Targeted: Newlywed Navy Seals Risk It All! (Truth and Lies Series Book 1)

by Pinki Parks

  The dishes clinked against the sink as Anna cleared the table. Tristan hurried over to the sink and pressed his lips against her temple. “I’ve gotta get going. I’ve got a busy week ahead of me.”

  A look of disappointment flashed across Anna’s face before she replaced it with a mask of calm. She nodded and said, “Of course,” she leaned towards him until only he could hear her, “maybe you should walk Justine back to her place. She seemed really excited to talk to you.”

  Tristan sighed and said, “Goodnight, Mom.” He walked past Mateo and waved goodbye, “See you next week, Dad.”

  Mateo nodded, his long legs were already stretched out onto the sofa. His fingers were wrapped around the remote control. Tristan pulled his coat off of the coat rack, the floorboards creaked as Justine moved towards the door. There was a pale pink jacket that had been hanging off of one of the lower prongs on the coat rack. She grabbed her coat and slipped it over her shoulders, she smiled as she said, “I’m heading out too.”

  Tristan nodded and opened the door, he tossed one more goodbye over his shoulders. Justine followed him out into the hall and the sound of her ballet flats smacking against the floor were the only sound for a few seconds.

  Justine cleared her throat and said, “Tristan?”

  Tristan turned his head to look at her. Justine stood at the top of the staircase and crossed her arms. He knew that Justine was a few years older than him, and a late bloomer by every measure, but she couldn’t have looked more like a little girl in that moment.

  “Yeah, Justine?”

  “Can we get coffee sometime?” She smiled, her dark rimmed eyes crinkled in the corner. A small dot of mascara or eyeliner sat just beneath her eye.

  Tristan’s heart fell into his stomach as he parted his lips to reply. The air crackled as the whine of a pop song that had been playing on repeat on the radio all week started playing. Justine gasped and slipped her hand into her back pocket, she frowned and smiled apologetically as she said, “I’m so sorry, this is one of my girlfriends from across town. I think her boyfriend’s been messing around, and she’s finally ready to accept it. I’ve got to be there for her.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.” Tristan turned on his heel and hurried towards the front door. The door slammed shut just as Justine’s high-pitched voice escaped outside just as he did, “Ellen, Ellen, calm down, it’s one asshole. You know how many assholes I’ve gone out with?”

  Tristan shivered as he strolled towards the subway. It’s a pleasure to not be the next asshole.

  Chapter 6

  Ava pressed her fingertips against her aching temples. Her eyes trailed from the fine lines on the spreadsheet on the screen in front of her, and to the glass that separated her office from Valeria’s desk. Over the last two days, she’d taken eight meetings with the outcome of a new deal riding on each one, fielded several non-work-related calls from Mr. Bell, and drank herself silly in the evening. It had been a little over a year since she’d had a true hangover, the last time that her body held onto the events of the night before was the Christmas party that she hosted for her team and a few close associates.

  Valeria doesn’t need to know that I got a little crazy with the scotch last night. But someone was going to have to make the trip to the pharmacy. The child strength pain reliever that Valeria kept tucked away into her desk would only take her migraine from a nearly incapacitating earthquake behind her eyes to a dull roar in the back of her head and neck. Ava sighed and pushed her chair out, she swung her legs to the side and massaged her legs through her sheer stockings.

  Besides, if I ask Valeria to go and pick up some meds from the pharmacy, she’s going to think that I’ve been out on a date. Ava sighed and rose to her feet. A bolt of pain shot through her temples. Ava clenched her jaw as she went about putting one foot in front of the other until she reached the door to her office.

  Faint perfume scent filled the air as Valeria finished spraying herself. Her head was bent and her finger trailed each line of text on the contract that sat in front of her.

  Ava cupped her hand against her forehead and said, “I’m going to take an early lunch,” she tilted her watch towards her and the hour hand hovered over the 11.

  Valeria’s head snapped up, and she threw her hand against her chest. “Oh, okay. You don’t want me to go and pick up your lunch order?”

