Неизвестный - 06. Honor Under Siege

“That just might be the understatement of the year.” Blair laughed briefly, thinking of the night she’d unexpectedly discovered Valerie at Cam’s apartment in DC, and recognizing their connection, how much she had resented the place Valerie held in Cam’s heart. Cam swore that there was nothing between them any longer, and Blair knew that Cam believed it. But she had seen something that Cam had not. There had been a sadness in Valerie’s eyes that Blair understood with perfect clarity. Valerie had been deeply in love with Cam. Thinking about that sadness now, Blair found that she no longer resented what Valerie and

Cam had shared. Valerie had been there when Cam needed someone, and that was all that really mattered.

“She’ll need you, Di. She’ll need you, but she won’t let you know.” Blair reached for Diane’s hand. “That’s the hardest thing to remember—that the need is there, even though it’s buried so deeply even she can’t see it. It’s a pain in the ass, but you’ll just have to get used to it. I know you’re strong enough, and stubborn enough, to do it.”

“I don’t feel very strong sometimes.”

“Then that’s when you come find me, and I’ll remind you.”

“It helps to be with you, and I usually love Whitley Point,” Diane confessed, “but the quiet is driving me a little bit crazy right now. I’ve got too much time to think. Maybe I should go back to Manhattan.”

Blair shook her head vehemently. “Not a chance. I want you to come to the fundraiser Saturday night. And if Paula can take it, we’ll go shopping again.”

“Okay.” Diane laughed shakily as she glanced out the rear of the vehicle to where Stark and Hara sat in the Suburban. “If I have to suffer, I suppose she can too.”

“There, see? You’re sounding better already,” Blair said, smiling. “Here comes Tanner. I’ll get in the back.”

As Blair stepped from the car, she caught sight of Tanner’s expression and stopped. “What is it?”

Tanner handed her the Boston Globe. “I don’t know how you put up with this shit all the time.” She slid into the front seat and slammed the door.

Blair glanced down at the grainy picture of her in Paris with Cam standing just behind her. The caption read “President’s daughter to marry lesbian lover—Anti-same sex marriage groups protest.”

“Well,” Blair said as she climbed into the backseat, “Boston is looking a lot more interesting.”

She leaned her head back and closed her eyes, trying not to think about the crush of reporters sure to be waiting for her when she arrived at the fundraiser. She had wanted to go public, because any attempt not to would make her and her father appear like hypocrites when news of her plans inevitably leaked out. Nothing could be worse for a politician than the appearance of having one set of standards in public and another in private. She’d insisted on disclosure, but it was never easy exposing her personal life to public scrutiny.

“Let me see that,” Diane said.

“Hey Tanner,” Blair said, handing the newspaper to Diane as Tanner rocketed the SUV out of the parking lot and onto the narrow twisting road that hugged the ocean shoreline. Gravel spewed out behind them.

“What?” Tanner snapped.

“It’s okay. It’s just another day at the office.”

“It sucks.”

“Yeah, that, too.” Blair leaned forward and squeezed Tanner’s shoulder. “But try not to give Stark a heart attack and slow down a little.”

Tanner half turned her head, a grin pulling at her mouth. Then she looked back to the road and eased off on the gas. “Sorry, force of habit. I’m used to you telling me to lose your spookies.”

“Yes,” Blair said softly. “How things have changed.”

Cam’s jaw tightened as she scanned the newspaper. “Call Lucinda and tell her you’re canceling for the fundraiser.”

Blair braced both arms on the kitchen counter behind her and lifted herself up so that she was sitting on it. She still wore the blue jeans and red sweater she’d pulled on to go out with Tanner. Cam was in her work clothes and still wearing her weapon, and although Blair knew it was foolish, the additional height advantage made her feel better. “I wouldn’t do that even if it would do any good, which it won’t. Once Lucinda makes up her mind—”

“Lucinda is the president’s chief of staff, not yours.” Cam tossed the newspaper onto the oak table and started for the front of the house. “If you’d prefer, I’ll tell Stark to call her.”

“I’m sure Stark will appreciate that.”

Cam turned, her eyes narrowing. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“I know about the whole rank thing, but she’s still my chief of security. I don’t imagine she’ll appreciate being told anything. You never did.”

“Stark understands the situation,” Cam said, thinking about the briefing with Davis and Savard, and about Blair at a crowded cocktail reception where it would be impossible to control the guest list or secure the physical environment beyond the most basic measures. Thinking how exposed Blair would be. A ball of anger and anxiety filled her chest. “The timing is bad, especially after this newspaper article.”

“We’ve already discussed this, Cameron. If it isn’t this event, it will be some other one. We can’t prevent a public response to anything we do.”

“Why do you sound so calm?” Cam moved closer, but stopped two feet away. Just outside of touching distance.

“Because I know you’re not, and I know you’re worried.” Blair kept her hands on the counter, because she wanted to reach out and pull Cam across the divide. It was odd how she hated distance between them now. Once she had wanted, demanded, nothing but distance between herself and anyone who had the potential to hurt her. Mostly she resisted the urge to draw Cam near because she needed to judge exactly how much of Cam’s concern was her normal distrust of any public appearance and how much was a lover’s less rational concern. If she touched her, her perspective would be gone. “Why are you so much more worried about this event?”

