Her Covert Protector (Rogue Protectors Book 4)

In the two weeks that followed, Nadia and John fell into a routine. Adjusting to each other wasn’t as impossible as she first thought. John seemed to adjust well to her family of nosy neighbors although they continued to have some sort of competition in her care and feeding. It was amusing to watch until she had to jump in to referee.

John and Dugal would always tell her, though, that they were men just being men.

John surprisingly found the time to sneak in episodes of Hodgetown and declared he had finished season three. Perfect, too, because that day was Halloween and Nadia couldn’t wait to see him in the costume she ordered for him and that arrived a few days prior. She was hosting a Halloween party that night at her apartment and she invited the CTTF crew. The food and drinks were going to be prepared at her apartment and the guests could spill out onto the rooftop.

Halloween was one of her favorite days of the year. Was it because she could get to be someone else without guilt? She thought back to what her father said about being happy in her own skin. She was beginning to appreciate what he meant. She’d stopped wearing the spectacles she didn’t need and was thinking of letting her hair grow back into its reddish blond roots from the platinum she’d been favoring.

As for the investigation, she usually worked from her apartment with Bristow, staying clear of the Nerd Lab since anyone could just walk in when they were accessing a site that was for CIA eyes only. Nadia was feeling very special.

But she was getting frustrated at the lack of progress of the investigation in finding the Crown-Key.

There hadn’t been any big cyberattacks like the traffic light incident, but no one was breathing a sigh of relief yet with the device still missing.

Kelso’s theory was the device had already been sold to an arms dealer or a rogue state. The traffic light incident was a display of what it could do. Whether Evan Wagner’s involvement was simply to provide Club Sochi as a venue to conceal the transaction remained to be investigated.

However, digging into Primeflix business yielded interesting information regarding their financials or, rather, that of one particular board member. Evan Wagner owned an investment company, and they’d scrutinized all his business dealings. They all seemed legit, but further investigation led to an incongruent line of business. Why would a gas station chain in Ukraine invest millions of dollars in the media giant? In recent years, speculations abounded that Primeflix was partly mob-owned and was used to launder money, not only in its operations, but also through production companies it did business with. And maybe that was why Wagner had a hard-on for Hodgetown because its production company, Revenant Films, refused to play.

As for Dmitry Vovk, several of the CIA’s European assets had confirmed his very public appearances from Kiev all the way to Paris while chatter with the Argonayts all but died. No more messages came from Anonymous_754. Nadia continued to send her messages in their secure chat room, telling Sally that CTTF could help her if she was under duress. She even gave Sally her own task force cell number to call. But there was only complete silence.

The clanging of a pan brought her attention back to the present. Dugal and John were arguing in the kitchen over oatmeal.

Over oatmeal.

This was a roll-your-eyes moment and it was amusing to witness.

“You do realize there’s the microwave kind.” John was being a smartass again.

“Bite your tongue, man,” Dugal boomed. “There’s nothing like Scottish porridge to make sure you have a healthy bairn.”

“Right now he—or she—is the size of a vanilla bean,” Nadia called from the living room. “That’s a speck.”

“You want big, healthy boys or girls, then you want to feed them porridge. The right kind.”

“There’s a wrong kind?”

Oh, John, shut up.

Dugal told him, “Scottish porridge is made from stone-ground oats. It makes creamy oatmeal, not the gummy kind you Americans like to eat.”

And so their argument went, but finally, after half an hour, Dugal finished giving his porridge lesson to John and they were finally sitting down to eat except for the big Scot who headed to the backdoor to leave. Had John pissed him off that much?

“Are you not joining us, Dugal?” Nadia stared at the big pot in front of them.

“Nay, I have to go to the butcher shop early, so I can come home and get your roast started.”

“Aww, thanks for doing this!” she beamed. Dugal and her dad were helping out with the party.

“No problem, lass.” And he waved off. Dugal, even at his age, was a big Hallowed Eve fan. Halloween, after all, had its roots in Samhain, a popular Gaelic festival.

“Hmm,” John said beside her. He had a serious look on his face as he tasted the creamy gruel topped with blueberries and walnut pieces. He chewed slowly and appeared to roll it on his tongue and then, “Damn, this is really good.”

“See? You might learn a thing or two about good food,” she said.

“Yeah, not a bad idea to learn this homemade shit.” His eyes warmed as he looked at her. “I want our kid to be healthy.” He glanced at his watch. “Speaking of which, we have an hour before we make our appointment.” He gave a shake of his head. “Only you would think it’s a good idea to schedule our first-prenatal visit on Halloween.”

Nadia grinned. Proof that the holiday was her favorite day.

