Their Masquerade (The American Soldier Collection 6)

“You can meet people in a mall, at work, or on the streets. This is different. Did the person who brought you not explain things to you?”

“Explain things? Do you mean about the sex?” she asked, trying to push off sounding flippant. She didn’t need this character to know she was a virgin. God knows what these men would do to her if they found out.

“Excuse me, may I cut in?” another man asked. He was dressed in black and white and wore a white mask that covered most of his face. The man in black wasn’t too happy. He appeared as if he would say no, but then he released her to him and bowed his head.

“I will see you shortly,” he promised and she bowed her head.

* * * *

“Did you just say that the man is Armando?” L.T. asked as he exited the dance floor. He had been watching the woman in red. There was something so familiar about her, and then he saw the guy bring her to that group of very rough, untamed men. He knew what they were into. This wasn’t the place for a newbie. Someone had brought her here and they didn’t share the rules. Perhaps it would be best to keep a closer eye on her and get her out of here when they left.

“She is beautiful. What did she sound like?” Axel asked after Deacon identified Armando, Manchenso, and another man. There was a group of ten men standing around together and dressed nearly identically. Eduardo was among them. He had to be.

“It’s her first time. She needs protection,” L.T. stated.

“I’m in. I’ll dance with her next,” Quentin said as the music changed to something faster. The woman in red began dancing along with Armando and a few other men.

When she raised her hands above her head and swayed her hips, Quentin whispered into the mic, “Mariah?”

* *

* *

“What the fuck is she doing here?” L.T. raised his voice, as he met Quentin, Axel, and Deacon by the side of the room. Mariah was still in their sights and she was dancing with Armando Secca, and it didn’t seem like she knew whom he was. The agents had identified more than half the men they were looking for in connection to the case. They still believed that Eduardo was here at the party, but now the concern was over Mariah.

“Why is she here? Do you think that Secca and Manchenso invited her?” Quentin asked, with his teeth clenched.

“I don’t think so. God, I mean, I hope not, but don’t you think she would know it was Secca she’s dancing with?” Axel asked as he looked toward the dance floor. Now two other men joined them. It was Manchenso and another man. L.T. spoke into his mic. “Any info on the third guy?”

“Working on it,” was the response they all heard in their ear mics.

“We need to find out why she’s here,” Quentin stated.

“She’s here for the same reasons why others are. She wants to fulfill her fantasy,” Deacon whispered as he stared straight at her.

“No way. Not Mariah. She’s so sweet and traditional. It’s why we decided not to pursue her,” L.T. added as he looked at her as well. He could tell that he and his team weren’t the only ones admiring her.

“She’s pursuing a fantasy tonight. She’s in a mask, wearing that dress, and playing a role,” Deacon added.

“You’re not making this any better. There must be more to it,” L.T. said.

“I don’t care. She wants a fantasy then we’ll be her fantasy. If we weren’t working we would have attended this event in search of a replacement for Mariah, someone to take her off our minds. We were all drawn to her. Whether it was that platinum blonde hair or sexy body, we all reacted to her presence. This is an opportunity, and I’m not going to let her be taken away by some man she doesn’t even know to act out her ultimate fantasy with her. I want that job,” Quentin stated.

“Yeah,” Axel added. And L.T. looked at Deacon.

“It’s fate, my friend. You can push her away, and deny your needs and the attraction for only so long. She should be ours.”

Damn Deacon and his calm analysis of the situation.

They all heard the voice as the radio dispatched.

“The men are on the move. Our agents will take over from here.”

“Good. We have our own mission to accomplish,” L.T. added firmly and then placed his hands on his hips as he stared at his team.

“We do this, there’s no turning back.”

“Agreed,” Quentin said, and then Axel and then Deacon.