Dominant Deception [Black Ops Brotherhood 3] (Siren Publishing Classic)

by Bella Juarez

  “Take it off,” Jack heard Rafe say.

  The hood was yanked from Jack’s head and he slowly opened his eyes, allowing himself time to adjust to the bright light. Before he could, he experienced a sharp blow to his solar plexus knocking the air from him. He fought for air and before he could catch his breath the attacker landed a blow to his left rib cage. He was thankful he didn’t feel his ribs crack. He composed himself and looked at Rafe, who was staring at him nose to nose.

  “Hello, Rock. Surprised to see me? Anna was,” Rafe said.

  Jack said nothing as he focused his eyes directly ahead.

  “Come on, Rock. I know the drill. I went through SERE, too. This isn’t an interrogation. Just a friendly chat between dive buddies,” Rafe said.

  Jack remained silent.

  “Anna and I have been having a nice little chat. We’ve even come to an understanding, and she wants to see you. So she can say good-bye,” Rafe said.

  “Leave her alone, Rafe. She doesn’t know anything anymore,” Jack said.

  “That’s where you’re wrong, Rock. Anna is the secret to life. Didn’t you feel it? When you were fucking her,” Rafe snarled.

  “She doesn’t know anything. It’s me you want. Let her go,” Jack said.

  “No, Rock. Anna knows everything. You’re right about one thing. I do want you because you took everything from me.”

  Jack resumed his stare at the wall. He’d been expecting this for some time. What he didn’t expect was for Anna to be in the middle of danger, again. Rafe walked behind him and landed a blow to his kidneys. He let his mind go blank. He couldn’t concentrate on the pain he was experiencing. He had to focus on surviving long enough to get out and direct the teams who had been watching Rafe since JJ discovered he was still alive. If Cobra and Mac had gotten their shit together, the teams should’ve been able to track him and already be getting into position. He hoped the snipers had found places to line up their shots and take Rafe down once and for all. He regained his breathing and opened his eyes, focusing on the wall.

  “You took my promotion,” Rafe said as he landed a blow to Jack’s ribs. “You took my command.” he punched Jack in the kidneys once more. “You took my woman,” Rafe said, punching Jack again. “I told you I saw her first.”

  “You’re out of your fucking mind, Rafe.”

  “Maybe,” Rafe said in Jack’s ear. “But I’m a rich crazy bastard. By the way, I was Badass’s shooter. Too bad I was out of practice. He’s been a real pain in the ass,” he taunted. “Bring her in, Doc.”

  “Badass is still fucking things up,” Alex said as he passed Jack.

  Jack centered himself and remained expressionless. Alex had been the mole that was pivotal in bringing Rafe out of the shadows. Alex, Jack, and JJ had all been working to get Rafe to finally show his hand. Right now Alex was in just as much peril as Jack. If Rafe figured out before they were able to stop him that Alex had been playing double agent, Rafe would kill him without hesitation. Jack separated the pain in his body from his concentration on the cuffs he was working. Unfortunately, Rafe knew all the tricks. Most people would give a little wiggle room. There was no room. Whoever had cuffed him had put the cuffs over the sleeve of his shirt. Jack had been trying to work the material out from the metal. He might’ve enough room to escape. Anna walked into the room and Jack saw her worried expression so he subtly shook his head. She understood the gesture and didn’t let concern for Jack show any longer. Even though she didn’t know what was really happening here, she knew Jack and always understood so much without having to be told. Her face went impassive.

  “Anna, I’m killing Jack because he’s been a pain in my ass for years. You have a choice. You can die with him or you can come with me. What do you want to do?” Rafe asked.

  Anna looked from Jack to Rafe as if considering her options. Jack watched the smart calculating chess player come out. Anna was about to make a move no one would ever forget. She smiled sweetly and walked to Rafe. She crooked her finger and motioned for him to come closer. Rafe bent to her and Anna locked her mouth onto his. She kissed him and Jack could see Rafe melt under her spellbinding kiss. The girl can kiss. Jack watched as Anna ran her hand over Rafe’s chest and over his hips. She broke momentarily and looked at Jack.

