Free Special Agent: Austin by Joni Hahn

D.I.R.E.?
    Risk Belle finding out he’d manipulated her for his own gain?
    No, he couldn’t fall for her. He’d slept with women without falling for them. He could do it again. This meeting would put everything into perspective, put him back in the mindset of making a difference with D.I.R.E.
    He met her halfway across the room. “Are you ready?”
    Lifting her chin, she nodded before taking a seat in the chair adjacent to Teague. Austin sat beside her. A moment later, Mitchell walked inside and powered up the computer.
    “Monica, the team working on your computer tells me your people are looking for you.”
    Resting her elbows on the chair arms, Belle linked her fingers in front of her. “Yes, I haven’t checked in. They’ll send reinforcements soon, if they haven’t already.”
    Mitchell gave her a belittling grin. “We’ve taken care of it. They aren’t suspicious.”
    If D.I.R.E. hacked into Belle’s computer, it was only a matter of time before they knew where her home was located and who ran things. It was good for her to hear her life was coming down around her ears. She deserved to move on in peace.
    Mitchell said, “I’m going to videotape this meeting. Our computer system is unlike anything in existence and therefore, un-hackable. You have no need to worry about the video being leaked to the internet or to your superiors.”
    Her smug mouth twisted. “Too bad you couldn’t say that about Riordan St. James or Jaydan Rose. I hear their videos have reached over two million hits.”
    Dylan raised his hand, his tone proud. “Not me.”
    McCall’s copper and gold armbands gleamed in the recessed lights, an intimidating image. Belle studied him with keen interest, a shrewd scrutiny in her narrow eyes.
    Austin had freaked out when he saw Jaydan’s armbands for the first time. They were fused to his flesh, his strength enhancement tied into his brain and central nervous system. The idea of Jaydan’s life at risk like that scared the shit out of him, but his brother was meant for this work.
    “There are positives to the exposure, too, Monica,” Mitchell said in an even tone. “It shows criminals a formidable adversary, a power no one in the world can match. Not even your Madam.”
    Belle’s leg shook beneath the table. “Underestimating the Madam is the biggest mistake you could ever make.”
    Austin laid his palm on her active thigh, stalling it. She gave him a half smile.
    Mitchell said, “I want you to know that your decision to divulge information puts you under D.I.R.E.’s protection. We take care of our own.”
    Frowning, she said, “I don’t belong to you, or anyone.” Her hand covered Austin’s where it sat on her leg.
    “You belong to this Madam, don’t you?” Teague said in a logical tone.
    Belle’s glare was all the answer Teague would receive. “I came to you because of Austin, and because you revealed the truth about my family.” Her grip tightened on his hand. “The Madam stole my life from me. I want revenge and you’re my best shot at it.”
    “Very well.” Mitchell gave a brief nod before hitting a button on his keyboard. “Tell us how you ended up at the party last night.”
    She swallowed hard. Austin could see the pulse pounding in her smooth throat. Despite her brave front, she was scared shitless.
    “The Madam learned Riordan St. James was getting married and knew the D.I.R.E. agents would be in attendance. It was just a matter of acquiring the guest list and finding out who declined an invitation to the party. Congresswoman Norton’s servers were easy to hack.”
    “What was your purpose in attending the party?”
    “To find a chink in your armor while your defenses are down. The Madam wants to destroy you.”
    Mitchell didn’t so much as blink. “Do you know why?”
    “Besides the fact that you ruined Cyrus’s cloning operation, no I don’t.”
    Dylan gave her a sidelong glance. “You say that like it isn’t enough.”
    Her round eyes were serious