Undercover(3)

She touched her forehead in salute, and he looked stunned for a moment, shrugging before leading her into the large house.

Once inside, he motioned up a stairway, and she followed him, not failing to notice his muscular ass in his uniform pants. There was some solace in the evening, at least.

At the end of the hallway he kicked a door open and flipped on the lights. It was a sizable room with a small kitchen and bathroom unit attached. There was a bedroom with a separate living space. Sera noted the state-of-the-art electronic equipment on the desk. She’d be excited about the new gear after she was alone. There was no way she’d let him see her glee.

“Get unpacked, but keep a kit bag ready at all times. We’ll expect you in the main area in twenty. Back downstairs and to the left. You can’t miss it. We’ll have a meal ready, too.” He stood there for a moment. “Welcome, Sera. I mean that. You’re a real asset to this team.”

He turned and left the room before she could say anything, closing the door behind him.

She leaned against it, trying to catch her breath, trying to still the thoughts racing through her brain as the past pressed against her future. Fear, something she hadn’t tasted in many years, began to war with wary excitement. This was a nightmare, yes, but there was no denying the challenge appealed to her. How it would all end up remained to be seen.





Chapter 2

When she came down exactly twenty minutes later, Sera found them both seated in a large common room. The place was homey and lived-in. She didn’t doubt they bunked here regularly, although Sera wondered where the wife slept. Still, there were hints of the true nature of the inhabitants here and there. The staff were efficient and silent, but every last one she’d seen carried themselves like warriors. On her way down and when she’d entered the house with Brandt, she’d noticed the security. Understated but totally top-notch. Her growling stomach led her gaze to the sideboard against a far wall laden with food. It’d been some hours since she’d eaten last.

“Subcommander Ayers, I’m Ceylon, the house assistant. I’m pleased to meet you and have you here. Should you require anything, simply hail me from any comm station in the house or on the grounds. The others await you in the common room.” A tall, rail-thin man who appeared to be constructed from solid muscle bowed slightly.

Subcommander? She bowed in return. “Thank you. And please, call me Sera.”

“As you wish, Sera. Again, welcome.” He disappeared on nearly soundless feet, and she shrugged, turning back toward the room where Ash waved her inside.

“Sera, come in. Please grab something to eat, and we’ll get started.” Sera’s body responded to the way Ash’s eyes roved hungrily over her face and body. Her traitorous nipples hardened at his perusal, and she was glad she wore a thick enough bra to hide it.

Without a word she went to the sideboard and piled a plate with food. She carefully brought it over to the low table and couches where they were already seated, eating.

She didn’t ask about anything. She just ate and waited for one of them to speak. Why should she make it easy for them? They’d busted up her life just like Ash had done those years before. Like she was a piece on a game board to play.

Ash sighed. “Are you going to keep this up forever?”

Casually, she wiped her lips with a napkin and looked at him. “Sir? Have I been insubordinate? Perhaps you should find another member of your team you feel more comfortable with.”

Brandt chewed his lip to hold back a smile. Sera didn’t take any shit, and watching her keep Ash on his toes was amusing.

“Damn it, Sera! Let it go! We have a job to do.” Ash clenched his fists on his knees. Brandt knew it was most likely to keep Ash from pulling her body to his.

Her eyes flashed with fury just before she narrowed them at Ash. “Respectfully, sir, I am here to do my job. I am here as ordered. You told me to get something to eat, and I did so. I am a highly decorated military officer. I earned my way to where I am today with blood and broken bones. I have one of the best records in the military in all the Federation Universes. I don’t walk away from my commitments, Commander.”

Brandt caught the slight tremor in her hand as she held the plate on her knees. Ash was right, the woman was strong-willed. Brandt had been impressed when he read her file. On top of being quite lovely, he could quite easily add intelligent, skilled and deadly to the list. Her ranking in the Federated Universes Martial Arts League was in the top 3 percent.

But right then, she was on the edge, and Ash had to stop pushing, or she’d snap. Smoothly, Brandt stepped in to repair the damage.