“Jesus, Blair! Maybe you’ve forgotten what happened—” Cam bit off the rest of the sentence, cursing herself inwardly when she saw Blair flinch. Of course Blair hadn’t forgotten the assassination attempt at the Aerie. Blair would never be able to forget it, and bullying her with the memory instead of explaining her own unease was cowardly. And cruel. “I’m sorry, baby.”

Blair took a long breath. “Don’t apologize. Just trust me.”

Cam fell silent and Blair watched her struggle, waiting.

“I don’t feel like I’ve got a handle on anything right now, and I can’t afford to be wrong when your safety is at stake.” Cam took one step closer and rested her fingertips lightly on the outside of Blair’s thighs. “No one knows what really happened in September. We don’t know how much of the attack was orchestrated outside the country and what part insurgents inside the country might have played. But we know someone got very very close to you.” She hesitated.

“Say it, Cameron. All of it.” Blair pressed Cam’s hands to her legs, covering them with her own. She’d been wrong about not being able to think when Cam touched her. As the distance dissipated she could hear her far more clearly.

“There’s no reason to think they won’t try again,” Cam said. “Until we have Matheson, until we have Valerie, the risk is greater than I’m comfortable with.”

“I’m not the only one at risk,” Blair said softly. “Have you forgotten someone tried to run you down?”

“That might not even be related.”

Blair gave her a look. “What does Stark say about Saturday?”

Irritation flared in Cam’s dark eyes. “I haven’t discussed it with her.”

“Because…”

Cam grimaced. “Because I haven’t managed the transition to her as your security chief very well.”

“You take a lot on yourself, Commander.”

“I love you,” Cam whispered.

“Oh I know.” Blair said. “What if you don’t find either Matheson or Valerie?”

“We will.”

“All right, until you find them, what do you suggest I do? It could be months. Years.”

“Are you trying to make me say things that will piss you off?”

“Well, I do enjoy makeup sex.” Blair lifted Cam’s hand and kissed the top of it. “But I’m trying something new. I’m working on being reasonable and rational.”

“I think maybe you’re more dangerous this way than when you’re flat-out furious,” Cam grumbled. She eased forward until she was completely between Blair’s legs, then wrapped her arms around Blair’s waist and pulled her forward until Blair’s crotch rested against her middle.

“I’m not ready for the makeup sex yet,” Blair whispered, wrapping her arms around Cam’s neck. “So don’t get any closer.”

Cam rested her forehead against Blair’s. “You’re calling the shots.”

“Hardly,” Blair murmured, running her fingers through Cam’s hair. “I understand why you’re not happy about the fundraiser, but it was scheduled months ago and if I cancel now, it will seem as if we’re afraid. Add to that the newspaper headlines this morning, and it will also look like I’m ashamed of us. Neither of those things is true. It’s not going to get any better, darling, because if it’s not Matheson, there will be someone or something else that poses a threat.”

“Unfortunately, you’re right.” Cam sighed. “Assuming we do this, there are going to be a lot more press than usual.”

Blair grimaced. “I know.”

“Have you given any thought to what you’re going to say about the wedding?”

“Well, if it’s all right with you, I was thinking that I’d say that I’m deeply in love with you and plan to spend the rest of my life with you, and since that’s traditionally the situation when people get married, that’s my plan, too.” Blair nuzzled Cam’s neck. “What are you going to say?”

Cam grinned and kissed Blair. “If it’s all right with you, I just thought I’d say that I’ve never met anyone who was better in bed, so it seemed like marrying you was the smart thing to do.”

“Really?” Blair skimmed her lips along the edge of Cam’s jaw.

“Really.” Cam dragged Blair another inch forward, her hands cupping Blair’s butt.

“I think I like your reasoning,” Blair whispered.

“And I think we need to finish this conversation in private.”

Blair nibbled on Cam’s neck, then bit her. “See, it’s not so difficult for us to come to an agreement.”

Chapter Sixteen

Saturday

“You’re not ready for field duty,” Paula said. Renée clipped her Sig Sauer to the waistband of her flaring black silk pants, settling the pistol at the middle of her back. Then she pulled a dark green, notched collared jacket on over her black shell and closed it loosely with a wide belt. She checked first that the lie of the jacket was smooth, concealing her holstered weapon, and then that she could draw unencumbered by any snag in her clothing. Satisfied that the short jacket covered her weapon but wasn’t going to interfere with it, she checked her makeup in the mirror over the dresser. After slipping into black heels, high enough for a formal event but low enough to run in, she walked over to sit next to Paula on the sofa in their hotel room.

“I’m Diane’s escort. It’s not exactly field duty.”

“You’re splitting hairs. Just because you’re wearing a fancy outfit,” Paula said, smoothing her hand up and down Renée’s thigh, “doesn’t mean you’re not providing protection.”