Honor Under Siege
Radclyffe
HONOR UNDER
SIEGE
What Reviewers Say About Radcly f fes Books
A Matter of Trust is . . “a sexy, powerful love story fi l ed with angst,
discovery and passion that captures the uncertainty of fi rst love and its
discovery. - Just About Write
Shield of Justice is a “. . wel -plot edlovely romance. .I couldnt turn the
pages fast enough! - Ann Bannon, author of The Beebo Brinker
Chronicles
“The authors brisk mix of political intrigue, fast-paced action, and
frequent interludes of lesbian sex and lovein Honor Reclaimed sure
does make for great escapist reading. - Q Syndicate
Change of Pace . .“is contemporary, yet timeless, not only about sex, but
also about love, longing, lust, surprises, chance meetings, planned
meetings, fulfi l ing wild fantasies, and trust. - Midwest Book Review
“Radcly f fe has once again pul ed together al the ingredients of a
genuine page- turner, this time adding some new spices into the mix.
shadowland is sure to please - in part because Radcly f fe never loses
sight of the fact that she is tel ing a love story, and a compel ing one at
that. - Cameron Abbot , author of To The Edge and An Inexpressible
State of Grace
Lammy winner“ Stolen Moments is a col ection of steamy stories about
women who just couldnt wait. Its sex when desire overrides reason,
and its incredibly hot! - On Our Backs
“With ample angst, realistic and exciting medical emergencies,
winsome secondary characters, and a sprinkling of humor, Fated Love
turns out to be a terrifi c romance. Its one of the best I have read in
the last three years. - Midwest Book Review
“Innocent Hearts. . il ustrates that our struggles for acceptance of
women loving women is as old as time - only the set ing changes. The
romance is sweet, sensual, and touching. - Just About Write
Lammy winner. .“ Distant Shores, Silent Thunder weaves an intricate
tapestry about passion and commitment between lovers. The story
explores the fragile nature of trust and the sanctuary provided by
loving relationships. - Sapphic Reader
In When Dreams Tremble the “focus on character development is
meticulous and comprehensive, fi l ed with angst, regret, and longing,
building to the ultimate climax. - Just About Write
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HONOR UNDER SIEGE
by
Radcly f fe
2007
HONOR UNDER SIEGE
2007 By Radclyffe. All Rights Reserved.
ISBN10: 1-933110-80-5 ISBN13: 978-1-933110-80-6
This Trade Paperback Is Published By Bold Strokes Books, Inc. New
York, USA
First Edition, June 2007
THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION. NAMES, CHARACTERS,
PLACES, AND
INCIDENTS
ARE THE PRODUCT
OF
THE AUTHORS IMAGINATION OR ARE USED
FICTITIOUSLY. ANY RESEMBLANCE TO ACTUAL
PERSONS, LIVING
OR DEAD, BUSINESS
ESTABLISHMENTS,
EVENTS, OR LOCALES
IS
ENTIRELY COINCIDENTAL.
THIS BOOK, OR PARTS THEREOF, MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED
IN ANY FORM WITHOUT PERMISSION.
Credits
Editors: Jennifer Knight, Ruth Sternglantz and J. B. Greystone
Production Design: J. B. Greystone
Cover Graphic: Sheri ( g r a p h i c a r t i s t 2 020 @ h o t m
a il . c o m )
By the Author
Innocent Hearts
Loves Melody Lost
Loves Tender Warriors
Tomorrows Promise
Passions Bright Fury
Loves Masquerade
o mance s
shadowland
Fated Love Turn
Back Time
Promising Hearts
When Dreams Tremble
T
h e P
ro v in cet o w n T
a le s
Safe Harbor
Beyond the Breakwater
Distant Shores, Silent Thunder
Storms of Change H
o n o r
S e ri e s
Above Al , Honor
Honor Bound
Love & Honor
Honor Guards
Honor Reclaimed
Honor Under Siege
J u st ic e Se
ri e s
A Matter of Trust (prequel)
Shield of Justice
In Pursuit of Justice
Justice in the Shadows
Justice Served
Erotic Interludes: Change Of Pace
(A Short Story Col ection) Erotic Interludes 2: Stolen
Moments
Stacia Seaman and Radclyffe, eds. Erotic Interludes 3: Lessons
in
Love
Stacia Seaman and Radclyffe, eds.
Erotic Interludes 4: Extreme Passions
Stacia Seaman and Radclyffe, eds.
Erotic Interludes 5: Road Games
Stacia Seaman and Radclyffe, eds.