“Of course, and I’m sure that Ash didn’t mean to intimate otherwise. We’ve both seen your file and your commendations. You’re a fine soldier, Sera. Let’s get to the briefing, shall we?” He looked to Ash, who unclenched his teeth.

“Brandt and I run a covert ops team. Our mobile unit has always had three people, but our third retired recently. We’re often on the frontier. You’ll be receiving a promotion to subcommander, by the way. While we’re here in Borran, this is our home base. The doors and other entrances are now keyed to your call. There’s transport out in the sheds. You should feel free to come and go as you wish, but only people with level-three clearance and above are allowed at this location.”

Sera put her empty plate on the table and crossed her legs. She listened closely as she bit into a piece of purri fruit.

Brandt handed her a file. She ate the last bit of the fruit, wiping her hands before opening the folder to examine the pictures and documents inside.

“The Imperialists have attacked four separate outposts. Clandestine outposts. From these outposts, we believe that they’ve been able to get more of our classified data.

“We’ve tracked some of the stolen information back to Nondal.” Ash sat back, and Brandt watched Sera as she read the information. Watched her eyes as she took in what had been stolen. And, impressed, he watched her piece things together.

“We’ll be going in two turns. A bit of scouting of our own to Nondal. The file has the intel and also what will be your identity. Memorize the material and leave any and all connection to your identity here,” Brandt explained and then hesitated a moment. “From this moment on, you’re assimilated into our cover as a whole. Ash and I are seen as Family members with lots of credits and too much spare time. You’ll be playing into that as well. We’ll work on the details when we return from Nondal. It’s not easy living a life where people underestimate you. But in truth, it’s quite useful.” He shrugged.

He’d leave off the part about how it hurt to be discounted when in fact he and Ash were dedicated, intelligent and hardworking. It wouldn’t necessarily always be that way. At some point he hoped they’d be able to drop the spoiled rich boy routine.

Sera nodded absently as she looked at the evidence in her lap. Evidence that a member of one of the most important Families in the Federation had collaborated with the Imperialists.

“That memo pad on your communicator is keyed to your voice,” Brandt pointed out.

“Don’t forget Sera has a photographic memory.” Ash nodded at her.

Brandt raised his brows and nodded. “Ah yes, I remember. Handy little skill that. I’m guessing it’s why you’re so good at languages.”

“Well, it’s not photographic. I’m not perfect. But I do have a very good memory. Don’t ever say something to me and try to insist that you said something else later on.” Sera glared at Ash—who had the good sense to wince—before going back to read the rest of the file.

Both men waited until she reached the part of the dossier that contained information about her cover identity.

She read it quietly, her body becoming more and more still. Her face flushed, and Brandt could see her jaw clench tighter and tighter until she tossed the file on the table and leveled those midnight-blue eyes at Ash.

“No.”

“Look, Sera . . .” Ash began.

She shot up then, hands clenched into fists at her sides as her chest heaved. “I. Said. No. I won’t.”

Ash stood. “You’ll do what you’re told, damn it.” His hand whipped out and cupped her throat, collaring it with his palm and fingers.

Her eyes widened.

Brandt moved to intervene, but before he reached them, Sera broke Ash’s hold, and he was on the ground with her foot on his throat. “You will not ever touch me with familiarity. Never collar my throat with your hand. I will kill you if you try it. I’d rather sit in the brig until I die than let you fuck me over again, Ash.”

“Sera, stand down,” Brandt said, keeping his voice calm and even. Ash had gone too far. Overstepped. That thing with his hand at her throat was uncalled for.

“I am not a whore.” Her voice was quiet when she removed her boot and turned, leaving the room quickly.

“What the hell is wrong with you, Ash? You didn’t have to push her like that.”

“Brandt, I know her better than she knows herself. She needs to be mastered. She wants it.”

“Ash, this is not about your cock! This is about our mission. She is your team member, and you are her superior officer. You’re out of line. You’re pushing too far and too hard.”