Page 58 of Wrecked
After swallowing down the pasta, she said, “I was meeting my friend Ronald.”
He waited, unsure who that was.
“Ronald Jenning, the SEAL with DEVGRU, who took out terrorist Abdel Haqazzii when I was with the CIA. He and his wife Becky were so supportive when I returned stateside.” She forked another mouthful.
Hearing the name Abdel Haqazzii sent a rush of fury pounding through him. “I didn’t know you were involved in that.”
“I was the CIA case agent in charge of finding Haqazzii,” she replied before taking a bite of breaded chicken. “Ronald’s in DC for work. He wanted to have lunch, but never showed.”
“Maybe he got stuck in meetings.”
“He didn’t text me or call.”
“I’m sure he will,” Hawk said as Prescott entered the break room.
“What happened?” Prescott asked.
Hawk stared at him for a second. “Sorry, we’ve been talking.”
His brother shook his head. “You two get into some kind of mind-meld when you’re together. Reality goes poof.” Pausing, he regarded Addison. “You okay?”
After pushing out of the chair, she collected the container of food. “Totally. Let’s get back in there and hear Dakota out. I won’t be able to make up my mind if I don’t know what I’m dealing with.”
Three hours later, their top-secret meeting ended. Hawk was all in, but Addison had said very little all afternoon.
“Thanks for your time,” Dakota said. “This is a lot to digest. The missions will be dangerous, so strength training, combat training, and weapons training are all a priority. I’m available twenty-four seven for any concerns or questions. This goes without saying, but you cannot discuss this with anyone, even within ALPHA.”
They all verbalized their commitment to secrecy.
“Addison, lemme know.” Dakota shot her a smile. “I’ll be in my office, down the hall, if you want to talk to me before you head out.”
“I’m going to need a few days,” she replied. “Maybe longer.”
Addison collected her things, but waited for Hawk in the hallway. They made their way into the hanger. At Addison’s vehicle, he asked if she was heading back to ALPHA.
“Hell, no,” she replied. “I need to go for a run.”
“You want a running buddy?” he asked.
“Only if you don’t slow me down.”
He laughed. “I’ll do my best to keep up. Where do you want to run?”
“Your neighborhood. I love running along the river. Do you mind if I shower at your place, then we can go to target practice?”
“What about racquetball?” Hawk asked.
“Maybe,” she said. “I need to be outside, not inside. I’ll swing by my place, grab some clothes.”
“I’ll follow you, then we’ll drive over together.” Hawk had driven his ALPHA SUV.
She jumped in hers, he got in his, and they drove out of the garage, both stopping to make sure the oversized door closed before they drove around to the front of the building and onto the dirt road.
He hated that they’d put the brakes on something before it had even started, but he was relieved they were back on track. He followed her to her house, street parked, and got out. She was standing in her driveway, staring at her house.
“What’s going on?” he asked, following her gaze.
“The surveillance camera on the side of the house is missing and the front door camera has been shot out.”
