Under Pressure (The IAD Series Book 1) Read online

  UNDER PRESSURE

  An IAD Novel

  Laurie Roma

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  THE IAD SERIES

  DEDICATION

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  CHAPTER NINE

  CHAPTER TEN

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  EPILOGUE

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  For all titles by Laurie Roma, please visit | www.laurieroma.com

  THE IAD SERIES

  Under Pressure

  One Shot

  Deadly Target

  UNDER PRESSURE

  Jason MacBain is the perfect agent. Tall, dark, and deadly, he is a man who lives by simple rules—kill the bad guys and protect the world. Closed off from his emotions, Jason’s control is legendary. He has never believed in love and won’t let anything get in the way of completing a mission...but all of that changes the night he meets Bella.

  Isabella Moretti is a famous chef struggling to reclaim her life after barely surviving a vicious attack. Moving back to Chicago, Bella hopes to recover and regain the sense of safety that has been stolen from her. When she meets Jason, she’s frightened by the passion he ignites within her...yet nothing makes her feel safer than being in his arms.

  When her life is threatened, Jason will do whatever it takes to keep her safe and end the threat to her for good. As the pressure builds, Bella is forced to trust him with her safety, but does she dare trust him with her heart?

  UNDER PRESSURE by Laurie Roma

  First E-book Publication: November 2012

  2nd Edition E-book Publication: August 2018

  ISBN: 978-1-942979-10-4

  Copyright © 2018 by Laurie Roma

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission, except for the case of brief quotations in reviews and articles. Criminal copyright infringement is investigated by the FBI, and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

  All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental. It is fiction, so facts and events may not be accurate except to the current world the book takes place in.

  DEDICATION

  To the dedicated fans of the IAD Series...

  Thank you for being so patient.

  The wait is finally over!

  CHAPTER ONE

  It was a night of extravagance.

  Located in a historic hotel in the heart of downtown Chicago, the grand ballroom was a majestic relic from a time long past. Several renovations had been done over the years, and the hardwood floor had been replaced, but the original chandeliers still hung from the ceiling, and the decorative gold crown molding that covered most of the walls had been touched-up without any significant alteration.

  Each side of the large room was lined with white columns that led up to the second-floor balcony where additional seating was located. The columns and the balcony had been wrapped with tiny fairy lights, and more illumination came from the soft purple spotlights that were attached to the floor and pointed towards the walls. A small orchestra played music up on the balcony while dozens of couples danced in an open area on the main level.

  Surrounding the dance floor were circular tables draped in rich gold and cream fabric. The remnants of a spectacular dinner were scattered over the tables, and elaborate arrays of white flowers and candles in glass vases were placed in the center. Waiters rushed to clear used plates and silverware in preparation for dessert, while many of the guests took advantage of the four bars that had been set up on both floors.

  The iconic venue had played host to legions of the rich and famous, and tonight was no different. The large, elegant room was the perfect backdrop for the hundreds of guests dressed in black tie and ball gowns. Everyone in attendance paid to be there, and if they chose to give more or bid on any of the items up for silent auction, the expense of throwing such an event was definitely worth it. A packed house meant more money raised for charity, but there was a certain irony that lavish spending was needed to get people to give money.

  Still, no matter how the glamorous party was, Isabella Moretti was probably the only person in the room who would have rather been home with a good movie and a quart of rocky road ice cream.

  All night, she had silently cursed her friend, Liz, for dragging her to the event. It wasn’t the charity auction she had a problem with. It was for a good cause, and she had bid on a couple items herself, but it was just that events like this usually turned out to be so boring.

  Until a year ago, Bella had been one of New York’s youngest and brightest executive chefs. She had made a name for herself working for a chic, prestigious hotel where they gave her complete control of the kitchen, menu, and staff. The praise her work got was expected, but she never thought her life outside of the kitchen would change so drastically.

  Along with her newfound celebrity, she’d had to attend her share of posh affairs, mixing and mingling with elite society. It hadn’t taken her long to see beyond the polish, though. She’d grown tired of the same people and the slick sheen of pretension that seemed to emanate from the city’s high society. Unfortunately, most of Chicago’s social elite was no different, and the atmosphere of wealth and privilege was the same.

  For that reason, among many others, she’d wanted to decline the invitation for tonight’s event. Truthfully, she would have if Elizabeth Trenton hadn’t been one of the chairs of the event, but as one of her best friends, Bella was duty-bound to suffer alongside her. There was very little that they wouldn’t do for each other, and God knew that Bella had needed Liz more this year than ever before.

  The charity event was her first real social outing since she had moved back home. Some of these people knew her through her friends or family, but most knew of her through her own personal achievements. Bella’s own mini-celebrity status aside, she was extremely happy that she didn’t have to attend these types of events that often anymore.