  “Sorry, Jack, I’m not doing the dying gig anytime soon,” Anna said.

  That statement suddenly concerned Jack because she’d signaled to him she would put herself in between Rafe and Jack. Rafe smiled and put his arm around Anna, pulling her close. Jack looked away. I’ve got to get the fuck out of this, now!

  “I guess you’ve made your decision.” Rafe smiled.

  “Yes, I have,” Anna confirmed.

  “Good-bye, Rock,” Rafe said.

  “I want to leave Jack with a message before I go,” she said.

  Anna coughed slightly and walked to Jack. She reached back and solidly slapped him across the face. Rafe’s surprise gave way to a wide grin.

  “I’ve always wanted to see you tied up,” Anna seductively said.

  Anna bent and came nose to nose with Jack. She grabbed his face roughly and kissed him.

  “Okay,” Rafe growled.

  “Checkmate,” Anna whispered.

  “Kill him, Alex, and then meet us outside,” Rafe said as he put his arm around Anna and left.

  Jack watched the pair walk out of the room and heard a large metal door open.

  “Alex. Come here,” Jack called.

  “I need to get these fucking cuffs off. He’ll come back and I don’t have a key!” Alex said frustrated.

  “Alex, give me your hand!”

  “What?”

  “Hold out your hand,” Jack commanded.

  Alex placed his hand out and Jack spat the key into his open palm.

  “What the fuck! How did you get the key?” Alex asked, working the lock and freeing Jack.

  Jack’s body screamed in pain when he moved. Alex was working the fastening of the ropes to untie Jack’s feet.

  “You didn’t see that? She picked his pockets like a pro,” Jack said. “I keep telling you motherfuckers, you don’t know my wife.” He groaned as he stood.

  “Fuck me! I guess not,” Alex said.

  “We’ve got to get the hell out of here. She’ll try something with him. I know Anna. She won’t give up that easy and she won’t get in a vehicle with him,” Jack said.

  Alex fired three shots into the wall and led Jack into the warehouse where he’d stashed some weapons. Alex glanced at his watch. Bravo and Lima teams should be arriving any second. Alex and Jack separated as Alex walked out into the open to meet Rafe at the car. Anna and Rafe were waiting.

  “What the fuck took you so long?” Rafe demanded.

  “I had to get my licks in, too, Whiskey.” Alex shrugged.

  “Is he dead?” Rafe asked.

  “As dead as he can be.” Alex said.

  “He better be,” Rafe snarled as he opened the car door. “Get in, Anna.”

  Anna hesitated for a moment, and it was just the opportunity the sniper needed. Only Rafe moved suddenly and slammed Anna to the ground. He looked around. He knew a bullet when he heard one. He stood, grabbed Anna, and started running down the pier that followed the shoreline along the docks of the waterfront.

  Jack could hear hurried footsteps coming toward him. He wasn’t certain if they were friendly or not. So he waited and watched. He heard a second set that stopped suddenly and shuffled. Jack slowed his breathing and scanned the area. He watched as Rafe came into view and one of the young SEALs stepped out of the shadows and fired. Rafe was faster. He dropped the young SEAL before he moved. Jack stepped out of the shadows. Rafe let Anna go with the momentary distraction.

  “It’s over Rafe,” Jack called.

  “I’ll kill her, Rock, and I’ll do it in front of you!” Rafe taunted.

  Rafe and Jack were at a standoff, both pointing weapons at one another. In the distance, Jack could see Alex coming for them with weapons drawn
, but he’d lost sight of Anna. He just needed to hold off Rafe for a few more seconds for his sniper to readjust. Jack heard four successive shots and Rafe dropped facedown onto the concrete dock. Jack looked around. Alex was now running toward Jack with his service pistol drawn.

  Jack regained sight of Anna as she lowered a gun and held it out to the side away from her. She’d fired the shots. Alex took the gun, which she’d apparently picked up when the fallen young SEAL had dropped. Alex wrapped her in his arms, turning her away from the scene. She walked away from Alex and stopped at the water’s edge. The young SEAL who had fallen was able to get up thanks to his tactical vest. Alex looked at Jack and walked away. Jack walked to Anna and put his hands on her shoulders, gently rubbing them.

