Secret Agent Seduction Read Free

refused to give Armand Magliore the satisfaction of knowing his sexist remark had gotten under her skin. Besides, it wasn’t the first time someone had underestimated her because she was a woman, and it certainly wouldn’t be the last.
    â€œMr. Magliore is entitled to his opinion,” she said coolly. “However asinine it may be.”
    Dutch snickered. “And speaking of asinine, ask him why he attacked you a minute ago. Doesn’t he know we’re the good guys?”
    â€œApparently not,” Lia said wryly.
    Magliore met her gaze unflinchingly. “I had to be sure you weren’t Biassou’s henchmen. I apologize if I hurt or frightened you, Miss Charles. Although,” he drawled, reaching up to touch the fresh wound above his right eye where Lia’s boot had connected, “it would seem that you’re the only one who came away from the skirmish unscathed.”
    â€œToo bad I didn’t inflict more damage,” Lia muttered under her breath.
    Magliore laughed. “Now that’s what I want to hear from the woman who’s been entrusted with my life.”
    His words, though teasing, sobered Lia at once. What the hell was she thinking, threatening the man? Armand Magliore was her protectee. No matter how infuriating he may be, or how utterly attractive she found him, she had to remain focused and behave like the trained professional she was. His life— and her career—depended on it.
    â€œWhere are your soldiers?” she asked him.
    â€œThey’re not here.”
    â€œI can see that,” Lia said levelly, striving for patience. “They were supposed to be here with you this evening. That was the plan.”
    His gaze turned coolly belligerent. “I sent them away.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œThere was no need for them to be here. I’m the one you were coming for, not them.”
    â€œWhich is why you were instructed not to alter your routine in any way that would compromise the extraction,” Lia said tightly. “The sudden absence of your men would arouse suspicion in anyone who’s been monitoring the cabin over the last several months—namely Biassou.”
    Magliore’s expression hardened. “My men have been fighting for me, and alongside me, for the last two years. They’ve repeatedly put their lives on the line and risked the safety of their families for a war I started! I instructed them to stay away from the cabin today because I didn’t want to risk their lives any more than I already have. If I die tonight trying to leave Muwaiti, there’s no earthly reason they should perish with me.”
    Lia stared at him, torn between two warring emotions. On one hand she admired his unselfishness and fierce devotion to his men, but on the other hand she was furious that he’d willfully defied their instructions and possibly compromised the entire operation.
    â€œWe’ve got company,” Javier Garcia announced from the open doorway of the cabin. “We just spotted three jeeps heading down the road.”
    Galvanized into action, Dutch and the others rushed out of the cabin, weapons at the ready. When Magliore moved to follow them, Lia reached out quickly, grabbing his arm to detain him.
    He scowled down at her. “What are you doing?”
    â€œI need to get you out of here,” Lia said authoritatively. “Unless I’m mistaken, those are Biassou’s mercenaries approaching the camp, which means we’re going to be under heavy fire in less than five minutes.”
    â€œYou think I don’t know that?” Magliore growled, anger and impatience radiating from his body. He tried to shake off her hand, but Lia held fast. His expression turned ferocious. “Damn it, woman! Give me back my weapons so I can help your men fight!”
    â€œNo! I can’t risk your life like that! It’s too dangerous.” When he tried to charge past her, Lia tightened her grip