  Ava shook her head. “No, it’s fine. I need the fresh air.” She hurried towards the stairs and Valeria’s voice called out after her, “I’m glad you’re getting out!” Ava turned and waved, “have those contracts on my desk by the time I get back.”

  Ava offered what she hoped was her most convincing smile and hurried down the steps. She nodded hello to employees on the first floor and sported a tight-lipped smile as her palm smacked against the glass of the front door. The cold air soothed her skin, she exhaled as she stepped onto the sidewalk.

  Her eyes looked straight ahead as she maneuvered around a group of high school students, she kept her eyes to the ground just as, “Hey, are you interested in buying some homemade jewelry?” hit her ears.

  Please tell me it’s open today. For years, she’d noticed the family owned pharmacy that was two doors down from Kellers. She remembered seeing the shop lights dimmed and the roll down gate pulled down on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and just about every other day that it seemed inopportune to close for business.

  Ava hurried past Keller’s and her eyes lit up as they landed on the illuminated store window of the pharmacy. Just above her head, red letters formed the words: Brimner’s Pharmacy. The B flickered incessantly, and Ava kept her eyes to the ground as she pulled the door open.

  An older man’s back, completely cloaked in white, was to the door as she stepped inside. She marched across the cheap carpet and breathed, “Thank God,” as her hands closed around a box of extra strength, severe pain relievers.

  She approached the counter, and gently set the box in between herself and the older man. Ava frowned, and cleared her throat, “Hello?”

  The man turned his head slightly and grinned. “Hello! You’re my first customer today.”

  Ava smiled and pulled her wallet out of her purse before pointing at the orange and white box of pain meds. “What do I owe you?”

  The man licked his lips and Ava’s eyes fell to the snow colored beard that covered his jaw. His wrinkled hands closed around the box, and he said. “Normally, you’d owe me $10.84, but since you’re such a pretty lady, I’ll give it to you for $7.”

  The pain of the migraine faded briefly and Ava waved her hand, “No, I’ll pay full price.”

  The man shook his head and said, “Nope, you’ll take a special discount. Just in case you don’t have a fella in your life to do nice things for you.”

  Can people smell the loneliness on me? Ava’s polite grin faded for a moment before she said, “No, really, I’ll pay full price. I don’t need-”

  The man leaned forward and smiled. His eyes were bright with laughter as he said, “Every woman needs a man to treat her nicely. I’m just trying to make your day a little brighter, if you haven’t already found a man to do it.”

  Ava held her hands up before handing her credit card over to the clerk. “You know what? Fine. Thank you for the discount.”

  “No problem.” He tucked the box into a small white bag and pushed it towards the edge of the counter. Ava snatched it off of the counter and waved goodbye. She shook her head as she stepped onto the sidewalk. That was weird. As a successful business woman, she dealt with these kinds of remarks all the time. But never from a complete stranger.

  Her stomach groaned and the smell of freshly roasted, Italian coffee beans snaked into her nostrils. Ava put her palm onto her stomach and grinned. She tucked her pharmacy bag into her purse and hurried to Keller’s. The entrance overflowed with men in suits and women with their eyes glued to their phone screens.

  “Excuse me, pardon me,” Ava mumbled as she slipped inside of t
he restaurant. She got in line behind a tall man that smelled like he’d just stepped out of the shower. Ava inhaled, she’d always loved the smell of shower gel and aftershave, especially after it had been cemented into her sheets and pillows.

  A familiar voice said, “Uh, I’ll try a triple shot mocha, make those shots strong, please.”

  Ava’s eyes widened, and she leaned forward, “T-Tristan?”

  Tristan turned his head; a light coat of stubble lined his cheeks. The addition of facial hair and the suit that he wore added years to his face. He grinned and said, “This is all your fault.” He jerked his thumb towards the barista.

  Ava blinked and asked, “What’s my fault?”

  Tristan chuckled and said, “No, you’ve got me hooked on Keller’s coffee. I just left my last class for the day, and it was all that I could think about during Professor Black’s lecture.”

