Their Masquerade (The American Soldier Collection 6)

“Really? Well, what if getting involved with her could risk her life even more than it is at risk right now?” L.T. asked.

“What do you mean?” Deacon asked him.

“Someone has been searching up information on her. Personal and public records.”

“Who?” Axel asked, sitting forward.

“Sandman is trying to find out and so are Jax and Jameson,” L.T. told them.

“Wait, maybe it’s about the job interviews she has. She does have her degree in finance and she could be interviewing at big companies with a lot of money. That would explain things,” Quentin suggested.

“We’re trying to narrow down where the searches are coming from. Sandman said that he could say exactly where the enquiries were coming from, but following the blueprint left behind, his computer analysts believe that a person with government clearance, or an organization with government clearance, was investigating her.”

“Shit, L.T., they could be looking into her because of Michael. It was only recently that Jeb stopped his personal investigation. Mariah spent time in Europe. If the government is truly conducting an inside investigation into Michael’s death as well as the recent incidences of missing undercover officers, then they’re covering their tracks. They’d want to know everything about the families and their day-to-day operations,” Deacon said.

They were quiet a moment.

“It makes sense. But it also leaves us with a dilemma. We should keep her safe, but we also need to keep our distance. We have to allow her time to establish her career. She’s young and impressionable, and we’re older, experienced, and that just might be a fantasy to her. She’s known us for years. We’re familiar. The whole sharing thing may be hype to her, but knowing how sweet and traditional she is, she could wind up hating us. How would we feel if she caused a wedge between the four of us, or we caused a wedge? Is it a risk we’re willing to take?” L.T. asked.

“I think you’re right. I think we need to remain at a distance for now while all this is going on, and hopefully we’ll have some answers and some closure soon,” Deacon added.

“Keeping her safe and giving her the opportunity to make her own choices is priority. Can Sandman let us in on any inside information with the investigation?” Axel asked.

“He said that something is brewing. I don’t know what. But until all threats are gone, we need to think with our heads and not with our dicks.”

“That’s easy for you to say. You didn’t kiss her,” Quentin stated.

“He’s got a point. One kiss and you’d be a goner, too,” Axel added.

“Try tasting her cream, and imagining her scent everywhere you go. Then come back and tell me about keeping my distance and we’ll see if you can do it, L.T.,” Deacon added and gave him a very serious and challenging look. The others chuckled.

“Remain focused. Maybe going out this weekend will help clear your heads. We leave for the diner in ten minutes,” L.T. said and then walked out of the room.

* * * *

Randy watched her all night. He couldn’t believe it. She wasn’t what he’d expected. He had kept his distance and gave her the time she needed to accept him and his advances. Mariah leaving for Italy had nearly killed his resolve. But he was patient. He really liked her. He had learned so much about her from Michael, it was kind of strange. Michael wanted her protected and cared for. He sure wouldn’t want her involved with L.T., Quentin, Axel, or Deacon. They were all fucked up in the head and they shared women. Who the fuck shared a woman as beautiful and perfect as Mariah?

Now, it seemed like she’d gotten herself into another situation. Manchenso was a man of many faces. Although Michael had failed to prove that Manchenso had something to do with the sale of illegal arms, Manchenso was considered a small fish in a big ocean. There were others to catch. Others to frame for the bigger exchanges. It was all part of the undercover operation. Randy took a deep breath and sighed. How did Manchenso find out about Mariah? Why was she interviewing for a job with the company? Randy had lots of questions. But considering he was standing near his commander, waiting for the opportunity to drag her in for questioning, hindered what he really wanted to do.

“Hey, do you think this is a good idea? You know, using Michael’s sister to wean out the bad guys?” Randy whispered to the government agent. He just looked at him.

“No one has been able to infiltrate that corporation. No jobs are ever advertised for or open to the public. Manchens

o invited Miss Langcaster to apply for a position. Is it a setup or is it fate, a chance to capture cop killers and traitors? We’ll soon find out.”

“She’s not involved with them. You don’t even know if she’s taking the job.”

“She’ll take it.”

Randy stared at him. The agent was pompous. They all were. They thought nothing of losing cops.

“She won’t help you,” he added.

“She will. That’s why you’re here. You’re going to explain to her about how her brother was killed and that Manchenso might have had a hand in it.”

“You can’t prove that he did.”

“Not yet, but with the help of Miss Langcaster, we’re hoping to finally put an end to some major counts of treason.”