Training the SECRET (Corrigan & Co #6) Read online

  “Nate.”

  “Fine, we’ll come downstairs when the sun comes up.”

  I reach for Jade’s hand and she gives it to me readily. I lead her into the small elevator because I honestly can’t wait to be alone with her, and going up four flights of stairs will take too long.

  “You bought me a pony,” she says, biting her lip.

  “Cherub finally got delivered?”

  She nods. “Today. Well, I guess it was your yesterday.”

  “And you hopped on a plane, just like that?”

  “No. I mean, yes, I hopped on the jet after meeting my totally adorable pony, but it was what my dad and Helen told me that had me leaning that way already.”

  I involuntarily stiffen. “What did they tell you?”

  “Everything.”

  The elevator opens, and I walk us over to the makeshift bed I have up here. I can’t sleep up here during the day, but I like to come up on my nights off to look at the stars and think about the woman next to me. I know she’s not seeing the same stars at the same time because of the nine hour time difference, but I imagine her looking at them later, and maybe even wondering about me.

  “What questions do you have?” I ask her as we both sit down sideways on top of the soft comforter.

  “Did you ever know your dad?”

  “No.”

  “Are you doing okay with your medicine, and stuff? Helen said you are, but I have a feeling that you aren’t always honest about that.”

  “I’m normally not, but I-I had something kind of scary happen recently and so now I’m being totally honest. And yes, the new meds are doing their job.”

  “You were really going to kill yourself?”

  “Yes.”

  “It wasn’t just me though, right?”

  “No, but then also yes. It was a combination of a few things, but losing you meant losing everything, and I felt like there was nothing left for me.”

  “You have your friends.”

  “Logically, I know that, but depression isn’t logical.”

  “We could break up again, for any number of reasons.”

  “I know. That’s why I accepted the new meds. I had a tiny sliver of hope that you’d forgive me. I thought it was gone until Audrey offered me a new and improved pill. I knew then that if I got you back, I couldn’t have you worried that I’d off myself if we got into a fight, or we broke up again.”

  “That’s what I’m most afraid of.”

  “I get that. I can’t promise you that I wouldn’t hurt if that happened, but I can promise that I’d call someone before doing anything permanent.”

  “Even me. If we’re ever not together, I’d still be here for you.”

  “Thank you. That means…it means everything.”

  “I know why you didn’t tell me about my dad, but why didn’t you at least tell me about the events leading up to Cecile. You could have left names out.”

  “I was ashamed. Even before I knew Hunt was your dad, I didn’t date you. You know that. I was ashamed that I had ever been scared enough to try and kill someone for money. And then to do the other things, because I was scared to die.”

  “You have nothing to be ashamed of. Yeah, it sucks that you hurt my dad, but he told me the whole story, and I understand why you did it, and also why he forgave you.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes. And don’t even get me started on that psycho bitch, Cecile.”

  “Did Helen tell you that I could’ve saved people from her, and I didn’t?”

  “She told me that you asked for a meeting and were going to tell them.”

  “More than two years later.”

  “You were trying to survive. It’s okay, Nate. You were going to do the right thing.”

  “If I did the right things, we wouldn’t be here.”

  “I like this rooftop bed, so that would be a sad thing. You have a promise to keep, you know. I may have only been six, but you still promised to take care of me.”

  “I did indeed promise that.”

  “So take care of me, Nate Anderson. Like only you can.”

  * * *

  Jade

  He’s got a faraway look on his face so I pinch him. “Ow.”

  “Just wanted to make sure you knew this wasn’t a dream.”

  “It’s going to be so much better than my dreams.”

  “Well it’s you and me so that’s a given.”

  We just lie on his bed and make out for what seems like minutes, but is probably hours. The sun is coming up while we’re both topless. He still has his jeans on, and I’m in just my boy short panties, straddling him. I glance over at the Eiffel Tower in the distance, and then lean down to kiss him some more.

  “We need to go inside, Nate, before Darcy kills us.”

  “She’ll deal.”

  “No, she won’t. She’s on a mission. You do remember that?”

  “All my brain cells are in my cock.”

  “Not this again. Overplayed, Anderson. Over-fucking-played.”

  “Fine.”

  He stands up and throws me over his shoulder. He carries me to the elevator, and has me face him once he puts me down. I know he’s hiding me from the cameras, and the men looking at them. He’d probably kill someone for seeing me, so I stay close all the way to his floor. He picks me up again, and carries me down the hall with our chests pressed together.

  Once we’re inside with the door locked, he tosses me on his bed and reminds me what I’ve been missing these last two weeks. Like I could ever forget. I mean, who forgets a magical cock? Certainly not me, but I’ll never tell him that.

  Once we’ve exhausted several different positions, and each other, we lie wrapped up under his sheets. “Welcome to Paris, Angel.”

  “You outdid yourself on the welcome gift, Soldier.”

  “Was it better than the pony?”