  “I’m not burying another husband,” Anna said.

  Chapter 49

  Randolph Air Force Base, Texas

  US Naval Special Warfare Group Five

  Office of the Commander

  December 7, 2008/1337 Zulu

  Jack, Dixie, Mac, Alex, and Lieutenant Commander Corbin sat around the conference table in Jack’s office. Dixie was being briefed on what had transpired at Ingleside Amphibious Base the previous night. He sat back and listened, never asking any questions. He’d seen some really bizarre shit during his time in special operations, but this by far had taken the cake. Rafe Wilson had had the world at his feet and it still wasn’t enough.

  JJ was currently working with MI-6 in London to figure out what kind of damage had been done with Rafe’s betrayal. Jack had suspected for some time he had a bad apple in his organization and JJ had confirmed it was Rafe back in June. They’d been working since then to take Rafe down. When Rafe ended up dead, they thought their problem had ended but in reality it had just begun.

  “Why did he want Anna?” Dixie finally asked.

  “Her body, and not in a good way,” Alex said.

  “And just what was he supposed do with that?” Dixie asked.

  “While Anna was in the hospital, we treated her with an experimental antibiotic. The antibiotic had nanobots added to the medication. It learns the good from the bad and kills diseases that infect the body. When he had them lace the bullet and she survived, he wanted to find out why. That’s when he approached me,” Alex said.

  “His plan was to infiltrate that bacteria he got from Pakistan into some kind of supply line that the military uses. I’m not sure how he planned on doing that. But we need to be on the lookout. He wasn’t doing this alone, and I don’t think his people are done. I know this goes further up. We just couldn’t figure out how far. He was pretty confident he could really make an impact because at the time there was no known treatment for the bacteria. We accidentally stumbled on it with Anna,” Jack said.

  “So does anyone know why he got involved with these guys? Why would he do this? He had everything,” Dixie said.

  “I don’t know exactly. The only thing I can think of is money because he sure was throwing a lot around,” Alex said.

  “JJ’s still working in it with Mick, Dixie,” Jack said.

  “So the computer virus was a distraction?” Dixie asked.

  “No, the computer virus was stealing medical and hospital records. Dan is still trying to figure out just what the damage is,” Mac said.

  “Dixie, we don’t need to put Rafe’s family through anything more, do we?” Lieutenant Commander Corbin asked.

  “No, they think they buried him. Let it stay that way. They’ve been through enough. Lord knows the last thing a sitting congressman needs is a scandal. Especially one that’s on our side. We need more like him up there. We buried someone they didn’t know at sea,” Dixie said.

  All of the men gathered around the table thought about the funeral that Commander Rafe Wilson was given at Arlington National Cemetery. Commander Wilson had been buried with honors. A burial at sea was the only compassionate thing to do for the integrity of the organization and most of all Rafe’s family. The man buried at sea hadn’t been the “Whiskey” they knew.

  “How are Anna’s folks, Jack?” Dixie asked.

  “They’re back to normal. Although, I think the next time Anna’s grandpa gets a hold of her, he’ll turn her over his knee,” Jack said as a smile slowly spread over his face.

  Dixie chuckled. “Why’s that?”

  “When she saw Rafe she locked them in a well house to keep them safe. That old man wasn’t happy about Anna putting herself in danger or about being bested by his little princess,” Jack said.

  The men around the table let out a light laughter.

  “Rock, you better watch your ass with Anna. I’ve seen her in action. I think she’s smarter than you are,” Alex warned. “What did she say to you? Checkmate?”

  “I know how to handle my wife, Alex. We’ve got a long game of chess going on,” Jack said.

  Alex went to the cabinet where Jack stored his bottle of scotch and took out six glasses. He took the bottle of Glenfiddich 21 that Jack kept for toasts after a successful mission. Alex set up the glasses and poured a round for all in the room.

  “The only easy day was yesterday,” Dixie said, lifting his glass.

  “Hoorah!” the men toasted.

