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    Oceans Apart
    Oceans Apart
    Oceans Apart
    Ebook236 pages3 hours

    Oceans Apart

    By Laura Harner

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    About this ebook

    It’s been two years since Lord Jamie Mainwaring and Detective Remy Remington worked and loved their way through their one and only case before going their separate ways.

    Now Jamie is once again mixing agency business with pleasure as he and his partner, Agent Ryan Whiteside, are assigned to a case involving piracy in the Caribbean.

    Remy and his old friend Miggy are still detectives, but they’ve gone private in Phoenix. When their biggest client sends them to supervise an unusual diamond transfer, they think their toughest challenge will be maintaining their cover as a gay couple on a barefoot-style cruise.

    When murder connects the dots between the two cases, the four men must learn to work together as relationships and loyalties are tested amid misunderstandings and memories on the high seas.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherLaura Harner
    Release dateOct 26, 2012
    ISBN9781937252298
    Oceans Apart
    Author

    Laura Harner

    Laura lives on waterfront property in Arizona because she's always wanted to be an oxymoron. She once enjoyed hobbies such as gardening and travel—now the characters in her head compel her to tell their stories, so she writes. (It doesn't actually help quiet the voices—but it keeps the folks in the white jackets at bay.)She shares her home with an ever-revolving cast of characters—some of whom are actually real—and is living her dream of building her own version of the Willow Springs Ranch.With over fifty published novels and novellas, Laura is an international bestselling author of erotic romances, romantic suspense, urban fantasy, and Highland romances. Her books can be found at all major online retailers.Connect with her online at:http://lauraharner.com

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      Book preview

      Oceans Apart - Laura Harner

      Acknowledgements

      A very special thank you to all of you who have made this work a success: Will Parkinson, David Kentner, Silvia Violet, Vastine Bondurant, Dan Skinner, Havan Fellows, Jae Ashley, Lee Brazil, Tom Webb and the Gender Benders.

      The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmark mentioned in this work of fiction:

      Armani: GA Modefine S.A. Corporation

      Aston Martin DB5: Aston Martin Lagonda Limited

      Arizona Diamondbacks: AZPB Limited Partnership

      University of Miami: University of Miami

      Phoenix Coyotes: Coyotes Hockey, LLC

      Jeep: Chrysler Group LLC

      Sig Sauer: Sig Sauer, Inc.

      iPad: Apple, Inc.

      Uzi: Israel Weapon Industries (I.W.I) Ltd.

      PlayStation: Kabushiki Kaisha Sony Computer Entertainment DBA Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

      TASER: TASER International, Inc.

      Chapter One

      Jamie stood at the window, his forehead pressed against the cool pane of glass, his fingers curled around his cup of coffee. Warm hands…cold heart? He blew out a breath, steaming his view of the sunrise, resisting the urge to draw a picture in the little patch of fog that formed in front of his mouth.

      The hotel suite was courtesy of the ambassador, in gratitude for the safe return of his daughter. No one would talk about the fact that the joint operation had nearly fallen apart at the most critical moment. At least not until they returned to London and met with the director. Julia Forsythe would brook no prevarication and would demand a full accounting of why both kidnappers were dead and one of her agents was wounded in the process.

      For now, Jamie’s task was to document the final stages of the investigation while his partner healed from the bullet wound. Jamie briefly closed his eyes, but quickly opened them when he was hit with a fresh memory of Ryan’s crisp white shirt with the blossom of blood on the sleeve, his sharp intake of breath at the pain.

      Will you stop? The voice was soft and blurry with sleep. It was just a flesh wound. God, I’ve always wanted to say that. Jamie could hear the smile in Ryan’s voice and couldn’t help the soft laugh that escaped despite his determination to make his lover take this seriously.

      Jamie sank against the warmth of the body behind him as Ryan snaked an arm around his waist. How did you know that’s what I was thinking about?

      After eighteen months working together and nearly a year in your bed, I ought to know how your mind works, Your Grace, Ryan murmured, his teeth nibbling at the sensitive skin of Jamie’s earlobe.

      A small, cold knot formed instantly in the pit of his belly and Jamie stepped out of Ryan’s one-armed embrace. I’ve asked you not to call me that. Jamie turned away from the window and moved to the small service cart to pour himself a refill of coffee.