Authors Notes
Above All, Honor was the first book I published that real y
provoked many messages asking for a sequel. Safe Harbor
was the second. Many of you recall me saying I wasnt going to
write more of either one. This year I will publish number six
in the Honor series and number five in the Provincetown
Tales. Obviously, what do I know? Ive discovered that writing
multiple works in a universe of characters I and the reader are
familiar with forces me to stretch as a writer in ways that
stand-alones dont. Each has its unique chal enges - neither is
easier or harder or more rewarding. Just different. A series
demands both continuity and new directions - consistency and
change. We want to see more of the characters we love, but we
also demand that they grow and evolve in the face of their
personal struggles and in relationship to others.
Thank you to the readers who assured me that they really
did want to read more of these characters and the world they
inhabit. I have learned a great deal in the telling.
My thanks also go to my first readers: Diane, Eva, Jane,
Paula, and RB for insightful comments and unfailing faith; to
the editors who brought their special talents to making this a
better book: Jennifer Knight, Ruth Sternglantz, and J.B.
Greystone; and to the generous proofreaders at Bold Strokes
Books for their painstaking devotion to duty. All the credit goes
to these dedicated individuals and the responsibility for any
shortcomings to me.
Sheri, as always, says it all and constantly says it better with
every cover.
To Lee, for never ever saying write it later - Amo
te.
DEDICATION
For Lee To The Last Word
Chapter One
Monday, October
8
B lair Powel walked along the oceans edge just after dawn, watching
; the sky segue through a palet e of colors she had yet to capture on
canvas. Thankful y, she wasnt a landscape artist, because she feared she
would be doomed to an eternity of frustration and disappointment.
Her life held more than enough chal enge as it was, especial y now,
Washington, DC. Less than a month after four men shed never met had
tried to kil her.
Sliding her hands into the pockets of her dark navy windbreaker, Blair
sheltered in the shadow of a tal , windswept dune and let the cold
sea breeze and the force of natures power drive the lingering
melancholy away. Crisp, salty air fil ed her chest, and for an instant, she
felt only the promise of a new season and the inner contentment of
being in love. Despite the horror of the last month, shed just spent one
of the best weeks she could remember in seclusion on Whitley Island.
At least two Secret Service agents fol owed her everywhere she went on
the remote, sparsely populated island of the coast of Massachuset s,
but she was out of the public eye and nearly alone with her lover. She
cherished this rare privacy and feared that pleasure was about to change.
As much as she loved the island, she couldnt just disappear. And
after the events of the last few weeks, she discovered to her surprise that
she didnt want to. Al her life shed sought anonymity. Being her
fathers daughter had forced upon her a notoriety she had not chosen,
and she had done al she could to escape the constraints it imposed.
Yet sometime in the last year, that wild, furious need to break away
had al but vanished. She wondered how much that sea change was due
to the woman who walked toward her in the gathering sunlight.
Secret Service agent Cameron Roberts, Blairs one time chief of
security and now her lover, was a few inches tal er, dark-haired, lean
and handsome. Her jaw was a lit le broader, her nose a lit le stronger,
and the hol ows below her cheekbones a lit le deeper than the dictates
of classic beauty demanded, but what Blair saw when she looked at her
went beyond beauty. She saw strength and passion, and above al ,
honor.
“Youre supposed to be in bed, she chided as Cam approached.
Recovering.
Cam grinned. “Bed was
cold.
“Its a hel of a lot colder out here. Blair wrapped her arms around Cams
neck and kissed her, ruf ling the short, almost wavy black hair that
ended just above her col ar. The almost casual brush of mouth on
mouth turned unexpectedly more fervent. She stroked her tongue along
the inside of Cams lip, and delved deeper for an instant before leaning
back. “Whew. Just got warmer.
“Lets see if we can get it up to August. Cam slid one arm around Blairs
waist and underneath her jacket. She stroked Blairs back and nuzzled
her neck. “Although, we probably shouldnt tamper with Greg
and Haras body temperatures quite so much.
Blair jerked and pushed away. “God, I cant believe I forgot about them. I
never forget about them. She peered over her shoulder toward the dunes
where two of her first team security agents stood with their hands at
their sides, facing out toward the ocean as if she and Cam were not
there. Of course, they had seen everything while continuously scanning
the length of beach, the water, and the air.
“Id say that lit le lapse is a very good sign. Cam brushed a strand of
damp blond hair away from Blairs cheek and resisted the urge to kiss
her again. Blairs deep blue eyes were shadow free, a rare occurrence,
and even though shed been up before dawn, shed slept through the
night. That, too, was unusual since the armed assault on Blair in her
penthouse apartment. Cam loved to see Blair
so relaxed and secure that she forgot she was being watched. She
wished she could keep that from ever changing.
“When your eyes go from gray to black like that, Blair murmured, “I
know youre thinking serious thoughts.
