Dominant Deception [Black Ops Brotherhood 3] (Siren Publishing Classic) (35 page)

“Then please come in, Admiral,” Anna said.

The men at the door all looked in the direction of her voice. They stared at Anna.

“Please, gentlemen, come in. Jack and I were just sitting down for dinner, but there’s enough for everyone,” Anna said.

“I’m hungry.” JJ shrugged as he walked into the house.

The four sat down as Anna served them. It was a very tense meal as Jack and Dixie stared at each other the whole time. There was polite but edgy conversation as they ate. Anna wanted to say something, anything to end the silent pissing contest that was going on between Jack and his boss. The men left her alone to clear away the dishes after the meal was done

Anna walked into the living room, where they’d managed to move the furniture she had to Jack’s house. She lay down on the couch in front of the TV, cursing the remote she was still learning.

She awoke brushing away something that had touched her nose. She opened her eyes and Jack was smiling at her. She sat up slowly and winced at the pain in her shoulder. He took her hand and guided her upstairs to bed.

“You’re in trouble over me aren’t you?” Anna asked.

“No, baby, it was just a misunderstanding. Everyone’s on the same page now,” Jack said.

Anna wasn’t completely convinced as they slid into bed together. She didn’t have to know the contents of the conversation to know that Jack got his ass chewed for some reason having to do with her. She recalled how he’d told her the day she left the hospital how he would have to cut his ties with her. They got into their usual position, she on her side and Jack snuggled up close behind her. Anna turned around and faced him, careful with her sore shoulder.

“Anna baby, turn around, I know you’re hurting,” Jack said with a kiss to her nose.

“Jack…I’m sorry.”

Jack smiled slightly and caressed Anna’s face. As he tucked her hair behind her ear, he kissed her reassuringly. She was surprised at the depth of caring and sensitivity she saw in his emerald eyes. Jack never had to say much because he could always express his thoughts with just a look. Anna knew it was pointless to argue and he would never tell her what had been discussed.

“You’re my wife and I don’t give a damn what anyone thinks or says. You come first now in my life. Stop worrying and concentrate on getting well.”

Randolph Air Force Base, Texas

US Naval Special Warfare Group Five

Office of the Commander

October 3, 2008/1917 Zulu

Mac was briefing Rock on the last update from the NCIS unit out of Virginia. They finally had a break. Anna’s shooter had been arrested in Brownsville, Texas, near the border, and the accessory to the crime was being hunted down. They were reviewing the report at Jack’s conference table when Steve rushed in and interrupted.

“Sir, Colonel Spivey, the base commander, is here and wants to see you, sir,” Steve said.

Mac raised an eyebrow and looked at Jack as he smiled slightly.

“Are you expecting a visit?” Mac asked.

“No,” Jack said, shaking his head. He turned slightly to address Steve. “Okay, Friday, as soon as Mac walks out, send the colonel in. We’re almost finished.”

“He said ASAP, sir,” Steve said.

Jack faced Steve, giving him a sharp look.

“Are you expecting me to snap to, PO Montgomery? I will be just a minute. You’re dismissed,” Jack snapped.

“Aye, Captain,” Steve said, retreating.

Steve walked out and Jack returned to the report. They were involved in conversation when Colonel Spivey bullied his way into Jack’s office.

“You fucked up, jackass!” Spivey announced.

The pair seated at the table turned and stared a moment. Jack calmly turned to Mac and let out an exasperated sigh.

“Mac, take a break. I’ll call you when I’m ready to finish,” Jack said.

“Yes, sir,” Mac said as he rose to leave.

“Don’t they teach any customs and courtesies in the Navy, Chief? Don’t you know you’re supposed to get up and stand at attention when a colonel walks in the room?” Spivey taunted Mac as he walked past him.

Mac stopped and faced Colonel Spivey. Mac’s laughing blue eyes suddenly turned ice cold as he locked stares with Spivey.

“Close the door on your way out, Mac,” Jack said casually.

“Yes, sir,” Mac replied.

Mac walked out of the office, closing the door behind him.

“You and your men need a lesson in humility, O’Malley. And I’m about to hold class, starting with you,” Spivey said.

“Oh?” Jack simply asked.

“You really fucked up this time, and I’ll see your ass in Leavenworth before it’s all over,” Spivey taunted.

“Okay, Spivey, I’ve got things to do. Get to the point,” Jack said dismissively.

“Civilian. Female. Works for the 1427 Comm Group, on loan to you. Ring any bells?” Spivey asked as he charged the table Jack was sitting at.

“Are you referring to Anna Santiago?” Jack asked innocently.

“You ought to know her name. You’re fucking her, aren’t you?” Spivey demanded.

Jack’s demeanor suddenly grew dark as he looked at Colonel Spivey and gave him his full attention.

“Be careful with that, Spivey,” Jack warned.

“That’s just for starters. You also almost got her killed! Here, in this hangar, and didn’t report it to the security police. You’re making it so easy to hang you. Hell, and to think all it took was a piece of ass. You navy guys never do think with the right head.” Spivey laughed.

Jack had to fight the urge to flatten Spivey. He had a lovely vision of him snapping Spivey’s neck with his bare hands and it wouldn’t even take a minute. He decided to hear Spivey out before he figured out how he would dispose of the base commander’s body.

“I had a meeting yesterday with Colonel Jackson, remember him? You went to him and asked him to move your piece of ass so you could have better access to her. Let’s see, let’s just start with the fraternization part of all of this. I hear you even moved her into your house. That’s illegal. She has to be your spouse to move in, jackass!” Spivey charged.

Jack was getting angrier with each word Spivey uttered but let him continue. He was would enjoy burying Spivey when his turn came.