When your baby daddy was a spook, there was no waiting room. They arrived at a nondescript, three-story, gray building. From the outside it looked like an abandoned building. He drove the Escalade around to an underground parking structure that was sealed off by folding gates. He tapped his watch to a scanner and it raised on its tracks.

When they went underground, Nadia was surprised to see an almost-packed parking lot.

“What’s this place?”

“It’s a division of the agency. Medical research. But some operatives have their surgeries and medical procedures here.”

“I guess it’s understandable with your line of work and wanting to keep anonymity.”

“Yeah. Most of the medical staff work at regular hospitals.”

“Like Hank?”

“Yeah. Bristow was a plant in the hospital system, but after the Ebola bioweapon, I needed him more in the field.”

“Gotcha.”

John parked their vehicle and went straight into an elevator, taking them up to the third floor. When the doors slid open, she was relieved to see the modern interior and not a hole-in-the wall clinic. She knew with John’s protectiveness, giving her the best care was a priority. She found comfort in that.

A woman in scrubs at the reception area smiled when she saw John.

“You’re here for Dr. Fern Ryan.”

“Yes.”

“I’m Taylor.” The woman held out a tablet. “Just register here.”

John signed the electronic log, and they were immediately accompanied down a brightly lit hallway. Unmarked rooms dotted both sides.

Taylor opened the door to the last room on the right. “I’ll let Dr. Ryan know you’re here.”

Nadia sat in a chair, while John remained standing.

“Where’s everyone?” she asked.

“First and second floor mostly. I was surprised we were directed to the third.” His grin was lopsided.

“Must be a special occasion when John Garrison requests a prenatal.”

He chuckled. “Fern was shocked for sure when I asked her. This is only for the first visit. She’s going to recommend someone she trusts in the area at the end of this appointment.”

“Wait. She’s not from here?”

“She’s based at Langley.”

“You had her fly across the country for this?”

“She owes me one.”

“How high-maintenance an operative are you?”

The door opened and a woman in her sixties with silver hair rolled in a severe bun stepped in. “Very.” She quipped and extended her hand. “Hi, Nadia, I’m Dr. Ryan.” Her gray eyes flicked to the man beside her. “John.”

“Fern.” He gave her a kiss on the cheek. It was weird seeing him this familiar with someone, but it also added a point to the humanity column. The life of a CIA officer must be lonely, but she was glad it seemed there were people that John felt close enough to request this cross-country favor. Nadia wanted her people to be his too.

“I told John that I can’t continue to be your obstetrician for obvious reasons, but don’t worry. I’ve been the first line of consultation many times with nervous super spies becoming parents for the first time.”

Nadia gave a snort of laughter. John grunted.

“It’s a hard transition, from trusting only a few people inside the CIA, to having to deal with institutions outside the agency. But as I told a few of John’s colleagues, the CIA medical facilities specialize in emergency response. We leave the prenatal and children’s wellbeing to the experts.”

“Sounds good to me.”

“We’re not going to do an ultrasound. It’s too early and it will only do more harm than good, psychologically. I presumed you’d done an over-the-counter pregnancy test?”

“Yes, I took two over two weeks ago and then another one, hmm, last Saturday and …” Nadia grinned. “I’m still pregnant.”

John frowned at her. “You didn’t tell me you did that.”

“I didn’t want to sound paranoid. And I didn’t want to waste an appointment just in case I’m not pregnant, especially since I insisted on Halloween.”

“Please don’t hide anything from me in the future,” his voice was so gentle, it warmed all over.

“Oh my,” Dr. Ryan said, grinning. “I’ll tell you one thing, whatever you’re doing to this man, continue it.”

John scowled, “Fern—”

“Do you know how many times I had to treat him, or one of his crew, and his abrupt, get-it-over-with attitude?”

“Believe me, I know.” She beat back a smile. “That was one of the problems I had with him.”

“And I’m standing right here,” John said dryly.

Nadia and the doctor shared another laugh, and then Fern put her serious face on and started asking questions about her medical history.

The blood test she ordered confirmed that she was, indeed, pregnant, and, even if they were clear when conception may have happened, they officially dated her pregnancy to the last date of her menstrual cycle which would put her roughly around six weeks.

“Is it strange that I’m not feeling any symptoms?”

“You’re one of the lucky ones.”

“And, ah, Fern,” John put a finger over his mouth as if he wasn’t sure of what to say, and his face was unusually ruddy. “I… have a question.”

“Is this about sexual intercourse?” The doctor’s eyes twinkled. Obviously, she was used to this question.

“Yeah.”

“John!” Nadia exclaimed and her own face was suddenly flushed with embarrassment. They’d had this chat. Nadia already knew from her friends that sex wasn’t a problem, which was why she wasn’t worried when they had that vigorous sex after the nightclub op. Apparently John did his research on that, too, so why was he asking this now?