  Chapter 50

  Randolph Air Force Base, Texas

  Field Grade Officer Housing

  December 8, 2008/0243 Zulu

  Anna put the finishing touches on Jack’s birthday cake. She heard the garage door open and scurried around the kitchen finishing his birthday meal. He’d made a request for dinner, pasta primavera and a Bacardi rum cake. She’d been cooking for him for the last three hours. Everything had been prepared from scratch, including the pasta. She heard him enter the kitchen.

  “Smells good!” Jack exclaimed.

  “Happy birthday!” Anna said.

  Jack gathered Anna in his arms and kissed her cheek. She ran her hands over the rough camouflaged material of his uniform as he took off his hat and put it on her. He kissed her fully this time and the loose hat tumbled to the floor.

  “What’s for dinner?” Jack asked.

  “What did you ask me to make?” Anna quipped.

  Jack picked Anna up and seated her on the island in the middle of the kitchen.

  “Be careful, you’ll ruin the cake,” Anna warned.

  “I’ll slather that cake all over you and eat it off.” Jack lightly bit Anna’s neck.

  “I have a present for you.”

  “You gave me a present, remember,” Jack said, looking at her.

  “Nope, I’m collaring you this time,” Anna said with an evil smile.

  “I ain’t nobody’s puppy, baby,” Jack said.

  “I don’t want a puppy. I want the pit bull that needs a chain, not a leash,” Anna said seductively.

  Anna shifted and reached into the pocket of her jeans. She took Jack’s left hand and slipped a ring on his finger. Jack looked at it and smiled. She could tell by the look on his face when he saw it he loved it. It was a metal wedding band plated in black rhodium. The ring had five black diamonds in a channel setting on the front. The ring reflected Jack’s rough nature and artistic uniqueness all at once.

  “Do you like it?” Anna asked.

  “Yes, baby. I’ve never seen anything like this.”

  “It was made for you. Happy birthday,” Anna said with a smile.

  “I’ve got a confession to make, Anna.”

  “What’s that?”

  “You remember the other day when I asked you where the Q-tips were?”

  “Yes.”

  Jack pulled Anna close. “I found your vibrator,” he whispered in her ear. He felt her stiffen and heard a little squeak. “Is that how you take care of yourself when I’m gone?”

  “Ja…” Anna choked.

  “You know what I really want for my birthday?” Jack asked seductively.

  “Oh! No!” Anna said, recovering.

  Jack chuckled wickedly. “I want to play with you and your toy.”

  “No way!” Anna said, t
rying to back away from Jack.

  He had her trapped. There was no escape off that little island or through Jack.

  “Come on, baby, it’s my birthday. One little special treat. Something different,” Jack coaxed.

  “Oh, Jack!” Anna groaned as she buried her head in his chest.

  Jack lifted Anna’s chin and she avoided eye contact. He’d caught her completely off guard with the revelation of his discovery. He stopped his teasing.

  “Anna, it’s okay. Don’t be embarrassed. I understand. I’m just teasing,” Jack said. Anna looked at him. “I love you and if it embarrasses you, I’ll stop,” he said gently.

  “Can we at least have dinner? And then we’ll talk about your little wish?”

  * * * *

  Anna watched Jack eat like a dying man. He’d been with Dixie since Friday afternoon when Dixie’s plane landed in Corpus Christi. She hadn’t seen him on Saturday. He’d come home long enough to sleep and kiss her good-bye this morning. When he worked liked this, she knew he wasn’t eating right if he ate at all. He would eat a protein bar and wash it down with a bottle of water.

  This had been a weekend from hell. Anna was thankful her grandparents were safe. They were pissed at her, but she’d rather have that than the alternative. She knew her grandparents had a million questions about Jack, and she would deal with it when the time came.

  Anna briefly thought about Rafe and the awful sense of dread she had when she saw him pointing a gun at Jack. It was a horrible feeling to kill something, especially another human being. She felt she had no alternative when she took the gun from the young SEAL lying on the ground. Jack and Alex had told her that she hadn’t killed Rafe. A sniper hidden somewhere had fired the fatal shot.

  Jack roused her from her thoughts.

  “Anna, baby, did you hear me?” Jack asked.

  “I’m sorry what was that?”

  “Can you cut me a piece of cake?”