  “Umm, maybe it was a tie.”

  “I can’t let a fucking pony beat my cock.”

  “I said ‘tie.’”

  “Not good enough. What if I throw in my hands and mouth?”

  “That’s a close one, but I think the pony would still hold her own.”

  “Really?” he asks, climbing under the sheet and blowing on my lower lips.

  “Maybe.”

  “I’ll show you maybe.”

  He proceeds to do just that until I’m screaming that he’s won, that he’s the champion, and everything else he wants me to say. I start to fall asleep in his arms for the first time in two weeks, and I know I never want to be apart from him for that long again. This right here is home, and like Dorothy said, “There’s no place like home.”

  * * *

  Nate

  We’ve been back in Vegas for a month now. Jade has only had one short-term mission as we’ve adjusted to our new life together. We’ve been staying in my apartment while Chloe and Ryan Griffin modify hers to incorporate both our styles. Everything should be done today, but I know Jade’s not upstairs when I wake up alone. Oh no. She’s where she is every morning. I shake my head, and then throw on some jeans before heading downstairs.

  “I never thought I’d be jealous of something with four legs before.” I tell her as I walk out to the field. I knew she’d be out here with Cherub. She loves that damn horse—maybe even more than she loves me.

  “There’s nothing to be jealous of, Soldier. I have room in my heart for both of you,” she says as she nuzzles his neck while not even trying to touch me.

  See. I was right. I sit down next to her and stare across the grass. “Do you want me to leave the two of you alone with your love?”

  She’s on my lap and kissing me before I even see her coming. I wrap her in my arms and kiss her back. We’re both panting when Cherub starts nudging us. “Stop it, baby. I need to kiss Daddy some more so he knows he’s got the bigger part of my heart.”

  “Daddy?” I ask, cocking an eyebrow.

  “Well, yeah. She is our little one.”

  “I’ve
got the bigger part of your heart, though? Really?”

  She sits back to look at me. “You really are jealous. Oh my God, Nate. She’s a horse. A horse you gave me. And named after your nickname for me.”

  “You said you wanted a pony, Angel. How could I deny you?”

  “You couldn’t—because you’re too damn romantic. And you love me just as much as I love you.”

  “I think I love you more,” I mumble.

  “Excuse me?”

  “I don’t leave you alone in bed every morning to go out and visit someone else.”

  “Horse, Nate. Again, she’s a horse. And yes, I’m maybe a little obsessed with her because I never thought I’d have a pony, but she’s still just a baby horse.”

  “And I’m a stallion, right? So you can ride my lonely cock, and make him less lonely.”

  She rolls her eyes. “Just shut up and kiss me.”

  Epilogue

  Darcy

  I can’t believe I’ve been doing this stupid mission for almost two months now. Actually, I can’t believe I’m actually on this damn mission. Everyone always goes on and on about how the Society isn’t a dating service, yet here I am. I’m pretending to be the upstanding fiancée of one of the biggest manwhores in the world. Who also happens to be a prince. Yeah, it’s of a small country that no one would have heard of if he wasn’t sleeping his way through every model and actress he can get his hands on, but still. A prince. One I so do not belong with.

  Not just because I grew up in a family of cat burglars and con men, making me one of the least upstanding people you could ever find, but also because I have no desire to be sweet and quiet like they want me to be. “They” being his mother, and the palace staff. I’ve been stashed in Paris for all this time while they try to dress me and instill culture in me. I couldn’t exactly tell them that I already know all about the paintings and sculptures in the museums because of my past. Or about the best designers and clothes because of my present. I just have to smile and pretend that I’m grateful for their time and attention. When I really just want to throw on some leather pants and play Call of Duty.

  But alas, they won’t let me near leather pants. I’m making do with leather skirts in all different colors and styles. I even like some of them. The fancy tops could go, and so could the heels, but I can deal. I’ve been trained to deal. I drew the line at my hair when they wanted to change it though. My orange tresses are the one thing I was unwilling to part with. I’ve worn wigs on more occasions than I can count, but I’ve never strayed from the color I chose when Mallory Daniels gave me the freedom I’d been craving from my family of thieves. After I was about to lose my freedom because I’d tried to rob her house. How was I to know that she was one of the leaders of a secret society of spies? Thank God she saw potential in me, and figured they could use my talents for good. Otherwise, I’d still probably be in jail these seven years later.

  The craziest thing about this whole situation is that I have yet to meet my intended. When his mother came asking for help, Reina had apparently given her pictures of me, Jade, Ellie, and Audrey. We were the ones who—at the time—were unattached. Why she chose me, I have no idea. Not only to clean up his image, but also to protect him from some threats he’d been receiving. I’m not sure how that’s going for him since I can’t protect him from afar. He’s apparently as against this whole thing as me, so he’s refused to meet up, even for engagement photos.