“We’ve been having lots of it and … I read somewhere that it was fine.”

The doctor grinned. “It is perfectly fine.” She winked at Nadia. “I don’t see anything in her medical history to preclude sex.”

“Thanks, doc.” John winked at Nadia.

That time she did roll her eyes.

Dr. Ryan gave an amused shake of her head. “I’ve sent your info to Dr. Stephanie Stahl, and, yes, it’s because John requested a female doctor.”

“For obvious reasons,” he said.

Oh, her caveman.

After their doctor’s appointment, John dropped her off at the Nerd Lab and went off to do what super spies did when they were not attending prenatal checkups. It still felt surreal when she thought of their relationship. He’d always been the man of mystery in their little group ever since Gabby and Declan got back together. When their division spun off into CTTF to address terrorist threats in LA that could have nationwide consequences, John became a fixture … well, a fixture in the background.

The sliding doors to her lab swooshed open. “Hey.”

It was Levi.

Her brows furrowed. “Where’s John?”

“He got held up a bit.”

“Oh, no, no, he wouldn’t dare.” Nadia grabbed her phone and called him. It went directly to voice mail. He sent her to voicemail! The nerve! “John Garrison,” she fumed. “You’re not getting out of wearing the Locke Demon costume.”

She ended the call and chucked the phone into her backpack and gathered the rest of her things. Levi was trying so hard not to laugh, but she shot him a glare just the same. On the ride home, she typed and erased messages to John, trying not to come off as a needy, pregnant woman.

Argh.

“He had something significant come up. It appears Dmitry Vovk boarded a plane for the U.S. again.”

“He could have answered his phone or sent me a text.” She blew on imaginary bangs. “He knew how important this was to me.”

“Maybe he’s a coward,” Levi said, glancing at her briefly. “He didn’t want to hear the disappointment in your voice.”

Nadia sighed. “It’s better than ignoring me, leaving me in limbo.”

The other man chuckled. “He’s got a long way to go to be trained.”

“Is that so?” she grinned. “Is that what Kelly did to you?”

“Believe me, John is smarter than I am navigating this shit. My only excuse? I’m younger.”

Nadia grinned and stared out the window. They were at the neighborhood road now. Some kids and teenagers were already strolling on the sidewalks. The kids were about to be let loose. The police vehicle patrolling their apartment complex was parked in front of the main entrance.

“You can drop me right ahead.”

“Nope. I’m coming up with you.”

She frowned. This was the first time she’d come home without John since Maxim’s ambush. She looked up ahead and saw another two cops stationed at the entrance to the complex, and then another patrol up ahead in addition to the one assigned to watch the SkyeLark apartments.

“Look, your girls are waiting for you, right?”

A muscle ticked at his jaw. “They understand daddy has a job to do.”

“And you weren’t supposed to be doing this. John was. Your girls are going to be disappointed,” Nadia added. She was getting pissed at John for putting Levi up to this. “And Kelly, too, because I’m sure she’s going to make your daughters rock.”

A wistful smile touched his lips. “She always does.”

Nadia went in for the kill. “So, screw John. I’m protected like Fort Knox. If you want, I can bring one of the officers up with me.”

Levi’s jaw hardened. “No. I’ll walk you up and make sure there’s an officer stationed at your door.”

Nadia sighed, whatever would let Levi go home to his girls and wife faster. She was going to have a word with John about this.

“Are you sure you don’t want to try this, officer?”

“I’m on duty, ma’am,” the fresh-faced cop said.

“It’s your loss.” Nadia turned away from the entrance and closed the door, still holding a sample of the appetizer Dugal had made. Poor Levi. He wasn’t comfortable leaving her with a cop who looked like he was fresh out of the academy. It wasn’t until John texted that he was five minutes away that the SEAL left.

It was six o’ clock. The festivities had started. John was going to be in the doghouse if Levi completely missed trick-or-treating with his girls.

She headed back to the kitchen where Dugal was checking on the roast. He shut the oven and stared at the sausage roll in her hands.

“Nay?” He frowned.

“Nay,” she replied.

“It’s Halloween. Even cops are allowed to have fun.”

The walkie-talkie on the counter sounded. “We’re starving.”

It was Clyde.

The Halloween festivities were set up in the parking lot. The stairs were blocked so kids couldn’t come up. Clyde and Arthur were handing out candy along with the other residents.

“I can bring them something,” she said.

“I’ll do it,” Dugal said. “You stay here and watch the roast.”

“You just want to show off your pirate outfit,” Nadia told Dugal as he fixed a patch across one eye. A bandana covered his bald head. He fastened the wide belt around his waist. His Claymore sword was sheathed in a scabbard that hung off the belt.

