Ritt
Page 11
His wife rarely had sex with him anymore, and it was always missionary wham-bam and done. And she hadn’t given him a blow-job since before their first child was born. He was lucky to get three lucks of his lollipop before she was done and left him hanging.
A man walked into the coffee shop and ordered a black coffee. He walked past, and Dix waited for the tinkle of the bells hanging from the door handle as the man left. Instead, he pulled out the chair across from Dix and sat as if they were old friends, and had a standing Saturday morning coffee date.
Dix stared at the man. Young. Late twenties, early thirties. Approximately six-feet tall, maybe taller—hard to be specific from a sitting position. Dark blonde hair. Light gray eyes. Round face. Bulbous nose. Almost non-existent chin. Russian.
“Do you mind if I join you?” The young man asked.
“Have we met?” Dix asked.
“No, but I’m here to remedy that, if you’ll allow me.” He blew on his coffee and took a tentative sip. “Nikolai Stepanov.” He extended his hand across the table.
“And why do I give a shit about you, Nikolai?”
A smile slid across the kid’s face. A shiver traveled down Dix’s spine and sat heavy on his tailbone. “We have a mutual enemy.” He pulled a photo from inside of his jacket and slid it over to Dix.
Riley Bray was walking along the National Mall. He’d heard she was back in town. Had not only managed to avoid suspicion of being a mole, but had ruined Dix in the process.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He pushed the photo back toward Stepanov.
“Our former associate, Andrew Kelly, told us you were creating quite a stir around Ms. Bray in Amman. Accused her of being a spy for ISIS. She was able to avoid those charges. Made you ineligible for a promotion. We also know she has since become a distinguished analyst within the CIA. Aren’t you curious about what she is doing now?”
Dix stared at him. He wasn’t about to give this fucker any information.
Stepanov smiled and slid the photo back over to him. “Perhaps you did not recognize the man she is with?”
Dix glanced at the photo. His heart pounded and a dull thump beat at the base of his skull. Knight. He hadn’t recognized him in civilian clothes.
So, the commander and Bray were hanging out on personal time. Probably sleeping together, too. He should’ve known the cunt would spread wide for the Navy SEAL. Slut.
“Our sources seem to believe Ms. Bray was able to procure the position you were vying for.”
Red blurred Dix’s vision. He shook with anger. His hands balled into fists on the tabletop. The fucking bitch. She was going to pay. Somehow…he didn’t know how, but Dix would do whatever he could to make sure Riley Bray was taken down. Or taken out. Either would do just fine.
“I see from your expression that you’re upset about this new…alliance.”
Dix glared at the man. “What the fuck do want?”
“We want to help you.”
“Help me what?”
“Get the revenge you so obviously seek.”
Dix stared at the man. He should get up, walk out, and report the visit to his new boss. He caught sight of the picture on the table. Knight and Bray strolling along the mall without a care in the world. Their fucking lives were perfect.
His sucked.
“How?” He asked.
Stepanov grinned and leaned back in his chair. “We need to know what Knight is doing these days. There is no record of where he is currently assigned. What do you know about the position you were being considered for?”
“They never told me. Highly covert. Said I would be read-in once I got the spot. Not even my bosses know anything about it.”
Stepanov placed an envelope on the table. Dix stared at it. Stepanov gestured for him to open it.
A stack of one hundred dollars bills were nestled inside. Had to be at least ten thousand dollars. Fuck me.
“We would like for you to find out whatever you can regarding this mysterious unit, and anyone involved with it. You can consider that incentive, and expect to see more in the future.” Stepanov drained his coffee cup and stood. “Much more.”
Dix shoved the envelope inside his coat and zipped it. A dark cloud shrouded him. He was dealing with the devil and about to cross over into hell. “How will I contact you?”
“Your contact will be Alina Sokolov. She will reach out to you.” The Russian walked out without another word.
Dix left the coffee shop and walked toward his home. For the first time in weeks he felt in control of his life. Had a purpose. And could see success in his future.
And the downfall of Riley Bray, Commander Knight, and all those who had taken everything away from him. They would pay.
They would all pay…dearly.
The End
Acknowledgments
Every book is a labor of love, but the best love stories have their share of ups and downs. What gets an author through the bumps and bruises of producing a story and characters people will fall in love with are the many helping hands, shoulders to cry on, and kicks in the asses along the way. Big thanks go to my sprinting buddies, Melinda, Selena, Jill, and Kendra, who motivate me to keep my behind in the chair and fingers on the keyboard. The team at Buoni Amici Press, who handle, well—everything that involves marketing my books and getting them into readers hands. A special shout out to Drue Hoffman, PA extraordinaire, who is also the best cover designer and artist out there. My covers are epic. My editor, MJ Price, who has stopped asking me how soon I need something back and assumes everything is in “rush” status. To my family and friends who continue to support me in my dreams. To all the bloggers and reviewers who read, review, and talk about my books, a big warm, fuzzy hug to you. Most of all, thanks to all the readers who buy my books. I am nothing without you.
About the Author
Born and raised in the Rocky Mountains, Anne L. Parks has spent the last 28 years moving all over the United States. Married to the Navy – well a Commander in the Navy – Parks has lived in various locales throughout the United States. She currently resides in the Washington D.C area. When not writing, she spends her time reading, doing yoga, mountain biking, and keeping track of four kids and a very spoiled rescue German Shepherd. And drinking wine.
Author of nine novels (Tri-Stone Trilogy, Return To Me series, and Strangers) and four novellas that have been published in anthologies, she loves to create stories with mystery, plenty of twists and turns, and loaded with suspense.
With a military husband, it was only a matter of time before she broke into the military romantic suspense genre, where she feels right at home amongst highly trained, somewhat jaded, ready to take out terrorists alpha males and the strong, brave women who love them. Parks first military romance, MIA, went to #1 on Amazon’s Kindle World. Thirteen more books will be released in her new series The 13. Two other series are being planned.
Also by Anne L. Parks
The 13 Series
•Mia
•Ritt
KW Novella’s
•Conrad - Brotherhood Protectors
The Return Series
•The Return
•Return To Newport
•Lauren’s Return
•Returning Home
•RSVP
The Tri-Stone Trilogy
•Of Demons & Stones
•Revenge
•Vindication
Stand Alone’s & Anthologies
•Strangers
•Retribution, A Silent Cove Novel
•Celebrate - A Love Brothers Anthology (No longer available)
•Elementals (No longer available)
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