  The whole situation is bizarre. Like I’ve mentioned, I am the least traditional looking of any of us. Ellie may favor bustiers and short skirts, but she has nice long brown hair, and manners. I don’t possess the “m” word. I’m nice to the people I like, but everyone else can just go away. I can pretend for short periods of time that I’m a functioning member of society, but this is a long term gig. And I’ve already used up my patience.

  “Well, if it isn’t my beautiful bride to be,” I hear from behind me.

  I smooth down the short black leather skirt covered in stitching that I’ve paired with a white and black flowy top, and turn to stand. “You’ve finally decided to grace me with your presence?”

  I don’t get any more words out as Brayden James lets out a growl, and grabs me. He slams me into the nearest wall as his mouth descends on mine. My body immediately responds, and my mind shuts down. I know I said I wasn’t into this mission—or him—but the man is one of the hottest on the planet. And I’m a woman who hasn’t gotten any since I’ve been here. So yeah, I kiss him back.

  “I’ve been wanting to do that for ten years.”

  What? “We’ve never met, so how can that be. You can’t bullshit me with your stupid lines. I have more than half a brain.”

  “It’s not bullshit, Cat.”

  “My name’s not Cat.”

  “In my mind it is. That’s what I’ve called you ever since I saw you climbing past my window when I was sixteen. You were wearing a black leather catsuit, and although your hair was different, I’ve never forgotten your face. Or what seeing you stirred up inside of me.”

  “You-you saw me? I mean, someone who looked like me?” Shit.

  “Oh yeah, and that’s why I picked you for this. Both so I can finally kiss you, and also so you can tell me where the jewels are.”

  “You got one of your fantasies, but you can keep dreaming about the other. If I knew anything about any jewels, I certainly wouldn’t tell you. And since it’s been ten years, they’d be long gone.”

  “I can be very persuasive,” he says, caressing my breasts over my shirt.

  “I’m not some model or actress who cares that you’re a prince.”

  “No, but I think you do care that I can implicate you in a major jewelry heist.”

  “You’ve had ten years to do that, and you don’t know it was me.”

  “I know,” he says, continuing to drive me a little wild with those caresses. I know I should pull away, but I can’t. “I told you I’ve been thinking of you for ten years, and I haven’t forgotten one little thing about you, or your sweet little body. I just couldn’t find you. Until now.”

  “So what? You’re going to blackmail me into sex?”

  “No. Never,” he says, stepping away and taking those glorious hands with him. “I won’t let you quit this assignment, but I’d never force myself on you. You’re going to come to me willingly, and we both know it. You were as into that kiss as I was.”

  “We’ll just have to see about that.”

  And I’ll also have to see how I’m going to survive this mission. I had no idea that he saw me when I was sixteen—all the rooms were dark. Because yes, it was me. I stole those jewels, not because I wanted to, but because I had to. Just like I have to stay on this mission. History seems to be repeating itself when it comes to Brayden James and his family, and this time I’m going to be a whole hell of a lot more careful. Especially since it’s only taken one kiss for me to realize that he could be the one. The one, and falling for him just might be worse than jail.

  Thank you for reading this book. It was important to me that I show how men can be victimized just as much as women. Who better to illustrate than one of the “toughest” guys I’ve ever written. Nate went through the war, and has seen more death and destruction than most people ever will. Yet, it was his past—what he did, and what was done to him—that damaged him. As strong as he comes across to the world, he had a darkness inside of him that nearly destroys him. I hope I was able to portray his depression in a way that was believable and didn’t make light of what he was going through. If you or someone you know ever feels that things are too much, and you can’t go on, please talk to someone. Call a family member, friend, or the suicide prevention hotline: 1-800-273-8255.

  Hugs and love to all of you!

  Acknowledgements

  As always, I have to thank my girls Dominique and Gabi!

  I couldn’t get this far without Helen Williams, Jesse Gordon, and Ally Murphy! They’re my great team and are totally awesome!

 
; Thanks to Amy Plum for organizing a writing retreat in France. It was supposed to be all YA authors, but she includedme, and I finished this book there.

  Also a big thanks to Celeste Rhodes from the American Library in Paris who let me take part in the signing with all of the YA authors there.

  And thanks again to all of you readers. I love hearing from you, so please don’t hesitate to reach out!

  If you love my books and want to join the Friends of the Society private Facebook group, send me an email or FB message so I can add you!

  About the Author

  Crystal Perkins has always been a big reader, but she never thought she would write her own book, until she did. She lives in Las Vegas, where you can find her running author events and selling books at conventions when she isn’t reading, buying too many Sherlock t-shirts online or finding a place to put all of her Pop! figurines. A mac and cheese connoisseur, she travels the country looking for the perfect version, while attending book conventions and signings as a cover for her research. The Griffin Brothers series and the Corrigan & Co. series are international best sellers, and she’s thankful to the readers who made those things happen!

  Find her here:

  www.crystalperkinsauthor.com

  facebook.com/crystalperkinsauthor

  @wondermomlv

  [email protected]