ve heard of it, but I don’t remember the details.”
    Tugging a gray, Nickelback t-shirt over his head, he pushed his arms through the sleeves. The soft, worn cotton covered his chest like a glove.
    Ugh . Didn’t he have anything larger - like a Snuggie?
    “The organization I work for used that technology to make enhancements to my body that allow me to-”
    “Teleport?” she finished. “I thought the Philadelphia Experiment involved invisibility.”
    “It did.”
    Rachel stilled, her heart skidding to a stop. No way .
    “Are you telling me you can become invisible, too?”
    Nodding once, Tristan crossed his arms over his chest. The action made his shoulders appear enormous, like a comic book superhero.
    Rachel crossed her arms over her chest. “Show me.”
    He gave a half laugh. “What? Teleporting you to the Virgin Islands wasn’t enough proof that I’m telling the truth?”
    She lifted her chin. “Let’s just say I’m a born skeptic.”
    Cocking an eyebrow, Tristan walked to the sliding glass door and opened it. He motioned for her to precede him inside. Passing him, that woodsy, citrus scent filled her nostrils.
    “I don’t suppose the back of my dress is lying on the beach somewhere?” She looked back to catch him staring at the hole in her dress.
    “Nope. Hopefully, Aidan stuffed it behind the sofa before the others saw it.”
    Moving past her, his bare arm brushed hers, causing gooseflesh to popped up on her skin. Memories of his big, strong arms wrapped around her flashed through Rachel’s mind. Tristan led the way into the living room, the swish of her dress echoing off the polished concrete floors.
    “Stand back.” His voice lowered an octave as he placed her near one of the sectional sofa arms.
    Walking away from her, Tristan slid open a gold plate on his armband and pressed his forefinger on the screen. A flash of light blinded Rachel. She raised her hand to cover her eyes.
    Opening them seconds later, she lowered her hand to her side. Tristan had disappeared. Doing a full circle, she glanced around the room. He was nowhere to be seen.
    “Tristan?”
    “I’m right here.”
    She whipped around. The sound came from the area of the television. “Say that again.”
    “I’m standing right here.”
    Heart beating like a Congo drum, Rachel reached out in front of her and touched the soft cotton covering the wall of his chest. His heat burned her skin.
    Gasping, she pushed against him. She couldn’t see Tristan, but she could feel him, smell him, as surely as if she had shut her eyes.
    “Oh, my gosh…” Swallowing hard, she slowly backed towards the sofa. Reaching behind her for the seat, she lowered herself to the soft leather.
    Another burst of light flashed and Tristan stood before her once again, that darn eyebrow of his cocked once more.
    “Proof enough for you?”
    Her head bobbled.
    “You’re now one of a select few in the world that know about me. I need your complete discretion – if not for me, then for Aidan.”
    Her breath caught in her throat. “Aidan? Why?”
    “He works for The D.I.R.E Agency.”
    Rachel jumped up from the sofa. “You mean he’s going to be given the same ability?”
    Tristan shook his head. “No. So far, I’m the only one.”
    She breathed an internal sigh of relief. “So, what exactly is D.I.R.E ?”
    He stared at her in silence. Rachel lifted her chin. As if she would allow him to get away with no answer.
    “I have a right to know.”
    “No, you don’t.” He walked around the granite bar that separated the living area from the kitchen.
    Oh really? “We’re talking about my only brother here.” She followed him to the bar and took a seat. One thing about a missing train, she had no trouble sitting down.
    Opening the refrigerator, Tristan