Radclyffe - Honor Under Siege

“Im not very good company right now.

Diane heard the warning beneath the words but refused to

be deterred. “Shouldnt I be the one to decide that?

“Trust me, it might not be all thatpleasant.

“To be with you? Diane said lightly while mental y translating,

Its not safe .

“Yes.

“Then thats al the more reason to let me come and prove you wrong.

Diane raised her knees and pressed her forehead to them. She closed her

eyes, trying to shut out every other sensation except the sound of

Valeries voice.

A sigh came through the line. “And thats why Ive stayed

away.

“Im sure our friends could help cheer you

up.

“Im not so sure of

that.

Diane hesitated. Blair was the one person in her life whom she

trusted completely. But there was no reason that Valerie should. But

what about Cam? Didnt Valerie trust her? Cam would help Valerie,

if she were in trouble. Wouldnt she?

Would she? Cams al egiance was never in doubt. Blair fi rst. Country

second. And friendship? Diane had no doubt that Cam would risk her

life for Stark or Savard or any of the others. Didnt Valerie, Cams ex-

lover and col eague, fal into the same category?

But then, she didnt real y understand anything that had happened.

She didnt

understand why Valerie had left, why shed stayed away, and why

she was obviously afraid to talk to her now. She wouldnt

understand until Valerie explained it, and she desperately needed to

know. “I want to see you.

“Dian

e

“No one wil know.

Please.

Another endless pause, not even the sound of breathing on

the line.

Diane forced herself not to say anything more than she already had.

She had never begged a woman for anything in her life, not even

Blair when they had been younger and shed been desperately in love with

her. Blair had never known the depth of her feelings, perhaps

because she had already learned to shield her emotions behind casual

nonchalance. It hadnt taken many disappointments before she had

also learned not to make herself vulnerable by asking for things

she couldnt have. Valerie had ef ortlessly changed al that. And

now, if she didnt sense that begging would somehow endanger

Valerie, she would gladly beg. Anything to break this unwil ing

isolation.

“How long wil you be there? Valerie fi nal y

asked.

“How long should I be? Diane

countered.

“A few days would be

good.

“Il try. Diane opened her eyes. The moon had gone behind a cloud

and the room was black. “Dont be afraid.

Valerie laughed thinly. “Of

you?

“For

me,

Diane

whispered.

“I dont think I can promise

that.

Diane smiled. “And I feel the same. Il be

waiting.

“Goodbye,

Valerie

whispered.

Diane sat in the silent darkness for a few more minutes, fi xing the

sound of Valeries voice in her mind. Then she pul ed up the last

number on her cal log and cal ed it.

Im sorry. The number youre trying to reach is no longer in

service.

Chapter Seven

Tuesda

y

B lair paused halfway across the living room and groaned in

appreciation as she smel ed cof ee. She turned toward the seating area in

front of the windows and caught a glimpse of the fi rst streaks of a

hazy orange sunrise outside the windows. Diane sat curled up in one

corner of the sofa in burgundy satin pjs, her blond hair loose and partial

y shielding her face, a mug clasped in both hands.

“Hi, Blair said. “Mind

company?

“No, of course

not.

Blair continued into the adjoining gal ey kitchen, poured cof ee, and

returned. She set led onto the sofa and mirrored Dianes pose, legs

drawn beneath her, partial y turned so she could face her friend. “Early

morning or late night?

Diane smiled rueful y. “Both. Funny, I never used to mind sleeping

alone.

“Its one thing to sleep alone because you prefer to, Blair said half to

herself. “But once youve got en used to someone and then theyre not

there, its a bitch.

“Id forgot en its not al that easy for you and Cam most of the time,

either. Sorry.

Blair stroked Dianes shoulder. “I just meant I

understand.

“I know you do. Diane was certain that Blair understood al of it he

reluctance to trust, the self-made barriers to protect against

heartbreak and disappointment, and the terrible joy of let ing someone

inside at last. Blair had lived it, just as she had. And because Blair

knewknew her, knew what she hoped and feared, knew what it was

to fi ght for what she wantedDiane felt some of the desolation lift from

her heart. “Valerie cal ed.

“Is she al right? Blair held her breath and strained to hear the sound

of the shower running in the master bathroom. She didnt want Cam

walking in on this conversation and hearing something she would feel

duty bound to act on.

“I dont know, Diane said, her voice shaking slightly. “It was a

tense conversation. She didnt say that she wasnt al right, but

obviously somethings wrong. She searched Blairs eyes. “Do you know

whats going on?

“Oh God, Blair murmured. “I dont, honey. Honest, not real y.

And I she glanced over her shoulder toward the hal way on the far side

of the room.

“Cams involved somehow, isnt she? And Im put ing you in the middle. I

should go.

“No, Blair said sharply, grasping Dianes arm to prevent her rising. “You

should not go. No one knows anything, including Cam, other than

Valerie snuck of in the middle of the night and doesnt want anyone to

know where she is.