  Before she could respond, Tristan turned around and said, “I’ll have another one of the same drink, I’m grabbing her drink too.”

  Her skin warmed as the barista smiled and wrote the order down. “You don’t have to do that.”

  Tristan’s smile sent a wave of want throughout her body. “It’s fine. I want to.” He lifted one of his larger hands and squeezed her shoulder before pulling his wallet out of his coat pocket. Tristan was wearing the same navy-blue pea coat from the other day, and there wasn’t a crease or wrinkle that could be seen on it. He took care of everything that he owned, and he cared about how he presented himself to the world. Ava had seen men his age wander around in half washed jeans and stained t-shirts when she was in college, and unfortunately, she had the misfortune of seeing a few ex boyfriends in the same outfit.

  Ava pushed a loose strand of hair back and pressed it flat against her scalp. Tristan smirked and pointed at the register, “You hungry? Can I get you something to eat?”

  “That’s really not necessary-”

  “Come on,” he said, “It’s nearly lunch time. I know you have to eat.” His gaze was penetrating, and Ava turned her head towards the swirly letters on the blackboard to the right of her. “Fine,” she said, “I’ll take a chocolate croissant.”

  “And one chocolate croissant.”

  Tristan collected their coffee and handed the croissant to Ava. The smell of warmed chocolate elicited a groan from Ava’s stomach. She crossed her arms over her mid-section and moved towards the exit.

  Tristan lingered beside her and said, “Are you off to work?”

  Ava’s footsteps slowed, and she took a sip of her coffee. “Yes. I’ve got a lot to get back to,” she turned her head and peered down the street in front of her. “Thank you for the coffee.”

  Tristan’s hand reached out to stop her and slightly brushed her coat with the tip of his fingers. “Going back already?”

  Ava leaned against the glass window of Keller’s. She shrugged and said, “What else would I do?”

  “Take a walk, get some fresh air.”

  Ava chuckled and said, “I’m already in the fresh air.”

  “Come on and have your lunch in the park with me. It won’t take long.”

  Ava’s eyes trailed from the chiseled corner of Tristan’s jaw to his full lips, to Central Park. A woman bounced through the park with her ponytail jumping after her. The sound of a lap dog’s barking echoed in the distance. “I should really-”

  “You’re a busy woman. Can you even tell me the last time that you went for a walk in the park?”

  Ava opened her mouth, then closed it, then opened it again, “Shit.”

  Tristan raised one of his thin eyebrows, “Can’t remember?”

  Valeria knows I’m out on lunch. The contracts aren’t going to go anywhere if I leave them unattended for a little longer. Ava sighed and said, “I don’t have to work while I drink my coffee. Let’s walk.”

  Tristan grinned and replied, “Lead the way.”

  Ava paused and reached into her purse. She ripped her thumb across the seal of the pain relievers and popped the pills into her mouth. Ava followed Tristan across the street, and the crowded, gray sidewalks eventually gave way to the open, green park.

  Ava turned to Tristan and said, “It won’t be long before the whole thing is covered in snow for months.”

  Tristan smiled and said, “Yeah, my Mom and Dad used to come here all the time. Dad would bring me along and get a couple of hot dogs.”

  A couple breezed past them, the girl’s fingers were interlaced with her boyfriend’s. Their quick jaunt almost reminded Ava of a carefree skip. Ava took a sip of coffee and wiped her tongue across her lips. Tristan’s coffee cup dangled from his fingertips but his eyes were focused on Ava. They ran over the soft curve of her cheeks, and her bright green eyes. Tristan cleared his throat just as they approached a fork in the path.

  “So, how come you’re not married?”

  A river of strong coffee threatened to spill from Ava’s lips. She threw her hands against her mouth and formed a bright red seal with her top and bottom lip. Tristan laughed as Ava struggled to swallow her coffee. “What? You can’t just ask people that!”

  Tristan shrugged. “Of course, I can. Seriously, you’re sexy, successful, smart… nothing like the women I grew up around.”

  “Are you considering marrying me, Tristan?”

