Page 5 of Pretend
Damn, already? We just got back.
“I wasn’t aware.”
He plugs in a keycode, and the cabinet opens. A nice, tall, beautiful glass of bourbon sits there along with other whiskey bottles, sending my dry mouth-watering.
My favorite.
“Yeah, the team leader is gone. Grim is a family man now. He flew back home not too long ago after receiving word his wife was in labor, and he’s rushed home. I still can’t believe he married Paul Alvarez’s sister.” He shakes his headin disbelief. “Can you believe that shit? Danny Rider? Operator Grim Reaper, a husband and now father?”
I haven’t known Danny Rider too long, but what I do know is he’s the military’s most lethal operator. Smart and cold, he embodies his operator name…Death.
After witnessing Kane get his shit kicked in at the military ball months ago,which was one of my favorite highlights of the year, I was unfortunately caught up on the drama that involved Paul, Ari, Danny, and Kane.
Paul was known as Operator Slayer. He was a Navy SEAL killed in action a few years ago during a mission that went wrong that Rider was in charge of. Operator Slayer’s little sister, Ari, a nurse from Bloomings, has the reaper wrapped around her finger.
I take a deep breath, and my shoulders relax.
What does he want me to say?
I couldn’t care less about Grim’s personal life. Being married and having children has never piqued my interest.
Killing bad guys is what I live for.
I don’t believe in love. I don’t care for it.
Ravenmore pours himself a glass of bourbon with ice and then does the same with another one. He lifts it, offering me a drink. He clears his throat, waiting for me to take it.
“Thank you, sir,”
“It’s well deserved after taking out multiple targets tonight. The sniper that never misses needs a drink.” He collides his drink with mine. The glasses chime, and a smooth burn rolls down my throat in seconds. Ravenmore does the same, finishing it on two gulps.
Macallan Bourbon is my favorite.
“I called you in for a reason.”
Another mission? Another evil that needs to be hunted?
I’m always game.
“What is it, sir?”
“I’m like the rest of you all. I like to keep my personal life private. Family is sacred, and as you’re well aware, it’s insinuated when you join special operations.” He serves himself another glass of bourbon. “I have a daughter. She’s in intelligence, and she’s on a list. Now, Grim was my number one choice. But he’s…not available. He told me to go fuck myself pretty much when I asked. He’s a changed man now that he’s married with twins.”
“Where is this going, Ravenmore?” I retort, impatience riddled in between my words.
“She is set to deploy…and I need you on a different kind of assignment.”
Shit.
I don’t like this.
As Ravenmore explains what he needs from me, I know he’s abusing his power by assigning me this kind of task. And because I’m a workaholic, I never say no.
2
DAEGAN
I’m backin North Carolina, where I’m stationed for the time being, to work with SEAL Team Executioners. The best of the best Navy SEALS as the head sniper on the team.