  Dammit, she could deal with one night of boredom for her best friend.

  But that didn’t mean she couldn’t complain about it.

  “That’s it, I can’t take much more of this. I quit.”

  Liz turned away from the group of people she had been speaking with at Bella’s declaration. She knew saying it was rude, but she’d used up what civility she had in the last few hours.

  At five-ten in heels, Liz towered over Bella’s shorter frame, but that wasn’t their only difference. With her straight, icy blonde hair held up in an elegant twist and wearing a pale-peach chiffon dress that fit her body to perfection, Liz looked every bit the socialite that she was.

  In contrast, Bella’s exotic features were far more intriguing than pretty, but she’d never gotten any complaints. She wasn’t a typical beauty with her catlike amber eye, small nose, and lips that she thought were too full. The bronze dress she
had chosen complimented her olive skin tone that hinted of her Italian heritage, and her prized espresso waves hung loose down to the middle of her back.

  Bella and Liz might look like complete opposites, but they’d been as close as sisters since they were young. Because they knew each other so well, Liz smiled sweetly as she linked her arm through Bella’s and pulled her away from a group. That was the quickest and most effective way to stop her from saying anything else that would be deemed inappropriate.

  “So, you quit being my friend, or you quit being here even though you know how much I need your help tonight?”

  “God, you’ve gotten so good at this guilt-tripping thing.” Bella sighed, but she squeezed her friend’s arm to negate her words. “I’ve been doing my duty. I’ve tried to talk people into giving loads of money to the Children’s Foundation, and I’m completely out of raffle bracelets. By the way, props for serving the meal earlier than expected. Now that and the boring speeches are finished, everyone can get drunk and donate more before the auctions end.”

  “That was my master plan. And thanks a lot, considering one of those boring speeches was mine.”

  “You kept it short and sweet, which made it good.”

  “Thanks. What did you think of the meal?”

  Bella shrugged. “It was decent.”

  Liz chuckled as she expertly maneuvered them through the crowd. “High praise, indeed. Remember, you promised you wouldn’t go back to the kitchen. The chef is nervous enough about you being here. If you go back there to speak to him, he’ll pass out before we get dessert buffets set up.”

  “Geez, you make me sound scary.”

  Casting her a sidelong look, Liz said, “When it comes to food, you are. Did you hear what the Vanderbergs were saying before you rudely interrupted? They bid on every piece of art up for auction.”

  “I heard, but I was doing you a favor by interrupting. Mr. Vanderberg pat my ass when I spoke to him earlier. So, really, I was saving you from the same fate. You should be thanking me.”

  “What? He’s seventy years old...and married!”

  “To a woman young enough to be his granddaughter. Actually, I think she’s a year younger than us.”

  “That’s just—” Liz wrinkled her nose. “—unpleasant to think about.”

  “It really is. The new Mrs. Vanderberg was too busy flirting with one of the other guys you were with to notice we left anyway.”

  “He’s their lawyer.”

  Bella laughed. “Well, that should make their divorce interesting.”

  “That’s very cynical, but probably true.”

  “So, can I go home now, or what?”

  “I know you blame me for forcing you to dress up and have a wonderful meal surrounded by all of these people, but this is all for charity. The kids thank you for your great sacrifice.”

  “I really hate you sometimes.”

  Liz burst out laughing loud enough to gain the attention of the people around them. She cleared her throat delicately as she lifted two glasses and a bottle of champagne off of a table. “Here. Drink this,” she ordered, shoving one of the glasses she’d just filled into Bella’s hand. “You can’t go yet, it’s still early. Talk to some people. You may like them more now that everyone has been drinking.”

  Bella gulped down some of the pale-gold liquid. “Oh, God. This is totally going to lead to more ass patting.”

  “Who knows, you might enjoy yourself after all.”

  “Now you just sound pervy.”

  “I...really do. I’ll stop now. And we should probably both stay away from lecherous old men, just in case. I wouldn’t want to have to hit a big donor. I’m on a mission for—” She checked her watch. “—at least another three hours. Then, I can go back to disliking half these people.”

  Three hours? Oh, hell no. “I am not staying that long.”

  “You don’t have to. There are a lot of good-looking men here. Find one, flirt with him and try to have a little fun before you go home to your quiet apartment...alone. Please, do it for me.”

  “I wouldn’t be here at all if it wasn’t for you.”

  “That’s the spirit. Oh, there’s Randolph Beaufort. I’ve been trying to get five minutes with him all night. Later.”

  Bella glared at Liz as she hurried away. Taking a moment to survey the crowd, she sighed, then drank her champagne. Small groups were huddled in front of the silent auction items strategically placed around the room, and most people wore several silicone bracelets that had raffle numbers attached to them for the drawing at the end of the evening. What she saw reminded her of a wedding, without the focal point of a couple to fawn over, or the family drama.

