Medusa’s Master

they could do with a few of her contortions plumb stole his breath away.

He didn’t know whether to be grateful or dismayed when she caught sight of him and froze. He mumbled, “Don’t stop on my account.”

“It’s okay. I just needed to clear my mind.”

He nodded in understanding. “Sweat does wonders for my thought processes, too.” He moved over to the sofa, which was now tucked underneath the window, and flopped down on it. “What style of martial art was that you were practicing?”

“It’s a hybrid form. Part judo. Part kung fu. Part…other stuff.”

“What other stuff?”

She frowned. “Just stuff Hidoshi-san showed me. I don’t know where he got it from.”

“Liar.”

He said the word so calmly it seemed to take Kat a moment to register it. Then she whirled to face him, staring.

He explained, “You’ve studied your whole life, or darned near all of it, to have achieved your level of proficiency. You’re not some casual hobbyist, you’re a martial arts master. And every practitioner with your level of dedication knows the pedigree and sources of his art back as far as it goes.”

“You overestimate my skill.”

“My dear, I think not only I, but also the United States government, have grossly underestimated your skill. Do General Wittenauer or your teammates have any idea what you can really do?”

“Why do you ask such a thing?” she asked sharply.

“Because if anybody knew what you’re capable of, you’d be famous in the Spec Ops community. Hell, you’d be a legend.”

Something approaching panic flitted across her face. “Nobody must know,” she choked out.

“Why not? Why not shout to the heavens about your abilities? Do you have any idea the things you could do for our country?”

Panic flashed openly in her gaze now.

“My vow-” She broke off.

“What vow?”

She shook her head quickly. “I mustn’t speak of it.”

“Let me guess. Hidoshi-san taught you the ancient family fighting form. You’re sworn to silence and mustn’t ever reveal the family secrets.”

“Close enough,” she replied reluctantly.

“And it’s only to be shared with blood relatives.”

That caused a pained look to cross her face, but she made no reply.

“Your secret’s safe with me, darlin’. After all, we’re practically family already. Once we’re married, will you be able to teach it to me? I’d love to learn some of what you can do.”

She burst out, “Will you stop talking like that?”

He surged to his feet and closed the space between them quickly. “I’m serious, Kat. I want you and I’m going to have you. I’ve never met another woman like you. Cupid’s Bolt or not, I’d still go after you full bore.”

She stared up at him in wide-eyed disbelief.

Irritation flooded through him. “What’s so damn hard to believe about that?”

She just shook her head.

Throwing caution to the winds, he grabbed her shoulders in both hands. Thankfully, she didn’t toss him to the floor. He asked low and furiously, “Why won’t you believe me?”

“I don’t…I can’t…”

“Can’t what? Can’t talk to me? Can’t tell me how you feel or what you’re thinking? Can’t-or won’t, Kat? I’m sick to death of this strong, silent act of yours.”

Her mouth quirked wryly. “I thought that was usually the girl’s line.”

“Hah. You’re the ninja in this relationship.”

Kat went completely still. Horror flowed through her and into his hands. What the-

He burst out, “Oh, God. A ninja? Is that what your grandfather trained you to be?” It made perfect sense. The acrobatic things he’d seen her do…the amazing fighting skills…the crazy climbing ability…He swore again under his breath.

It was her turn to grab him by the arms. “Nobody must know, Jeff. Nobody.”

“Why not? My God, think of the training you could give our Special Forces-”

“But that’s the point. That’s not how it’s done. I can’t pick and choose cool pieces of the Way and share them with outsiders. There’s a code…consequences.”

He studied her intently. “You’re really worried about this. Is there some super-secret ninja society that’ll come and get you if you give away their secrets?”

Momentary humor flickered in her eyes. “No, nothing like that. But I took a solemn vow. I can’t break it. It would dishonor Hidoshi-san’s memory.” She threw up her hands. “I know to a Westerner that sounds completely lame. But it’s a big deal to me.”

He captured her restless hands and drew them against his chest. “It doesn’t sound lame to me. Hey, I’m a soldier, too. Honor counts in my world. Promises matter to me. I get it.”

She blinked up at him, suddenly still. “Do you mean that?”

He frowned. “Yes, I mean it. If you don’t want me to tell anyone about your training, I won’t.”

“Just like that?”

He flung her hands away from him and turned to pace the room. “Why do you always question everything I say? Why can’t you accept that I stand by my word? Are we Westerners that weak and untrustworthy in your eyes?”

“I…You…No…”

He stopped prowling and crossed his arms over his chest as she sputtered to a stop. “Darlin’, that was not the most convincing denial I’ve ever heard.”

She huffed. “Fine. I admit it. I don’t generally think too highly of Western promises.”

Ouch. He had to give her credit, though. She didn’t flinch from speaking the truth. “What about your teammates? These Medusas you speak so highly of? Do you trust them?”

That got a rise out of her. Oh, she didn’t stomp or yell or anything so crass, but abrupt anger rolled off her. Only a faint tightness in her voice betrayed her irritation. “I trust them with my life.”

Such control she had. Were it not for the inexplicable, but very real, connection between the two of them, he doubted he’d have had any clue she was so pissed off at the moment.

He asked reasonably, “Why them and not me? Is it because you and I haven’t come under hostile fire together yet? Do I need to take you out with my team the next time we take a stroll through hell to gain your trust?”

Her forehead twitched, but she never actually frowned. He waited her out while she mulled over his question. Finally, she replied, “You would have had to have been there when the Medusas formed to understand. The powers that be did everything they could to make us fail. The only reason we made it through our initial training is because we all-every one of us Medusas-committed everything we had to each other.”

He nodded in total comprehension. An operator’s team was much more than a bunch of coworkers. More than family, even. Facing death together time and again forged a bond unlike anything else. It went way beyond words.

He asked matter-of-factly, “You’ve worked with other special operators, haven’t you? Men, yes? Do you trust them? Or is it something special about me that causes you not to trust me?”

She sighed. “I do trust you.”

“But not enough to believe what I say.”

Her face went expressionless, her voice flat. “Why are you pushing this argument?”

She was pulling back from him. Again. Every time they approached a truly intimate moment, physical or emotional, she backed away like a big dog. Enough was enough. He wasn’t going to stand by and let it happen again.