Honor Under Siege

“Being away from you hurts me, Diane whispered. “Not knowing

whats happening to you is driving me mad. Please. Give me a

number to cal , somewhere to meet you.

“Im using disposable phones. Il cal you. Valerie curled her hand behind

Dianes neck and pul ed her close. Her tongue slid possessively into

Dianes open mouth. She groaned, the sound mingling with Dianes

echoing moan. When she pul ed away, her ice blue eyes sparkled

with tears. “I love you. No mat er what happens, I want you to know

that.

Diane pressed her fi ngertips to Valeries mouth. “There wont be any

goodbyes. Whatever has happened, Cam can help you. You know how

to reach her. Cal her.

Valerie shook her head. “Not yet. Not until I know

more.

“You can trust her, Diane said insistently. “I know you can. Yo u know

you can.

“Cam cant control everything, Diane, Valerie said wearily. “There are

powerful people involved. Dangerous people.

“And thats al the more reason for you to have help. You cant do this

alone. Diane kept both arms around Valeries waist, afraid that she

would bolt and disappear. “I dont want you to be alone.

“Ive always been alone, Valerie whispered, “until

you.

“And Im not going to let you go, Diane said urgently. “Il only be here

a few more days. Let me come to you.

“Are you going back to

Manhat an?

“I dont know. Im probably going Out of years of habit, Diane

hesitated mentioning anything about Blair.

Valerie stif ened. “Never mind. You dont have to

tel me. Diane shook her head. “Its not what you

think.

“You dont have any reason to trust me. Valerie gently disengaged

Dianes hold on her and backed away. “I should apologize for ever

involving you.

“Dont you say that, Diane shot back. “This isnt just about you, and what

you need and what youre afraid of. Im in this too, because I chose to be.

She closed the distance that Valerie had created. “I chose to be with

you.

“How can you choose when you dont even know whats

going on?

Dianes heart clenched at the uncertainty in Valeries voice and the

tormented look in her eyes. She sensed Valerie struggling not to pul

away and risked sliding her hand inside her jacket again. When she

rested her fi ngertips against Valeries side, Valerie trembled.

“Oh, dont, Diane breathed. “Dont hurt so much, my darling.

Help me understand. Tel me, so that when I say I love you, you can

trust me.

“I cant seem to think straight when youre near me, Valerie murmured

before kissing her again. When the door behind them opened, she spun

Diane to the wal , shielding Dianes body with her own, and pushed her

hand into her jacket pocket. “Keep your head down.

Diane held her breath, her heart jumping in her chest. Valeries face had

gone completely stil , her blue eyes intently focused, and her body

coiled as if it were poised to explode. Footsteps passed behind them and

started down the stairs, clat ering loudly in the enclosed space. Dianes

breath whooshed out. “God.

“Do you understand now. Valerie backed away until their bodies didnt

touch. “Thats what youre asking me to bring into your life. I cant.

Dianes gaze dropped to the bulge in Valeries jacket pocket, which she

now realized was a gun. Having been around Blair since they were

teenagers, shed seen men and women with guns before. But shed

never sensed the lethal menace of one as acutely as she did now. “Are

you saying that someone wants to kil you?

“I dont know. Valerie moved to the stairs leading down. “And until I

do, you cant be anywhere near me.

Diane fol owed her and grasped her jacket tightly. “Im not going to let

you walk away from me so easily again, Valerie.

“Il come back, Valerie said, her voice choked. “I have to. I cant get you

out of

my

head.

Diane kissed her, hard and long. Then, though it wrenched her heart so

badly she felt like she was bleeding inside, she let go of Valeries jacket.

“Come soon.

“Il

try.

I

promise.

Then Valerie turned and hurtled down the stairs until all

that remained was the distant echo of her footsteps.

* * * * *

“Hey! Blair said. “You missed the fashion show.

“Sorry, Diane said breathlessly. “I got lost in the

shoes.

“So what do you think. Blair held up a strapless black silk

chiffon dress.

“Nice, Diane said, running her fi ngers over the sheer fabric.

Blair frowned and cast a glance in Paulas direction.

Paula appeared not to be watching them, although Blair knew

she was. She lowered her voice. “Youre shaking. Whats wrong?

“Nothing.

“Of course, Blair said, loud enough for Paula to hear, “now I

have an excuse to buy more shoes. She moved closer to

Diane. “Bul shit. What happened?

“I just saw Valerie.

Blair slipped one arm around Dianes waist and draped the

dress

over her free arm as she guided Diane through the dress

department and out of hearing range of her security team.

“Here? When?

“Yes. Just a few minutes ago.