The New Year of 2002 starts off with a literal bang, when Mark Vincent is called to WBIS headquarters and learns the Washington Bureau of Intelligence and Security has been disbanded. He's not happy with the situation, but he's ready to make his own way in the intelligence waters of DC. However, when Trevor Wallace, known as The Boss, requests he accept the CIA's offer of a job, Mark reluctantly agrees. He isn't surprised to find working for the CIA is exactly what he expected, with the Company not allowing him to do his job. Mark lets his resentment be known as he's partnered with one officer after another, with no success. As a result, he's determined to leave the CIA, in spite of his promise to the man whose opinion he valued so highly.<br><br>Quinton Mann is viewed as royalty in the intelligence community. He had a run-in with Mark Vincent a few years before, while Vincent was still senior special agent for the WBIS, and Quinn had developed a healthy respect for him. Now, however, it's his turn to partner with the man considered by the alphabet agencies to be a sociopath.<br><br>Quinn can see what the problem is, and he's aware Vincent might not remain CIA for long. Now, the year is drawing to a close. Will a drink on Christmas Eve change things for both men?

No One Should Be Alone

“Yes.” It had been a long time since I’d taken a man to bed—a very long time. God knew this wasn’t the best idea, and not because he’d once worked for the WBIS. I was his superior.


However, he wasn’t the type of subordinate who would charge me with sexual harassment. If he wasn’t interested, he was more than likely to punch me in the face.


Although I hoped he wouldn’t. It would be nice if we were on the same page, even if it were only for this one night. And…He’d been aroused in my office earlier this evening, and that wasn’t the first time. He hadn’t thought I’d noticed, but I had. I was just too polite to bring it to his attention.


“Now, let me ask just one final question.”


“If there aren’t any other places—”


“Goddammit, will you let me finish?” The man was trying my patience to the degree I was tempted to punch himin the face.


Chapter 22