      Even after all this time, those two words had the power to shake him. He sometimes heard them in his sleep, only the voice wasn’t the carefully cultivated neutral tones of his partner Ryan Whiteside. They were always spoken in the soft rounded accents of a west Texas drawl. Shoring up his resolve to once again slam a lead-lined lid on those particular memories, Jamie looked up to meet Ryan’s gaze and caught an uncharacteristic frown marring those perfect features.

      Contrition washed through him, and he took a moment to really look at the splendor of the man. White-blond curly hair, intense blue eyes, with a face so perfect it deserved to be immortalized in a sculpture and set next to Michelangelo’s David. Ryan was beautiful, funny, and fit perfectly into Jamie’s social circle. They were blessedly well-suited, and Jamie knew he needed to stay focused on his relationship with Ryan. With a final rattle to make sure the chains on his memory box were once again as secure as he could make them, Jamie held his hand out to his partner.

      Come on, Ry…let’s take you back to bed. I think I should personally make sure that everything works.

      Ryan lit the room with his sunny smile. Yes, I believe you should. He moved to stand in front of Jamie, the heat pouring in waves from his body, his erection peeking from the top of his boxer briefs.

      Jamie cupped Ryan’s face in his hands, and captured the soft mouth in a tender, gentle kiss, as he wrapped his arms around his lover.

      *

      A knock at the door woke Jamie from a light doze. Ryan snored softly, and Jamie assumed the pain medication had finally kicked in, so he could get some much-needed rest. Gently untangling himself, Jamie rose and pulled the sheet over Ryan, frowning slightly at the white gauze wrapped around his lover’s bicep. Six inches toward the center and they’d have laid the sheet over him days ago. The knock sounded again, shaking Jamie from his morbid thoughts.

      Taking his slacks and shirt from the bedside chair, he hurried from the bedroom, closing the door quietly. Whatever this new development was at the door, Ryan needed rest more than he needed to know what was happening. Jamie hopped first on one foot, then the other as he stepped into his pants while trying to walk. Slipping his arms into the wrinkled dress shirt, Jamie looked down in frustration. He’d grabbed Ryan’s shirt by mistake. Whoever was trying to get his attention would have to suffer through seeing a bit of bare chest, because he’d never get Ryan’s shirt buttoned without tearing it.

      Jamie looked through the security peephole then quickly stepped back and opened the door to the sharply dressed woman. She was compact, a tightly coiled bundle of energy, hidden beneath one of her signature red-power suits. To the casual observer, she might appear to be an attorney or accountant. Cops would recognize her as one of their own. Her short cap of hair was more salt than pepper these days, but for a woman nearing sixty, she still looked damned good. As the director for a deliberately obscure branch of Interpol, she navigated the sticky world of international diplomacy and sent her operatives into life or death situations. She did both with the same air of efficient equanimity.

      Julia, good to see you as always, but we weren’t expecting to debrief until Monday. Has something new happened?

      A smile pulled at the corners of her mouth, and Jamie flushed, realizing he’d just greeted his boss in clothing that screamed just-had-sex.

      You could say that. I need to speak with both you and Agent Whiteside. I assume he’s here? Her eyes raked over the too small shirt Jamie was sporting.

      Jamie laughed. You know damn well he is. Can you give us a few minutes to clean up?

      Of course. I took the liberty of having some breakfast sent up. With plenty of coffee.

      Ah…a boss who knows me so well. We’ll be out shortly.

      Take your time. She glanced at the slim silver band that peeked out from her sleeve. I have a call I need to make. You’re not the only wake up on my list today.

      Jamie left her murmuring into her phone and closed the door behind him as he entered the bedroom.

      If Julia had time to order breakfast and make a call, Jamie definitely had time for a quick shower. A lover’s shirt and semen were not on his top five things to wear to a meeting with the director.

      Ryan, wake up. The boss is here to see us, he said, discarding his clothes on the chair outside the en suite.

      Under the rustle of sheets, with his face still half buried in the pillow, Ryan groaned. Bruce Springsteen? Yeah, we can do him…

      Idiot, Jamie laughed. Julia is here. She wants to talk with us both and she’s ordered breakfast. I don’t think she’s going anywhere anytime soon. I’m taking a quick shower, you might want to do the same. We both smell of sex.

      Mmm…I think Bruce will quite like that, don’t you?

