Tropical Safeguard (Men Of The Secret Service) Read Free Page B

first, we’ll eat
in shifts.”
    Cole bit his lip. Who did this guy think
he was? Cole usually had assignments with men who knew him better than anyone;
men who knew the way he would operate before he did, his team .   The lack of familiarity made working with a stranger an
incredible strain on his patience.
    They retraced their steps and began their
sweep at the front door. After checking the location of each outdoor
surveillance camera, each motion-detector, and each exit, the agents got into a
golf cart. With Agent Kensing at the wheel they rounded the outskirts of the
property checking for anything suspicious. Cole found the entire procedure
arduous, but he also knew it was necessary. This was, after all, an assignment
– even if Agent Kensing executed overkill.
    They crossed the green golf course at the
back of the mansion, weaving their way toward the pristine water. Located on
ten acres of prime oceanfront land, the property had its own private beach in a
sheltered alcove with natural rocky walls. As the agents skirted the alcove’s
edge, Cole looked down and spotted two figures sitting cross-legged in the
sand. “Two people, down below,” he said over the drone of the cart’s motor.
Agent Kensing aligned the golf cart with the switchback staircase that led to
the beach.
    “Do you mind checking it out? My back’s
not what it used to be and that’s a lot of stairs.”
    “Sure,” Cole said, keeping the peace.
Hopping out, he made his way down as the blazing sun beat on his head and
shoulders. With Agent Prickly’s impatience, he hadn’t had time to change out of
his suit and sweat trickled uncomfortably down his collar. The wide cedar
stairs were weathered and smelled aromatic is the baking sunshine as he gripped
the rail and moved onward. Stepping onto the soft golden sand, he felt the
grains seep in between the laces of his dress shoes, which were now covered in
a fine dust he’d have to contend with later. Being from Manhattan, he was more
at home on asphalt and concrete than on a beach.
    In the distance, the two women sat facing
each other. Their eyes were closed and their hands rested in their laps. As
Cole walked toward them, the older woman facing him opened her eyes and leaned
over to speak to the woman with her back to him. Craning around with interest,
the woman stared, but the sun was in her eyes. Cole watched as she stood up and
turned to face him. She began walking toward him, keeping her hand across her
face to block the sun’s glare. As she drew closer, his mouth fell open at the
oncoming vision, her beauty catching him completely off guard. He admired her
petite, lithe frame as she walked with purpose and met him halfway. They
stopped within arms length of each other and she brought her hand down. Her
gorgeous face was naturally sun-kissed with freckles and she had an air of
effortless elegance about her. Cole was instantly drawn to her magnetism. Cute,
yet sexy – a lethal combo.
    “Yes?” she said.
    Not exactly the introduction he’d
expected. She seemed leery, cautious. Cole’s gaze slid down the length of her
body, really noticing her, and she visibly squirmed in discomfort. “Miss, I’m Agent Nielsen
and that’s my partner, Agent Kensing.” Cole absently pointed toward the cliff.
    She looked up, spotting the golf cart.
“Okay, hello,” she said abrasively.
    Affronted, Cole tried to fix things.
“Sorry, I just wanted to introduce myself and meet the staff. We’re following
protocol by sweeping the grounds.”
    “Oh,” Katrina nodded. “Okay. Carry on
then.”
    “Pardon?”
  “I said carry on. I’m sorry, did I
say the wrong thing?” Katrina stood a little taller, staring him down through
squinted eyes.
    For the first time in as long as he could
remember, Cole was at a loss for words. He wasn’t accustomed to being dismissed
like this. Usually people were on their best behavior around the agents,
cooperating to the fullest and trying to portray themselves as good