“You make it sound like shes a

criminal.

Blair shook her head. “No one is saying that. She wasnt exactly certain

that was true. She imagined that if Valerie hadnt warned

Matheson herself of the

impending capture, then whoever h a d told him would point

to her disappearance as evidence of her guilt. “But the way she left is

suspicious, and the fact that shes hiding doesnt help clear things up at al .

Her grip softened and she clasped Dianes fi ngers. “You k now

Cam, Di. She doesnt jump to conclusions, and she never set les for

easy answers. Valerie needs to talk to her.

“Im scared, Diane whispered. “Im scared that every phone cal wil be

the last one. That Il never see her again and Il never know why.

Blair leaned closer. “I know you want to protect her. So would I. But she

needs help. Can you try to get her to talk to Cam?

Dianes eyes were moist, the blue misted to gray with sadness. “How can

I if I

dont know how to reach

her?

“Something tel s me shel fi nd you. Blair heard the sound of the

bedroom door closing and footsteps approaching, then Cam passed

behind them on her way to the kitchen. “Morning, darling.

“Hi,

Cam

replied.

Diane cal ed a greeting then lowered her voice. “I have to

think about it. For now, can we keep it between us?

“Yes, Blair said, knowing that Diane wouldnt be pushed

into making a decision any more than she would. “Im going to

talk to Lucinda this morning. After that, lets just get out of

here for a while. Walk around, shop, do something mindless.

Some of the tension eased from Dianes face. “I think thats a

great idea. After all, we have a wedding to plan.

“We certainly do. Blair glanced across the room to where

Cam stood in the doorway of the kitchen. Shed dressed for work

for the

fi rst time in almost two weeks, and the pale blue shirt, dark

raw silk slacks, and black Italian loafers gave her a cool,

sleek look. She wasnt wearing her shoulder holster, but she

would be, along with a blazer, when she went out. The image

of confi dence and strength Cam projected was more than just

appearance, and it surprised Blair how right it felt to see her

lover preparing to do what she did so wel . “We cant stop living,

can we?

“No, Diane said with a shadow of a smile. “We

cant.

* * * * *

Blair stepped from the shower, wrapped a towel around her

chest, and used another to dry her hair. She fi nger-combed

the thick waves and fi nished drying her body. She paused at a

knock on the bathroom door.

“Yes?

“Want a fresh cup of coffee?

Smiling, Blair pulled open the door that connected to

their bedroom. “Special delivery?

“At your service. Cam slipped inside and set the cup down on

the vanity. “Starks here.

Blair frowned. “What time is

it? “0700.

“God, shes eager.

“Shes just doing her job, Cam said,

smiling.

“Yeah, yeah. Blair tossed the towel aside and wrapped her

arms around Cams neck. “So what are you going to do while

Im with Lucinda?

Cam brushed both hands down Blairs back and cupped

her buttocks. “Probably be thinking about this.

Blair grinned and nipped at Cams lower lip.

“Smooth.

“Youre getting my shirt wet, Cam murmured, nuzzling

Blairs throat.

“Just your shirt? Blair whispered in Cams ear and bumped her pelvis into

Cams crotch.

Cam groaned. “Cut it

out.

Blair laughed, kissed her hard, and then let her go. Cams shirtfront

showed the wet impressions of Blairs breasts. “Uh-oh. You need a new

shirt.

“At

the

least.

“So what are you doing this morning, Commander? Blair fol owed Cam

into the bedroom and sorted through the clothing she kept at Cams for

occasions when she stayed over..

“Im hoping to meet with your fathers security adviser about this new Of

i ce of

Homeland Security, Cam said as she changed her

shirt.

“And your new job, Blair said casual y. Even though shed known

from the second her father of ered the position that Cam would take it,

the reality made her stomach tighten. She paused in the middle of

but oning her blouse. “I understand now why you wanted to be in

charge of my security detail, even when I didnt want you to be.

“What do you mean? Cam tucked in her shirt, but her eyes never left

Blairs face.

Blair slipped into her slacks and regarded her shoe choices. “I like

having you where I can see you. Even though it doesnt mean youl be

safe, it feels less scary.

“Hey, Cam said, gently resting her hands on Blairs shoulders. “Its not

that kind of job, okay?

“Yeah, yeah. Blair sighed. “I hate being this shaky about

things.

“Were al of balance. Cam kissed her forehead. “Give yourself a

break.

“Il try. Blair smiled. “Id bet er go take care of

Stark. Cam rol ed her eyes. “Be gentle.

Laughing, Blair skimmed her fi ngertips up the inside of Cams thigh.

“Always. With a mut ered curse, Cam fol owed Blair down the hal

way.

In the living room, Paula pivoted away from the window

where shed been waiting. “Good morning. She nodded to

Cam before getting down to business. “I wanted to review your

plans for the day, Ms. Powell.

“After breakfast, Im going to call Lucinda and see when she can

fi t me in, Blair said. “This afternoon, Diane and I are