Cam shook her head. “No. She tugged Blair against her side
and
started to walk, keeping her arm around Blairs waist. “Just thinking I
love you.
“That sounds serious. Blair slipped her hand into the back pocket of
Cams jeans and squeezed her ass. “In fact, we should probably do
something about it ASAP.
“Okay.
Blair laughed. “Youre too
easy.
“I thought you liked me that
way.
Blair caught Cams hands and turned to walk backwards, swinging their
joined arms lazily between them. The wind whipped her hair around her
face, and her cheeks burned with the cold. She felt wonderful. “I like
you every way you come, Commander. Hard and fast, slow and easy.
Any way at al .
“Jesus, Blair. Have a heart. Cam tilted her head in the direction of the
agents who fol owed along the invisible perimeter of their protection
zone. “They cant hear us, but theyl have a hard time pretending not to
notice if I throw you down on the beach.
“I thought you had bet er control than that, Blair
teased.
“So did I, Cam mut ered darkly. Everything shed thought shed known
about herself had abruptly changed slightly less than a year before
when shed been assigned to protect the first daughter of the United
States. Cam had fal en in love
with her the first instant shed seen her, her blond hair damp from the
shower, her sapphire eyes sparking with anger, her sensual body
blatantly seductive. Blair hadnt wanted protection, and shed done
everything she possibly could to avoid the constraints of twenty-four
hour a day observation. Shed been wild and wil ful, a beautiful feral
creature who defied taming. Cam had fought her desire, but ultimately,
she had surrendered to her heart. “You changed al that.
“Funny, Blair said, returning to Cams side and snuggling against her
again. “I
was just thinking the same thing about
you.
“I
love
you.
“I love you. Blair kissed the edge of Cams jaw. “Your throat sounds
better. Does it stil hurt?
“No, Cam said quickly. Her voice stil became hoarse when she talked
for more than a few minutes, and swal owing was an exercise in
masochism. But she didnt want to remind Blair of the injuries shed
sustained during an armed confrontation that shed promised she wouldnt
take part in.
Abruptly, Blair stopped walking and stepped slightly away. “Why
do we constantly have to cover old ground? You know I can always tel
when youre trying to protect me from something.
Cam winced. “Sorry. Youre right. I need more practice at
disclosure.
“Apparently. Blair sighed. “I suppose we both do. Its just that the very
things I
love about you make me crazy,
too.
“Dit o. Cam laughed and then started to cough. It hurt, and she couldnt
hide it. The finger marks on her throat had faded, but the bruising
inside persisted. “Damn
. The cold air is get ing to me.
“I told you not to come out here, Blair snapped. “Damn it, Cameron. She
hated
it when Cam hurt. She hated feeling helpless under any circumstances,
but it was worse when it was Cam and she couldnt do anything. She
picked up her pace. “Lets get you inside. Il make some tea or
something.
“Tea? Cam rasped, trying desperately not to laugh
again. Blairs glower could not hide her smile. “Wel
, something.
They climbed through the dunes toward the multi-level glass and wood
house where theyd been staying for the past few weeks, the two Secret
Service agents keeping pace behind them. Blair stif ened at the sight of
a woman hurrying down to meet them.
“Hi, Paula, she greeted her new chief of security. Paula Stark was an
athletic, dark haired, dark-eyed woman close to her own age. She had
proven herself capable of protecting Blair in dire circumstances more
than once, and Blair trusted her. More than that, she cared for her.
That kind of af ection probably wasnt wise; she was not supposed to
form personal at achments to her security agents. But Blair never did
anything simply because it was prudent. She spent more time with the
four members of her first team than she did with anyone else in her life,
and she couldnt help but care about them. Just the same, she
preferred not to see Paula right now. It could only mean one thing. Her
brief respite had come to an end. “Whats up?
“Your father wants to talk to you. Paula nodded to Cam.
“Commander.
“Chief, Cam said. Technical y, she wasnt the commander anymore,
since shed been replaced as Blairs chief of security by
Stark, but she couldnt seem to get any of the agents to stop cal ing her
that. She wanted to ask if there was a problem, but she was trying to
be respectful of Starks new position. Security chiefs were circumspect
by nature and rarely shared any more information than necessary
with anyone, including the protectees and their families. Especial y
with the protectees and their families.
Part of a security agents job was to make the lives of those they guarded
seem as normal as possible under the most abnormal of circumstances.
“Is my father al right? Blair asked as they reached the rear deck of the
house.
“I have no reason to think otherwise, Stark said in her of icial voice.
“Lucinda Washburn put the cal through. She said there was no urgency,
but the president would like to speak to you at your earliest