      *

      Twenty minutes later they emerged clean and dressed in slacks and each wearing his own button-front shirt. They were ready for work. The director sat at the café style table and sipped her coffee, looking at something on her tablet computer.

      Stepping to the serving cart, Jamie appreciated both the efficiency of the hotel staff and the director’s foresight in having the coffee and breakfast delivered. Ryan followed him into the room more slowly, his face still puffy from sleep, his damp curls plastered against his skull.

      Have a seat, Ryan, Jamie said, setting a cup of coffee on the table. Yes, it has cream and three sugars, just the way you like it. I’ll get your plate. You rest your arm. May I get you anything while I’m up, Julia?

      Jamie busied himself with serving duties, trying to gauge Julia’s mood. She seemed relaxed enough, but she wouldn’t have travelled all this way just to share a breakfast with two of her staff. Jamie fixed Ryan’s plate and listened in while the other two chatted about office politics, funding, and, of all things, the weather. When he finally had his own plate ready, Jamie joined them at the table and reached for the salt and pepper. Julia raised an elegantly plucked eyebrow.

      I see you haven’t lost your taste for the large American-style breakfast.

      Jamie looked at his plate, piled high with scrambled eggs, bacon, hash browns, and toast. He smiled. Good thing you remembered. Now…not that we aren’t happy to see you so bright and early on this fine Saturday morning…but why are you here? I thought our debrief was scheduled for Monday.

      It was. Now we’ll take care of it today. I have a new assignment for you.

      Ryan isn’t in any shape to—

      Hello, Ryan interrupted him. Right here, Jamie. Although I hate to admit it, Director, I’m not up to much for the next couple of days.

      Ah…yes, that works out well, because the assignment is for you, Jamie, she said. Pausing to take a sip of her coffee, Julia seemed to be lost in thought for a moment. She turned to face Jamie directly. Ryan’s included because you will need a partner as cover. If you both agree, that is. The case is rather outside our typical province. This is an undercover operation on behalf of the International Chamber of Commerce Criminal Services Branch.

      That’s quite a mouthful, Jamie said. Aren’t they the piracy people?

      Exactly, Julia agreed. Ryan looked back and forth but continued to eat quietly. They are spread quite thin at the moment with all of the activity off the coast of Africa, and most of their operatives are known by sight. They don’t do a lot of this type of undercover work. This particular case crosses so many borders and jurisdictions, they asked if we could step in and take over.

      So you want Ryan and me to work as ship’s crew somewhere?

      Nothing so odious, Lord Mainwaring, Julia smiled.

      Jamie knew he must be in trouble, because apparently Julia expected him to use his title. Since he was the only staff member with a title as far as he knew, it meant she wasn’t in the mood to take no for an answer. So I imagine this isn’t some cargo ship off the coast of Somalia that you’re talking about?

      No, Jamie darling. It’s a cruise. And Agent Whiteside can travel as your companion and serve as an extra pair of eyes. We don’t anticipate any onboard violence. We want you to document the evidence, so we can make an arrest when the passengers disembark.

      A bit of high seas sleuthing? And it sounds as if you suspect a member of the crew? Or is it a passenger? Either way, it sounds interesting. What am I looking for and why do you believe there are pirates involved? Jamie asked. He smiled over at Ryan, and froze.

      Ryan stared at his plate, his face a pasty gray, and a light sheen of sweat dampened his upper lip. Holding up a hand for the director to wait before she answered, Jamie said, Ryan? Let me move you to the bedroom.

      No, I’m all right. It was so clearly a lie that Jamie reached for his partner’s good arm and helped him from the chair, despite his protests.

      Just to the couch, Jamie. I took my pain medication on an empty stomach and it doesn’t agree with me. I want to hear about the case, Ryan said as they shuffled toward the gold and white brocade sofa. Director, should I happen to drop off in the middle of the briefing, rest assured it’s the medication, not an indication of my interest. Despite the lovely shade of gray I probably present at the moment, the case sounds intriguing. Do not let the good Lord turn you down on my account.

      Growling slightly, Jamie finished settling Ryan, placed a gentle kiss on his forehead, then returned to his breakfast and the conversation. In a soft voice, he asked, What can you tell me? Did you bring me a case file to review?

      Quit whispering, you overbearing piece of fluff, Ryan said. "I want to hear. Besides, this case has been brewing for a while, hasn’t it, Julia? I thought it was in my queue of possibles?"