  Then again, one could find ass-patters and assholes at any party.

  If she was going to spend any more time talking to people, Bella was going to need a real break away from the noise first. She worked her way around the room, planning to slip out onto the balcony to sneak a cigarette. It was an occasional habit she only indulged in when she was stressed. Liz didn’t approve of the habit.

  Not many people did these days.

  Bella took a long gulp to finish her glass of her champagne, then placed the empty glass on the tray of a passing waiter. When she smiled at him, he just stood still and stared back at her. Uncomfortable with the way he was gaping at her, she plucked a fresh glass off of the tray. Trying to make a quick escape, she turned and only made it half a step before she ran into an immovable object, spilling her glass of champagne onto the arm that automatically reached out to steady her.

  “Oh, hell...”

  She squeezed her eyes shut and wished the ground would open up and swallow her whole. She would have settled for rewinding the last thirty seconds of her life, but she wasn’t that lucky. With a sigh of resignation, she gave in and opened her eyes. Looking at the large body she had just spilled her drink on, she found herself staring at the solid wall of a broad, muscular chest encased in an elegant black tux.

  Wow, she thought as her gaze continued to slide further up, way up, until meeting the most striking pair of gunmetal gray eyes that she had ever seen. Those eyes were set in one of the most spectacular faces ever created. He was like a piece of art come to life, carved into perfection by the clever hands of a master. Not handsome in the classical sense, his features were strong, harsh with angular planes that screamed man!

  Midnight-black hair was pulled back from his aristocratic face and seemed to be tied at the nape of his neck. There was a scar left side of his square jawline, but the tiny imperfection only added to his appeal.

  This man oozed sexuality, a perfect specimen of extreme masculinity that made Bella’s heartrate accelerate. Never had she been so attracted to someone so instantly, and that should have been enough to kick her internal warning system on high alert. Instead, lust won out. Her desire for him blinded her to everything and everyone around them until the rest of the room seemed to disappear completely.

  Holy hotness...

  Okay, maybe the evening was turning out to be far more interesting than she thought it would be. She couldn’t seem to look away from his amazing gray eyes, but she forced herself to blink in defense of the thrall he had on her. His stoic face gave away nothing, but it only took a moment for her to recognize that those eyes were now hard, flashing silver in annoyance.

  “You should be more careful, little girl,” a cultured voice clipped out in an icy British accent as the man’s hands gripped her upper arms firmly.

  “I’m so sorry,” Bella whispered, flashing a small, friendly smile as she tried not to laugh nervously. She patted at the spilled liquid that was soaking into the arm of his very expensive jacket. Damn, he was hot and had an accent. It took only a moment for her brain to start working again.

  Wait a...what did he say?

  Her smile faded. “Little girl?”

  One of his eyebrows rose as he stared at her in mocking silence.

  She took a step back, forcing him to release her arms. Her voice lost any
hint of friendliness when she spoke again. “Look, I said I was sorry,” she snapped. “It’s not like I did it on purpose. Besides, what do you expect when you’re lurking behind someone like that?”

  His jaw clenched and released.

  She didn’t even bother to hold back her smirk, sincerely glad now that she had spilled her drink on the jerk. Telling herself to relax and not cause a scene, she tried a different approach. “How ’bout I buy you a drink?” Bella suggested, trying to shake off her annoyance. “Then, we can call it even.”

  “The drinks are free,” he replied in that same icy tone. “Besides, are you even of age to be drinking?”

  Bella’s eyes widened, and she gasped softly.

  What the hell?

  Even though she was twenty-nine, she was used to people assuming that she was younger based on her petite stature. Hell, that was putting it politely. At five-foot-three, she was considered short, but she was also curvy in all the right places. In her killer, sexy bronze dress that hugged those curves, no one could mistake her for anything less than a full-grown woman.

  Despite her lack of height, she was a small pack of dynamite when pissed. The condescending tone of the jerk standing in front of her had Bella’s Italian temper boiled to the surface.

  She would never, never let anyone talk to her like that again.

  Bella turned to a passing waiter and deposited her now half-empty glass in exchange for a full one. She fought the urge to toss the liquid in the man’s face, not wanting to waste more good champagne.

  Giving him the glare that had made entire kitchen staffs quake in fear, she hissed, “I was trying to be nice, you arrogant ass.”

  With that, she spun on her heel and walked away.

  CHAPTER TWO

  Jason MacBain despised money as only the rich could.

  Born to privilege from a wealthy family with an old lineage, Jason had never had what some would call an ordinary life. His father had always had the Midas touch when it came to financial matters, and he’d increased their sizable fortune as one of the founding partners of a large investment firm based in London.