Surrender: Tales of Submission by Eden Bradley Page A

answer.
    "I'm here on assignment. I need your cooperation." He paused, waiting for a reaction that never materialized.
    Oh, she's good. Very good at keeping her cool when it counted.
    Aidan knew Carli had tried several times over the last
    couple of years to find him, as his organization kept tabs on that kind of information. But he didn't want to be
    found. If not for this mission, he would never have
    returned to this old town. Aidan didn't need the physical reminder of where he came from or the circumstances
    under which he had left. The sooner Aidan got the

    60
    TALES OF EROTIC SUBMISSION

    information he needed from Carli, the sooner he would be out of here. In the meantime, he had no intention of letting her get to him. No one got to him anymore. Her leaving
    him taught him how to build barriers to shield his heart.
    At least he could thank her for that.

    * * * *
Carli waited. Waited for Aidan to reveal the real
    reason for being in her house. Over the years she had perfected the art of patience. It was what made her so good at what she did—both as a sniper and now as an
    investigator. To further throw Aidan off, she struck a more casual, carefree pose by tucking her hands behind her neck and crossing her ankles. She could wait him out.
    Looking over at him standing in front of her dresser,
    she couldn't help marvel at the changes in his appearance.
    Gone was the tall, lanky nineteen-year-old who stole her heart. Replaced with this tall, powerful, very muscled, devilishly handsome man. She wondered what else about
    him had changed.
    "I need your help locating someone." His long pause led her to believe he was definitely avoiding telling her more. What could he be up to that would be hard for her to handle? His reluctance was a clear sign that he didn't trust her.
    Then why come to me? Why not get someone else, anyone else to help him?
    "Why me? If you don't really want to be here with me, why not find someone else to help you?" Sensing she wasn't going to like his answers, she braced herself for the other shoe to drop.
    "It's—It's your brother, Carli. I'm here to gather some information that will help me find him. He is wanted for treason against the U.S. government."
    Thunk.
    The shoe dropped .

    * * * *

    61
    SURRENDER

    "What? Are you crazy?" Sitting up, her body tensed.
    Anger flushed her face, and she expected him to back
    away. He didn't. "My brother has been serving as an intelligence officer in the U.S. Navy for over six years.
    How dare you make such crazy accusations?" She stepped forward, getting right in his face. "You better explain yourself right now."
    He smirked. He couldn't help himself. Her eyes
    sparking with anger were even more arousing than before.
    He relished the thought that she might tackle him and kick his ass. Aidan would love to take the time to get down and dirty with her and teach her a lesson or two. Lessons she would never forget. He hadn't. He still harbored a lot of resentment toward her and would love to take the time to have it out with her.
    But he had a job to do, and do it he would. He
    couldn't afford to get wrapped up in the past, even if it came in a tight body that screamed fuck me with every move.
    "A couple of days ago, we intercepted a message
    between your brother, Cliff, and a top terrorist leader.
    Twelve hours later, Cliff disappeared." He didn't try to soften the blow he knew this news would create. Aidan
    needed to see and analyze every reaction Carli had to
    assure himself she wasn't somehow involved. "We know how close you and your twin are, so we expect either you already know where he is or he will be contacting you
    soon to let you know something."
    His gut told him that no way would Carli be involved
    in anything like this. Hell, he was even surprised her
    brother Cliff would be. Her face paled from the shock of his words, confirming his instincts. She knew absolutely nothing of this. Cliff had somehow managed to not only
    get himself involved in an