      Julia laughed. "It was in your queue, Ryan. We heard rumors about this a few months ago, but we waited for the ICC to decide if they had enough information and how they wanted to divide the work. We had tentatively agreed to loan them an operative, but since they’ve turned the case over to us, I prefer to send in two. I am afraid there isn’t any down time for you, Jamie. The cruise leaves Tuesday from Grenada."

      Jamie frowned. How will I be briefed? That really doesn’t give me much time.

      Everything you need is in here, she said and handed over a leather portfolio. Opening the case, Jamie discovered it was really a tablet computer, the whole thing not much bigger than a paperback novel.

      The director continued. Yardley scanned all the files and added copies of the evidence, as it stands. There is also an entire encyclopedia of information about diamonds and piracy. I think you’ll find it fascinating.

      "Diamonds? I’ll be chasing diamonds and pirates on board a cruise ship? This might be the sexiest case ever. I’ll need to change my name to Bond. Jamie Bond. Damn. I’ve barely got time to get home for my tux. What’s a cruise without a little Armani?"

      The director cleared her throat and Jamie noticed a little twitch at the corner of her mouth. What? I don’t get the Aston Martin DB5? he asked.

      What you buy with your trust fund is entirely up to you. However, that might be a bit much for this particular…caper. Have you ever heard of a barefoot cruise?

      "What? You mean one of those dreadfully casual cruises through the Bahamas where every meal is a buffet? Say it isn’t so, he gasped. Then he broke into laughter. I assume you are kidding."

      Julia’s brows rose. Not in the least. As part of the cover, you will fly from London to Granada. You will taxi to the Diamante, a top-sail schooner with six state rooms and berthing for twelve. The name is ironic, considering she is to be the site of a large sale of diamonds. In excess of fifteen million US dollars. It is believed the seller has selected this cruise because of the Cayman registry of the schooner, allowing most banking laws to be circumvented. We do not yet have confirmation of the buyer, other than a strong suggestion that he is a British citizen.

      A straight up purchase? Why are we involved? What does this have to do with pirates? Jamie was drawn in despite his lack of interest in a small boat cruise. It wasn’t particularly that he was a snob. Well, okay, perhaps a bit of one, but the smaller ship would mean more difficulty in maintaining cover stories and increase the chance of discovery if he wanted to examine the contents of a fellow passenger’s stateroom.

      Normally, the seller, one Seymour Jakobs conducts his business through the more traditional diamond exchanges. Recently, his reputation has been called into question due to some reportedly high priced deals with customers who would only deal through off shore accounts. Since it appears Jakobs reported his income, there is no real reason for the US authorities to question him. However, the number and size of the transactions has raised some flags. This most recent arrangement came to light because of intercepted communications on an unrelated case.

      The director paused and Jamie re-filled both of their cups of coffee, thinking about what she’d said. Julia spoke again as soon as he sat.

      "The ICC focuses most of their resources on the attacks along the coast in Southeast Asia, the Indian sub-continent, Africa, and the Red Sea. These are major shipping channels and the amount of money lost by the insurance companies runs to the billions. However, one of the investigators intercepted a post that didn’t fit their typical profile. A smaller band of pirates working the southern Caribbean was looking to increase their weaponry for an upcoming event. The files are on your tablet and Yardley will keep you current. Or at least as much as she can given the spotty coverage in many of the locations even through the satellite connection.

      Julia looked over his shoulder and he followed her gaze to see Ryan sitting up, apparently very alert despite his earlier comments. What do you say, Ryan? Are you interested in coming along to shore up Jamie’s cover story?

      I’m in. I really am not hurt that badly, and there should be plenty of time for rest. How long is this cruise?

      Seven days. It’s described as an exploration cruise, meaning once you leave Grenada, there’s no real certainty of which islands you’ll visit. Neither of you gets seasick, do you?

      I suppose it would be pointless for me to object to Ryan coming along? Jamie asked.

      Pointless, Ryan agreed.

      All right, Julia. I’ll review the evidence, we’ll go. However—he turned and nailed Ryan with his best steely gaze—you are only along to solidify my cover.

      Aye, aye. Ryan grinned. I love when he orders me around.

      Chapter Two

      A quick look in the mirror revealed the narrow end of the silk tie hanging a good two inches below the wide end. Again. Fuck, Remy said. Raising his

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