Page 38 of Wrecked
“I’d love that,” she replied. “It’ll be fun to catch up.”
“Looking forward to it.” Ronald ended the call.
Ronald Jenning was the Navy SEAL who took out Abdel Haqazzii, the terrorist she’d been hunting down during the two years she lived in the middle east. She and the DEVGRU triggerman started working together once her team was confident they’d located Haqazzii’s compound. From the beginning, they both had the same objective… eliminate one of the most wanted terrorists in the world.
After that mission had ended, she returned to the US. Transitioning back to her life in the states had been harder than she’d anticipated. Ronald and his wife, Becky, had invited her over for dinner on several occasions. They helped with that transition, and she’d always been grateful to them for that. When Ronald moved on to Naval intelligence, he stayed in the DMV. His most recent assignment had taken him and his family out of the area. She’d never forgotten their kindness toward her.
She slid her phone into her bag, said “hey” to Tony the bouncer, and stepped into the fun world of make-believe. The techno-beat swept her away, the low-lit lighting created a sexy vibe, and the array of creative costumes kept her entertained for hours.
This was her playground, and she loved it.
What she didn’t love was that she hadn’t had a moment to play in it. Not once, since she and Liv had opened the club, had she invited anyone upstairs into one of the private suites. She’d received Invitations to Escape, but she’d declined all of them. One of the guys had creeped her out. She had her suspicions another was married. A few invitations had been from women. She was into men, so she’d passed on those, too.
She loved owning and running the club, but she wouldn’t mind taking an hour or two and escaping into her own naughty imagination… with a playmate.
Hawk and that searing kiss popped into her thoughts. That shouldneverhave happened. His mouth on hers, his arms around her, his hardness pressing against her had sent her pulse into the stratosphere. That one kiss had reminded her that all work and no play made her grumpy as hell.
As she headed toward the bar, several members said “hello” or shot her a friendly wave. She stepped behind the bar to check in with her head bartender.
“Hey, Liliana, how’s it going?” Addison asked.
Liliana shot her a warm smile. “Welcome back. How was your business trip?”
Liliana Moore had been working there for three months, one month as head bartender. She was reliable, friendly, and quick at slinging drinks. She never dressed in costume, but always wore a crisp shirt—either white or black—and black pants.
“Lots of boring meetings,” Addison lied. “What’s been happening here?”
“Smooth sailing, except we haven’t signed up many new members.” Liliana replied. “I don’t have the gift of gab like you.”
“I’ll focus on that after my meeting.”
Liliana glanced at her outfit. She’d worn a peasant blouse, shorts, and four-inch stilettos.
“No costume?” Liliana asked.
“Not tonight.”
With a nod, Liliana waited on a customer.
After pouring herself a half glass of red wine, Addison made her way around the dance floor—filled with costumed clubbers—and down the hall toward her office. She stood in front of the scanner, the light flicked to green, and she entered the cozy space.
Liv was typing away on the keyboard, her very large baby bump catching Addison’s full attention.
“Hey!” Liv pushed herself out of the chair.
“Hey, mama!” Addison hurried around the desk and hugged her cousin. “You got so much bigger in just one week.”
“I know. My body has been invaded by ‘lil Savage. I missed you. How are you? I heard the week was crazy intense.”
Addison raised the wine glass. “Hopefully this takes the edge off.”
Liv laughed as she got comfortable on their second-hand sofa. “Come sit with me.”
After Addison joined her, Liv ran her hand over her large belly. “The baby’s kicking.” She took Addison’s hand and placed it on her abdomen.
Addison smiled. Ever since Liv and Jericho had announced their baby news, she’d loved seeing how their life was changing, and how their love for each other continued to grow.
“That baby is definitely ready to come out,” Addison said. “Wow, that’s one strong leg.”
