Christmas Day, two months later.
Quantico, Virginia.
“Connie, grab the salad tongs. They’re in the drawer next to the sink.” Gage leaned over and placed the large salad at the center of the table. He paused to look around his new home. So, maybe his whirlwind romance with Chantal had moved a little fast. He’d ended up spending the rest of the year in Virginia, commuting between DC and Quantico as the investigation into the Sri Lankan attack dragged on via multiple debriefings.
Gage spent every spare moment with Chantal and wanted more—a cemented life with the gorgeous chiropractor. A home. Not just any home—a place they’d chosen together. Technically, they’d moved into their own place, but…
“You used my first name without a reminder. Finally.” The ambassador tapped Gage on the arm with the tongs and grinned. “Your secret salad dressing had be
Watch out for “Striking Blow.” (Strike Zone Book #2)This is Pearl and Antonio’s story. Filled with international intrigue and subterfuge.Striking BlowColombo.Sri Lanka.Pearl needed directions—a map—a freaking GPS back to herself. Finding her worth again meant starting with a physical transformation. For starters, the blonde princess staring back at her in the mirror wasn’t real, and it was time to pack “socialite barbie” away in a dark drawer; time to step away from the two-hundred-dollar haircut and her designer lifestyle.Of course, that wasn’t the reason for the hair clippers clutched in her nervous grip or the box of Brown Sable hair color on the counter. Returning to her natural shade would help to hide her identity. Pearl’s monstrous ex-husband wouldn’t be happy with her escape
Colorado.Kneeling in the same spot for hours resulted in cramping muscles and a dampening forehead. Shifting positions would show weakness. Sweat burned the eyes, not ideal when staring down a scope.“Any moment now.” Papa’s whispered words drew Jona’s attention back to the bird’s eye view of the school.The empty tenth-floor apartment in the partially completed residential building afforded the best vantage point at the perfect distance. A couple of school kids pushed open the doors from the auditorium. Around Jona’s age, they seemed carefree while galloping down the stairs. Spoilt Americans.“Remember what I have taught you.” Papa’s warm hand touched Jona’s shoulder. “I would take the shot, but my hands are no longer reliable.”This assignment was Jona’s first kill—first human kill. Animals didn’t count, although Jona had hunted alongside Papa
Twelve years later. The U.S. Embassy, Colombo, Sri Lanka. “Taylor, what time is it?” Ignoring the burning pain radiating down her left arm, Ambassador Connie Durant sped up as they entered the quiet passage. Her assistant battled to keep up. “Eight-thirty in the evening.” “And my daughter decided to go straight to Martin.” Although Connie trusted Martin Roberts with her life, it annoyed the hell out of her that Chantal hadn’t come to her mother first. Why would she? Their strained relationship lacked the affection they’d once shared. “He is the RSO.” Which was why Connie should feel gratitude. In the past, she’d worked with Martin in DC—established a friendship—and when he’d landed the job at her embassy as the Regional Security Officer a year ago, Connie had breathed a sigh of relief. With twenty-two years on the job, Martin was a seasoned agent with a stellar reputation within diplomatic secu
Three months later.Colombo, Sri Lanka.Gage Hendrix headed across the soft sand with his friend and teammate, Jason Webb. They carried food and paper cups from the nearby street stall and slowed as they reached the rest of his MSD team. The sun hadn’t yet topped the horizon, and aside from a few fishermen, the beach lay quiet.“Wakey, wakey. Eggs and Bakey.” Gage kicked the prone body stretched out on the dunes. “We leave you for five minutes, and you’re already snoozing.”Gannon sat up and yawned, running a hand through shaggy blond hair. “Fucking jet lag is already kicking my ass. I’m not a Spazmanian Devil, like you.” He glanced at the watch on his muscled wrist as Jason walked to the other men at the shoreline. “And you were gone for twenty minutes, bro.”Gag
The MSD men waited in the briefing room for Martin and his RSO team to join them. Happy to be in an air-conditioned facility—deep in the bowels of the embassy, Gage powered up the basic cellphone and tossed the packaging at the trash can.“Ya missed, bro.” Gannon grinned and threw his empty box in the same direction. “New guy cleans up the mess.”Kohen shrugged and stood. Local comms were crucial in the field. MSD agents couldn’t miss a beat when it came to enabling varying and reliable devices. After the briefing, they’d check weapons and their kit, which always remained at the embassy unless in use.“So, what’s the deal?” Kohen tidied up their mess. “We’re playing babysitter for ‘Chanel Five?’”“Chantal. Her name is Chantal, and we’ll get the lowdown in ten.” Gage eyed the newer
Chantal couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched as she climbed into the back of the suburban. It had been a long day, and her feet ached. Thanks to skipping lunch and only having an apple for breakfast, her stomach protested. Exhaustion ate away at her mood, but she forced a smile and greeted her local bodyguards. The workday wasn’t over, and as soon as she got home, she’d change out of her jeans into her sweats. Pulling out a thick customized planner, Chantal scribbled an observation from her last appointment and chose a colored sticker from the back as a reminder for a follow-up. Consistency and self-discipline were both key when offering quality chiropractic services. Only she was in charge of what filled her treatment space and took up her valuable time. Lives were made-up of pattern and routine, and she refused to spend her days on insignificant habits. Kirk, the DS Agent in Charge—referred to in diplomatic
Gage didn’t like her pallor and knew the stunt they’d pulled probably shook her up some. Good. She needed to be a receptive survivor—on top of her game. Her perfume drifted, and he wondered at the familiar notes, picking up a woodsy scent with a creamy coconut vibe. Why did it smell so addictive?Finally, she took his hand. His rough fingers gripped her cool palm, and he felt a tremble. He was the cause. Squashing a sliver of guilt, he smiled reassuringly. A firm grip from a put-together beauty with incredible skin and glossy hair and Gage tried to find a flaw in her armor. And there it was—all in the eyes. She’d never be a good poker player—those large, chocolate-brown eyes held galaxies worth of intel. He released his grip and stepped back. Folding her arms, she backed up against the wall, looking paler than before.“That stunt could’ve ended badly,” Kirk pushed, and Lucius snorted.
Jona collapsed onto the sand and watched the sun rise. This early hour was perfect for a three-mile run. Aside from a few fishermen, the beach lay quiet—a solitary start to the day. Wiping a sweaty brow, Jona acknowledged failure by waiting too long to take out the mother and daughter. It had been twelve years, and Jona had completed fifty-two kills and never failed. Except once… while Papa watched.Standing frozen on the sideline like a procrastinating fucker, waiting to complete this first mission. Why the delay? Because emotions fogged up this unfinished assignment, and Jona couldn’t fail a second time. Between contracts, Jona had stalked the ambassador’s daughter, aware that an assassin should never get too close to their target. Years had passed without action.Chantal Durant had everything in life, and Jona actually liked the spoilt bitch. Chantal had her choice of men—falling over themselves to be with her. Yet, the prissy princess