  “Maybe.” He was afraid to say yes and scare her off. Every fiber of his being wanted her. The more time he spent with her, the more he fell for her.

  “Let’s keep it at that. Maybe.”

  “I know I don’t have much to offer, but…” Tristan just didn’t know how to finish that sentence. Ava had everything and could get anything or anyone she wanted.

  “I’m not materialistic, you know. I’m just driven. And so are you, by the looks of it.”

  Tristan stopped and stared. He went back and forth between each eye as to not lose the stare. Every sign that showed he had the slightest chance with her, Tristan caught it and savored it.

  “You may be able to get any guy you want. But I want to make you want no one else but me.”

  Ava was at a lost for word for a moment. “I don’t think anyone has ever professed their intentions towards me like that before, Tristan. I don’t know what to say.” She stared back and after a few seconds, released a warm smile that truly came from her heart. She was touched and felt wanted for the first time in a long time. They broke eye contact for a moment and Ava could feel Tristan wanting to take her hand as they walked. He stayed close like a loving boyfriend would.

  “I don’t think love needs to be so conventional. And I know you are a forward thinker.”

  Ava paused for a brief moment and looked at him. That was the perfect thing to say to me. “I am.” She continued walking.

  Ava snorted, a cyclist zipped past them, and sent her hair flying in different directions. She groaned and lifted her free hand out of her pocket, the cold air whipped against her knuckles as she tried to press hair against her scalp.

  Tristan’s footsteps slowed and Ava froze as he smoothed her hair back into place. He scooped the hair against her neck until his fingertips grazed against her throat. Her heartbeat echoed in her ears. His hands feel so good.

  Tristan narrowed his eyes and raked his fingertips through her hair. “Your hair is beautiful. I heard that you were part Italian.”

  Has he been looking me up on the Internet? Ava slowly walked along the path and said, “Why do you ask?”

  He smirked and said, “You’ve got that pretty, coarse hair.”

  A warm feeling spread throughout Ava’s chest as a laugh fell past her lips, “Yeah? What do you know about Italian hair?”

  Tristan puffed out his chest in a way that made him seem like his age more than anything else about him. “Sono italiano!”

  Ava paused, a thin stream of chocolate colored coffee escaped from her coffee cup. “Parli italiano?”

  A sheepish grin replaced the proud smile that Tristan wore a moment before. H
e tilted his head back and said, “I only know about two phrases in Italian, I know that you speak at least three languages.”

  Four. Ava cupped her hands around her coffee cup, her nails pressed into the colorful plastic. “So, you’re Italian? Is that why you’ve been trying to get me to go on walks with you?”

  Tristan laughed and said, “Of course not. I’m not that traditional. Besides, if the Italian part mattered that much, how would that look to my Mexican father? What about him?”

  “Actually, I’m a mix, part Italian, part Brazilian and some Irish.”

  “That’s a killer combination. I mean, you look…” Tristan searched for words that wouldn’t offend her by being too forward. He didn’t want to throw compliments at her left and right, at least not just about her looks.

  Ava knew enough to jump in. Her eyes scanned his thick ashy hair and his tawny colored skin. “So, your mother is Italian?”

  Tristan shrugged and said, “You wouldn’t know it from looking at her. But, my grandfather is as Italian as they come.” His footsteps slowed, and he said, “When is the last time that you let someone cook you an Italian dinner?”

  Ava raised her eyebrows and said, “First, you appear out of the blue, asking to take me for walks. Now, you want to cook dinner for me?” She lowered her eyes to the pavement before returning them to Tristan’s dark eyes. “How come you aren’t putting this much energy into girls your own age? If you’ve looked up so much about me, you have to know hold old I am.”

  “I don’t know. I’m drawn to you. It’s like I can’t even help myself. All that other stuff, like age and job doesn’t even come to mind.” He smirked and swung his arm out towards her. His fingers hovered above her eyes, “There're years of experience in those eyes. And I know that with all those years of experience, you’ve learned how to not waste someone’s time.”

  I wish men had been this… captivating when I was in college. Maybe they were. Ava shook her head and said, “I’m thir-”