“Now let’s get to the whole NCIS episode you had going on here, as well as the reallocation of resources that you took upon yourself to do. You’re supposed to call the cops when something like that happens here! You fucked up this base for a month. You didn’t go through the chain of command and you allowed a civilian to get caught up in your bullshit here. Hell, I wouldn’t be surprised to find out that you morons were doing some kind of covert shit and she just happened to get in the way!” Spivey said laughing.

Jack couldn’t take anymore.

“You know something, Spivey, you’re fucking hilarious. I should’ve let my master chief stay just for the laughs,” Jack cut in.

“Fuck you. I have you and you know it. And another thing—” Spivey shouted, red faced.

“All right, asshole, you’ve spewed enough shit. Now it’s my turn so shut the fuck up and pay attention,” Jack said sharply, cutting him off again.

Spivey went silent. Jack’s tone left no room for disobedience.

“Even though I don’t have to explain shit to you, I’m giving you the rest of the story. Anna Santiago doesn’t work for the Air Force anymore. She was reassigned two weeks after she was put on loan. And she doesn’t work for me either, dumbass. She worked for SOCOM. And fucking SOCOM was paying her salary, so she wasn’t your concern or Jackson’s. The project she was working on is classified, so was the fact that she was reassigned. It was designed that way for her safety. Thank you, now I know where this all came from and why they decided to try and take her out. There was only one person outside this organization that knew what was going on. Colonel Jackson. So if he’s running his damn mouth to you, you both are in deep shit right now.
Operational security.
Look up the fucking definition! You fucking Air Force assholes need to learn how to keep your mouth shut!” Jack charged.

“Bullshit! And who the fuck are
they
?” Spivey yelled.

“None of your fucking business! As for the rest of the shit that happened it’s also classified, and you and your people don’t have a need to know. Your general was briefed. That’s all the information you need,” Jack snapped. Spivey looked away nervously and Jack could tell he was backing down. He came almost nose to nose with Spivey. “I’ll tell you something else, Spivey. That
piece of ass
that you keep referring to
is
my wife. I’m only telling you this once.
Back-the-fuck-off.
And leave her out of this.” He growled.

“You were fucking her long before that.”

“My
wife
and I are none of your business. You need to watch it, Spivey.
This
is personal. You ever say anything like that about her again I’ll snap you in two,” Jack warned. Spivey backed away. “Now get the fuck out of my office before I lose it and throw your useless ass through the fucking hangar wall!”

“Yeah, jackass, you don’t do your own dirty work anymore.”

“Don’t tempt me, Spivey. In your case it wouldn’t be dirty work. It would be fun and easy to do.”

Jack walked toward his desk and seated himself behind it. Spivey wasn’t worth the effort, he decided.

“You haven’t heard the last of me, jackass,” Spivey said as he started to walk out. “You fucked up somewhere here. And when I get you so you can’t get out, I’ll be there for the hanging.”

“Good luck with that.”

* * * *

Jack entered the kitchen and inhaled deeply because what he smelled was quickly becoming his favorite scent, fresh-baked bread. As he took off his heavy BDU uniform top he watched Anna scurry around the kitchen. She hadn’t heard him walk into the house. They had found their groove and fallen into a routine. It was hard to believe it had been a whole month because the days seemed to pass so easily. Since finding the shooter and moving in on the target, he was starting to release the grip he had on her freedom. She’d started job hunting again and he’d managed to talk her into going back to cooking instead of computers for a living.

“Hey, you’re home early,” Anna commented.

“I’m going out with Mac and a friend who’s coming in from Coronado tonight,” Jack said, kissing Anna lightly.

“Really, I don’t recall you asking permission to go out tonight.”

“I’ll be in the garage. I’m expecting something and I want to make room for it.” Jack turned to walk out of the kitchen.

“Jack…come back here…”

“Gotta go, baby. Got lots to do,” Jack said, never looking back.

Jack busied himself combining and throwing away boxes that they had retrieved from Anna’s storage rooms. It didn’t seem like a very long time and it was a mild day. He didn’t see the truck pull up into the drive way.

“Christ! You’re
still
a captain and not in jail,
yet
?” a gruff voice asked behind him.

Jack smiled and turned.

“JJ, did Dixie finally let you retire? What will he do without you? With all that bullshit you’ve been pulling what did you finally get out as, PO3?” Jack asked innocently.

“Fuck you. Congress made me a chief and only Congress can take it away,” JJ said as he extended his hand.

The two men shook hands heartily.

“I’ll piss on Dixie’s Benz for you on my last day,” JJ said.

Jack laughed out loud.

“Is that your idea of a going-away present?” Jack asked.

“Don’t you have any manners? I thought I raised you better than that,” the old chief reprimanded.

Jack walked to the outside fridge and took out a beer.

“Would you like a beer, Chief?” Jack asked.

“That’s better,” JJ said as he took the bottle and twisted open the cap. Taking a long swallow, he said, “Damn! That’s good beer.”

“Where’s my baby?” Jack questioned.

JJ smiled and looked behind Jack. “I think she just walked outside.”

Jack turned around and saw Anna.

“I’m sorry to interrupt. Mac just called. He said to tell you that he’d be ready by six. He said you’d know what that means,” Anna said.

“Anna, you remember Master Chief James Jones,” Jack said, turning back to JJ.

“Hello, Master Chief. It’s nice to see you again,” Anna said.

“The pleasure is all mine,” JJ said, smiling broadly.

“If you’ll excuse me, please, Master Chief, make yourself at home,” Anna said as she walked back into the house.

“Thanks!” JJ said, raising his beer in salute. “Damn it, Rock, how’d you manage that one? She seems like a really nice girl.” He shook his head.

“You think?” Jack asked.

“What the hell is she doing with you? Does she really know anything about you? Does she know that you have a black book that would put the fucking White Pages out of business?” JJ asked.