“Be careful with that thing,” Nadia warned.

“Aye.”

“Don’t let the children touch it.”

“They’d love to see it. A real Scottish sword.”

“Scottish pirate?”

“Aye.” His grin was all teeth. “Ye don’t look bad yourself.”

“Yes, but it’s getting hot.” Since the Locke Demon didn’t have a romantic interest in Hodgetown, Nadia decided to go with the vampire-warrior of her favorite vampire-werewolf franchise. It was a bodysuit; a corset-like top and chunky boots completed the look. She also slathered white foundation on her face and finished with red lipstick. She skipped the fangs though. Nadia didn’t want to deal with them tonight.

As Dugal stalked out the backdoor, her dad came in. He was the only one of his friends who didn’t don a costume. He said Nadia did enough dressing up for both of them. Spoilsport. He was carrying a tray of pies. “I hope these turned out okay.”

“Dad, I told you we could have just gotten those from the supermarket.”

He stared at her from under his spectacles. “And I’ve said many times those are bad for you.”

“The sugar in these is probably as bad as all the preservatives.”

Her dad proceeded to lecture her about high-fructose corn syrup and polyphosphates. She’d heard this before and let him chatter as she surreptitiously checked her phone. The adults were coming at eight after the kids were done trick-or-treating.

There was a message from Kelso that he was ready to chow down. Gabby said she was having a problem fitting into her costume and might be late. John said he was having trouble finding “fuckin’ parking.” She did tell him the parking lot was occupied. Served him right.

But her eyes zeroed in on a text message from Anonymous_574. She’d finally used the number Nadia left her in the chatroom.

The message was: “Get out now!”

Was this a joke?

“Excuse me, Dad, I need to call someone.” She went to her bedroom and called the number on the text message.

“Hello?” It sounded like Sally’s voice.

“Sally? How—”

“I escaped,” she was whispering. “I thought I’d come to you, but I realized they’re tracking me.”

“How?”

“Just get out, please! I think I led them to you. I cut out the tracker…” Her voice went shaky as if she started running.

“Who’s tracking you?”

The line went dead.

She tried to call back, but it kept on ringing.

Leaving the bedroom, she called John.

“I’m parked up the street,” he growled. “I’ll be there in—”

“Shut up and listen. Sally called …” her voice died, and blood drained from her face.

Two black-clad men, their features covered by balaclavas, stood in her kitchen. One of them had a gun pointed at Stephen.

“Hand me that phone.” One of them spoke tersely. “Now.” He pressed the gun against the back of her father’s head.

She did so without hesitation even when John was cursing at the other end.

“Your boyfriend can’t help you now.” The man looked at the phone, swiped to end the call, and handed it over to his comrade. “Check the messages.”

Nadia and her father kept their gazes locked. She hated the fear in his eyes. It wasn’t for him, but for her. Did her own gaze reflect the same?

Get out now!

She should have checked her phone sooner. But how could she have known? There’d been no contact with Sally since that Lisbeth message and later when she saw her at the club. And now …

She led those men here.

“Where is she?” the man pointing the gun to Stephen’s head asked.

“I don’t know. You saw the messages.” She glanced at her father. “Please let Dad go. You have me.”

“Sonyashnik, no,” her father pleaded.

Dammit.

The second man swiped the number and walked over to Nadia. “Tell her to come here.”

“She knows you’re looking for her. She won’t come.”

“Then maybe we can use you and your father as incentive, hmmm…?”

“Nadia?” Sally’s voice whispered.

Nadia swallowed. “Where are you?”

“I’m still … Are you still at the apartment? I told you to leave.”

Too late.

“Why don’t you come over? It’ll be okay. I can help you.”

“They’re there, aren’t they …You’re going to … I thought I could trust you. You said in your messages to me—never mind.”

“Don’t. Don’t hang up!” The line went dead and Nadia wanted to scream.

At least John would be here soon.

“There’s a cop outside the door,” she said, trying to steady her voice “You—”

A bloodcurdling cry roared in the apartment. A battle cry that chilled the air.

Nadia watched in horror as the glint of a medieval sword hacked through the arm that was holding the gun to Stephen’s head.

Screams filled the apartment.

Something crashed.

Someone cursed.

As the man holding her father hostage dropped, Dugal’s brutish form appeared. The man beside Nadia tried to grab her, but she ducked and twisted that man’s arm.

“Everyone freeze!”

Muffled pops and gunfire exploded.

A force sent Nadia flying to the floor. She hit the tiles hard, her arms taking the brunt of the fall. When she looked up, it was all over.

Her assailant was pinned to the wall by Dugal’s sword.

No one else was left standing.